Network Infrastructure

Network Innovation competition: Plexxi Inc.

Plexxi Inc. is this month's recipient of SearchNetworking's Network Innovation Award for creating its innovative networking framework.Feature

ITU X.225 (ISO 8327)

ITU X.225 (also known as ISO 8327) is a connection-oriented session layer protocol in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.  The ITU X.225 protocol specification is a recommendation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).Definition

Networking blogs: CCIE exam advice, integrating the overlay network

In this week's blog roundup, get CCIE exam study tips, find out how CISOs can keep control of IT, and learn more about integrating overlay networking.Fast Packet | 27 Jun 2013

What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN.Feature

WAN optimization policy goes deep: Think, user, time, location

IT teams are setting WAN optimization policy that takes into account user, location and application type.Feature

The new WAN: Virtualization, user-aware optimization, and more

In the new WAN, we’ll see the rise of WAN virtualization, user-aware optimization and a move toward hosted WAN services.Opinion

WAN optimization policy goes deep

The nature of the branch office is changing. Previously, branch offices were small remote sites with groups of workers that had a single focus, such as sales or customer support. Generally these workers accessed the same narrow set of applications. But these days, remote sites tend to be larger and made up of heterogeneous groups that include everything from sales reps to marketing executives.

Now the network team must ensure access to a wider range of applications that put a new kind of strain on the network. Network pros are turning to WAN optimization and application acceleration that depend on role-based and location-based policy setting. In our cover story this month, David Geer presents WAN and application optimization strategies for complex branch offices.E-Zine

WAN security vendor: To go network hardware provider or third-party?

Network hardware providers and third-party vendors have very different WAN security offerings. How do you choose?Feature

The new WAN: Virtualization, user-aware optimization, and more

What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

Juniper LN2600: Rugged router for harsh environments, M2M applications

Juniper Networks introduced the LN2600, a rugged router based on its SRX series of routing and security gateways for use in extreme environments.News | 30 Jul 2013

How to improve network performance via advanced NIC options

Ethernet networks often struggle with modern data center workloads, but emerging NIC technologies are here to help improve network performance.Tip

Juniper's Rami Rahim on the state of the EX9200, EX8200 and QFabric

Juniper EVP Rami Rahim discusses the roadmaps for QFabric, the EX9200 and EX8200, and the rest of Juniper's switching business.Q&A | 09 Jul 2013

Cisco refreshes campus switching, including Catalyst 6800 core chassis

Cisco updated its campus switching and enterprise routing products, starting with the Catalyst 6800 campus core chassis and a high-end ISR.News | 25 Jun 2013

Cumulus Networks unveils Linux network OS for bare-metal switches

Cumulus Networks uses Linux as an operating system for bare-metal switches that are cheaper and easier to automate than traditional switching.News | 19 Jun 2013

What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN.Feature

WAN optimization policy goes deep: Think, user, time, location

IT teams are setting WAN optimization policy that takes into account user, location and application type.Feature

The new WAN: Virtualization, user-aware optimization, and more

In the new WAN, we’ll see the rise of WAN virtualization, user-aware optimization and a move toward hosted WAN services.Opinion

WAN optimization policy goes deep

The nature of the branch office is changing. Previously, branch offices were small remote sites with groups of workers that had a single focus, such as sales or customer support. Generally these workers accessed the same narrow set of applications. But these days, remote sites tend to be larger and made up of heterogeneous groups that include everything from sales reps to marketing executives.

Now the network team must ensure access to a wider range of applications that put a new kind of strain on the network. Network pros are turning to WAN optimization and application acceleration that depend on role-based and location-based policy setting. In our cover story this month, David Geer presents WAN and application optimization strategies for complex branch offices.E-Zine

WAN security vendor: To go network hardware provider or third-party?

Network hardware providers and third-party vendors have very different WAN security offerings. How do you choose?Feature

What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN.Feature

40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE)

40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) is a standard that enables the transfer of Ethernet frames at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second (Gbps). The 40GbE standard is intended for local server connectivity; a more robust standard, 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE), is intended for Internet backbones.Definition

Facebook talks about Open Compute's open source switch project

Facebook execs Frank Frankovsky and Najam Ahmad discuss why Open Compute is designing a switch that's open source.News | 28 May 2013

10 gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE)

10 gigabit Ethernet is a telecommunication technology that offers data speeds up to 10 billion bits per second. It differs from traditional Ethernet in that it is a full-duplex protocol and does not require Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD).Definition

Preparing for the 40 GbE migration

Transitioning from 10 Gigabit Ethernet to 40 GbE and beyond promises incredible network efficiency; this guide will help you plan the upgrade.guide

Open source networking: Mellanox introduces Open Ethernet

Data center switching vendor Mellanox will support open source software on its switches, giving customers more choice in how they run their networks.News | 12 Mar 2013

Will we ever need 400 Gigabit Ethernet enterprise networks?

With 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet so new, what could possibly drive the need for 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise? Hint: It’s not just the WAN.Feature

The 100 Gigabit Ethernet management challenge: Do tools exist?

When it comes to 100 Gigabit Ethernet, network monitoring tools fall short. Analyst Jim Frey explains which tools are ready and which must change.Feature

40 Gigabit Ethernet: The migration begins

Experts and early adopters of 40 Gigabit Ethernet share successes and pitfalls.Feature

It’s not too early to worry about 40 and 100 GbE migration

It may seem early to consider 40 and 100 GbE migration since 10 GbE is so young, but with the explosion of video and cloud applications, users must build 10 GbE networks today that can be easily migrated in the future.Column

40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE)

40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) is a standard that enables the transfer of Ethernet frames at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second (Gbps). The 40GbE standard is intended for local server connectivity; a more robust standard, 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE), is intended for Internet backbones.Definition

Brocade: HyperEdge architecture simplifies campus networking

Brocade HyperEdge is now available for simpler campus networking, along with a campus switch refresh.News | 11 Apr 2013

Software-defined networking applications move beyond the data center

What makes SDN and network virtualization matter? Campus network apps

SDN and network virtualization are touted as data center technologies, but they won't take off at the average enterprise until campus LAN apps emerge.Fast Packet | 08 Feb 2013

2013 Campus networking outlook: LANs finally unify wired and wireless

Forrester Research analyst Andre Kindness said campus LANs will finally have true unified wired and wireless infrastructure in 2013.News | 14 Jan 2013

LAN disaster recovery solutions you may already have

LAN disaster recovery solutions can be costly, but you may already have the right technology in-house for backup and recovery.Tip

Will we ever need 400 Gigabit Ethernet enterprise networks?

With 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet so new, what could possibly drive the need for 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise? Hint: It’s not just the WAN.Feature

Software-defined networking washing is the new cloud washing

Marketing pros sell every new technology as if it's software-defined networking. But this 'SDN washing' masks true innovation and insults our intelligence.Fast Packet

Software-defined networking applications move beyond the data center

Software-defined networking is often considered a data center technology, but new SDN applications will improve performance in the LAN and WAN as well.Feature

Catalyst 6500 upgrade: OpenFlow, LISP, next-gen VSS

Cisco will add new services to its Catalyst 6500 campus core switch, including OpenFlow, LISP and maybe fabric extenders.News | 24 Oct 2012

IPv4 to IPv6 conversion thwarted by ISP peering issues

There aren't enough IPv6 users to report broken routing when ISP peering issues develop, so firms must track their website performance on their own.Opinion

IPv6 benefits: Making the IPv6 business case

Depleted IPv4 addresses are not enough for many enterprises to deploy IPv6. Use these IPv6 benefits to make a business case for your IPv6 migration.Tip

IPv6 addressing requires special attention to ensure security

IPv6 auto-configured addresses raise concern about privacy and the protocol's vulnerability to host tracking attacks, and more.Tip

Networking blogs: The MapR platform strategy; Tax Day case for IPv6

This week, networking bloggers point out the steady progress of the MapR platform and make a case for the serious adoption of IPv6.Fast Packet | 23 May 2013

North American summit: IPv6 implementation still facing roadblocks

Although ISPs and enterprises continue to roll out IPv6, the protocol has a long way to go before it's fully implemented.News | 24 Apr 2013

IPAM tools guide for network management fixes

IPAM tools can help manage your network IP addresses, but first read this three-part guide to help make IP address management decisions.guide

Cisco ISR-AX: Cheaper router with bundled Layer 4-7 services

The Cisco ISR-AX is a price-reduced branch router that ships with advanced security and application delivery services enabled.News | 12 Mar 2013

IPv6 training: A helping hand for an enterprise IPv6 transition

The IPv4-to-IPv6 transition will challenge many IT organizations. IPv6 training can help administrators master IPv6 configuration and new protocols.News | 05 Mar 2013

IP address management solutions: Overlay vs. replacement

IP address management (IPAM) solutions are generally considered low preference, but they can make enormous change for a little investment.Fast Packet | 20 Feb 2013

Cariden acquisition boosts Cisco SDN technology for service providers

With Cariden's IP/MPLS planning software, Cisco's software-defined networking technology will have strong analytical capabilities for service providers.News | 03 Dec 2012