Journey through the evolution of network architecture and explore what the future might hold in this conversation with APNIC’s Chief Scientist Geoff Huston.

Geoff and The Internet Report team will cover how the Internet has transformed significantly over the past four decades, scaling to meet rapidly growing demand. And they’ll also discuss how the challenge to “scale still more” continues today as the networking community evolves infrastructure to support emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:11 Meet Geoff Huston
02:56 The Shift to Asymmetry
10:58 The Challenge of Scale
22:07 Moore's Law and Networking
25:05 The Rise of CDNs
26:07 Name-driven Architecture
36:57 AI's Impact on Network Architecture
45:08 Get in Touch

ABOUT GEOFF HUSTON
Geoff Huston AM is Chief Scientist at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for the Asia Pacific region. An industry veteran, Geoff researches Internet infrastructure, IP technologies, and address distribution policies, among other topics. Learn more, explore his recent articles and presentations, and connect with Geoff through his website, www.potaroo.net.

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For additional insights, check out The Internet Report’s latest blog: https://www.thousandeyes.com/blog/internet-report-evolution-network-architecture?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy25q4_internetreport_q4fy25ep1_podcast

And to learn more about how to deliver seamless digital experiences in a distributed IT landscape, read this eBook:  https://www.thousandeyes.com/resources/guide-to-next-generation-assurance-ebook?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fy25q4_internetreport_q4fy25ep1_podcast

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Want to get in touch?

If you have questions, feedback, or guests you would like to see featured on the show, send us a note at InternetReport@thousandeyes.com. Or follow us on the ThousandEyes LinkedIn or X.

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ABOUT THE INTERNET REPORT
This is The Internet Report, a podcast uncovering what’s working and what’s breaking on the Internet—and why. 

Tune in to hear ThousandEyes’ Internet experts dig into some of the most interesting outage events from the past couple weeks, discussing what went awry—was it the Internet, or an application issue?

Plus, learn about the latest trends in ISP outages, cloud network outages, collaboration network outages, and more.

Catch all the episodes on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform:

- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-report/id1506984526

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ADFvqAtgsbYwk4JiZFqHQ?si=00e9c4b53aff4d08&nd=1&dlsi=eab65c9ea39d4773

- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ciscopodcastnetwork/sets/the-internet-report

A Story of Scale: Geoff Huston on the Evolution of Network Architecture

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Pete Pizzutillo sits down with Chris Sikora, Chief Revenue Officer, and Tony Thakur, Chief Technology Officer at GPC Fiber, to explore their  165-mile, 400G-capable fiber build across Kentucky and what it means for mission-critical connectivity in the region. The conversation traces Chris and Tony’s long careers in fiber, the evolution from Great Plains Communications to the GPC Fiber brand, and why Kentucky’s Louisville–Lexington–Cincinnati–Indianapolis corridor is such a powerful hub for economic growth.

The episode highlights how GPC approaches market selection, their focus on mission-critical connectivity for hospitals, hyperscalers, logistics companies, and small businesses, and how vertical integration—designing, building, and supporting their own network—creates a differentiated customer experience. Tony breaks down the network architecture behind their 400G backbone, the path to 800G and 1.6T, ring topology for resiliency, and how they think about backbone, middle mile, and last mile design to ensure scalability and low latency. Chris shares how transparency, geographic expertise, and frictionless collaboration have helped GPC win business with hyperscalers and support economic development in rural Kentucky—“not just lighting up fiber, but lighting up opportunity.” The episode wraps with a look ahead at how AI, security, and seamless customer experiences will shape GPC Fiber’s next chapter in the Southeast.

Episode 473: Chris Sikora & Tony Thakur on GPC Fiber and Mission-Critical Connectivity

The Cisco Podcast Network is a collective of podcasts from across Cisco spanning technology to culture and everything in between. Hear from Cisco customers, partners, and Cisco insiders on the topics that matter most to you. Email us with your feedback and suggestions. Discover your favorite playlists today!

Welcome to the Broadband Bunch, a podcast about broadband and how it impacts all of us.  Join us to learn about the state of the industry and the latest innovations and trends. Connect with the thought leaders, pioneers and policymakers helping to shape your future through broadband.

The Broadband Bunch is sponsored by:
ETI Software:  www.etisoftware.com
VETRO: www.vetrofibermap.com

New tracks tagged #networkarchitecture