Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What is a software-defined perimeter, and do I need it?

  An evolving network world requires evolving network security. Learn how software-defined perimeter offers a compelling answer to network vulnerabilities.  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

• What are the top benefits of CDN services for enterprises?

  You might be asking yourself, 'Do I need a CDN?' According to one network analyst, the answer is most likely yes, as CDNs provide faster access to internet content.  Continue Reading

• Which KPIs should I measure for security in SDN?

  KPIs provide useful guidelines to measure how network performance and security align with business objectives. Here are some KPIs to help keep track of an SDN environment.  Continue Reading

• How might NFV in IoT enhance network edge security?

  The emergence of IoT devices has considerable network security implications. An NFV architecture, however, could add another layer of network defense.  Continue Reading

• What is a service mesh, and how does it relate to networking?

  A service mesh can ease the deployment of microservices and container-based applications, while supporting the delivery of network services, like load balancing and authentication.  Continue Reading

• What are the top 3 benefits of NFV technology?

  The use of standard hardware, consolidation of network functions and machines, and flexible system upgrades are some of the key benefits of NFV technology.  Continue Reading

• How can organizations improve their network change management?

  Organizations can optimize their network change management processes with dedicated change management services for improved planning, monitoring and communication capabilities.  Continue Reading

• Site-to-site VPN vs. remote-access VPNs: What's the difference?

  Learn the differences between site-to-site VPNs vs. remote-access VPNs and find out about the protocols, benefits and the data security methods used to support each approach.  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between network security vs. cybersecurity?

  IT groups need to consider varying layers of security. For instance, the similarities and differences between cybersecurity and network security are closely entwined.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between circuit switching and packet switching?

  In this Ask the Expert, John Burke explains the difference between packet switching and circuit switching and compares the two models.  Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of deploying containers?

  Containers can reduce a company's OS licensing costs and required CPU usage, while acting as a bridge to serverless computing. But IT teams need to evaluate the potential drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Where does SDN fit in edge computing architecture?

  SDN and edge computing can work together to apply data processing decisions that make better use of network links and bandwidth, especially when it comes to edge versus cloud.  Continue Reading

• What are the pros and cons of blockchain in networking?

  While blockchain could be a valuable network management tool, enterprises don't exactly have a driving need for the ledger technology in the networking arena.  Continue Reading

• What are today's top 3 network security challenges?

  A significant shortage of cybersecurity staff, poorly configured firewalls and unmanaged end-user mobile devices are some of the top network security threats.  Continue Reading

• How does software-defined access work?

  Service providers and enterprises use software-defined access to extend SDN beyond the data center and WAN to the edge of the network. Learn about its developments and benefits.  Continue Reading

• How do last-mile connections work for SD-WAN deployments?

  SD-WAN technology plays well with existing last-mile connections, and it allows enterprises to use more than one type of transport link. But beware of provider sprawl.  Continue Reading

• What is the status of VNF deployments among service providers?

  Although service providers are undertaking VNF deployments in the network core, they're hard-pressed to deploy them at the network edge due to complexity and cost.  Continue Reading

• How to perform packet loss tests and how they work

  Network engineers have two standard systems utilities that help them check for packet loss. Learn how this is done and, should a problem prove persistent, the best next steps for troubleshooting packet loss.  Continue Reading

• What is a long-tail DoS threat, and how does it target web apps?

  Fine-grained application monitoring can defend against a long-tail DoS threat. This new kind of vulnerability manipulates service queues within a web application.  Continue Reading

• How do virtual ADCs benefit enterprise data centers?

  Virtual ADCs bring another level of flexibility, authentication and performance monitoring, moving application delivery controllers beyond load balancing and application acceleration.  Continue Reading

• What effect does NetOps have on enterprise networking teams?

  Similar to the DevOps framework, a NetOps approach provides networking teams with a way to use automation and virtualization to create more agile networks and deploy applications faster.  Continue Reading

• Does software-defined networking architecture use segment routing?

  Segment routing steers packets using a list of instructions, and it can be used in MPLS and IPv6 architecture. But does software-defined networking architecture support it?  Continue Reading

• How do I begin network infrastructure planning for SD-WAN?

  When gearing up for SD-WAN upgrades, enterprises should take their time with network infrastructure planning. These three steps can help get them started.  Continue Reading

• What metrics and tools can accurately measure network performance?

  Several methods and metrics measure network performance and throughput. But IT needs to gauge these measurements on a consistent basis to avoid major service issues.  Continue Reading

• What is multi-access edge computing, and how has it evolved?

  Multi-access edge computing provides the processing capacity needed to support the increase of 'things' at the network edge. But for all its promise, MEC has challenges to face.  Continue Reading

• Does software networking fit modern data center requirements?

  Software networking can support modern data center requirements, private clouds and accompanying applications. But IT teams need to wade through components and suppliers to get there.  Continue Reading

• How do I troubleshoot network performance with traffic monitoring?

  When undertaking network performance troubleshooting, organizations can benefit from a mix of passive and active network traffic monitoring to identify issues.  Continue Reading

• What key network performance issues spark service disruptions?

  From cabling to capacity issues, IT professionals need to consider all possibilities when rooting out the underlying cause of network performance problems.  Continue Reading

• Which SD-WAN security concerns should I tackle first?

  IT teams thinking about software-defined WAN technology should assess a few SD-WAN security concerns before deployment to make sure it's worth the investment.  Continue Reading

• How can network analytics tools benefit IT staff?

  Network analytics tools can help IT managers proactively pinpoint network performance issues and trends -- even before the underlying problem is revealed.  Continue Reading

• Does software-defined networking architecture need network overlays?

  Network overlays and software-defined networking architecture share a history. But while overlays offer flexibility, they also bring extra overhead and troubleshooting complications.  Continue Reading

• Can hyper-converged systems benefit from SDN architecture?

  Hyper-convergence combined with software-defined networking architecture might seem like hyper-hype, but SDN offers many network capabilities required of hyper-converged systems.  Continue Reading

• How do I improve my network programming knowledge?

  When it comes to SDN and programmable network skills, combining training with practice and hands-on experience can help advance your programming knowledge.  Continue Reading

• How can network analytics tools be used to improve performance?

  With pressure and expectations for network and enterprise performance rising, IT professionals are turning to network analytics tools that use machine learning to remain ahead of the game.  Continue Reading

• How do the benefits of SDN improve network automation?

  The ability to automate networks isn't new, and while the benefits of SDN reach out to encompass aspects of automation, SDN and network automation don't mean the same thing.  Continue Reading

• How do I choose between open source and commercial SDN?

  Commercial SDN offers vendor-backed support, while open source platforms can be upgraded more quickly. Whether an enterprise chooses one over the other depends on its preferences.  Continue Reading

• What tools are needed to build a DevOps management model?

  Amy Larsen DeCarlo answers why so many businesses are combining their development and operations teams and what tools are needed to make effective DevOps management happen.  Continue Reading

• How can I prevent a DDoS attack program?

  DDoS programs overwhelm networks with a torrent of requests. How can you prevent a DDoS attack, and what are the steps you can take to keep your networking environment secure?  Continue Reading

• Despite WLAN speed growth, do we really need mGig?

  Networking vendors introduced mGig to support 802.11ac Wave 2 devices within enterprise networks. But do you really need to upgrade to accommodate the new WLAN speed?  Continue Reading

• Which is better for WLAN support: Mac or Windows?

  Choosing the right laptop for WLAN support usually boils down to Macintosh versus Windows. But of the two, there is only one OS clearly up to the task, our expert maintains.  Continue Reading

• Where do mobile users fit in with SD-WAN as a service?

  SD-WAN as a service can act as a bridge between mobile users who want to access business apps on the go and network managers who want to manage and secure those users.  Continue Reading

• What exactly is a digital business transformation strategy?

  What do you need for a digital business transformation strategy that will actually work to boost business value and change the enterprise operations model?  Continue Reading

• 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 security is needed for digital assistant devices?

  How should cybersecurity-enforcement efforts adapt as digital assistant devices become more pervasive in business enterprise networking to safeguard corporate data?  Continue Reading

• How do IoT sensors intersect with SD-WAN?

  Most traditional WANs can't handle the increasing number of IoT sensors -- and the data they collect. But SD-WAN can help improve IoT performance and analysis.  Continue Reading

• How can IT asset management tools aid in virtualization era?

  IT asset management tools allow businesses to track resources effectively. Platform organization is increasingly necessary in a virtualized enterprise.  Continue Reading

• What's automation's role in network provisioning resources?

  IT is embracing network automation, but complications with integration disrupt the process. Using automation for provisioning resources can improve efficiency, but reduce the need for IT personnel.  Continue Reading

• How can cloud management apps organize data across clouds?

  If you need to pull together different data sets, cloud management apps can track information workloads across multiple clouds and present the data in a simplified way.  Continue Reading

• How can you use perfect forward secrecy for mobile security?

  How can companies increase data protection in mobile communications environments and enhance perfect forward secrecy to safeguard user activity?  Continue Reading

• Where does NFV deployment stand today?

  Network expert Lee Doyle explains the status of NFV deployment in 2018 and how open source, 5G and the internet of things can drive future changes.  Continue Reading

• IBN: Enablement for a configuration management process?

  How realistic are claims about intent-based networking helping organizations to enhance the network configuration management process?  Continue Reading

• How does SD-WAN manage real-time network traffic performance?

  Most people have experienced poor quality when it comes to real-time network traffic, like VoIP and video. But SD-WAN can help prioritize traffic and improve reliability.  Continue Reading

• How can network management systems boost troubleshooting?

  What can IT teams do to combine network management systems and application performance management tools to boost troubleshooting in enterprise infrastructure?  Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between intent-based networking and SDN?

  SDN and intent-based networking share more in common than hype about their promises and potential. Our expert weighs in on how the two technologies aim to improve automation.  Continue Reading

• How does a managed SD-WAN service work?

  Networking analyst John Burke explains managed software-defined WAN, and he discusses why providers are starting to offer the service to their customers.  Continue Reading

• What does modern SMB cybersecurity entail?

  Modern SMB cybersecurity increasingly involves managed detection and response services, improved zero-day attack spotting and better management of connected devices.  Continue Reading

• How can professionals boost public hotspot security?

  Public hotspot security needs to be carefully considered by IT departments and traveling professionals to prevent breaches of sensitive corporate data.  Continue Reading

• Are managed detection and response services a good idea for SMBs?

  If you're a small business with limited IT resources, the emerging managed detection and response services market can help with cybersecurity breach prevention and threat detection.  Continue Reading

• How can zero-day attack prevention be improved?

  Cognitive technology can aid IT teams in zero-day attack prevention and vulnerability detection -- if you know the right way to deploy it.  Continue Reading

• How should IT manage connected devices?

  As IT teams become tasked to manage connected devices more often, what steps need to be taken to avoid performance and security-related problems?  Continue Reading

• What are the differences between SDN open source and vendor products?

  Choosing between SDN open source and vendor-provided options is easier when you know some of the available choices. Industry analyst Lee Doyle lists some of the options.  Continue Reading

• Why some Wi-Fi jobs are best for WLAN professionals to avoid

  Some Wi-Fi jobs can become nearly impossible to complete. When engineers contend with inflated expectations or bad designs, it may be best to walk away.  Continue Reading

• When will networking embrace the 802.11ax standard?

  The pending 802.11ax standard offers 10 Gbps speeds up to 40% faster than Wave 2 802.11ac.  Continue Reading

• Who's doing what with NFV orchestration platforms?

  It might come as little surprise, but the two primary options for NFV orchestration platforms are open source or vendor-supplied options. See who's doing what in these areas.  Continue Reading

• What are the top SD-WAN management concerns?

  Although SD-WAN touts improved application performance and security, some IT shops still have SD-WAN management concerns. Industry analyst Lee Doyle discusses why.  Continue Reading

• What can I do to address hardware vulnerabilities in my network?

  Hackers target hardware vulnerabilities in networks, but you can take proactive steps to prevent attacks.  Continue Reading

• How well is ARM NFV positioned for NFV deployments?

  It's ARM vs. Intel again, as the two competitors each look to become the leading silicon microprocessor chip provider for NFV applications. ARM NFV could prove to be a challenger to Intel.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to handle multivendor security system management?

  Multivendor security system management can be challenging, but getting it right can help your enterprise reap the benefits these systems offer.  Continue Reading

• What are the top NFV platforms?

  Networking expert Lee Doyle details the requirements for NFV infrastructure and the leading NFV platform options -- OpenStack and VMware's vCloud NFV.  Continue Reading

• Will vCPE and SD-WAN functionalities converge?

  Service providers face a tradeoff when it comes to distinct vCPE and SD-WAN services. But networking expert Lee Doyle says those services could merge into one functionality.  Continue Reading

• How to cut false security, malware alerts in hybrid cloud

  The bad news: IT teams are deluged by false security and malware alerts with their hybrid clouds. The good news: New tools are here to help.  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

• How has VPN evolution changed remote access?

  VPN evolution has seen a shift in connectivity -- from point-to-point to sophisticated, multipoint connectivity systems.  Continue Reading

• What NBASE-T switch products do I need?

  With NBASE-T Ethernet ratified, it's time to start thinking about NBASE-T switch products for your organization.  Continue Reading

• How to boost your ransomware security awareness

  With attacks soaring, how should IT organizations mount an effective defense and boost ransomware security awareness?  Continue Reading

• How will virtual router software benefit the networking industry?

  Although virtual router software has been around for more than a decade, 2017 could be the year vRouting experiences greater adoption due to its available use cases.  Continue Reading

• Are SD-WAN and WAN optimization techniques merging?

  WAN optimization techniques have helped maximize network throughput for years, while SD-WAN is relatively new. While the two concepts are separate, they can complement each other.  Continue Reading

• How to make a network SLA work for your organization

  What's the best way to focus on outcomes and construct a network SLA that reflects end-to-end service performance?  Continue Reading

• Will edge routers be replaced as SD-WAN growth continues?

  SD-WAN growth is affecting the edge router market, according to Gartner forecasts. Network expert Andrew Froehlich discusses whether or not SD-WAN will replace edge routers.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between NFV automation and NFV orchestration?

  NFV automation is the ability to transfer manual network configuration to technology; NFV orchestration creates the deployment and automation blueprint.  Continue Reading

• Why an application performance monitoring tool is essential

  An application performance monitoring tool harvests data and differs from application management, offering valuable services in an age of virtualization.  Continue Reading

• What vertical industries can benefit from SD-WAN deployments?

  SD-WAN deployments can benefit a number of industries, providing improved performance and lower costs. Expert Lee Doyle looks at three of the top SD-WAN verticals.  Continue Reading

• Will NFV standards address orchestration in the near future?

  NFV standards for orchestration are affected by the number of standards groups and service providers' individual approaches, says SDN expert Lee Doyle.  Continue Reading

• Is it hybrid WAN vs. SD-WAN, or does SD-WAN help implement hybrid WAN?

  Expert Lee Doyle tackles the issue of hybrid WAN vs. SD-WAN. Although the technologies are separate, SD-WAN can make hybrid WAN deployment and operation easier.  Continue Reading

• What is iPerf and how is it used?

  Expert Chris Partsenidis explains what iPerf is and how iPerf commands can help you measure your network's bandwidth, delay, jitter and potential for data loss.  Continue Reading

• How to achieve secure mobile device management

  Laptops and phones are critically important in the era of BYOD, but safety can only be achieved with secure mobile device management.  Continue Reading

• Defining SD-WAN benefits: Does better QoE make the list?

  The list of SD-WAN benefits often includes cost savings and better routing; does it also include better quality of experience compared to a traditional WAN?  Continue Reading

• How do PKI problems complicate VPN management?

  Securing and managing VPNs can be a challenge, and public key infrastructure can help, but PKI problems are often lurking.  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