--- title: "Layer8: The Human Layer of the Internet" description: Layer8 is a new conference for network managers to glean practical how-tos and connect with peers. Here's what you need to know before you go. image: https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/Layer8%20blog%20thumbnail.png --- [![TG\_LOGO](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/TeleGeography%20Hub%20Theme%20Nov%202025/images/TG_LOGO.svg)](https://www2.telegeography.com/) - [About](https://www2.telegeography.com/about-us) - [Research](https://www2.telegeography.com/our-research) - [Products](https://www2.telegeography.com/products) - [Solutions](https://www2.telegeography.com/solutions) - [Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) [Log In](https://www.telegeography.com/login/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegeography.com%2Faccount%2Fhome%2Findex) [Contact](https://www2.telegeography.com/contact-us) ###### Data and Analysis Tools - [Cloud and WAN Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/cloud-and-wan-infrastructure) - [Data Center Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/data-center-research-service) - [GlobalComms Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/globalcomms-database-service) - [International Voice Report](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-report-and-database) - [IP Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/ip-networks-research-service) - [ISP Navigator](https://www2.telegeography.com/isp-navigatorisp-navigator) - [Transport Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/transport-networks) - [Network Pricing Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-pricing-database) - [WAN Cost Benchmark](https://www2.telegeography.com/wan-cost-benchmark) - [Product Passes](https://www2.telegeography.com/product-passes) ###### Consulting - [All Consulting Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/consulting) - [Submarine Cable Consulting](https://www2.telegeography.com/submarine-cable-consulting) ###### Maps - [All Map Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/map-services) - [Sponsor a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/sponsor-a-map) - [License Map Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/license-geocoded-map-data) - [Cite a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/cite-telegeography-map) - [Buy a Map](https://shop.telegeography.com/collections/telecom-maps/) ###### Industry - [Enterprise](https://www2.telegeography.com/enterprise) - [Tech](https://www2.telegeography.com/tech) - [Telecom](https://www2.telegeography.com/telecom) ###### Case Studies - [AI + Retail Telecom Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/where-to-get-global-telecom-data) - [EXA Infrastructure](https://www2.telegeography.com/exa-infrastructure-case-study) - [Orange Wholesale](https://www2.telegeography.com/orange-wholesale-case-study) - [The European Commission](https://www2.telegeography.com/the-european-commissions-data-backed-approach-to-international-policy) [Back to Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) # Layer8: The Human Layer of the Internet ##### By [TeleGeography Staff,](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/telegeography-staff) Aug 31, 2026 [Events](https://resources.telegeography.com/tag/events) We know from speaking with network operators for our [WAN Manager Survey](https://resources.telegeography.com/enterprise-network-trends-strategy-wan-manager-survey) that keeping up with the accelerating complexity of enterprise network requirements is no small task. That’s why we support network operators with what we do best: providing the industry’s most comprehensive and up-to-date intelligence. But another key support for WAN managers begins this fall with [Lightyear’s new Layer8 conference](https://cvent.me/Oe7oz0?utm_source=sponsor&utm_campaign=promo&utm_medium=telegeography). This event focuses on tactical how-tos of what’s working in enterprise networks and connects network managers with their peers. We're excited to support this much needed opportunity to build community among network managers, so we've compiled some helpful topics to read up on before you go to get the most out of this event. ## Quick info on the Layer8 conference [Layer8](https://cvent.me/Oe7oz0?utm_source=sponsor&utm_campaign=promo&utm_medium=telegeography) is a one-day conference that's packed with practical information for network managers and opportunities to connect with industry leaders and peers. Taking place on November 4, 2026 in New York City, this conference promises to pack as much useful content as some conferences deliver over several days, with tracks covering: - The Future of Enterprise WAN - AI-Powered Network Operations - Network Optimization & Design Approaches Why is it called Layer8? Lightyear says, "The OSI model has always had an unofficial Layer 8: the human operator making decisions above the stack. That layer carries some of the most complex, high-stakes work in any organization — and yet most industry events aren't built for the people doing it." That's where Layer8 comes in. This event is designed specifically for the enterprise IT and network teams responsible for keeping critical infrastructure running. Attend to get the latest insights on real-world trends and benchmarks, see what's actually shipping, and engage in small group talks with peers facing the same challenges. [View the agenda here.](https://layer8bylightyear.cventevents.com/event/e4015820-6291-4e29-baf1-eaef3ea4c964/home?environment=P2) ## Essential resources for Layer8 TeleGeography has plenty of data, analysis, and expert conversations to keep network managers in the know. Get up-to-speed before Layer8 with these resources:   | [![Ent Network Trends WMS 2026](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Resource%20Assets/Ent%20Network%20Trends%20WMS%202026.png?width=500&height=281&name=Ent%20Network%20Trends%20WMS%202026.png)](https://resources.telegeography.com/enterprise-network-trends-strategy-wan-manager-survey) | [Enterprise Network Trends & Strategy: WAN Manager Survey Insights](https://resources.telegeography.com/enterprise-network-trends-strategy-wan-manager-survey) Since 2018, we've been asking scores of enterprise leaders about their network configurations and strategies and sharing their input in our WAN Manager Survey. See how WAN managers are approaching their networks and get the latest insights. | | --- | --- |   | [![The Rise of DIA Over MPLS](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Social%20Media/The%20Rise%20of%20DIA%20Over%20MPLS.png?width=500&height=282&name=The%20Rise%20of%20DIA%20Over%20MPLS.png)](https://resources.telegeography.com/the-rise-of-dia-over-mpls) | [The Rise of DIA Over MPLS](https://resources.telegeography.com/the-rise-of-dia-over-mpls) When SD-WAN first emerged as a networking technology in the late 2010’s, we and other market observers predicted the decline of expensive MPLS service. According to the results of our WAN Manager Survey in the Cloud and WAN Research Service, this decline has now materialized. Internet has supplanted MPLS service as more enterprises settle on DIA as the underlay option of first choice. DIA will likely take over much of the lost revenue from MPLS going forward. Read the full market update. | | --- | --- |   | [![](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Social%20Media/Much%20Ado%20About%20MOFN.png?width=500&height=281&name=Much%20Ado%20About%20MOFN.png)](https://resources.telegeography.com/mofn-managed-optical-fiber-network) | [Much Ado About MOFN](https://resources.telegeography.com/mofn-managed-optical-fiber-network) Traditional shared wavelengths can struggle to keep pace with increasing traffic volumes, yet building a private dark fiber network from scratch is a logistical nightmare with significant operational overhead. To solve this, wholesale providers have introduced a “middle ground” option to the connectivity menu: MOFNs. (Managed Optical Fiber Networks, that is.) | | --- | --- | | [![maxresdefault (16)](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Social%20Media/maxresdefault%20(16).jpg?width=500&height=282&name=maxresdefault%20(16).jpg)](https://resources.telegeography.com/network-monitoring-for-ai-era) | [Network Monitoring for the AI Era](https://resources.telegeography.com/network-monitoring-for-ai-era) The TeleGeography Explains the Internet podcast welcomes Jezzibell Gilmore, General Manager, Service Provider at Kentik. She discusses the profound impact of artificial intelligence on global network infrastructure, and how networks are evolving to handle new technological demands. | | --- | --- | | [![maxresdefault (14)](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Resource%20Assets/maxresdefault%20(14).jpg?width=500&height=282&name=maxresdefault%20(14).jpg)](https://resources.telegeography.com/ai-adoption-in-networking) | [AI Adoption in Networking](https://resources.telegeography.com/ai-adoption-in-networking) Host Greg Bryan welcomes Jason Gintert back to the show. As the President of the U.S. Networking User Association (US)NUA, Jason dives into the current state of AIOps (AI for IT Operations) in network management. | | --- | --- | | [![AI podcast 2](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2026/Social%20Media/AI%20podcast%202.jpg?width=500&height=282&name=AI%20podcast%202.jpg)](https://resources.telegeography.com/the-impact-of-ai-on-the-network) | [The Impact of AI on the Network](https://resources.telegeography.com/the-impact-of-ai-on-the-network) In this AI-focused podcast episode of TeleGeography Explains the Internet, Seva Vayner, Product Director for Cloud Edge & AI at Gcore, joins host Greg Bryan to tackle what is perhaps the dominant topic in telecom today: the impact of AI on the network. | | --- | --- | | [![Tony O-Sullivan](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Content-Graphics/2025/Social%20Media/Tony%20O-Sullivan.jpg?width=500&height=282&name=Tony%20O-Sullivan.jpg)](https://resources.telegeography.com/building-network-resiliency-with-transparency-and-smart-strategy) | [All About Network Resiliency](https://resources.telegeography.com/building-network-resiliency-with-transparency-and-smart-strategy) In this AI-focused podcast episode of TeleGeography Explains the Internet, Seva Vayner, Product Director for Cloud Edge & AI at Gcore, joins host Greg Bryan to tackle what is perhaps the dominant topic in telecom today: the impact of AI on the network. | | --- | --- | ## Save your spot at Layer8 If you're a network manager, you won't want to miss this essential one-day event. [Register here for the Layer8 conference](https://layer8bylightyear.cventevents.com/event/e4015820-6291-4e29-baf1-eaef3ea4c964/home?environment=P2) in New York. Our team will be there too!   ![TeleGeography Staff](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/assets/footer-logo-telegeography.png) #### TeleGeography Staff TeleGeography is a telecommunications data provider known for independent analysis. This research is vital to telecom service providers, large enterprises, government agencies, and other research firms. [View TeleGeography Staff Work](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/telegeography-staff) ## Explore Related Content ![Networking for Network Engineers](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/Thumbnail%20Video%20and%20Blog%20(9).png) ###### Blog Apr 27, 2026 #### [Networking for Network Engineers](https://resources.telegeography.com/networking-for-network-engineers) For network engineers, keeping up with the rapidly evolving tech landscape is no small task. From new... [View More by TeleGeography Staff](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/telegeography-staff) [Read Full Article](https://resources.telegeography.com/networking-for-network-engineers) ![How Are Network Pros Integrating Cloud and Networking-as-a-Service?](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2019/Blog%20Assets/fiber-optic-cable.jpg) ###### Blog Jun 20, 2024 #### [How Are Network Pros Integrating Cloud and Networking-as-a-Service?](https://resources.telegeography.com/how-are-network-pros-integrating-cloud-and-networking-as-a-service) As cloud adoption becomes increasingly necessary for multinational enterprises, networks are becoming... [View More by Greg Bryan](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/greg-bryan) [Read Full Article](https://resources.telegeography.com/how-are-network-pros-integrating-cloud-and-networking-as-a-service) ![What Problem is the Middle Mile Trying to Solve?](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2019/Blog%20Assets/office-1209640_1280.jpg) ###### Blog Dec 27, 2021 #### [What Problem is the Middle Mile Trying to Solve?](https://resources.telegeography.com/what-problem-is-the-middle-mile-trying-to-solve) As global enterprises become more reliant on cloud—and start to break away or reduce their traditional... 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