Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts
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How long does the IPv4 to IPv6 transition take?
Various factors, including financial burden, will influence how long the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 will take, says IPv6 expert Chip Popoviciu. Continue Reading
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What are the best use cases for public cloud services?
Enterprises increasingly see public cloud services as secure and stable enough for specific non-core applications if they have effective SLAs. Continue Reading
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What security issues arise with IPv6 and IPv4 in a multi-tenant cloud?
When supporting IPv6 and IPv4 in a multi-tenant cloud, the attack surface for this type of environment is increased, says IPv6 expert Chip Popoviciu. Continue Reading
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Should I use the OpenFlow protocol in software-defined networks?
The OpenFlow protocol isn't required for SDN, although the Open Network Foundation recommends it, which means networking vendors have options. Continue Reading
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Why do I need SDN technology?
SDN is valuable, but uses extend to other parts of the network for increased network flexibility, dynamic traffic flow, decreased latency and QoS. Continue Reading
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Is SDN a centralized or distributed network architecture?
A software-defined network can have a centralized or distributed network architecture in the data center, LAN and WAN, depending on business needs. Continue Reading
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What is the difference between an overlay network and SDN?
A software-defined network can be deployed as an overlay network to a physical network or natively as the primary network to improve flexibility. Continue Reading
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Does software-defined networking require special SDN switches?
Software-defined networks do not require special SDN switches; instead, vendors offer a variety of SDN controllers, network fabrics and hardware. Continue Reading
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Where do network fabric and SDN technologies intersect?
Networks can use a network fabric and SDN technologies together, and vendors' SDN architectures integrate them in a variety different ways. Continue Reading
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The role of northbound APIs in an SDN environment
Northbound APIs on SDN controllers enable applications and orchestration systems to program the network and request services from it. Continue Reading
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SDN, network virtualization: Are they the same?
Despite differences, SDN and network virtualization share common elements to direct network resources to VMs and segment or consolidate networks. Continue Reading
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Do I need to use an SDN controller for software-defined networking?
An SDN controller, with or without OpenFlow, is not required for a software-defined network, and SDN architecture vendors take different approaches. Continue Reading
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How do cloud elasticity and cloud scalability differ?
Cloud elasticity and cloud scalability are both characteristics of cloud services, but support different goals, says cloud expert Chip Popoviciu. Continue Reading
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How do I disable VPN passthrough? What are the pros and cons to disabling it?
In this Ask the Expert response, Rainer Enders explains how to disable VPN passthrough and what the benefits and drawbacks are. Continue Reading
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What is a cloud virtual private network (VPN)?
In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders discusses what a cloud virtual private network (VPN) is and what its benefits are. Continue Reading
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Multiple access point configuration: Distinguish transmitted signals
Lisa Phifer explains multiple access point configuration when a device tries to differentiate transmitted signals from each point and explains potential issues. Continue Reading
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What's the difference between DWDM and CWDM?
Expert Ivan Pepelnjak explains the primary differences between dense wavelength division multiplexing and coarse wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM and CWDM). Continue Reading
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Difference between circuit-switching and packet-switching in examples
What is the difference between a circuit switching and packet switching? Our networking fundamentals expert gives examples of packet switching and circuit switching in this response. Continue Reading
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VLANs versus IP subnets: Why use a VLAN over IP subnetting?
A virtual local area network (VLAN) is better than IP subnetting because its advantage is security. Learn what a VLAN is and how it differs from creating IP subnets, in this expert response from our networking fundamentals expert. Continue Reading
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Calculating subnets for IP addresses in IPv6
Understand how subnetting in IPv6 differs from that of IPv4 and what you need to do in order to calculate the subnet of an IP address in IP version 6. Continue Reading
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How much harder is the CCNA from the Network+ exam?
Learn the differences between the CCNA and Network+ exams as well as the different certification options available from Cisco certification expert David Minutella. Continue Reading
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What protocol works on all layers of OSI?
Learn what protocol, if any, works on all layers of OSI in this expert answer. Continue Reading
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What equipment do I use to connect two LANs in different cities? What are the steps?
How do you connect two LANS from different cities? VPN expert Sampath Ramaswami notes the steps to be taken, in this Q&A. Continue Reading
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What is the relationship between network cable frequency and its bandwidth?
Learn about the relationship between the network cable's frequency and its bandwidth capacity, the frequency formula and its physics in this expert response by Carrie Higbie. Continue Reading
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How do I boost hotspot signal strength?
Our wireless expert, Lisa Phifer, answers how to boost hotspot signal strength in this expert response. Continue Reading
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Slow response times from client/server PC's running IFS applications
How do you find out the culprit of a network delays when you see little bandwidth being used? Read this Q&A to see what our network administrating expert, Lindi Horton, has to say. Continue Reading
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Intrusion detection vs. intrusion prevention
Our expert, Puneet Mehta, tells us what the key difference is between intrusion detection and intrusion prevention, in this expert response. Continue Reading
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Half duplex vs. full duplex Ethernet 10BASE-T topologies
Ever wonder why half duplex Ethernet 10BASE-T topologies have a slower data transmission rate than full duplex Ethernet 10BASE-Ttopologies? Find out in this expert response by Lindi Horton. Continue Reading
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What are the fundamental principles of CDMA?
In this Q&A, our expert, Lindi Horton gives us an explanation of what CDMA is and what some of its fundamental principles are. Continue Reading
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What download speed will I get with a bandwidth of 1 MBPS?
Wondering what kind of download speed you can get with a bandwidth of 1 MBPS? Our expert, Lindi Horton can give you the lowdown on the download. Continue Reading
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System engineer vs. network administrator
Our Cisco certifications expert, David Minutella, answers what the responsibilities of a system engineer and network administrator are and what makes the two jobs different. Continue Reading
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What to do when your server goes down
When a server goes down at a particular time every night without the prompt of a virus, our expert, Puneet Mehta, can tell you what the problem is and what you can do to avoid it. Continue Reading
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The most commonly used network operating system
In this Q&A, Lindi Horton answers the question "What network operating system is more currently and commonly used?" Continue Reading
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Wireless LAN setup for hotels
Phifer discusses the requirements for WLAN setups in hotels. Continue Reading
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Multicasting on a wireless network
In this response, Phifer discusses multicasting on a wireless network. Continue Reading
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SMB wireless LAN setup
Advice for setting up a WLAN for a SMB. Continue Reading
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Why is the cable supporting my LAN experiencing abnormal attenuation?
Why is the cable supporting my LAN experiencing abnormal attenuation? Continue Reading
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Is there really a big difference between cheap, residential-grade wireless APs and expensive, busine
Is there really a big difference between cheap, residential-grade wireless APs and expensive, business-grade wireless APs? Continue Reading
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What is the future of thin access points relative to wireless network security?
What is the future of thin access points relative to wireless network security? Continue Reading
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Why do we need the MAC address if all Ethernet connections are done via IP address?
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What is difference between a WINS server and a DNS server?
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How do I open port 177 on my router so that other clients can get a GUI display of my server remotel
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How do I set up two or more wireless adapters on the same computer to work together?
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What's the difference between a network assessment and an audit?
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What certification better compliments the MCSE: CCNA or RHCE?
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How can I increase bandwidth at my Internet cafe?
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Which transmission media are the most secure and the least secure?
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Placement of the firewall
In this expert response, Puneet Mehta tells us where the placement of the firewall should be architecturally. Continue Reading
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How to protect your network from broadcast and multicast storms
What methods are available to protect a network from broadcast and multicast storms? Continue Reading
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Security of each level of the OSI model
What kind of security is associated with each level of the OSI model? Continue Reading
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Can I use my wireless router to create a workgroup between desktops?
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Can you please explain the following, common Ethernet errors?
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What are network collisions and how do they occur? Are they normal?
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In a LAN environment, which is better: Token Ring or Ethernet and why?
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What is a collision domain? How does replacing a hub with a switch affect collision?
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Since DNS uses UDP instead of TCP, if a packet is lost, there is no automatic recovery?
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Can I connect two networks, one wired, one wireless, so that I can access the Internet through the s
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I need help adding a central MAC address authentication server to our current WLAN.
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How can we improve the performance of our LAN?
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What does the term "stackable switches" means?
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Having two gateways for a network with two routers
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How do I block my users from accessing all but a few authorized Web sites?
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How do I connect to my LAN from the Internet?
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What are the basic features of CIDR and what are its advantages and disadvantages compared to IPv6?
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Can I connect two computers through Ethernet on a WAN?
Can I connect two computers through Ethernet on a WAN? Continue Reading
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What costs I can expect when designing A LAN? How can I keep costs to a minimum?
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How do you interpret a bandwidth utilization graph?
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What is a LAN and how does it work?
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Why can't I access my folders on the server through the VPN?
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I need a very basic VPN solution to connect two offices to allow two servers to talk to one another.
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What is the differences between a router, a switch and hub?
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What are the differences between PVC, riser and plenum rated cables?
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Can you explain the ICMP ping test?
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How can we say TCP is a reliable protocol?
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How can I find a good job if I have my CCNA but now experience with Cisco routers?
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What are the advantages of 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
Learn about the advantages of using 10 Gigabit Ethernet for your corporate network, in this Ask the Expert response. Continue Reading
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Can you assign an IP address ending in .0 or .255?
Learn how to assign an IP address ending in .0 or .255 from networking fundamentals expert Chris Partsenidis in this Q&A. Continue Reading
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How do I connect my managed switch to a patch panel?
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How can I assign fixed bandwidth to individual users/IP addresses by using CISCO 1711 router?
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What is a network segment? Is a network segment the same as an Ethernet segment?
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Should I try for the CCNA certification or the CCDA certification?
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How do I connect to the console and AUX port of my router?
How do I connect to the console and AUX port of my router? Continue Reading
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How do intrusion detection systems work?
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Can you help me put together a WLAN proposal?
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Can you explain MER Mac encapsulation routing?
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What is the difference between TCP/IP and IP protocol?
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Can CAT 6 be used to connect two switches at a distance of 550 meters?
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What type of security is associated with each level of the OSI model?
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Connecting two hosts with the same IP address but different subnet masks
Is it possible to communicate two hosts with the same IP address but different subnet mask without adding a router? Continue Reading
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Settings for RTS Threshold and Fragmentation Threshold
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OSI model: List of some attacks
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What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric bandwidth?
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What are the elements of creating a wireless connection between two buildings?
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How do I connect two wired LAN networks with a wireless link?
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How can I reduce the number of broadcasts on my network?
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Are there any inherent security problems with UDP?
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What are the main challenges facing DNS management today?
What are the main challenges facing DNS management today? Continue Reading
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Can you please explain how a DHCP server allocates IP addresses dynamically?
Learn how DHCP works in this Ask the Expert response from our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis. Continue Reading
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How do I connect our seven offices to a VPN using DSL lines?
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The difference between an access point and a bridge