Ask the Experts

Ethernet

Can cable be reused when upgrading 802.11ac wireless LAN?

Is it better to repurpose legacy cabling when planning an 802.11ac wireless LAN upgrade, or does it make sense to buy new? Like many things networking, it depends. Continue Reading
What is the IP address 0.0.0.0 used for?

One of a handful of special-purpose addresses, 0.0.0.0 has several applications in networking. It stands in as a placeholder address, identifies a default route and more. Continue Reading
What advantages will 400 Gigabit Ethernet bring to the data center?

What are the use cases and advantages of 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the modern data center? Continue Reading
What is generic Ethernet access?

Generic Ethernet access is a new carrier service rolling out in the United Kingdom. Is this a technology that can work for you? Continue Reading
How cost-effective is top-of-rack switching?

Expert Carrie Higbie explains that top-of-rack switching may mean higher costs due to an oversubscription of ports that you don't need and can't use. Continue Reading

Will FCoE architecture replace Fibre Channel?

There's been much hype over Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) architecture; expert Carrie Higbie doesn't think it will ever replace Fibre Channel. Continue Reading
Network testing strategies for the enterprise: Meet the experts

SearchNetworking.com’s new experts, Tom Kunath and Andy Sholomon, discuss network testing strategies for the enterprise at Cisco Live 2011. Continue Reading
What power supply problems do 802.11n wireless networks pose?

The power supply requirements demanded of 802.11n wireless networks won't be affordable for enterprises until the IEEE standard and supporting network hardware are approved and have caught up. Here are some options for fixing this problem while you ... Continue Reading
Minimum and maximum Ethernet frame sizes

In this Q&A, our network administration expert addresses Ethernet frame sizes, as well as minimum and maximum sizes of Ethernet frames that carry IP and ICMP. Continue Reading
Where is Carrie Higbie's most recent advice?

To view networking infrastructure and project management expert Carrie Higbie's latest advice, see her Public Profile on the IT Knowledge Exchange. Continue Reading
What makes a WAN different from a LAN and MAN?

Learn the basics of networking in this expert explanation of the differences between WANs, LANs and MANs -- how they connect and which protocols they use. Continue Reading

What's the Ethernet packet collision rate in Windows OS?

Is there a way to know the Ethernet packet collision count/rate in a Windows OS? Find out in this answer from our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis. Continue Reading
Can 802.11 protocols be used with GPRS connectivity?

Can 802.11 protocols be used with GPRS connectivity? Find out from our wireless networking expert, Lisa Phifer. Continue Reading
How does asynchronous transfer mode differ from existing network technologies?

Learn how asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) differs from existing network technologies in this response from our networking infrastructure expert, Carrie Higbie. Continue Reading
Frame relay, ATM, and Gigabit Ethernet pros and cons

Frame relay, ATM, and Gigabit Ethernet have pros and cons for basing network infrastructure off of, according to our networking fundamentals expert. Continue Reading