Features

Features

• Network automation tools bring 'set it and forget it' to life

  In this Q&A, one engineer describes how she honed her programming skills to work on network automation tools that make it easier to configure switches.  Continue Reading

• Network management projects top list of 2015 IT initiatives

  According to TechTarget’s 2015 IT Priorities Survey, 44% of enterprises are planning network management projects this year.  Continue Reading

• Intuit solves taxing problem with system availability tools

  Intuit uses application monitoring to ensure glitch-free performance during tax time.  Continue Reading

• Why you might not need an expensive wireless site survey kit

  In this Q&A, one wireless engineer shares how she built a wireless site survey rig for less than $40 using supplies from a hardware store.  Continue Reading

• Named Data Networking project wants to retire TCP/IP

  TCP/IP is buckling under the demands of today's Internet, according to researchers who want to replace it with a new Internet protocol stack. Their solution: Named Data Networking.  Continue Reading

• Latest network security threats prompt one question: ‘Are we next?'

  After the latest wave of attacks, including the most recent on Sony, network security pros are losing sleep. Can new platforms stop today's network security threats?  Continue Reading

• Could vendor divide on new Ethernet speeds hurt enterprise networks?

  Vendor alliances are bypassing the IEEE again, this time with specs for two new Ethernet speeds, 2.5 and 5 GbE. Without common standards, could enterprise networks suffer?  Continue Reading

• Network Innovation Award: Dell breaks mold with Dell/Cumulus partnership

  Dell wins this month's Network Innovation Award from SearchNetworking for its partnership with Cumulus Networks, in which Dell became the first mainstream switch vendor to permit third-party OSes to run on its switches.  Continue Reading

• As WLANs grow, so does need for secure wireless networks

  Wireless LANs are growing in size and importance, making it imperative for every networking pro to ensure they have a secure wireless network.  Continue Reading

• White-box switching: Three paths to network programmability

  White-box switching is often pitched as a way to cut costs, but the greater value lies in its ability to make networks more programmable and automated.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-managed wireless: Why network engineers love it

  Cloud-managed wireless is growing three times faster than the wireless LAN market as a whole. Network engineers rave about its benefits, but it's not for everyone.  Continue Reading

• On Reddit, network pros say 'hell, no!' to SDN investment

  Let's face it: It'll be a while until we see widespread SDN investment. On this Reddit thread, network engineers demand an end to crappy marketing jargon, and tell vendors what they really need from SDN.  Continue Reading

• Five reasons IT pros are not ready for SDN investment

  Vendors will tell you all the reasons you should buy SDN, but we talked to a group of IT leaders who explain why they can't yet recommend SDN investment. (Think: security!)  Continue Reading

• 25 Gigabit Ethernet: Why that, why now and what's next

  If you blinked, you may have missed it: A consortium formed this summer to develop a 25 Gigabit Ethernet specification, with plans to have 25 Gbps switches shipping in two years. Here's why the industry is in such a hurry.  Continue Reading

• Aggregation in IPv6 routing curbs effects of Internet growth

  IPv6 addresses are four times larger than those based on IPv4, but experts say that doesn't mean IPv6 will slow down routers. In fact, IPv6 routing makes route aggregation simpler, which leads to smaller routing tables.  Continue Reading

• Open Network Install Environment gives end users network OS choices

  The Open Network Install Environment's community of vendors offers an open install environment for bare-metal switches using its Linux-based OS installer.  Continue Reading

• Umpqua Bank employs NSX, micro-segmentation for enterprise security

  Umpqua Bank's Sam Guidice tells how the organization deployed VMware's NSX as part of its effort to utilize micro-segmentation for enterprise security.  Continue Reading

• Upgrading the core when network downtime isn't an option

  Network downtime is often a necessary evil for network upgrades, but in the world of 24/7 broadcast media, maintenance windows are hard to come by.  Continue Reading

• Network programming skills from scripting to DevOps: What to learn

  Networking pros don't need to become code monkeys, but a little network programming can go a long way toward advancing their careers.  Continue Reading

• Context-aware security: Big benefits for networks, but no shortcuts

  Context-aware security has the potential to make network security a lot smarter. But it also requires legwork many IT shops aren't equipped to handle.  Continue Reading

• Transit companies seek to upgrade communications capabilities

  Amtrak's announcement to upgrade its on-board Wi-Fi emphasizes the pressure on the transportation industry to provide faster service at a low cost.  Continue Reading

• Docker networking: How Linux containers will change your network

  Docker is making Linux containers a lightweight alternative to hypervisors; network engineers must be prepared. Find out what you need to know about Docker networking.  Continue Reading

• Major SDN vendor strategies at a glance

  Vendors' SDN strategies are constantly evolving. Take a look at how major players in the space are approaching SDN, and see which releases have taken place since SDN entered the market.  Continue Reading

• Network Innovation Award: ThousandEyes multiplies view

  ThousandEyes is this month's SearchNetworking Network Innovation Award winner for its network performance platform.  Continue Reading

• Why not replace routers with smart switches?

  In this Q&A, one network manager discusses how he's ripping out routers and replacing them with smart switches at sites with Ethernet WAN transport.  Continue Reading

• MPLS networks not obsolete, but Internet as WAN catches up

  MPLS networks have been the undisputed king of WAN services for years, but more enterprises are looking at supplementing them with Internet services.  Continue Reading

• Choices in SDN wireless technology emerge

  New SDN wireless technology uses intelligent controllers in the cloud to granularly direct traffic and policy among access points on premises.  Continue Reading

• 802.11ac standard: How did we get here?

  The timeline describes the evolution of the 802.11ac standard, commonly known as Wi-Fi, starting with the creation of the Ethernet in 1973.  Continue Reading

• 802.11ac Wi-Fi takes the lead, but wired network has to play backup

  As adoption of the new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard picks up, wired networks must be ready to support faster speeds and greater capacities it brings.  Continue Reading

• Complex apps need network-based application performance management tools

  As more networking pros get pulled into application performance management, they need tools that speak their language. Meet network-based APM.  Continue Reading

• IPsec vs. SSL VPNs: Understanding the basics

  This infographic outlines some of the key differences between IPsec and SSL VPNs.  Continue Reading

• IEEE's 802.11ac ratification: What gigabit speed means for you

  With the ratification of the IEEE 802.11ac standard, Ethernet is all but dead. But is your organization's network ready for gigabit speeds?  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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