This blog post is part of a series exploring the fascinating challenges I’ve encountered throughout my career. Originally, the Splunk codebase was designed for on-premises installations, requiring manual setup via “tarball” on multiple data center machines. This approach demanded thorough knowledge of specific configurations and was notably time-consuming, especially for cloud deployments which could extend over weeks for each customer. Moreover, Splunk’s development engineers lacked familiarity with the complexities involved in cloud setup and operation, leaving such tasks to dedicated cloud teams....

I’ve navigated some intriguing challenges in my career, gaining invaluable insights along the way. I’m excited to unveil these experiences in a new blog series, where I’ll delve into the obstacles I encountered, the strategies I employed to overcome them, and the outcomes of those efforts. In 2015, I joined Splunk at a time when the company was experiencing rapid growth, overflowing with innovative ideas, and attracting a significant influx of new customers....

I’m currently navigating the exciting journey of potentially co-founding a startup, grounded in my rich background as a software engineering leader. My passion lies in steering tech teams toward achieving their most ambitious dreams, all while fostering a culture of joy and collaboration. This is made possible through my knack for broadening perspectives on projects, making them more accessible and engaging for everyone involved. With a track record of building robust platforms, spearheading projects, and nurturing team growth across both sprawling corporations and nimble startups, my approach is holistic....

I’ve started reading Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari. It is an absorbing and gripping read. Yuval is to the point, and the objectivity is refreshing. Complex language is our biggest invention: Compared to the rest of living species on Earth, our language is the most nuanced and complex. We can describe situations, events, reality in most rich and nuanced ways. Not only that, we use language to connect intimately with our peers....

There is truth in the stone, for the stone is here; and no power in the world, no god, no man, no demon, can destroy its existence. But the stone has no consciousness. There is truth in the plant and its life can expand; the plant grows and blossoms and bears fruit. Its beauty is marvelous, but it has no consciousness. There is truth in the animal; it moves about and perceives its surroundings; it distinguishes and learns to choose....

Reflecting on the adventures of the past year, it’s been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. As the final chapter unfolds, it’s time to recount the highs, lows, and unexpected turns that marked the passage of time. The journey kicked off in January with a surprise 50th birthday bash orchestrated by Nidhi, setting the tone for a year of unexpected twists and turns. Despite the tumultuous rains, spirits remained high as friends embarked on a memorable trip to Vegas, creating memories to cherish....

Language, our tool for communication and understanding, has a hidden complexity: context. Subtle variations changes the meaning of words drastically. Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the technology that can decode this complexity. It allows computers to grasp meaning and respond like humans. NLP might seem complex, involving filters and rules, but at its core, it’s about paying attention to context. This technology lets us teach machines to understand our commands better and simplifies how we control them....

Effectively using technology platforms like Splunk is not easy. Before with Modularity Imagine an average IT professional trying to set up security alerts for their network using such a system. This person has to go through a lengthy process: Create a saved search, test it, and run it multiple times. Decide which node to run the saved search on. Determine if the search can overload system capacity. Configure the saved search to run at regular intervals....

For the past week, my dad has been really sick. It started with some skin blisters. At first, we thought it might be an allergy to the medicines he takes when he’s not feeling well. But these blisters got big and scary fast. The doctor couldn’t exactly figure out what was wrong but said Dad needed to go to the hospital. This was a tough decision because it meant Mom would have to stay alone in their apartment....

In the midst of the pandemic, when our lives were confined to the walls of our homes and our hearts yearned for change, we stumbled upon a hidden treasure – Pillar Point Bluff. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist spots, this coastal haven became our sanctuary during those uncertain times. As COVID-19 kept us cooped up inside, the outside world seemed like a distant dream. Fear of encountering people and the virus itself made even the simplest outings feel like risky endeavors....