Features

Features

• OpenStack networking and orchestration: What's possible?

  OpenStack's networking service, Neutron, integrates provisioning and management of network resources into the orchestration of IT infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Network engineer job description will evolve, not evaporate, with SDN

  Most networking pros won't need to become programmers to survive. SDN will expand the network engineer's job description, not invalidate it.  Continue Reading

• F5 wins networking award for BIG-IP's platform intelligence

  F5 wins this month's SearchNetworking Network Innovation Award for the programmability and intelligence added to version 11.4 of its BIG-IP software.  Continue Reading

• Is service agility the payoff in network functions virtualization?

  NFV may not let operators toss their routers for generic servers yet, but it could mean a new level of service agility and increased revenue.  Continue Reading

• New network architectures and traditional components: Why both are key

  The next stage in network architecture's evolution is upon us. An SDN future is certain. What's less clear is how quickly it will become the norm, and what network architects should do in the meantime to keep their systems healthy and operational.  Continue Reading

• IPv6, SDN: When worlds collide ... in a good way

  IPv6, SDN and the cloud seem like separate initiatives, but they are interdependent. SDN and IPv6 will enable cloud agility. The good news is they are also complementary.  Continue Reading

• Ethernet fabric primer

  Virtualization and cloud exposed legacy data center networks as fragile and inefficient. This primer explains how Ethernet fabrics meet new demands.  Continue Reading

• Application visibility and control tools emerge for the wireless world

  A new generation of application visibility and control (AVC) tools allows network managers to peer into applications across their WLAN infrastructures and optimize how that traffic is delivered. These new AVC tools will help network managers deliver...  Continue Reading

• For cloud providers, fraud detection is integral part of business plan

  Without the proper cloud fraud detection and prevention practices, cloud providers can become unwitting hosts for cybercriminals.  Continue Reading

• Unified network management primer

  Unified network management tools provide a single user interface from which admins can manage both their wired and wireless network devices.  Continue Reading

• Unified network management tools: Key features, vendor approaches

  Unified network management platform buyers should look for key product features and be aware of three different vendor approaches to the market.  Continue Reading

• The 802.11ad standard is fast, but do we need that much throughput?

  The new 802.11ad standard offers 7 Gbps of throughput and can supplement existing wireless networks, but it’s got technical challenges.  Continue Reading

• When network monitoring tools improve business intelligence

  As network architectures become more complex, users need network monitoring tools that provide performance data and business intelligence.  Continue Reading

• SDN education: Universities tackle SDN course content

  Universities would like to create SDN education programs, but SDN courses are difficult to plan since the technology is rapidly evolving.  Continue Reading

• Military college bolsters remote device access to support virtual lab

  Vermont military college, Norwich University, improved student access to its virtual forensics lab with a new gateway from Array Networks.  Continue Reading

• Differentiating your cloud computing SLA: Availability vs. performance

  Most providers make cloud computing SLA claims around availability, and some are exploring the viability of performance claims. But there are risks.  Continue Reading

• Ten essential network virtualization definitions

  SDN has sparked discussion about what network virtualization truly is. Here are 10 key network virtualization definitions that explain the basics.  Continue Reading

• What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

  Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN.  Continue Reading

• SDN and wireless LAN meet for unified network management, at last

  If SDN and wireless LANs both run on a controller-centric architecture, why not combine the two for unified wired and wireless network management?  Continue Reading

• Engineers share lessons learned from OpenFlow implementations

  Engineers talk about their early experiences with OpenFlow: Enjoy the energized community, but only adopt if it can improve your data center.  Continue Reading

• The role for XMPP as a southbound SDN protocol

  How can XMPP be used in hybrid software-defined networking as an alternative or complement to OpenFlow?  Continue Reading

• Border Gateway Protocol as a hybrid SDN protocol

  Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), a well-known core Internet protocol, is being adapted for use as a hybrid SDN protocol.  Continue Reading

• Primer: A new generation of programmable ASICs

  Programmable application-specific integrated circuits allow the data plane of switches to support new technologies, like software-defined networking.  Continue Reading

• Cloud marketing strategy: Do consumers care if it's called cloud?

  While some providers play up the lingo in consumer cloud marketing, others say confusion has left the term 'cloud' too diluted to be valuable.  Continue Reading

• Cisco's revised CCNA certification exams change up the networking mix

  Cisco's streamlined CCNA certification exam changes what network admins need to know before getting specialty certifications. Find out why.  Continue Reading

• How does advanced malware use the network against you?

  Find out how advanced malware can be detected by tracking its abnormal network behavior.  Continue Reading

• Advanced threat protection: Behavior-profiling network communications

  Advanced threat protection specializes in detecting advanced and persistent malware inside networks.  Continue Reading

• Overlays may be the best path forward for networking

  Vendors VMware, Big Switch, Cisco, and others are working to come up with the ‘winning’ overlay approach to creating virtual network abstractions.  Continue Reading

• Integrating physical and virtual networks: Virtual switching tactics

  In order to make networks flexible enough to support cloud orchestration, engineers will have to bridge physical and virtual networks.  Continue Reading

• Cloud providers can enable 'self-service' IT with a cloud portal

  With a good cloud portal, service providers can allow customers to provision IT services on their own.  Continue Reading

• Campus core switch comparison: How Cisco, HP, Juniper differentiate their switches

  How do three top campus core Ethernet switch vendors Cisco, HP and Juniper differentiate their offerings?  Continue Reading

• How to plan for a campus core switch refresh: Basic requirements

  Network architects and engineers discuss the features and functions they look for when planning a campus core upgrade.  Continue Reading

• Myth vs. reality: Some clarity about overlay networks

  As new overlay networks gain momentum, some experts try to clear up several misconceptions about their performance and operational complexity.  Continue Reading

• Implementing Cisco ASA tools for effective network traffic monitoring

  This chapter on controlling network access explains how to implement Cisco ASA tools to ensure effective network traffic monitoring.  Continue Reading

• The importance of WLAN testing: From planning to documentation

  This chapter on WLAN testing covers WLAN test planning and documentation and crucial testing methods for performance, security and signal coverage.  Continue Reading

• Balancing wireless LAN troubleshooting strategies for BYOD

  Security is only half the challenge when it comes to supporting a BYOD WLAN. The rest depends on WLAN troubleshooting to handle personal device drain.  Continue Reading

• Four IT shops, four approaches to BYOD network security

  With no single solution for BYOD network security, engineers are getting crafty at integrating varied technologies to handle the challenge.  Continue Reading

• BYOD challenges that lurk beyond network security

  Everyone knows security tops the list of BYOD challenges, but network pros will face a slew of other headaches along the way.  Continue Reading

• A primer on northbound APIs: Their role in a software-defined network

  This primer explores the concept of SDN northbound APIs, their key benefits, who's using them and why.  Continue Reading

• Trends in networking 2012: Top ten Fast Packets

  These top ten Fast Packets from SearchNetworking.com contributors and editors reflect on the most conversation-worthy networking trends in 2012.  Continue Reading

• SDN jobs: Skills network engineers should focus on

  As SDN evolves, it'll be critical for networking pros to understand it. Find out which skills SDN jobs will require.  Continue Reading

• Got IP address management problems? Think DNS, DHCP, IPAM trifecta

  If your network has gotten too complicated for basic IP address management, it may be time to consider a DNS, DHCP, IPAM tool combination.  Continue Reading

• Will we ever need 400 Gigabit Ethernet enterprise networks?

  With 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet so new, what could possibly drive the need for 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise? Hint: It’s not just the WAN.  Continue Reading

• 40 Gigabit Ethernet: The migration begins

  Experts and early adopters of 40 Gigabit Ethernet share successes and pitfalls.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined networking washing is the new cloud washing

  Marketing pros sell every new technology as if it's software-defined networking. But this 'SDN washing' masks true innovation and insults our intelligence.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined networking applications move beyond the data center

  Software-defined networking is often considered a data center technology, but new SDN applications will improve performance in the LAN and WAN as well.  Continue Reading

• Big data initiative essentials: Adopting analytics strategies

  This guide contains what you need to know for devising big data initiatives and analytics strategies.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Nexus switches: Layer 2 configuration strategies

  In this chapter, you'll learn the basics of Cisco Nexus switches and configuration of Layer 2 networking.  Continue Reading

• Is Cisco doing enough to reduce network power consumption?

  Better power supplies and fans are not enough to reduce network power consumption. It's time for network vendors to rethink chip design and packaging.  Continue Reading

• Cloud monitoring tools: Troubleshooting with Wireshark in the cloud

  As traditional network monitoring tools slowly evolve into cloud monitoring tools, Wireshark moves gingerly into network troubleshooting in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Cloud application architectures: When to redesign an app for the cloud

  Not all legacy apps are cloud-ready, and some never will be. Providers must decide which apps to redesign to suit cloud application architectures.  Continue Reading

• Data center network fabrics vs. software – defined fabrics

  Are data center fabrics and software defined networks competitive or complementary technologies?  Continue Reading

• Big data analysis in the cloud: Storage, network and server challenges

  In part two of our two-part series on big data services, cloud providers discuss storage, networking and server challenges of big data analysis.  Continue Reading

• ‘Computer Networks' PDF: Free chapter download

  Download this computer networking PDF excerpt from "Computer Networks," a book that addresses the key principles of computer networks. In Chapter 1, Foundation, learn how local and wide area networks (WANs) are now built to connect more than ...  Continue Reading

• Wireless sniffing best practices using Wireshark

  Wireless sniffing using Wireshark lets engineers troubleshoot poor performance and connectivity problems, as well as analyze traffic activity on the network.  Continue Reading

• MPLS vs. Ethernet: Which WAN connectivity option is best?

  This MPLS vs. Ethernet list gives enterprise IT a breakdown of the pros and cons for using these technologies in the wide area network (WAN).  Continue Reading

• Clarifying WAN virtualization, WAN aggregation and WAN optimization

  What is WAN virtualization, and how does it compare with WAN aggregation and WAN optimization? Talari Networks founder Andy Gottlieb explains.  Continue Reading

• OpenFlow protocol primer: Looking under the hood

  We know the OpenFlow protocol can be used to abstract the network control plane from underlying physical infrastructure, but how exactly does the protocol work?  Continue Reading

• A DevOps primer for network engineers

  DevOps is a movement promoting better collaboration between developers and system administrators. In this primer, we explore how it might affect networking pros.  Continue Reading

• The application tier of a software-defined networking architecture

  In a software-defined networking architecture, controller-based OpenFlow applications could deliver highly scalable, efficient and manageable network services.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for the wireless branch office network

  Here are some tips for how to deploy Wi-Fi services to users in your wireless branch office network.  Continue Reading

• Distributed and Cloud Computing: Keep virtual clusters manageable

  Virtualization and virtual clusters enable cloud providers to maximize efficiency, but they also beget challenges. Learn how to tackle them in this free chapter download.  Continue Reading

• Virtual network security: A vendor comparison

  In this vendor comparison, we compare the emerging options for virtual network security in your data center.  Continue Reading

• Cloud federation primer: The coming Intercloud

  This primer on cloud federation offers cloud providers insight on the operational and managerial challenges around peering and partnering with other providers.  Continue Reading

• Common AS/400 FTP questions answered

  WAN engineers may have questions regarding AS/400 FTP. In this FAQ, get answers on some of the most common questions, such as how to make your AS/400 visible to an FTP server.  Continue Reading

• 40 Gigabit Ethernet in data center networks: Migration best practices

  Next year 40 Gigabit Ethernet migration will begin in earnest. Learn how to introduce the technology to your data center network.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise network testing: Best practices for developing a test lab

  Enterprise network testing can minimize IT service outages, yet developing a test lab can bring up various issues. Knowing best practices for running a test facility is imperative.  Continue Reading

• Data center networks: Virtualization and convergence drive change

  Managers of data center networks have many options to consider when designing a high performance network. Read about virtual cluster switching, flat networks and virtualization security.  Continue Reading

• A stackable switch brings value to the wiring closet

  A fixed configuration, stackable switch can offer a lower price per port over its modular counterparts.  Continue Reading

• Free WAN optimization software, NetEx HyperIP, gives incentive to virtualize

  Until the end of 2011, NetEx is offering a free one-year subscription of its WAN optimization software, NetEx HyperIP -- giving enterprises even more incentive to virtualize.  Continue Reading

• Top five virtualization problems: VM Sprawl

  Virtualization can be effective and easy to deploy, but that's sort of the problem. Fast Packet blogger Josh Stephens explains how this simplicity can lead to virtual machine sprawl.  Continue Reading

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet: Upgrading for consolidation and virtualization

  In this workshop, you'll learn how 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) enables consolidation and virtualization. You'll discover the benefits and challenges of implementing converged data center and storage networking on 10 Gigabit Ethernet to support a ...  Continue Reading

• Choosing a next-generation firewall: Vendor comparison

  Next-generation firewalls are becoming a must. Read our comparison of application-aware firewall options available from the leading firewall vendors.  Continue Reading

• Tablet devices could change user behavior and network capacity planning

  Growing use of tablet devices could result in a new kind of network capacity planning that relies heavily on Wi-Fi hotspot and femtocell offload, as bandwidth-intensive applications like video are most accessed while users are in one place rather ...  Continue Reading

• IPv6 basics from the A+ Exam: What to know to pass the test

  IPv6 basics such as understanding IPv6 addressing are covered in the A+ Exam. This Q&A with “CompTIA A+ 220-701 and 220-702 Exam Cram” book author David Prowse will answer what you should know about IPv6 and its security benefits.  Continue Reading

• When the wire lets you down: Using 3G and 4G for wireless WAN backup

  Wireless WAN backup solutions using 3G networks and 4G networks are quickly becoming a viable alternative to slower ISDN or DSL connections. Whether in the middle of downtown or on the other side of the world, going with a WWAN connection might be a...  Continue Reading

• Top five virtualization problems: Virtualization backup and recovery

  It’s hard enough to grapple with disaster recovery in a physical environment, but when it comes to virtual servers, virtualization backup and recovery become even more difficult. Fast Packet blogger Josh Stephens tells you how to handle ...  Continue Reading

• Time to upgrade from 100 Mbps to Gigabit Ethernet on the network edge?

  While 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet might provide enough bandwidth for your campus network today, a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) upgrade on the network edge may prepare the local area network for the coming convergence. Weigh the factors in moving forward or ...  Continue Reading

• Long distance vMotion = traffic trombone, so why go there?

  Server admins swear by long-distance vMotion and the ability to move applications dynamically across data centers, but this only results in traffic trombones and lots of other network nightmares. Fast Packet blogger Ivan Pepelnjak explains why.  Continue Reading

• 4G networks offer new wireless WAN opportunities to enterprises

  While mobile operators are touting their 4G networks as the next big thing for enterprise wireless WAN, these claims need to be tempered with the reality of the current state of cellular connections. Although a number of opportunities to mobilize ...  Continue Reading

• 10 GbE optimization: Hardware alone won’t help

  Before you throw more hardware at preventing latency, try improving 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance by fine tuning what you already have. Fast Packet blogger Michael J. Martin explains how.  Continue Reading

• LAN disaster recovery planning

  Local area network disaster recovery planning may seem simpler than data center recovery planning, but it is still full of surprises. Network admins must know the location and configuration of all components on the LAN and minimize single points of ...  Continue Reading

• 4G LTE primer: Long Term Evolution evolves

  This 4G LTE primer looks at the development of Long Term Evolution as a fourth-generation high-speed wireless broadband technology, its advantages over 3G wireless, and the challenges facing it, including architecting standardized Voice over LTE.  Continue Reading

• An engineer’s guide to a wide area network disaster recovery plan

  The modern wide area network can play a significant role in the enterprise disaster recovery plan. WAN managers with an understanding of their network’s capabilities can join in the network disaster recovery conversation and offer alternatives to ...  Continue Reading

• Cisco ASA and BGP peering problems: Command line tips

  If you run into BGP peering problems because of a Cisco ASA or PIX firewallin the middle, there are a few simple command line fixes that will quickly solve the problem. Fast Packet blogger Brandon Carroll explains.  Continue Reading

• Optical transport network (OTN) primer

  This optical transport network (OTN) primer tells you about the ITU standards designed to build more network functionality into optical networks and how traditional carriers and content providers are using this architecture.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 in 2010: Most popular WAN questions answered

  At the IT Knowledge Exchange forum, IT professionals and experts come together to ask and answer questions. Of the best wide area networking advice, what were the most popular WAN questions answered? Find out the top 10 in 2010.  Continue Reading

• ACG Research on Huawei vs. network equipment vendors

  Part two of our Q&A with ACG Research focuses in on how Huawei competes with network equipment vendors and its aspirations to enter the enterprise networking market one piece of equipment at a time.  Continue Reading

• ACG Research on Huawei, Chinese business culture and the Art of War

  ACG Research researched Huawei and Chinese business culture for months to shed light on the vendor’s go-to-market strategy and why global telecom carriers and network equipment vendors need to understand the Art of War.  Continue Reading

• Ipanema Mobile Agent software WAN optimization deduplicates traffic

  Adding to the growing list of software WAN optimization products is a new solution from Ipanema Technologies: Ipanema Mobile Agent (IMA). This product spotlight article highlights why Ipanema Technologies' IMA matters to WAN managers and how it ...  Continue Reading

• Stop everywhere Wi-Fi hotspots and guest wireless networks!

  The rapid rise of enterprise guest wireless networks and public Wi-Fi hotspots are only leading to anti-social behavior and a host of WLAN security problems that include identity snooping using Firesheep. Opening up guest networks and public Wi-Fi ...  Continue Reading

• Doing more with spectrum analysis: Cisco CleanAir

  Wireless engineers have had spectrum analysis in their toolboxes for a long time, but the CleanAir solution from Cisco integrates the tool directly into the WLAN infrastructure. Network administrators who deploy this enhanced level of spectrum ...  Continue Reading

• File transfer methods: How can WAN managers improve the process?

  In the first part of this interview with Dan Sullivan, author of 'The Shortcut Guide to Eliminating Insecure and Unreliable File Transfer Methods,' WAN managers can find answers on how file transfer methods need to change and which parts of the ...  Continue Reading

• Packet loss could be the source of WAN performance problems

  Packet loss statistics from WAN service providers may appear insignificant, but could have a serious impact on an organization’s utilization of their wide area network. When troubleshooting remote links, network engineers can determine the impact ...  Continue Reading

• LTE network infrastructure: Greenfield and brownfield network design

  While paying close attention to user trends, operators migrating to LTE network infrastructure need to plan their greenfield and brownfield networks in harmony with each other, with existing 3G usage patterns as an aid for planning 4G wireless ...  Continue Reading

• Deploying LTE network layers for peak performance and operations

  LTE network layers, especially the radio access network and the Evolved Packet Core, must function independently but cooperate with each other, a complex task for network designers balancing LTE services, 3G migration and tower location issues, as ...  Continue Reading

• The best branch office technology choices for remote management

  One way to simplify remote management is to consolidate the number of individual point products at the branch into “all-in-one” or “branch-in-a-box” products. Their prime advantage is consolidation of remote management functions. Find out which ...  Continue Reading

• How to define remote office structure to simplify branch IT management

  Individual branch offices often become islands from the perspective of a corporate wide area network (WAN) manager. This can be overcome by implementing a model that organizes branches into a manageable structure. Branch IT management can be tricky....  Continue Reading

• Building the 4G wireless network: Exploring LTE architecture and services drivers

  Part 1 of our Telecom Insights carriers' guide to building 4G LTE networks takes a close look at the diverse forces driving LTE architecture planning and deployment, which require operators to analyze the broadband service and usage habits of their ...  Continue Reading

• WAN security and application threats

  Security expert Kevin Beaver answers our questions on WAN security, covering the biggest threats to the enterprise wide area network, which might not actually be the hackers themselves but the mindset of those tasked with keeping the enterprise ...  Continue Reading