Unikernels represent a fundamental shift in how software can be built and deployed across enterprises, both in the cloud and in local installations. However, they are currently a leading-edge technology, which can make people nervous. How will using a unikernel affect my ability to pivot towards opportunities? Will customers be encouraged or discouraged by this new technology? What does it mean for staffing and recruitment? Are unikernels the magic pill that will make all your problems go away and cause my customers and funders to fawn all over you, or are they a nefarious plot to destroy you and everything you love?

In this talk, I'll walk through our experience developing CyberChaff, a novel network defense solution with unikernels built into its core. I'll tell you why unikernels made sense for us, and how we talk about unikernels with our customers. Like any technology, our use of unikernels have helped us in some ways and impeded us in others: I'll tell you our experience, so you can think about how unikernels might (or might not!) be the right solution for your project.