Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Network Infrastructure

• Fog computing vs. edge computing: What's the difference?

  Fog computing vs. edge computing -- while many IT professionals use the terms synonymously, others make subtle but important distinctions between them.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN with IoT enables the enhanced network edge

  In a world teeming with IoT devices -- and the resulting data -- SD-WAN and SD-branch can provide the security, visibility and connectivity the IoT edge requires.  Continue Reading

• What is a programmable data plane and where does P4 fit in?

  A programmable data plane presents a versatile way to forward packets and supports various formats and protocols. The P4 language is used to configure the forwarding actions.  Continue Reading

• What is Cisco Smart Licensing and how might it benefit my business?

  Cisco Smart Licensing, the networking vendor's fairly new approach to software licensing, aims to provide customers with more visibility and control over their licenses.  Continue Reading

• When will enterprises adopt the new Wi-Fi 6 standard?

  Networking vendors have unveiled Wi-Fi 6 devices, yet the wireless standard is not ratified. Don't expect Wi-Fi 6 to flow into the mainstream anytime soon.  Continue Reading

• Which 802.11ax features support IoT adoption?

  A handful of key 802.11ax features could help accelerate widespread internet-of-things adoption, according to networking experts familiar with the new standard.  Continue Reading

• What tools can reinforce network edge security?

  Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems and cloud-based threat intelligence are just a few of the many ways that organizations can bolster network edge security.  Continue Reading

• What is the network edge and how is it different from edge computing?

  The network edge, also known as the WAN edge, is where an enterprise network connects to third-party network services. Edge computing, however, is something different.  Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi 6: How does OFDMA work?

  The new Wi-Fi 6 standard works harder but also smarter, thanks to a game-changing feature called orthogonal frequency-division multiple access.  Continue Reading

• How do SDN protocols compare to those used in SD-WAN?

  Traditional SDN controllers use northbound and southbound APIs to communicate. But software-defined WAN controllers don't rely on those same SDN protocols.  Continue Reading

• How do network virtualization and network abstraction compare?

  Network virtualization and network abstraction share similarities, like supporting the creation of virtual resources, but the two approaches vary in complexity and outcome.  Continue Reading

• What 4 questions can help prepare your network for IoT?

  Increasingly, organizations are seeing a marriage of IoT and networking for more efficiency and enhanced services. Here's what you need to know to prepare your networks for IoT.  Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of open source network monitoring tools?

  They're usually free and customizable, but can lack customer support. Take a look at the best and worst features of open source network monitoring tools.  Continue Reading

• Which core network functions are being virtualized?

  Network functions virtualization can virtualize both data center and branch office network services. But a couple of special cases, like virtual switches, require clarification.  Continue Reading

• What roles do vCPE and uCPE have at the network edge?

  As service providers look to virtualize the edge and deliver network services faster, they're turning to vCPE and uCPE that run services as software on generic hardware.  Continue Reading