The Data Tsunami: Why Real AI Traffic Demands a Network Re-Architecture
As AI workloads explode across enterprises, networks designed for small, random, short-lived flows are being overwhelmed by the reality of modern AI traffic — massive, synchronized, long-lived flows that saturate links and expose the fragility of static architectures. Recent data shows that AI traffic is not just heavier, but fundamentally different: predominantly multicast or all-to-all, hypersensitive to latency, and able to turn traditional switch oversubscription and ECMP balancing into bottlenecks.
This panel will examine why the industry’s traditional best-effort, entropy-dependent designs can’t support AI’s unforgiving performance needs. Expect real data on what happens when a single AI job eats your bandwidth for weeks — and the hidden costs when tail latency drags out training runs by 50% or more.
Brian is responsible for the Services, Advisory, and Field Technical Functions in World Wide Technology’s Eastern Operations.
Most recently Brian was responsible for transforming and leading global technical operations, engineering, and architecture for a large UK Based Global Pharmaceutical as part of their Digital
Transformation across Operating Model, Agile Transformation, Infrastructure modernization, Cyber Uplift, Hosting and Cloud Transformation, End User Experience, Service Management, and FinOPs Agile Funding Executive team.
As a Client he also led JPMorganChase’s Global Network Engineering and Operations teams, where
his teams successfully deployed an industry leading private fiber WAN and drove a major global refresh and insourcing effort.
At Cisco Systems, Brian led the global sales and field engineering teams serving their largest clients and launched the Server Entry into those clients, also acting in the role of Corporate Engineering Liaison for all Data Center Products.Brian’s diverse experience and exposure as an executive in large tech companies, founder and leader of startup Tech and MedTech Device companies, advisor to multiple VC Tech companies, and as a non-profit Board member, has provided a unique view of the entire tech landscape including the funding, business, and operational vectors.
A father of 2, avid musician, former marathon runner turned cyclist, reader, and boating enthusiast,
Brian and his wife Mary, reside in the Cleveland Ohio Metro Area.
Ashwin Kohli brings over 30 years of global experience in networking, customer success, and technical leadership. He champions Arista’s customer experience and customer-first culture, driving satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term success. He leads global customer engineering including systems engineering, customer support, and professional services, to scale exceptional customer outcomes.
With a strong focus on innovation and operational excellence, Ashwin leverages data-driven insights to continuously enhance the customer journey. As a trusted advisor to global clients, he builds long-standing relationships that drive product, business and customer value.
Prior to joining Arista in 2011, he was on the customer side and held senior infrastructure leadership roles at BNP Paribas, Merrill Lynch, and ABN AMRO, where he led large-scale global networking engineering and operations.
He holds a BSc in Computer Science and Accounting from Manchester University, United Kingdom.
