Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Three ways to measure wireless network performance

  Trying to find ways to assess your wireless network performance? Here are some tools that can help. Continue Reading

• How do you benefit from MPLS provider comparison?

  An expert explains the process of choosing an MPLS provider. Continue Reading

• The cloud on the networking horizon

  This Technical Guide examines how cloud has affected networking. It breaks down the concept of network as a service (NaaS) and its use in public, private and hybrid clouds. Included, too, is an in-depth look at what goes into hybrid cloud ... Continue Reading

• Mininet creates OpenFlow test networks on the cheap

  With Mininet emulation software, you can create OpenFlow test networks that let you experiment with programmable networking and flexible control planes without investing in costly switches. Continue Reading

• Network management systems must meet new demands

  It's getting harder to see what's happening in enterprise networks, thanks to SDN, cloud and mobility. It's time for network management systems to catch up. Continue Reading

• Can IT pros adapt to a new networking environment?

  Experts reflect on the changing networking industry and explain the difference between legacy networking and working within the emerging IT infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Audio video bridging, auto Ethernet fuel need for precise timing

  As applications such as automobile Ethernet and audio video bridging gain traction, the need for new timing protocols beyond NTP takes root.Continue Reading

• In wireless, SDN can boost interoperability and performance

  SDN proves it isn't just for the data center, as wireless LAN vendors consider new architecture options for improved interoperability and performance gains.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

• Mobile application performance takes center stage

  As more businesses move to mobile platforms, enterprises have to make sure their mobile applications perform like they're supposed to. Vendors are trying to address that need with more granular mobile application performance management (APM) tools.Continue Reading

• Discover the next generation of mobile application performance management

  Traditional application performance management (APM) tools have given network managers little, if any, visibility into what causes performance problems in mobile apps. And yet, they're often caught between frustrated users complaining about slow ...Continue Reading

• An open source networking ecosystem shapes up

  Open source networking is becoming a reality now that standards bodies, vendors and development communities are working together. Yet these players face a slew of challenges.Continue Reading

• Slow rate of IPv6 adoption: True or false?

  An expert explains why the adoption rate of IPv6 isn't as slow as people think and why it is important to create a dual-stack environment during the protocol shift.Continue Reading

• The death of rock 'n' roll and the future of SDN

  If you think electronic dance music killed rock 'n' roll, wait 'til you see what SDN can do to traditional networking. The good news? If you learn programming, you'll be the next SDN rock star.Continue Reading

• Network micro-segmentation brings security to NSX and ACI

  VMware and Cisco are depending on network micro-segmentation to bring a new level of virtualization security with east-west firewall capabilities.Continue Reading

• Do I need network quality of service?

  An expert discusses the importance of including quality of service across the network.Continue Reading

• The future network is software-defined: Prepare your WAN now

  In this concise podcast, John Burke of Nemertes Research covers the top dos and don'ts for implementing SDN in the WAN. His concise advice will better prepare you and your network for an SDN age.Continue Reading

• The appeal of SDN in the WAN, and where to start

  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.Continue Reading

• Rethinking the WAN for an SDN future

  Expert John Burke, of Nemertes Research, looks at how software-defined networking, or SDN, is likely to affect the WAN in the near future, and offers recommendations on how to prepare now.Continue Reading

• How SDN can make the WAN run better

  This Network University Classroom covers recent developments in software-defined networking, or SDN, and how they may affect the WAN.Continue Reading

• Ethan Banks on network virtualization and SDN deployment, benefits

  Network virtualization covers a lot of functional ground, and for those new to it, it's easiest to view it like server virtualization. Ethan Banks explains network virtualization and SDN basics, as well as how to achieve network virtualization.Continue Reading

• Hardware open source key goal of OCP project

  Open Compute Project garners this month's Network Innovation Award for its work in developing an OS-agnostic top-of-rack switch.Continue Reading

• Why WAN infrastructure health can't be ignored any longer

  As enterprises become ever more dependent upon Internet-delivered services, the health of their WANs can no longer be left to chance.Continue Reading

• How to describe technology in business terms to win board approval

  Networking professionals have to be able to explain the value of technology in business terms to win board approval. Find out how to talk business-speak.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

• The bare-metal switch moves closer to mainstream

  Bare-metal switching has been considered niche, but Dell's foray into the market suggests other big vendors may soon follow. And while you might worry a bare-metal switch requires a Ph.D. to set up, early adopters say it's not that scary to use.Continue Reading

• What does WebRTC video mean for the network?

  WebRTC, an emerging standard for embedding voice and video-conferencing applications into Web browsers, is aimed at making real-time communications as simple as clicking a link. It eliminates the need to download and install any clients or plug-ins,...Continue Reading

• SDN's role in enhancing network security: What will it be?

  SN blogs: How can SDN be used to fortify network security? And is it time to be worried about software libraries?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

• WAN aggregation, SDN the best next steps for network optimization

  WAN aggregation allows continuous, high-performance networking, and software-defined networking delivers greater security, visibility and control. In this tip, expert John Burke evaluates both technologies to help you better optimize your network.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

• Three new takes on WAN optimization

  Once considered new technology, WAN optimization is now widespread, and enterprises are including it in their networks from the start. Now that WAN optimization is mature, what's the next step for WAN management? Application delivery optimization ...Continue Reading

• What do we need from NFV orchestration?

  NFV orchestration is about much more than just provisioning and managing virtual features, such as firewalls or load balancers. Instead, NFV orchestration must address the entire service-chaining process.Continue Reading

• DevOps or SDN? You'll need them both to work together

  There's no point in choosing between DevOps and SDN. SDN is actually the perfect toolset for DevOps, with its unified vision and control over the entire network. Meanwhile, DevOps lends itself to the hybridized IT model necessary for SDN.Continue Reading

• Do NSX, Nexus 9000 forecasts really matter?

  VMware is projecting a $100 million run rate for NSX; meanwhile Cisco says it has 1,000 customers lined up to buy its Nexus 9000 SDN switches. But neither number reveals much about SDN sales or what customers are actually seeking.Continue Reading

• Facing network complexity in the cloud

  Once you start moving your cloud service-consuming servers to VMs in the cloud, Patrick Hubbard says enterprises are creating something different: the hybrid-hybrid cloud.Continue Reading

• Analyzing 4G and Wi-Fi options for spot-on wireless network planning

  Three important questions can help you analyze your 4G and Wi-Fi assets and user expectations for wireless network planning now and in the future.Continue Reading

• MPLS vs. virtual private LAN services: Same thing?

  Most IT managers tend to think of MPLS and VPLS as separate entities. Robert Sturt points out that the two products have a lot in common.Continue Reading

• Network engineers say wireless network privacy is misunderstood

  With high-profile security breaches and NSA snooping in the news, wireless network privacy has never been more misunderstood. Should users be concerned about Wi-Fi location-based services, and should the government get involved?Continue Reading

• Hybrid SDN is the gateway drug to the new network

  Enterprises aren't ready to revamp entire networks for SDN, but it's not a zero-sum game. A hybrid SDN strategy introduces it gradually or partially.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

• Context makes network security policy smarter, but not easier

  Traditional approaches to network security are no longer sufficient to combat today's advanced threats. Attacks now target users and applications, and experts say an approach called context-aware security is essential to the defense. That's because ...Continue Reading

• Juniper OpenContrail vs. Cisco ACI: Making an SDN decision

  Juniper and Cisco have radically different SDN strategies. Here's some crucial information about the Cisco ACI vs. Juniper OpenContrail decision.Continue Reading

• Preparing your infrastructure foundation for big data

  SN blogs: This week, analysts discuss how to prepare your network infrastructure to handle big data, the cost benefits of 3-D printing and what it means to have a hyper-converged network.Continue Reading

• Application performance measurement gets boost with DPI

  There are lots of technical approaches to sifting applications out of the sand pile of network traffic, but when you get down to the details, the best solutions all do it the same way: with deep packet inspection, writes Patrick Hubbard.Continue Reading

• Which quality assessment strategy is right for your cloud application?

  Find the right monitoring and management tools for your cloud applications by choosing a strategy that works for your specific needs. Use the data to assess the overall quality of experience of your applications with application driven analysisContinue Reading

• What to look for when gauging MPLS performance

  Quality of service and service-level agreements are just a few of the considerations enterprises must keep in mind when assessing global MPLS providers.Continue Reading

• Translating network policy in SDN isn't a one-protocol show

  SDN allows for separation of control from the data plane, and creativity in network policy. Learn the many protocols that can make this possible.Continue Reading

• How Apple iOS MAC address spoofing affects location-based services

  Apple iOS 8 will add a MAC address spoofing feature to iPhones and iPads for wireless privacy. It could interfere with Wi-Fi location-based services used by many consumer-facing businesses.Continue Reading

• Extreme's Purview draws application analytics from networks

  Purview, Extreme Networks' network-based application analytics engine, is the winner of this month's SearchNetworking's Network Innovation Award.Continue Reading

• Arista switch pioneers 100 GbE uplinks in top-of-rack

  Arista announced top-of-rack 7280E with 100 GbE uplinks. It also released an optic that allows a migration from 10 to 40 GbE without a fiber upgrade.Continue Reading

• Next-gen firewall reviews: Fortinet FortiGate 3950B

  Find out how the Fortinet FortiGate 3950B next-gen firewall stacks up against the competition, and read up on how to assess NGFWs before you buy.Continue Reading

• Next-gen firewall reviews: Palo Alto Networks PA-5060

  Find out how the Palo Alto Networks PA-5060 next-gen firewall stacks up against the competition, and read up on how to assess NGFWs before you buy.Continue Reading

• Next-gen firewall reviews: Check Point 12610

  Find out how the Check Point 12610 next-gen firewall stacks up against the competition, and read up on how to assess NGFWs before you buy.Continue Reading

• Ciena's got a new OpenDaylight controller and WAN bandwidth on demand

  Ciena unveiled an OpenDaylight controller, as well as applications that bring programmability to optical networks and allow for WAN bandwidth on demand.Continue Reading

• When will OpenStack be IPv6-ready?

  As the transition to IPv6 looms, the need for OpenStack to be IPv6-ready is greater than ever. Expert Ciprian Popoviciu explains the steps being taken toward OpenStack's IPv6-readiness and the advantages that come with it.Continue Reading

• Will MPLS traffic engineering technology help you?

  MPLS traffic engineering can improve VPN performance to ensure data travels the most efficient path.Continue Reading

• GENEVE primer: The answer to network virtualization interoperability?

  The GENEVE network encapsulation protocol is more flexible than VXLAN and NVGRE. Will it bring interoperability to network virtualization overlays?Continue Reading

• GENEVE primer: A universal network encapsulation protocol?

  The GENEVE network encapsulation protocol is more flexible than VXLAN, NVGRE and STT and does everything they can do. Will it replace them entirely?Continue Reading

• How to buy: Assessing next-gen firewalls

  Is there a next-gen firewall in your future? Our How to Buy guide offers advice you need to ensure you purchase the best platform to meet your needs.Continue Reading

• Don't ignore this great wireless training resource

  Online wireless support communities are a great resource for IT professionals who need their questions answered quickly.Continue Reading

• After you buy, configure your WAN optimizer to work for you

  Before putting your WAN optimization platform into production, make sure it's tuned to meet your specific needs.Continue Reading

• Tufin security orchestration puts spotlight on policies

  Tufin introduces an upgrade to its security orchestration suite that includes an easy-to-digest visual display of security policies.Continue Reading

• Benchmark WAN optimization tools before you buy

  WAN optimization is a critical component of every enterprise's network infrastructure. Always properly test your environment, however, before deciding which optimization platform to deploy.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between declarative and imperative networking architecture?

  When talking about network, automation and policy solutions, it's becoming commonplace to hear about declarative and imperative networking architectures. Jason Edelman explains the differences.Continue Reading

• Lender unclogs WAN infrastructure with Citrix upgrade

  A Texas mortgage lender turbocharges clogged WAN with suite of optimization and VDI platforms from Citrix.Continue Reading

• Will Meru's SDN wireless LAN replace the need for unified wireless?

  Meru's newly OpenFlow-certified SDN WLAN could remove the need for unified wireless fabrics, since one controller can manage the entire infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Will Facebook Wedge open the switch market?

  The impact of Facebook's Wedge will be seen in the long-term effect it has on the legacy switch market.Continue Reading

• Pluribus reduces its top-of-rack switch price by outsourcing hardware

  Startup Pluribus outsources manufacturing of its top-of-rack switch; it may embrace the bare-metal switch approach.Continue Reading

• Riverbed APM gets more root cause analytics, mobile visibility

  The rebranded Riverbed APM portfolio now includes SteelCentral AppInternals 9.0 with expanded mobile visibility and analytics capabilities.Continue Reading

• App store-style network applications will drive SDN adoption

  IT engineers want their network services to flow as easily as the apps they buy in the app store -- and that trend may drive SDN adoption.Continue Reading

• Extreme Networks is building an OpenDaylight controller

  Extreme Networks is building an OpenDaylight controller that will support a wide variety of northbound and southbound interfaces.Continue Reading

• What is a CPU-based SDN switch? Infoblox's Stu Bailey explains

  InfoBlox's Stu Bailey talks about the differences between the CPU-based LINCX SDN switch and ASIC-based switches, and how users can get involved with the development of LINCX.Continue Reading

• Network security architecture with a next-generation firewall

  Expert Dave Shackleford walks listeners through two main scenarios for fitting a next-gen firewall into their existing network security architecture.Continue Reading

• How to find the next-gen firewall your network security needs

  Odds are your network needs an NGFW, but first you need to know what it does, where it fits and what questions to ask vendors.Continue Reading

• Next-generation firewalls for modern network security architectures

  Learn what next-gen firewalls can do for networks in an increasingly threat-filled networking world.Continue Reading

• ExtraHop helps network team break down IT silo mentality

  Bentley University's networking team shared ExtraHop monitoring tool with admins in other IT silos to end the cross-silo blame game.Continue Reading

• The simple facts behind antenna basics

  No matter how expensive your wireless system may be, its performance depends on the strength of its antennas.Continue Reading

• ForeScout CounterACT helps Florida college rein in BYOD

  ForeScout CounterACT helps Broward College take control of mobile devices and secure network access control across multiple campuses.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

• VMware NSX price finally published as channel starts selling

  The VMware NSX price is finally publicly available, both monthly per-VM and perpetual per-CPU terms.Continue Reading

• Mobility as a service: Offloading enterprises' BYOD management pains

  Dimension Data announced its mobility as a service offering for enterprises interested in simplifying mobile device, application and expense management.Continue Reading

• Which SDN offerings include an OpenDaylight controller?

  Neela Jacques, executive director of OpenDaylight, reviews which SDN vendors include OpenDaylight controllers in their product offerings.Continue Reading

• Getting ready for NFV: Master the basics and nail the RFP process

  Network functions virtualization (NFV) is designed to reduce network cost and complexity by virtualizing network equipment onto switches, servers and storage. NFV has the potential to bring service providers savings on capital equipment and network ...Continue Reading

• Brocade Vyatta Platform provides software for NFV data centers

  The Brocade Vyatta Platform combines Vyatta, OpenDaylight and OpenStack in an NFV software architecture for service providers.Continue Reading

• Content distribution network outdoes traditional cloud services

  Content distribution network services facilitate content distribution at a lower cost and with higher performance than traditional cloud services.Continue Reading

• Content distribution networks: Separating fact from hype

  Content distribution networks can accelerate cloud applications and services, but only if companies know what they're looking for.Continue Reading

• Is Magic Quadrant data reliable?

  With a growing number of online resources, is the Magic Quadrant still the No. 1 source of vendor information?Continue Reading

• Juniper, Aruba partner to unify wired and wireless network management

  Juniper, Aruba announced a partnership to converge their respective wired and wireless LAN technology for simplified network management.Continue Reading

• Netsocket's WAN: Branch routing on x86s; automated network services

  Netsocket is fine-tuning its SDN offering for MSPs, enabling them to centrally provision virtual branch routing along with automated network services.Continue Reading

• HP FlexFabric 7900 switch enables compact spines to data centers

  With the FlexFabric 7900, HP introduces a series of compact, modular spine switches for data center networks.Continue Reading

• Wanted: A new network management model for NFV

  NFV network management models need to be less device-driven and more focused on orchestration across legacy network components and virtual resources.Continue Reading

• Compuware APM, now with deeper visibility into mobile, third-party apps

  Compuware APM will now include visibility into mobile, Web and enterprise applications on its DC RUM platform.Continue Reading

• Embrane orchestrates third-party software-defined network services

  Embrane will manage the lifecycle of third-party software-defined network services as part of Cisco's ACI partner ecosystem.Continue Reading

• When good WANs go bad: WAN failure effects widespread

  Don't just think of WAN performance in terms of meeting enterprise objectives. WAN failure touches multiple endpoints.Continue Reading

• Q&A: What separates women from men in tech careers

  A conversation with Margaret Dawson of HP Cloud Services about why the gender divide persists in tech careers.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

• As demands and devices multiply, high-density wireless gains traction

  As users crowd Wi-Fi networks with more devices, network managers are looking at high-density wireless designs to ensure unfettered access.Continue Reading

• As users carry more devices, wireless network design must evolve

  The average person carries three mobile devices, according to an informal poll conducted last year by Sophos Labs. While Kindles and Fitbits probably aren't making their way onto corporate wireless LANs (WLANs), more enterprises must provide ...Continue Reading

• Kemp pushes Layer 4-7 service insertion through a single platform

  Kemp Technologies says it enables simple Layer 4-7 service insertion from any vendor through a single software platform running on bare metal.Continue Reading