Juha Holkkola: Future-Proofing IP Resource Management in the Age of AI, Edge Cloud, and DPUs
The networking world is entering a new era. Edge cloud computing is moving workloads closer to where data is generated, artificial intelligence is starting to take on critical operational tasks, and specialized processors like Data Processing Units (DPUs) are redefining how performance and security are delivered. These advances are powerful, but they also place unprecedented demands on managing IP resources.
Traditional methods — spreadsheets, manual updates, static workflows- in fast-moving, high-performance environments — can quickly become bottlenecks. As network architectures evolve, scalability, automation, and real-time adaptability are no longer optional; they are essential for keeping pace.
From Manual to Automated: The Next Step in IP Management
At BalticNOG 2025, Juha Holkkola, Co-Founder and Chief Technologist at FusionLayer, will explore how emerging technologies reshape how organizations plan, allocate, and secure IP resources. Drawing on more than two decades of experience helping enterprises, service providers, and internet operators optimize their infrastructures, Juha will connect these technological changes and the operational strategies needed to meet them head-on.
A major focus will be on AI’s role in streamlining IP address allocation, detecting inefficiencies, and reducing human error. Juha will show how intelligent automation can deliver faster, more accurate results while freeing engineers to focus on higher-value tasks.
Edge Cloud and DPUs: Redefining Network Architectures
The adoption of edge cloud computing transforms network design, making IP planning more dynamic, distributed, and dependent on automation for stability. Meanwhile, DPUs are emerging as game changers — enabling high-performance networking while adding new possibilities for security, traffic management, and workload optimization.
Integrating Modern Standards and Best Practices
Beyond the technologies themselves, Juha will address how modern standards and operational practices fit into this evolving landscape. He will highlight why IPv6, RPKI, and IP leasing must be built into core architectures to ensure networks remain adaptable and secure. Secure Zero Touch Provisioning (sZTP), as defined in RFC 8572, will be discussed as a way to automate and secure deployments at scale from day one.
Lessons from the Field
This session will be grounded in practical insights. Juha will share case studies from FusionLayer’s work with global operators and enterprises, demonstrating how automation, AI, and emerging hardware are already delivering measurable improvements in efficiency and reliability. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the steps needed to modernize IP resource management — from building process maturity to designing automation systems that can scale with evolving demands.
About the Speaker
Juha Holkkola is a recognized expert in network infrastructure automation and IP resource management. As the Co-Founder and Chief Technologist at FusionLayer, he has spent over 20 years helping organizations build efficient, secure, and future-ready network architectures. A regular speaker at RIPE, NANOG, and multiple NOGs, Juha is known for delivering insights that bridge technological foresight with operational practicality.
📅 When: BalticNOG 2025 — 24–25 September 2025
📍 Where: Litexpo, Vilnius, Lithuania
🔗 Register now at: balticnog.org
