Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) has scored a coup, enticing Google Distinguished Engineer and the Head of Network Architecture, Engineering and Planning Bikash Koley to join the communications technology supplier as chief technology officer. Koley is expected to join the company next month and assume responsibility for Juniper Networks' technology strategy as well as execution of such technology initiatives as the Contrail SDN support vision and AppFormix optimization and management software platform, which Juniper acquired earlier this year.
He will replace Pradeep Sindhu, Juniper Networks co-founder as well as CTO. Sindhu announced earlier this year that he will transition to the role of chief scientist at Juniper so he can devote more attention to his position as CEO of data center technology company Fungible. Juniper is a Fungible investor.
Koley joined Google in 2008 as a staff network architect, rising to his present position in 2015. Along the way he designed, built, and operated Google's production network infrastructure, which included architecting data center, backbone, optical, and the content edge networks. He also led the team responsible for Google's adoption of software-defined network (SDN). Koley has evangelized Google's vision and requirements to industry as a frequent speaker a conferences and other events.
Prior to his work at Google, Koley served as co-founder and CTO of Qstreams Networks (a company described in Koley's LinkedIn profile as working in "Intelligent Optical Network, Carrier Ethernet, GMPLS, Agile IPoWDM") after spending several years at Ciena in various technical roles that included work in development of DWDM and Ethernet technologies.
"I have admired Juniper Networks' technology for the last two decades and believe the technology within Juniper will lend itself to an amazing programmable platform that will allow companies to operate seamless hybrid cloud infrastructures," Koley said via a Juniper Networks press release. "Harmonious connectivity to clouds is not a solved problem, and I look forward to being part of the new era of networking."
Koley will report to CEO Rami Rahim. "Bikash is a visionary who has been architecting and operating networks of the future at Google for the past 10 years. I'm excited to have Bikash help us lead the transformation in the networking industry by delivering innovative products, solutions, and services for network operators around the world," said Rahim.
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