Features

Features

• From consultant to enterprise network engineer: How to make the switch

  Learn how one former network design consultant made a major career change, leaving her position at a vendor and landing her dream job in the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Open source network software promises major industry shifts

  Let the disruption commence! Observers say it's high time the networking sector accepts and sorts out open source, arguing it's not a question of if enterprises use it, but how.  Continue Reading

• Viptela SD-WAN technology transforms major healthcare network

  In this software-defined WAN case study, Kindred Healthcare says Viptela SD-WAN technology has made its network more agile and less expensive to deploy and manage.  Continue Reading

• Cisco IWAN architecture case study: Manufacturer embraces SD-WAN

  MTD Products credits the Cisco IWAN architecture with cutting costs and improving performance in the wide area network, ultimately leading to an increase in employee productivity.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN adoption: Exxon Mobil deploys Cybera technology

  In this case study, learn how SD-WAN adoption dramatically simplified a major oil company's wide area network while improving security and increasing flexibility.  Continue Reading

• Assessing network availability monitoring tools for SMBs, larger networks

  Learn what features, licensing, support and maintenance options the leading performance and availability monitoring tools offer to SMBs and larger networks.  Continue Reading

• From Sonnet 18 to SD-WAN technology: An unlikely networking career

  From teaching Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 to taking on a major SD-WAN technology deployment: Senior engineer Phil Gervasi shares the major career pivot that brought him to networking.  Continue Reading

• White-box switches save green, but they aren't for everyone

  While some networking pros say white-box switching is the 'next big thing,' others argue that's a myth that needs busting. As usual, enterprises must consider the business case.  Continue Reading

• Identifying the IT operations analytics product your enterprise needs

  This guide to IT operations analytics tools explains how ITOA works so networking pros can determine the most important features and assess vendor offerings.  Continue Reading

• A comparison of the leading campus LAN switch vendors

  Expert Andrew Froehlich examines the factors that will ultimately help you determine which campus LAN switch vendors and types are most suitable for your environment.  Continue Reading

• Seven criteria to consider before evaluating campus LAN switches

  Before you begin researching specific vendors and campus LAN switch types, take the time to understand the requirements and capabilities you need.  Continue Reading

• VM deployment: Stack Overflow team designs custom automation app

  Stack Overflow engineer George Beech says when he couldn't find the right tool to automate the VM deployment process, he and his team members decided to create their own.  Continue Reading

• Where have all the legacy voice engineers gone?

  When traditional voice engineering went the way of the dinosaurs, many of its practitioners had to evolve.  Continue Reading

• Networked cloud emerges to meet evolving infrastructure needs

  Some enterprise network managers are beginning to move networking out to the cloud, as they sort out how to best meet their organizations' evolving infrastructure needs.  Continue Reading

• Do I need campus switches in my enterprise?

  The role of campus switches depends on the demands of your organization. What are the important considerations to help you make the right choice on whether or not to deploy them?  Continue Reading

• The evolution of campus LAN switches in the enterprise

  The campus LAN switch is a fundamental component of networking. There is a lot to know about the roles these switches play in a modern enterprise network.  Continue Reading

• CN Tower climbs heights with mobile engagement platform

  The CN Tower, Canada's tallest building, implements an Aruba mobile engagement platform to connect with customers.  Continue Reading

• Custom network sensors help engineer prevent downtime

  Too much information? No such thing. Engineer James Ott says network monitoring tool PRTG allows him to anticipate device failures before they occur.  Continue Reading

• Learn SDN in school, experts urge today's networking students

  Despite old school ways, academic tides slowly turn in SDN's favor -- as textbooks and instructors recognize network programming is here to stay.  Continue Reading

• CCIE certification debate continues despite exam's SDN, cloud updates

  Despite Cisco's recent CCIE exam update -- with a new section covering network programmability, IoT and cloud -- some pros still say the gold standard has lost its luster.  Continue Reading

• Need for speed: Demand for faster DCI technology grows

  As the amount of traffic traveling between data centers explodes, both enterprises and service providers look for high-octane data center interconnect options.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN architecture: What to know before you buy

  The hybrid WAN is here and this guide explains how to buy and build an SD-WAN architecture. Learn about key features and 'nice to haves' before you approach vendors and make an acquisition decision.  Continue Reading

• From the 3G-to-4G transition to SDN, network pro rises to the challenge

  After years at a provider -- where she helped install cell towers during the 3G-to-4G transition -- an Army-trained network engineer tackles a new challenge in the enterprise: SDN.  Continue Reading

• Undersea cables keep global enterprise networks afloat

  Subsea cabling is out of sight, but it shouldn't be out of mind. Many organizations don't realize just how dependent they are on underwater fiber to stay online and in business.  Continue Reading

• Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes in IT strategy at one of the original dot-coms

  From containers to CDNs, About.com is embracing change. Director of operations Matt Landolf shares how he's seen the outlook of one of the web's oldest properties evolve.  Continue Reading

• In-house network test labs fall out of favor in cloud era

  In the era of cloud integrations and frequent network changes, fewer organizations are building in-house network test labs, relying instead on virtual and third-party tests.  Continue Reading

• ITOA to AIOps: The next generation of network analytics

  IT operations analytics tools are growing up and offering unprecedented insights into network behavior, allowing managers to automate fixes before problems occur.  Continue Reading

• ScienceLogic EM7: Network performance monitor overview

  ScienceLogic EM7 is still a newcomer to the network performance monitoring market, but it offers flexible deployment options, including VMs and software-as-a-service installations.  Continue Reading

• Viavi Observer: Network performance monitor overview

  With deployable hardware and software probes, Viavi Observer is known as one of the most robust network performance monitors in the market today.  Continue Reading

• Cisco network monitor product overview

  Cisco Prime has been on the network performance monitoring market for over five years. Networking expert Andrew Froehlich takes a deeper dive into the Cisco network monitor, Prime.  Continue Reading

• Riverbed SteelCentral product overview

  Riverbed SteelCentral is one of the most prominent network performance monitoring systems on the market today. Networking expert Andrew Froehlich takes a deeper dive into its features.  Continue Reading

• Infosim StableNet network monitoring product overview

  The Infosim StableNet network performance monitor offers a variety of features, including support for telecommunications providers and an embedded hardware agent.  Continue Reading

• HPE Network Node Manager product overview

  HPE Network Node Manager comes with a wide range of plug-ins, including monitoring for IP telephony, multicast deployments and quality assurance departments.  Continue Reading

• How to buy the best application delivery controller for your firm

  Application delivery controllers have advanced in ways that make ADCs more useful for a wider range of companies than ever before. This guide outlines what you need to know in order to buy the best application delivery controller for your company.  Continue Reading

• SolarWinds NPM product overview

  SolarWinds NPM system supports a wide range of features, among them data flow collection, server and application monitoring, and quality of service for enterprise VoIP suites.  Continue Reading

• SevOne monitoring suite product overview

  SevOne monitoring products, such as the Performance Application Solution, scale to the environment size. The PAS appliance can monitor up to 200,000 network devices.  Continue Reading

• CA UIM network performance monitor: product overview

  CA Technologies' network performance monitoring products include CA UIM, which supports a variety of features, including network performance and availability management.  Continue Reading

• NetScout TruView network performance monitor: Product overview

  NetScout's retooled TruView gives administrators oversight into myriad network operations, including public and private clouds.  Continue Reading

• Comparing the top network performance tools on the market

  Choosing among network performance tools can be difficult. In this article, expert Andrew Froehlich breaks down the differences among the top products on the market.  Continue Reading

• Undersea cable sends Ethernet to observatory on ocean floor

  Thanks to donated undersea cabling from AT&T, the ALOHA Cabled Observatory provides real-time data from the ocean floor. It took a longtime networking pro to get it up to speed.  Continue Reading

• Yes, Virginia, there's a CDN service for everyone

  Super-sized media companies have used content delivery networks for decades, but recently CDN services have also become affordable for the typical enterprise next door.  Continue Reading

• In virtualized environments, importance of hardware remains

  It's tempting to get swept up in the hype around software-defined everything and cloud mania, but even in virtualized environments, networking hardware is still critical.  Continue Reading

• Purchasing the right network performance monitor for you

  Selecting the right enterprise network performance monitor system means understanding the tool's capabilities and how they can support your organization's specific needs.  Continue Reading

• Network refresh: Look at your needs, not the name on the box

  In this Q&A, one networking pro shares why he and his team broke from their existing vendors during a network refresh and went with a new roster for their routers and switches.  Continue Reading

• Jobs in networking: Enterprises vs. service providers

  It may not be the first question on your mind when evaluating job opportunities, but network engineers who have worked on both sides say there are distinct differences.  Continue Reading

• As mobility grows, enterprises assess wireless-first designs

  Are you ready to kiss Ethernet cables goodbye? Find out what it takes to build and manage a network where wireless infrastructure rules the access layer.  Continue Reading

• The business case for deploying network monitoring systems

  Network monitoring systems that focus on performance enhance network reliability and promote more efficient communication. What are some of the features you should be examining?  Continue Reading

• Binghamton University takes advantage of load balancing system

  Binghamton University implemented a new load balancing system from Array Networks to better deliver educational and other online services.  Continue Reading

• Ethernet networking: Where it is today and what's next

  Learn the latest about Ethernet -- how it works, how it's changed over the years and how Ethernet networking is evolving.  Continue Reading

• Network automation scripts: Separating myth from reality

  Network automation can make work easier, but be careful which processes you automate. Done wrong, automation can break more things than it fixes.  Continue Reading

• How to become a network architect, from those who did it

  You wouldn't be an engineer if you didn't love networking, but are you looking to make a career move? Find out how to become a network architect and whether it's right for you.  Continue Reading

• How have network performance monitoring tools evolved?

  Network performance monitoring tools have evolved as networks have become more complex. What are some of the capabilities and features these tools now possess?  Continue Reading

• New Wi-Fi technology that will affect your network

  New Wi-Fi technology developments are many, from the latest IEEE 802.11 standards like White Space Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi Alliance HaLow program. Get up to speed on what's new in wireless.  Continue Reading

• A Wi-Fi design that can handle high density? Hallelujah!

  A contemporary church in Indiana celebrates its growing congregation, but an expansion creates networking challenges with its Wi-Fi design and wide area network.  Continue Reading

• Beacon technologies: Cool apps, but also network challenges

  There are countless exciting applications for beacons, but can they fulfill everything they promise? And, more important, can your backend infrastructure support them?  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN helps secure hybrid networks

  For all the gripes enterprises have about MPLS, one point of contention remains: Branches directly connected to the Internet don't feel safe. Is that still true in the age of SD-WAN?  Continue Reading

• Comparing enterprise network monitoring vendors

  Industry analyst Shamus McGillicuddy explores the leading enterprise network monitoring vendors on the market. Which ones have the features and capabilities you need?  Continue Reading

• Four examples of networks in unusual places

  If you think you had a weird day at the office, check out some of the crazy conditions these IT pros work in as we explore four networks off the beaten path.  Continue Reading

• Building resilient networks on a mountain, at sub-zero temps

  Freezing temperatures and dirty conditions at this underground gold mine in interior Alaska are no match for its strategy for maintaining resilient networks.  Continue Reading

• Network infrastructure design provides strong benefits for apps

  You wouldn't build a house without a floor plan or foundation. Likewise, says one IT pro, a robust network infrastructure design and deployment is vital to deliver advanced apps.  Continue Reading

• When network reliability matters more than performance

  In the world of motorsport, there's no question that speed is everything. But for the IT team that supports this Formula 1 team, network reliability is the top priority.  Continue Reading

• Encrypted network tunnel boosts bandwidth securely for U.S. Army

  Faced with little time and strict security needs, U.S. Army network engineers came up with an inventive way to use a network tunnel to improve communications amid the Ebola crisis.  Continue Reading

• Container networking offers opportunity to simplify networks

  Linux containers are back in a big way, but it's not just developers who should be paying attention. Container networking will likely bring big changes to data centers.  Continue Reading

• Latest types of firewalls merge NGFW and threat analysis features

  The next-generation firewall has become the focal point of an enterprise security strategy that integrates with cloud-based threat analysis and endpoint management.  Continue Reading

• Tempered Networks' HIPswitch tackles IoT management

  Tempered Networks wins this month's Network Innovation Award for its HIPswitch IoT management and security platform, which its director of product management discusses in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Dell C9010: Data center-class switch overview

  The Dell C9010 data center-class switch supports a large number of deployment scenarios, including campus networks, midsize businesses and large enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Compensation flat for network pros in IT salary survey for 2015

  TechTarget's annual IT Salary and Careers Survey reveals network IT pros are satisfied with their jobs, even without big increases.  Continue Reading

• Essential network monitoring system features for the enterprise

  Which network monitoring system features should you look for before buying an availability monitoring system?  Continue Reading

• Comparing the best data center-class switch features

  Before you buy, check out this comparison of leading data center-class switches to understand the different features and capabilities.  Continue Reading

• DNS co-founder discusses need for a more secure DNS

  Thirty years after creating the Internet's domain name system, co-creator Paul Mockapetris talks about addressing Internet challenges with a more secure DNS.  Continue Reading

• How to buy content delivery networks

  This Buyer's Guide informs IT professionals about the latest in content delivery networks (CDNs). It reviews how CDNs work, their key features and offers a bottom line on how to choose the best CDN for their enterprise.  Continue Reading

• NIA awards: A look back at innovative technology products

  As 2015 draws to a close, we look at the innovative technology products that garnered a SearchNetworking Network Innovation Award.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Identity Services Engine: Security product overview

  The Cisco Identity Services Engine network access control system can be deployed as an appliance or virtual machine in a private cloud and offers compatibility for BYOD devices.  Continue Reading

• ForeScout NAC: Network security product overview

  ForeScout NAC products can be deployed as hardware appliances or virtual machines. Designed for both small and large enterprises, they can support up to 10,000 end devices.  Continue Reading

• Bradford NAC: Network security product overview

  Bradford Network Sentry products can be deployed as on-premises hardware appliances, virtual machines or cloud-based services, and they support connection of BYOD devices.  Continue Reading

• A wireless network design can't be static

  In this Q&A, one network engineer describes how he's adapting his wireless network design to overcome challenges from the old world as well as the digital age.  Continue Reading

• In Wave 2, 802.11ac tackles density with multi-user MIMO

  Mobile devices continue to flood wireless LANs, but 802.11ac Wave 2 is leveling the playing field. Deploying it, however, requires some forethought.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud application delivery: Challenges and success stories

  Networking in hybrid clouds has been a complex task, and that includes optimizing application delivery and performance. Find out how some IT pros are overcoming those challenges.  Continue Reading

• Zscaler gateway product overview

  Equipped with advanced security features such as cloud intelligence, botnet detection, sandboxing and more, the Zscaler Web gateway is deployed solely through the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Cisco ASA firewall: Network security product overview

  Cisco ASA firewall products are Cisco's offering in the growing NGFW market. With FirePower intrusion prevention, they support deployments in small, medium and large businesses.  Continue Reading

• Palo Alto firewall: Network security product overview

  Equipped with mobile security and endpoint protection solutions, Palo Alto firewall products are suitable for a range of deployments, including large and small enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Next-gen firewalls: Check Point NGFW product overview

  The Check Point NGFW comes with firewall throughput of up to 70 Gbps and support for up to 3 million connections per second. It can be deployed in SMBs and large enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Blue Coat ProxySG: Secure Web gateway overview

  With features like authentication and Web filtering, the Blue Coat ProxySG secure Web gateway can be deployed as a physical appliance, a virtual machine or a cloud-based service.  Continue Reading

• Websense Triton: Secure Web gateway overview

  Available as an appliance, a VM and a cloud service, the Websense Triton Web gateway offers a number of features, including integration with other Websense security products.  Continue Reading

• Triton AP: Websense sandbox product overview

  Websense sandbox products come as physical appliances, software virtual machines, and cloud services. They also integrate with Websense's Web gateways and email security tools.  Continue Reading

• Palo Alto WildFire: Malware sandbox product overview

  Tightly integrated with existing Palo Alto next-generation firewalls, the Palo Alto WildFire cloud-based malware sandbox service supports both public and private cloud deployments.  Continue Reading

• FireEye AX series: Sandbox product overview

  The FireEye AX series sandbox products are capable of up to 16,000 analyses per day, are available for multiple OSes and come with 24/7 support for mission-critical deployments.  Continue Reading

• Man vs. machine: In a network outage, who's to blame?

  Downtime is often chalked up to human error. But several high-profile outages this year were blamed on faulty technology. Which is more dangerous to your network?  Continue Reading

• Why SDN is gaining traction in the enterprise

  Software-defined networking isn't just for carriers, cloud providers and hyper-scale Web companies. Instead of asking "Why SDN?", some mainstream enterprises are asking "Why not?"  Continue Reading

• Combatting network threats: Look, Ma, no firewall!

  In this Q&A, a network engineer at the Rochester Institute of Technology explains his favorite weapons against network threats: user education and vulnerability scanning.  Continue Reading

• Amid ongoing threats, network security training gains appeal

  Network engineers who have focused primarily on honing their routing and switching skills say having limited network security training is no longer adequate.  Continue Reading

• Don't overlook need for partnerships with a network vendor

  Understanding the technology is simple enough, says one engineer. Building partnerships with a network vendor takes work but reaps big rewards.  Continue Reading

• Rethinking network monitoring software for the user experience

  Just because the dashboard in your network monitoring software shows that everything is functional doesn't guarantee it's functioning well for users.  Continue Reading

• Switch software plays bigger role in data center networks

  Hardware still matters, but it isn't just about speeds and feeds anymore. Switch software is an increasingly important factor in data center networks.  Continue Reading

• Ruckus SmartZone wireless access points: Product overview

  Ruckus SmartZone wireless access points and controllers are designed for a wide range of environments, including indoor and outdoor AP deployments.  Continue Reading

• Meraki wireless access points: Product overview

  Meraki wireless access points support management from the cloud and are suitable for indoor and outdoor deployments, including environments with physical obstructions.  Continue Reading

• Aruba wireless access points: Product overview

  Aruba wireless access points consist of three product lines designed for small, midsize and large businesses.  Continue Reading

• Aruba wireless controller: Product overview

  The Aruba wireless controller product line is designed for small, midsize and large enterprise deployments.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Aironet wireless access point: Product overview

  Cisco wireless access points target a wide range of deployments, including small and midsized businesses, large enterprises, and warehouse or manufacturing environments.  Continue Reading

• Cisco wireless controllers: Product overview

  Cisco wireless LAN controllers are designed for a wide range of environments, including small and midsize businesses and large enterprises.  Continue Reading