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.
As Technical Director, Aryo Kresnadi is responsible for setting network architecture strategies, futures and solutions for FedEx Global Enterprise Network supporting all FedEx information movement to ensure on-time delivery for all FedEx packages.
Current responsibility includes research and development of architecture, design and implementation of the next-generation network for FedEx data center, multi-cloud, and edge network for the FedEx field locations to support next-generation sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
Aryo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Ohio State University and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) from University of Pittsburgh. Aryo is currently based in Collierville, TN, the home of FedEx World Technology Center.
Rajarshi (Raj) has 21+ years of experience driving Pre-Sales, business development, marketing & delivery leading to revenue and profitability growth for companies that he worked for in Enterprises, international telecoms & OTT sector across both mature and emerging markets. He has led multicultural teams and managed customers across the globe.
He has held multiple leadership roles at Tata Communications, across multiple roles and regions enabling growth for the company. These positions ensured leadership of Tata Communications business across three varied business lines, Global Carrier Solutions, Enterprise Solutions and OTTs, achieving revenue and profitability growth annually over my tenure. He was entrusted with launching new service models and developing new markets, while ensuring improved employee engagement scores, well above company benchmarks.
His most recent role is to lead Pre-Sales (Sales Engineers) for Amercia’s market for Tata Communications. In this role, he works with large Enterprise customers on their growth strategy by co-creating, collaborating, and delivering on their innovation road map, with Tata Communications as a strategic partner.
Prior to this role, he led India Pre Sales and prior to that he was Global Head of Product Marketing where he led a global team to convert technical products into stories and brochures which can connect with customers and employees.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
He has filed 4 Patents in areas of Drones, RPA and Internet. Won “Shape the Future”- which is a platform for best ideas in Tata Communications. Highest ESAT score 3 years in a row in Tata communications. Leading Project in Botswana to make internet and network affordable in the country. Engaging with clients with Point of View and Thought Leadership rather than point product conversations, resulting in continued leadership position for Tata Communications in the India region.
James Walker is the Chief Administrative Officer at DXC and an ONUG Board Member. He was formerly VP of Strategy & Transformation at IBM Cloud, and has previously held senior executive roles in technology at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse.
Justin van Schaik is a seasoned thought leader and subject matter expert on high-performance networks. He is an individual contributor on World Wide Technology’s AI initiatives and has over 30 years of experience in both generalized enterprise architecture and focused low-latency design.
Prior to joining WWT in 2013, he spent almost 20 years on Wall Street with various banks, hedge funds, and electronic trading firms. He is also a combat veteran and served in the US Army.
Justin is an empty-nester and is currently enjoying not driving his children everywhere. He also once managed to cut his thumb on a banana.
