Networking News

Cisco CEO Recalls 30 years of Innovation At Cisco Live

CEO Chuck Robbins discusses Cisco’s success and transformation during his keynote at Cisco Live, a conference now three decades old.

It’s not often that you get to wear a birthday hat at a technology conference, but this week marked a special anniversary for Cisco Live: 30 years since day one.

“Does anybody recognize that sound?” asked CEO and Chairman Chuck Robbins during his keynote on Monday as the tone of internet dial-up vibrated throughout the San Diego Convention Center.

“We have come from a place where I started in technology where we were viewed as some group in the basement of a building,” he said. “Think about what we have accomplished together. We can now deliver healthcare into rural parts of emerging countries all around the world through the use of technology - same with education. Think about how things have changed.”

Cisco attracted nearly 30,000 analysts, partners and customers to Cisco Live this year, a big increase from 30 years ago when the event was called “Networkers.” Cisco used the anniversary to showcase its ongoing transformation with software that’s aimed to revolutionize traditional networking.

“Over the last two years we’ve been bringing out technology to build this multi-domain intent-based network, where we will connect any user on any device on any network to any application,” said David Goeckeler, Executive VP of Cisco’s Network and Security Business.

Goeckeler unveiled a new series of software enhancements for the network, which included more artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation. The enhancements promise more visibility and insights into the network data.

To learn more about Cisco’s evolution over the last 30 years, watch CRN’s video included in this article.