Author: Katherine Gerry, Director of Global Networking at NetActuate
Attending the European Peering Forum (EPF) 2024 in Vienna was a remarkable experience, not just for the insights gained but also for the opportunity to connect with a global community dedicated to advancing Internet infrastructure and interconnection.
Yet, my journey began with an unexpected twist. Upon arrival in Europe, a severe storm wreaked havoc across the region, toppling trees and causing substantial flooding. This disruption delayed several attendees, including myself, as train cancellations made travel challenging, and, to add to the chaos, my luggage was delayed.
Despite the rocky start, Vienna soon revealed its charm. On Sunday, I had the chance to explore the Kunsthistorisches Museum with new friends from AT Tokyo. The museum’s exquisite collection of artworks provided a tranquil and inspiring prelude to the forum’s busy days ahead. Later that evening, EPF hosted its traditional meet-and-greet social event at the hotel. We gathered, exchanged initial greetings, collected our event badges, and enjoyed light refreshments—a welcoming start to the networking that would follow over the next few days.
Day 1: Delving into peering insights
The official proceedings of EPF began on Monday September 16, opening with a series of talks that underscored the technical sophistication and future trajectory of the Internet’s backbone. One particularly captivating presentation came from Fredrik Korsbäck of Amazon. His discussion on Amazon’s peering strategies revealed an innovative approach to network security. By leveraging its peering relationships and utilizing honeypots, Amazon can trace the origins of malicious packets, pinpointing their sources through packet analysis. This deep dive into how a tech giant enhances its security using data-driven methods was both illuminating and relevant to anyone in the networking space.
After the informative sessions, the core of the forum for me began—five hours of consecutive 1-on-1 meetings. These sessions, each no longer than 30 minutes, provided a unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from networks and data centers around the world. While fast-paced, the meetings were highly productive, offering a rare chance to discuss specific business needs and explore potential collaborations. Both Tuesday and Wednesday followed a similar format, maintaining the rhythm of rapid, but meaningful, interactions.
Day 2: Networking beyond the conference room
While EPF’s structured meetings were invaluable, the forum’s social events added a layer of informal connection that is equally critical in fostering long-term business relationships. On Monday evening, we gathered at Mirage for dinner, where we were entertained by a comedic magician—a lighthearted counterpoint to the intensity of the day’s technical discussions.
Tuesday evening’s social event transported us to Fuhrgassl Huber Heuriger, a traditional Austrian wine tavern nestled in the vineyards surrounding Vienna. The experience was quintessentially Austrian, with hearty local cuisine and the unmistakable warmth of shared conversation. It was a delightful change of pace, allowing attendees to unwind and connect on a more personal level.
In this forum, I also reconnected with key customers like Klaus Darilion from nic.at and Gael Hernandez from CatchPoint.
Day 3: Technical highlights: Challenges and innovations
Wednesday brought forth some of the most technically challenging discussions of the event. One standout was a presentation on Anycast routing—a topic of relevance to our operations. The speaker outlined the inherent difficulties in making Anycast routing efficient and scalable, while also sharing lessons learned and strategies for optimization.
After a day packed with meetings and sessions, I took a quiet walk around Vienna, soaking in the city’s elegance before enjoying a peaceful roadside dinner—a moment of reflection amid the whirlwind of activity.
A Farewell to Vienna
As the forum drew to a close, the value of EPF became even clearer. Beyond the presentations and meetings, the event fostered a spirit of collaboration, bringing together a diverse mix of Internet service providers, carriers, CDNs, and data centers. Each session reinforced the importance of shared knowledge and cooperation in the ever-evolving world of global interconnection. My last morning in Vienna was an early one—departing at 3:30 AM—but I left with a wealth of insights, new connections, and a sense of excitement for the future of peering.
EPF 2024 proved to be an essential platform for anyone working in Internet infrastructure, with its combination of technical expertise, collaborative discussions, and networking opportunities. Despite the initial travel challenges, my time in Vienna was both personally and professionally enriching, and I look forward to implementing the insights I gained into our future projects.
In conclusion, EPF 2024 showcased the importance of innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking in the Internet ecosystem. The event reinforced that, while technical expertise is crucial, it is the connections made and the ideas exchanged that will ultimately drive the industry forward.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into the insights and topics covered at EPF 2024, explore the full agenda here to see what you can learn from this year’s event.