The Interop Connection

Interop is a twice annual, information technology event unlike any other. This interoperability proving-ground, originally called the Interop ShowNet, began in the early 1990’s when volunteers from major hardware and software companies gathered in Northern California to build a one-of a kind network designed to test their products and to see how these products could and would work together. This proving-ground grew into one of the largest networking events in the world, now known simply as Interop. As the event grew so did the unique network called the InteropNet. Major players such as Cisco, Extreme, Fluke, and Infoblox have contributed hardware, software, and personnel ranging from college interns to senior level engineers, to building and running the InteropNet.

The InteropNet Network Operations Team has contained some of the most influential people in the world when it comes to network technology and the internet itself.  It has included many active participants in the IETF and ICANN communities, writers of major internet standards, including RFCs on the DNS and IPv6 protocols, and given rise to countless companies that have made major contributions to the growth of network technology.

DeepDive Networking (DDN) has deep roots in the Interop program.  DDN founder and CEO Robert Nagy, and Director of Technical Services Josh Kuo, both started working on the InteropNet as college interns in 2000. The InteropNet intern program was established through the University of Hawaii’s Advanced Network Computing Lab and gave young computer science majors a unique opportunity to use the knowledge they were gaining in school applied in a real-world environment. Interning at Interop allowed rising CS majors to network with accomplished, high-level people in a field where real-world experience often matters far more than schooling. Many of these interns went on to have significant careers in the world of network technology. In fact nearly every member of the DeepDive team, past and present, has been involved with Interop in one way or another.   

The connection between Infoblox and DeepDive Networking began at Interop as well, long before DDN existed. In 2001 Infoblox was invited to participate in the InteropNet environment in preparation for the Las Vegas event in 2002. Infoblox appliances were an integral part of the InteropNet as the primary DNS and DHCP provider. Infoblox continued this major roll for several years and during these years, Robert Nagy, Josh Kuo, and Mike Lanski worked together at Interop and formed a solid friendship as their individual careers moved forward.  Rob went on to work as a Professional Services Engineer for Infoblox. He worked closely with Mike Lanski who was a key contributor to Infoblox Support and Training programs, and both maintained a solid connection with Josh Kuo who was a Senior Consultant for Accuvant specializing in Infoblox implementations. When Rob Nagy started DeepDive Networking in 2008 it was very clear who he wanted on his team. Today, Rob Nagy, the Founder and CEO of DDN, Josh Kuo, the Director of Professional and Technical Services for DDN, and Mike Lanski, the Director of Education Services for DDN use the professional knowledge and friendship they developed many years ago at Interop to run DDN successfully.

The InteropNet team is an incredible professional network. The longstanding team-based connection is used as a resource for information, recommendations, referrals and new job opportunities. It is also a sounding board for problem solving, crazy ideas and project development. But it is far more than just a professional network; it has become a closely knit network of friends. The participants stay in contact and are regularly involved in each others lives. They meet for dinner or drinks, crash on each others couches and take vacations together. Many are avid SCUBA divers and have been diving all over the world together. They have pulled together to support each other through tragedy and loss and also celebrated weddings, vow renewals and the birth of children.  Some of these individuals have become business partners, roommates, and even significant others.  Every participant of the Interop team over the years has had their life influenced by their involvement with this prolific and important program.

DeepDive Networking was born out of our connection to the InteropNet program and every one of our careers came from the relationships we built while we were working on this one-of-a-kind team.  We will all be forever grateful to the people who influenced us and for the knowledge and the relationships we continue to carry with us.