Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What steps should I take in the event of a network failure?

  Don't panic when the network goes down. Instead, use this checklist to go through five factors that could cause network failure, and follow tips on how to plan for them in advance.  Continue Reading

• What are the similarities and differences of TCP/IP vs. HTTP?

  TCP/IP made the internet, and HTTP made the web. Understanding how protocols enable web browsing is key to understanding the differences and similarities of TCP/IP vs. HTTP.  Continue Reading

• What does stateful vs. stateless mean in a networking context?

  When it comes to understanding state from a networking perspective, knowing the difference between stateful vs. stateless firewalls is a crucial starting point.  Continue Reading

• What does open source SD-WAN look like, and do we need it?

  Open source software has an openly available source code that users can adopt or modify. Open source combined with SD-WAN might be a perfect match or a too idealistic goal.  Continue Reading

• Can you integrate legacy network monitoring and analytics?

  Legacy network monitoring and new analytics tools don't often mix. One workaround is APIs, but a better option is to upgrade older management software.  Continue Reading

• How do I plan a network management strategy for multiple tools?

  Many IT teams deal with a bevy of network management tools, which complicates data integration and leads to errors. A network management strategy that focuses on coordination can help.  Continue Reading

• What roles are included in a network engineer job description?

  What is a network engineer? The role can encompass several disciplines, especially as new technologies emerge. Software knowledge, in particular, is in high demand.  Continue Reading

• Despite its advantages, what are the top disadvantages of SD-WAN?

  Cost, complexity, security, training, troubleshooting and software bugs are some of the top disadvantages of SD-WAN. See how these issues affect SD-WAN deployment.  Continue Reading

• How is service mesh architecture different from SDN and NFV?

  Service mesh separates itself from SDN and NFV approaches with its clear focus on managing the communication and forwarding between multiple microservices.  Continue Reading

• What is hybrid cloud networking and how is it evolving?

  With help from telecom providers and connectivity, hybrid cloud networking enables organizations to add network capacity by tapping into public cloud infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between a router, switch and hub?

  Although a router, switch and hub all help direct network traffic, the devices transmit packets in different ways. Discover the differences among these network devices.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between an edge router vs. core router?

  Clearly, an edge router and core router are placed in different parts of the network, but their routing roles are more complex than their physical locations.  Continue Reading

• Will 5G networks require new network engineer skills?

  The 5G network will likely affect network engineer skills in areas such as security, physical appliances and software. But enterprise teams won't see too much change, for now.  Continue Reading

• What are private 5G networks and could they emerge as a major trend?

  In some network environments, businesses may need broader connection options for devices and automation. Private 5G networks, at some point, might be the answer.  Continue Reading

• What are edge computing challenges for the network?

  Edge computing can reduce processing times and improve application performance, but the technology has its issues. Here are six challenges edge computing creates for the network.  Continue Reading