13 November 2024 Events From the Community My Week at TechEX24: Andrew Buker From the University of Nebraska System Subscribe for more like this Share By Amber Rasche - Senior Communications Specialist, Internet2 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes How Track Hopping Unlocks New Insights at the 2024 Internet2 Technology Exchange In this My Week at TechEX24 series, we spotlight research and education (R&E) community members as they gear up for the Internet2 Technology Exchange, Dec. 9-13, in Boston, MA. Andrew Buker, assistant vice president for infrastructure services at the University of Nebraska System, has been part of the R&E community for 19 years. He is also a three-peat TechEX attendee — for a good reason. “One of the greatest things about the research and education community is our collective willingness to openly share and collaborate,” Buker said. “As I think about what makes this conference unique, I believe the deeper technical dives create a space for conversations that bridge the strategic and operational lenses.” From network automation and eduroam to compliance and research engagement, Buker’s must-attend list of topics from this year’s program spans multiple tracks — a strategy he uses to explore diverse content and expand his professional network. In this Q&A, he shares his take on what makes TechEX a standout event for R&E network operators and his advice for first-time attendees. Andrew Buker Assistant Vice President for Infrastructure Services, University of Nebraska System Returning TechEX Attendee Years of Experience in the R&E Community: “19 years… somehow” Track of Interest: “Advanced Networking, but I track hop a lot” What session or speaker within your primary track of interest are you most excited about at the 2024 Internet2 Technology Exchange? Buker: I’m really excited to attend the Mobility Day at Internet2 TechEX24 pre-conference session the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 9. It’s an opportunity to talk about eduroam with others who are as passionate about ubiquitous wireless access for education as we are in Nebraska. Within the Advanced Networking track, I’m looking forward to the More Network Automation Tapas session on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Based on last year’s discussion, the panel is sure to pack in lots of valuable content in just 30 minutes. TechEX is also a great conference for cross-topic exploration. Is there a session from one of the other tracks you plan to attend? Buker: Security in the Cloud, Everything from Default IoT Configs, to Tooling, Monitoring, and Compliance on Thursday, Dec. 12, caught my attention. It is always great to learn how other institutions interpret and handle the rapidly changing landscape of compliance. Aside from the diversity in content, track hopping also creates many more avenues to expand your professional network. What’s one innovative topic or trend that you’re eager to explore more deeply at the event? Buker: Automation has been a key theme within the Advanced Networking track at TechEX for a while now, but it’s still toward the top of my watchlist. Increasing engagement with our academic research community is another. TechEX typically goes deeper into the weeds than the other events that I regularly attend. It allows me to take lots of questions and ideas back to my team about how we can enhance and improve our efforts. TechEX offers plenty of opportunities for fun and networking. Which social activities are you most looking forward to, and do you have any plans to explore Boston while you’re there? Buker: Some of my most memorable conversations from past TechEX conferences have been those sparked during the breaks and meals. One of the greatest things about the research and education community is our collective willingness to openly share and collaborate. I’m also excited to be back in Boston. Unfortunately, the Bruins aren’t in town while we’re there. Some memorable places are the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the U.S., Mike’s Pastry in the North End, known as the “home of the cannoli,” and the Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park. I also enjoy seeing the historic sites along the Freedom Trail. What keeps you coming back to TechEX, and what advice do you have for first-time attendees? Buker: As I mentioned earlier, the community is what keeps me coming back. TechEX provides a great opportunity to reframe challenges and identify new opportunities to take back to my institution. As I think about what makes this conference unique, I believe the deeper technical dives create a space for conversations that bridge the strategic and operational lenses. My advice for first-time attendees is to jump in, raise your hand, and find ways to get involved. This community will welcome you and will value your input. Plan Your Week at TechEX24 and Register Today Are you ready to join us in Boston, Dec. 9-13? If you haven’t yet registered for the 2024 Internet2 Technology Exchange, now is the time! Don’t miss out — explore the full program and secure your spot. Connect with peers, gain fresh insights, and be part of one of the year’s most essential gatherings for IT professionals in R&E. Register Today About the Author(s) View Author Articles Amber Rasche arasche@internet2.edu Senior Communications Specialist, Internet2 Amber Rasche contributes to Internet2’s strategic communications and public relations efforts. She has 10 years of experience with the research and education community, serving previous roles in both higher education information technology and government high-performance network environments.