This is one of my API research sites, focused specifically on Software Defined Networking (SDN). My name is Kin Lane, and I am the API Evangelist, working as hard as I can to understand the world of the Application Programming Interface, widely called an API. This network of API research projects all run on Github, and is my real-time workbench, which means there is a lot of finished work present, but occasionally you will also come across areas projects that are unfinished--you have stumbled in my Software Defined Networking (SDN) research, you will find the main API Evangelist site over here, with other links to my work.

This site is where I publish news that I have read, stories I’ve published, company I’ve profiled, and valuable tools I’m stumbled on across while researching Software Defined Networking (SDN) space. This research isn’t about being complete, or finished, it is about maintaining a liquid understanding of what Software Defined Networking (SDN) is, and be as comprehensive as a one man operation can be.

I execute on my API research by focusing in on specific areas like Software Defined Networking (SDN), getting to work understanding who the key actors are, which may include individual personalities, or corporate, government, or institutional entities. I profile each actor, and establish monitoring streams using Github, Twitter, RSS, Stack Exchange, and any other relevant channels. Throughout my monitoring I keep an eye out for interesting articles, white papers, announcements, and tooling that contribute to, and expands upon my definition of what is Software Defined Networking (SDN).

The more I research an area like Software Defined Networking (SDN), the more I’m able to identify common building blocks, that make up the space. For Software Defined Networking (SDN), this can be as fundamental as API definitions, or as specific as publishing and sharing interactive documentation. My interpretation of these building blocks change over time, and sometimes I will link up these building blocks with other research projects, or spin off as independent projects, allowing me to dive even deeper—for example, Swagger began as a building block on API management, and is now its own research area entirely.

All my research is openly licensed CC-BY, and is meant to help grow the awareness around healthy Software Defined Networking (SDN) practices. I try to be as fair as I can when covering companies, individuals, and the tools they provide, but ultimately you will notice I have my favorites, and there are some areas I only touch on lightly, for a variety of personal reasons. I try to stay as neutral as I can when it comes to technological dogma, and company allegiance, but after almost five years, I have some pretty strong opinions, and can’t help but try and steer, and influence things in my own unique way. ;-)

Thanks for reading!