Ep. 40 | AWS VP of Engineering Wayne Duso on Managing ⅓ of the Internet's Cloud Storage

Ep. 40 | AWS VP of Engineering Wayne Duso on Managing ⅓ of the Internet's Cloud Storage

Author: All About Circuits December 21, 2021 Duration: 1:01:28

A huge amount of the internet—up to a third of it, in fact—is run by Amazon Web Services. But the cloud, as Wayne Duso puts it, is not magic pixie dust. It works because of the blood, sweat, and tears of engineers. Hear all about it in this Season 3 finale of Moore's Lobby.

Wayne Duso is one of the leading minds behind AWS, someone deeply familiar with the technical challenges and heavy responsibility of handling a third of the internet's traffic and data. AWS runs some of the top online services on the planet, including Netflix, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, and more. 

In the last episode of 2021, we welcome Wayne to talk about AWS's astronomical growth, Amazon's "working backward" philosophy, and why data storage never gets boring. Wayne also explains what caused the internet to "burn down" recently when AWS servers went down and the mentality of approaching such a crisis like a firefighter.

Also included in this can't-miss episode:

  • How Wayne ended up in the data storage business (i.e., looking up "C for computer" in the phone book and more jokes about clam bakes than you'd expect)
  • An inside look at AWS's world-conquering success (including stories about Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and clearing up rumors of AWS's origins)
  • Stories from the early days of the internet (Who the heck are the Four Horsemen of the internet?!)
  • Which one patent Wayne keeps on his wall when he threw away the other 35+
  • Why hardware engineers are more important than ever in a software-driven world

In the world of electronics, the real story is often found in the people who design, innovate, and push the boundaries of what's possible. Moore's Lobby: Where engineers talk all about circuits is a monthly podcast that goes beyond datasheets and schematics to explore the human element driving technological progress. Host Daniel Bogdanoff sits down with a diverse range of guests-from hands-on engineers and visionary technologists to the executives steering major organizations-for conversations that are as much about personal journey as technical achievement. Each episode delves into the practical engineering and the broader industry trends shaping our future, but always through the lens of the individual's experience. You'll hear firsthand accounts of breakthrough moments, the challenges of bringing complex ideas to life, and the philosophies that guide leaders in this demanding field. This podcast from All About Circuits connects a global community of professionals who share a deep curiosity for how things work and who makes them work. It’s a space for nuanced discussion that aims to inform, inspire, and provide genuine insight into the circuit-driven world we inhabit. The dialogue here is for those who appreciate the substance behind the innovation, offering a blend of technical depth and narrative that you can naturally integrate into your own perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Moore's Lobby: Where engineers talk all about circuits
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