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New WAN tools, techniques and methods you need to know
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The evolution of WAN optimization
The growth of cloud apps and the increased use of Internet over traditional WAN technologies has forced WAN optimization to evolve. Read Now
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How WAN optimization benefits your apps
These are five ways enterprise WAN optimization technology helps overcome productivity and application issues organizations face in today's workforce. Read Now
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Protocol spoofing as a WAN optimizing technique
Learn in this expert response what protocol spoofing is and how it can be used as a WAN optimization technique. Read Now
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What WAN optimization tools does your company need?
Leading WAN optimization product vendors use a variety of techniques to get the job done. Find out who does what and if it's right for you. Read Now
Editor's note
WAN is the workhorse of your networking "wardrobe," if you will. It's an essential piece of technology that keeps your users happily connected and productive and your enterprise systems going strong. But that doesn't mean WAN is boring; in fact, the new WAN technology is snazzier than ever.
This timeless guide will explain all you need to know to be up to date on WAN basics and the new WAN tools emerging in the market. But we also cover the latest developments: optimization, outsourced management, how the cloud affects the WAN -- it's all here. This guide even has info for those curious about the latest in WAN architecture: the software-defined WAN (SD-WAN).
Read on to get informed on the wide area network of today and the fast-coming future WAN.
1Outsource your WAN management? Sure!
Thanks to the arrival of cloud, outsourcing WAN management is possible -- and it shouldn't be scary or complex. Learn how others have done it and how to set up server provider management for your WAN.
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WAN optimization arrives as a service
When Rieke Packaging Systems tried to roll out a new ERP system, its old MPLS connectivity couldn't deliver the goods. Enter: cloud-based WAN. Read Now
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Cloud era demands new WAN architecture
Enterprises need to reinvent WAN architecture for cloud services. The data center can no longer be the gateway to the Internet. Read Now
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Ways to simplify service provider management
If you run a global network, chances are you deal with managing service provider relationships. Use these tips to reduce network complexity. Read Now
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Do-it-yourself service provider management
IT professionals who handle global networks need to know how to manage service provider relationships. This article explains how to be your own MSP. Read Now
2When it comes to WAN, performance is crucial
In many ways the WAN is the workhorse of enterprise communication. Without a well-functioning WAN, work, well, stops. In this segment, learn about the criticality of WAN performance for everything, including the corporate bottom line, and why faster provisioning and rolling WAN optimization, management and security together is a good idea.
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Big data requires good WAN management
In order to successfully exploit big data, effective WAN management must be part of the infrastructure puzzle. Read Now
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When WANs go wrong, the effects are far-reaching
Don't just think of WAN performance in terms of meeting enterprise objectives. WAN failure touches multiple endpoints. Read Now
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New WAN benefits come from combining optimization, management and security
By searching for solutions that put WAN optimization, management and security together, enterprise IT can reduce company bottom lines and complexity. Read Now
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Waiting on the new WAN frustrates engineers
It can take one to three months to install a private WAN connection at a new branch office. For many enterprises, that’s just not acceptable anymore. Read Now
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Analysis needed to meet data center WAN requirements
Understand the storage applications running across your data center WAN links to ensure optimal performance. Read Now
3Why WAN is the new black
The WAN is a basic essential. But it's also been updated for the latest styles of work and communication. The new WAN platform of today's enterprise must be flexible and super-responsive. In this section, you'll learn about the new WAN -- which may be virtualized (vWAN) or come in a hybrid form -- and the myriad forces driving its development.
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What's a hybrid WAN service, anyway?
When considering hybrid WAN architecture, organizations must focus on the end-user experience and security. Read Now
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What you must know about hybrid WAN
The ballooning amount of data generated by users and applications is fueling the development of hybrid WANs. Here's what you need to know. Read Now
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What network pros say about the value of WAN virtualization
SDN blogs: Network professionals talk about the benefits of virtualizing your WAN, why learning about APIs is crucial and when to upgrade to new software. Read Now
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Remote locations driving vWAN development
Remote offices demand connectivity with the central data center, data-rich services, and cost-effective IT deployments. Enter the vWAN. Read Now
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The new vWAN threatens traditional WAN design
With vWAN providers changing the traditional three-legged WAN structure, carriers need to develop new WAN plans and services using SDN and NFV to keep enterprises on their networks. Read Now
4Is now the time to get your WAN software defined?
Is this the decade of software-defined everything? Seems so, and the WAN is no exception. But what exactly is an SD-WAN? This module will explain it all and will help you determine whether your new WAN should be an SD-WAN and, if so, how to make that a reality.
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Your new WAN may be an SD-WAN
More than just a buzzword, software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is already delivering benefits to early adopters. Skeptics warn, however, it's no magical elixir. Read Now
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What SD-WAN means for the enterprise
SD-WAN has a lot of potential for enterprises, especially as developers cobble together custom services and capabilities. Read Now
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Where to start with SD-WAN
SDN's networking role has not always been clear, there are now some compelling use cases. Because SDN can make the WAN more functional and less expensive, networking pros should keep their eyes on SDN developments. Read Now
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SD-WAN's effect on the market
SDN principles are transforming the wide area network, with a number of networking companies -- both startups and established players -- offering software-defined WAN technologies to enterprises. Read Now
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What the new SD-WAN promises
The SDN WAN's network programmability and automated provisioning addresses the demands placed on the wide area network by the cloud, SaaS and BYOD. Read Now
5Key terms to know
Let's face it -- understanding the new WAN world is hard enough -- even if you know the lingo. So, be sure you get these key terms under your belt.
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Definition
Aggregate
In general, to aggregate (verb, from Latin aggregare meaning to add to) is to collect things together. Read Now
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Definition
Enterprise WAN
An enterprise WAN is a corporate network that connects geographically dispersed users areas that could be anywhere in the world. Read Now
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Hybrid WAN
A hybrid WAN is a wide area network that sends traffic over two or more connection types. Hybrid WANs permit dynamic traffic engineering across both private and public domains, using a variety of connectivity options to make the best use of network resources. Read Now
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Definition
MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a protocol-agnostic routing technique designed to speed up and shape traffic flows across enterprise wide area and service provider networks. Read Now
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Definition
SD-WAN
Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is technology that uses software-defined networking (SDN) concepts to distribute network traffic across a wide area network (WAN). Read Now
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WAN accelerator
A WAN accelerator is an appliance that improves the end user's experience on a wide area network (WAN). Read Now
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WAN clustering
WAN clustering, also called geoclustering, high-availability clustering or remote clustering, is the use of multiple redundant computing resources located in different geographical locations to form what appears to be a single highly-available system. Read Now
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Definition
WAN optimization
WAN optimization -- also known as WAN acceleration -- is the category of technologies and techniques used to maximize the efficiency of data's flow across a wide area network (WAN), between organizations' centralized data centers and their remote locations. Read Now