Networking

Podcasts

The Buzz: Palo Alto Networks targets AI gateways with Portkey, Auvik launches Aurora AI agents, and Huntress goes big on distribution

May 4, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
Today’s channel headlines: Palo Alto Networks announces intent to acquire AI gateway pioneer Portkey to secure autonomous agents; Waterloo’s Auvik launches Aurora, a suite of AI-powered IT agents grounded in fifteen years of real-world network data; and Huntress signs with Ingram Micro and others to scale its global distribution. Plus: Q1 cloud earnings results from Azure, AWS, and Google; Cisco’s sovereign infrastructure expansion; AWS’s 11,000-engineer hiring push; and the kickoff of ServiceNow Knowledge 2026 in Las Vegas.

Podcasts

The Buzz: SAS Innovate 2026 special – Viya opens to AI agents, Navigator gets crawlers

April 30, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
A special edition of The Buzz from SAS Innovate 2026 in Washington. SAS opens Viya to external AI agents via MCP, AI Navigator gets automated discovery and lands on Azure Marketplace, and SAS’s chief operating officer gives the most candid AI ROI read of the week. Plus: Microsoft beats Q3 with 40% Azure growth and Copilot at 20 million seats with M365 E7 landing tomorrow, Lenovo acquires Phoenix Technologies’ firmware business, Auvik launches Aurora AI agents for MSPs, and Aviatrix introduces agentic AI containment through the channel.

In The Channel

Networking is not sexy until it doesn’t work

April 28, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
When the founders of the SD-WAN market started over, they had a specific problem in mind. What they built next may be exactly what the AI era demands from the network.

Channel Programs

Cisco 360, three months in: Canadian partners are responding better than expected

April 24, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
Cisco Canada’s VP of Partner Organization and SMB Sales takes stock of the first quarter of the new Cisco 360 Partner Program – including the partner feedback that caught her off guard, what “Preferred” means now that Gold is gone, and why Canadian partners should start building their adopt-and-renew practices before the incentive structure forces them to.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Acronis launches GenAI Protection, Everpure CEO warns of sustained RAMageddon pricing, and Cisco’s quantum networking milestone

April 24, 2026 Robert Dutt 0
Acronis launches GenAI Protection, giving MSPs a billable way to govern shadow AI across client environments. Everpure CEO Charles Giancarlo publishes an open letter warning of 70-percent average price increases driven by AI-fuelled semiconductor demand – with multi-year disruption likely. And Cisco announces a working Universal Quantum Switch prototype that routes quantum information between incompatible systems without destroying it. Three stories worth your attention to close the week.

Networking

HPE extends StoreFabric M-series switches with new SKUs for specialized markets and use cases

February 14, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on HPE extends StoreFabric M-series switches with new SKUs for specialized markets and use cases
The new SKUs add TAA compliance for resonance in the government market, ONIE SKUs to appeal to those who want a third-party, typically open source OS, and reverse airflow options which some telcos prefer.

Networking

New Masergy CEO looks to double down on channel

February 14, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on New Masergy CEO looks to double down on channel
Masergy has been expanding its efforts with IT-based partners as well as traditional telco ones over the last year, and new CEO James Parker wants to intensify both, while also getting a higher percentage of partners to be very highly engaged.

Storage

Quantum introduces new StorNext Xcellis appliances with upgraded hardware

February 5, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Quantum introduces new StorNext Xcellis appliances with upgraded hardware
The Xcellis appliances are targeted at use cases which require intense video workflows, and benefit from the hardware upgrades, which include 100GbE connectivity and major increases in processing power and RAM.

Mobility

Chargifi, Belkin partner on integrated smart wireless charging for B2B market

January 9, 2019 Mark Cox Comments Off on Chargifi, Belkin partner on integrated smart wireless charging for B2B market
High-flying Chargifi picks Belkin as a hardware partner, leveraging that company’s recent expansion of their B2B channel in a move which will see the integrated solution distributed in North America through Ingram Micro.

Networking

Lenovo adds open source networking portfolio through new partnership with Cumulus Networks

December 12, 2018 Mark Cox Comments Off on Lenovo adds open source networking portfolio through new partnership with Cumulus Networks
Lenovo is the last major infrastructure vendor to join the roster of Cumulus partners. They will offer three ThinkSystem RackSwitch models with support for Cumulus Linux out of the gate, with more coming in 2019.