On this episode of Tech Field Day Takeaways from Networking Field Day 38, Tom Hollingsworth shares his key observations from the event and highlights the trends driving the future of enterprise networking.

He begins by noting a shift in focus away from the network operating system itself. Companies like Hedgehog and Aviz demonstrated impressive technology built on the open-source SONiC OS, but the spotlight was on the applications and platforms layered on top—signaling a broader industry move toward prioritizing outcomes over infrastructure details.

Tom then highlights HPE Aruba Networking’s strong presence at the event, showcasing a comprehensive portfolio spanning campus, data center, and wireless solutions. Aruba Central emerged as a unifying platform for streamlined IT operations. With the recent Juniper Networks acquisition, HPE is poised for a promising future—though questions remain about product integration and potential overlaps.

Lastly, he explores how service assurance is becoming central to operations. cPacket demonstrated proactive fault detection, AI-driven remediation suggestions, and seamless ITSM integrations that help minimize or even prevent downtime. These innovations reinforce the critical role of data collection and analysis in modern network operations.