Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What is the advantage of SFP ports on a Gigabit switch?

  SFP ports enable Gigabit switches to connect to a wide variety of fiber and Ethernet cables in order to extend switching functionality throughout the network.  Continue Reading

• What SD-WAN architecture is best for your network?

  When looking for the right SD-WAN architecture to implement, it's important to consider your specific network and the traffic it experiences.  Continue Reading

• NFV vs. VNF: What's the difference?

  NFV versus VNF: SDN engineer Darien Hirotsu explains the differences between network functions virtualization and virtual network functions.  Continue Reading

• Is satellite connectivity a realistic option for WANs?

  What you should know about satellite connectivity, satellite internet, and the costs and benefits of universally available links.  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 do I need to do to create successful hybrid WANs?

  The market for hybrid network services is growing, and with it comes the challenge of successfully creating hybrid WANs.  Continue Reading

• What are some ways to reduce IT maintenance costs?

  Enterprises spend millions of dollars each year on IT maintenance, service and support. But there are steps you can take to whittle those costs down.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between bit rate and baud rate?

  Learn how to understand the difference between bit rate and baud rate in this expert answer.  Continue Reading

• What system administrator responsibilities are paramount today?

  System administrator responsibilities are, fundamentally, about the care and feeding of systems but cover a broad range of possibilities when looking at a specific position.  Continue Reading

• What duties are in the network manager job description?

  Get the inside scoop on a network manager's job description, workload and responsibilities which keep an organization's network infrastructure running smoothly.  Continue Reading

• What does the Intent Framework do in the ONOS SDN platform?

  Our SDN expert looks at how the ONOS SDN platform uses an Intent Framework to let apps make their networking needs known to the controller using policy-based management.  Continue Reading

• How many software-defined networking controllers are needed?

  SDN expert Will Murrell addresses how many software-defined networking controllers organizations need for policy control and network management and the value of investing in backup controllers.  Continue Reading

• How can my company reap the advantages of SDN if its culture is risk-averse?

  SDN expert Will Murrell discusses how the advantages of SDN will speak to cautious companies only when network engineers can make a case for SDN's lower cost and high functionality.  Continue Reading

• How do I choose an SDN certification or training program?

  Network engineer and SDN pro Will Murrell discusses how to choose the right SDN certification or training program, and what types of SDN courses are available.  Continue Reading

• Should I invest in formal SDN training, certification?

  Network engineer and software-defined networking pro Will Murrell considers whether formal SDN certification and training is worth the time, expense and effort.  Continue Reading