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Lightning Talk Intermediate

The Hidden Open Source Behind Every Web Request

Proposal status is Rejected
Srinithi L
Srinithi L
Session Description

Every day, millions of developers open a browser, click a button, and receive a response in milliseconds. What most of us don't see is the incredible open-source ecosystem working together behind that single request.

In this lightning talk, we'll trace the journey of one HTTP request—from the browser to the backend and back again—uncovering the open-source projects that make modern applications possible.

We'll follow the request as it passes through DNS, TLS, reverse proxies, API gateways, application servers, databases, caches, container runtimes, orchestration platforms, and observability systems. Along the way, we'll briefly explore projects like Linux, Docker, NGINX, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, Redis, Prometheus, Grafana, and OpenTelemetry, and understand the role each plays in delivering reliable software.

Rather than introducing these technologies in isolation, this session connects them into one cohesive story, helping attendees understand how modern production systems are assembled from open-source building blocks.

Whether you're a student, backend developer, DevOps engineer, or simply curious about what happens after clicking "Send," you'll leave with a clearer mental model of the software stack that powers today's internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the complete lifecycle of a web request.

  • Learn how popular open-source projects work together in modern applications.

  • Recognize the role of networking, containers, databases, caching, and observability in production systems.

  • Build a systems-level understanding instead of viewing technologies as isolated tools.

  • Discover open-source projects worth exploring beyond your daily development workflow.

References

https://12factor.net
https://landscape.cncf.io

Session Categories

Technology architecture
Engineering practice - productivity, debugging

Which track are you applying for?

Main track

Speakers

Srinithi L
Srinithi L Software Engineer | HCL GUVI

Srinithi Loganathan is a software developer, tech speaker, and open-source contributor passionate about building impactful technology and fostering developer communities. She has worked on projects across web technologies, cloud platforms, and community-driven initiatives, with a strong interest in software architecture, security, and open-source ecosystems.

Srinithi is a Smart India Hackathon winner and has spoken at developer events, sharing practical engineering insights and real-world experiences with the tech community. As an advocate for open collaboration and knowledge sharing, she actively contributes to community initiatives and enjoys exploring how open-source technologies power modern software systems.

Through her work and talks, she aims to help developers build secure, scalable, and maintainable applications while encouraging greater participation in the open-source ecosystem.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinithiloganathan/

https://www.srinithiloganathan.in/