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• data center interconnect (DCI)

  Data center interconnect (DCI) is a segment of the networking market that focuses on the technology used to link two or more data centers so the facilities can share resources. There are many options for DCI connectivity and selecting the right one ... Continue Reading

• How to bridge the network engineering skills gap

  Training for new network engineering skills should emphasize basic concepts behind building a network, whether it's software-defined, intent-based or disaggregated. Continue Reading

• Understand the basics of 5G wireless networks

  5G wireless networks offer enterprises a lot of intriguing possibilities. What is 5G, and what has to happen before the high-speed, low-latency technology becomes a reality? Continue Reading

• Application layer

  Sitting at Layer 7 -- the very top of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model -- the application layer provides services for an application program to ensure that effective communication with another application program on a ... Continue Reading

• physical layer

  Located at the lowest layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model, the physical layer's function is to transport data using electrical, mechanical or procedural interfaces. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (COFDM)
  • FCAPS (fault, configuration, accounting, performance and security)
  • Link Control Protocol (LCP)
  • ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

  • beamforming
  • File Transfer Access and Management (FTAM)
  • What is 6G? Overview of 6G networks & technology
  • frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)

  View All Definitions

• transport layer

  Positioned at Layer 4 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model, the transport layer ensures the reliable arrival of messages across a network and provides error-checking mechanisms and data flow controls.Continue Reading

• Data-Link layer

  The data link layer is the protocol layer in a program that handles the moving of data into and out of a physical link in a network.Continue Reading

• What cloud data center interconnect technologies can do

  Data center interconnect technologies and services now use cloud. Learn how CDCI improves traffic delivery and how to choose the right equipment and services.Continue Reading

• network orchestration

  Network orchestration is a policy-driven approach to network automation that coordinates the hardware and software components a software application or service requires to run.Continue Reading

• fault management

  Fault management is the component of network management concerned with detecting, isolating and resolving problems.Continue Reading

• Meet network management goals with new tech and techniques

  Get up to speed on the new technological advances, improved products and advanced techniques that make enterprise network monitoring and management a bit less daunting.Continue Reading

• managed network services

  Managed network services are networking applications, functions and services that enterprises outsource to be remotely operated, monitored and maintained by a managed service provider (MSP).Continue Reading

• Network configuration tools: A primer

  Script management, intent-based systems and new strategies with network configuration tools are propelling a paradigm shift in the way that networks are managed.Continue Reading

• Software-defined branch networks: Why and how to do them

  Software networking virtualization has reached branch networks. Learn the whys and hows of creating the software-defined branch using the latest software networking technologies.Continue Reading

• Balancing automated vs. manual network configuration management

  Is there still a place for learning manual network configuration management in a world where networks are throttling toward automation? Sure -- but how much is enough?Continue Reading

• What will the debut of the 802.11ax standard mean for you?

  The IEEE is putting the finishing touches on the latest WLAN 802.11ax standard. 802.11ax ratification will result in some key improvements in wireless speed, management and overall capabilities, writes one analyst.Continue Reading

• virtual network functions (VNF)

  Virtual network functions (VNFs) are virtualized tasks formerly carried out by proprietary, dedicated hardware. VNFs move individual network functions out of dedicated hardware devices into software that runs on commodity hardware.Continue Reading

• network functions virtualization (NFV)

  Network functions virtualization (NFV) is an initiative to virtualize network services traditionally run on proprietary, dedicated hardware.Continue Reading

• hybrid WAN

  A hybrid WAN is a wide area network that sends traffic over two or more connection types. Hybrid WANs permit dynamic traffic engineering across both private and public domains, using a variety of connectivity options to make the best use of network ...Continue Reading

• network automation

  Network automation is a methodology in which software automatically configures, provisions, manages and tests network devices.Continue Reading

• NBASE-T Ethernet

  NBASE-T Ethernet is an IEEE standard and Ethernet-signaling technology that allows existing twisted-pair copper cabling to exceed the cable's specified limit of 1 Gbps for distances of up to 100 meters.Continue Reading

• deep packet inspection (DPI)

  Deep packet inspection (DPI) is an advanced method of examining and managing network traffic.Continue Reading

• Comparison of popular technical SD-WAN service models

  Two main SD-WAN service model options exist for users to choose from, but more could be on the way due to regulatory and industry development efforts. Find out what works for you in this comparison.Continue Reading

• Server Message Block Protocol (SMB protocol)

  The Server Message Block Protocol (SMB protocol) is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network.Continue Reading

• How to unify wired and wireless network management now

  Unifying the wired and wireless network -- that is, creating unified networking management -- doesn't just happen. Learn what tools and tactics can make it a reality.Continue Reading

• application delivery controller (ADC)

  An application delivery controller (ADC) is a network component that manages and optimizes how client machines connect to web and enterprise application servers.Continue Reading

• When will networking embrace the 802.11ax standard?

  The pending 802.11ax standard offers 10 Gbps speeds up to 40% faster than Wave 2 802.11ac.Continue Reading

• How to implement an SDN training strategy

  Each organization approaches SDN training with its own strategy depending on its motivation and requirements. Here are some pointers to consider.Continue Reading

• system administrator (sysadmin)

  In information technology (IT), a system administrator (sysadmin) is a person who supports a multi-user computing environment and ensures continuous, optimal performance of IT services and support systems.Continue Reading

• network hub

  A network hub is a node that broadcasts data to every computer or Ethernet-based device connected to it.Continue Reading

• How to find the best network switches for your enterprise

  Need to buy network switches? Evaluate vendor products by considering both your current and future network needs and getting up to speed on the latest features available.Continue Reading

• An edge router buying guide for your next network upgrade

  Read this edge router review to learn what capabilities current product lines now offer, which are essential for your particular network and what questions to ask vendors.Continue Reading

• ingress filtering

  Ingress filtering is a method used by enterprises and internet service providers (ISPs) to prevent suspicious traffic from entering a network.Continue Reading

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification)

  Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructures.Continue Reading

• over-the-top (OTT)

  Over-the-top (OTT) is networking lingo that describes the delivery of content, services or applications over the internet.Continue Reading

• infrared radiation (IR)

  Infrared radiation (IR), sometimes referred to simply as infrared, is a region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum where wavelengths range from about 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm).Continue Reading

• What NBASE-T switch products do I need?

  With NBASE-T Ethernet ratified, it's time to start thinking about NBASE-T switch products for your organization.Continue Reading

• top-of-rack switching

  Top-of-rack switching refers to a distributed data center architecture where one or more Ethernet switches is installed in a rack, then uplinked using high-bandwidth fiber optic connections to a central, high-density distribution point.Continue Reading

• east-west traffic

  East-west traffic, in a networking context, is the transfer of data packets from server to server within a data center. The label east-west comes from network diagram drawings that usually depict local area network (LAN) traffic horizontally.Continue Reading

• IPTV (Internet Protocol television)

  IPTV (Internet Protocol television) is a service that provides television programming and other video content using the TCP/IP protocol suite as opposed to traditional cable or satellite signals.Continue Reading

• Layer 3 switches explained

  Layer 3 switches are important in enterprise networks -- particularly in designs with many subnets and virtual LANs. What is a Layer 3 switch, what can it do for you, and how does it differ from a regular switch or router?Continue Reading

• Deal with cloud network infrastructure challenges and reap rewards

  Cloud-based networking is the norm now. Learn which technologies allow companies to reap the benefits of the cloud for their company network.Continue Reading

• ONOS (Open Network Operating System)

  ONOS (Open Network Operating System) is an operating system (OS) designed for network service providers to help build carrier-grade software-defined networks architected for high scalability, availability and performanceContinue Reading

• ARPANET

  ARPANET was the network that became the basis for the Internet. Based on a concept first published in 1967, ARPANET was developed under the direction of the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). In 1969, the idea became a modest reality ...Continue Reading

• host (in computing)

  A host (also known as "network host") is a computer or other device that communicates with other hosts on a network.Continue Reading

• Network Time Protocol (NTP)

  Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a protocol used to synchronize computer clock times in a network.Continue Reading

• 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

• telematics

  Telematics uses GPS and mobile devices to send and receive information that helps control remote objects, primarily in the automotive industry.Continue Reading

• adaptive routing (dynamic routing)

  Adaptive routing, also called dynamic routing, is a process for determining the optimal path a data packet should follow through a network to arrive at a specific destination. Adaptive routing can be compared to a commuter taking a different route ...Continue Reading

• Essential network cabling tips for your infrastructure

  Network cabling may seem basic, but it's integral to your network infrastructure. This series of 10 lessons for networking pros explains how common types of network cables work.Continue Reading

• NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration)

  NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration), also called MANO, is an architectural framework for managing and orchestrating virtualized network functions (VNFs) and other software components.Continue Reading

• Understanding SDN components and where they're going

  What is SDN, and how does it differ from NFV? In part two of this series, IT expert Andrew Froehlich explains SDN technologies and where we can expect to see them in the future.Continue Reading

• overlay network

  An overlay network is a telecommunications network that is built on top of another network and is supported by its infrastructure.Continue Reading

• PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)

  PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) is a standard used to establish a direct connection between two network nodes that enables the transport of multiprotocol data.Continue Reading

• trunk

  A trunk is a physical path or link in a communications system that interconnects major switching centers or nodes and is designed to handle many transmissions simultaneously.Continue Reading

• patch panel

  A network patch panel is a mounted hardware unit containing ports used to interconnect and manage LAN cables as well as connect them to the internet and wide area networks.Continue Reading

• network node

  A network node is an endpoint or redistribution connection point for data transmissions on a communications network that can process or forward transmissions to other nodes.Continue Reading

• How to estimate the ROI of a SD-WAN implementation

  Going forward on a SD-WAN implementation is a big step for enterprises, but determining the return on investment can be a deciding factor in whether to crop more expensive MPLS lines.Continue Reading

• Exploring the ins and outs of enterprise hardware pricing

  Cloud computing has changed how businesses buy technology. How does the age of SaaS affect enterprise hardware pricing?Continue Reading

• What do I need to do to create successful hybrid WANs?

  The market for hybrid network services is growing, and with it comes the challenge of successfully creating hybrid WANs.Continue Reading

• What to know about choosing a vCPE platform

  Service providers are opting for virtual CPE and its resulting benefits, but choosing the right vCPE platform is essential to get the most out of it.Continue Reading

• Test your grasp of hybrid cloud migration and related challenges

  Test your knowledge of hybrid cloud migration and other shifting aspects of cloud networking. Use this quiz to determine how well you understand these cloud challenges.Continue Reading

• Types of network cables: An introduction to network cabling

  Different types of networking cables are the backbone of a network's infrastructure. Selecting the right type is critical, as enterprise network admins deploy new technologies.Continue Reading

• signal-to-noise ratio (S/N or SNR)

  In analog and digital communications, signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of signal strength relative to background noise. This ratio is usually measured in decibels.Continue Reading

• Secure cloud network services drive enterprise cloud migrations

  Ensuring secure cloud network connections is paramount to easing business concerns about moving workloads to the cloud, and a growing number of cloud networking options can help.Continue Reading

• WAN-cloud eXchange extends the private WAN to the cloud

  Enterprises can reap cloud benefits while relieving concerns about security and reliability with a WAN-cloud eXchange, or WAN-CX.Continue Reading

• How to make your WAN architecture software-defined

  There's more than one way to make your WAN architecture software-defined. Learn three very different routes to achieving an SD-WAN.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

• vCPE (virtual customer premises equipment)

  Virtual customer premises equipment (also referred to as vCPE or cloud CPE) are enterprise network services delivered through software. While providers must manually deploy traditional, physical CPE devices onsite, they can provision and manage vCPE...Continue Reading

• vEPC (virtual Evolved Packet Core)

  The vEPC offers a framework to support converged voice and data on 4G Long-Term Evolution networks. vEPC is the abstraction of Evolved Packet Core components into software that runs on generic servers, potentially cutting costs and improving service...Continue Reading

• Discover three ways to get your WAN software defined

  There are three ways to get your WAN software defined: overlay, replace and as a service. Learn what these entail and how they can reduce costs and improve WAN performance.Continue Reading

• NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure)

  NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure) encompasses all of the networking hardware and software needed to support and connect virtual network functions in carrier networks.Continue Reading

• Getting started: Why it's time to learn Python for SDN

  Not all programming languages are created equal. For networking pros ready to dive into coding, network engineer Will Murrell suggests starting with Python.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

• IPv6 connectivity: Ignore at your own peril

  Gathering knowledge on IPv6 connectivity and implementation is critical to success in modern IP networking.Continue Reading

• vCPE delivers opportunities for new business services

  Virtual CPE is one of the largest drivers of NFV deployment. Analyst Lee Doyle explains how the technology will help providers meet shifting business requirements.Continue Reading

• Five essential network security topics and trends to watch

  With a constant drumbeat of security and data breaches in 2015, it's no wonder networking pros have questions and concerns about network security topics. These five stats can get you started.Continue Reading

• Time to get your cloud network architecture ready

  Enterprises need to ensure their cloud network architecture is ready for the future. Here are some concepts network managers should think about.Continue Reading

• WAN optimization techniques pace IT investment

  TechTarget's most recent Networking Purchasing Intentions survey reveals IT's priority to invest in WAN optimization techniques in the next 12 months.Continue Reading

• Successful NFV platforms hinge on middleware selection

  When selecting NFV platforms, communication service providers should look for highly reliable middleware that allows them to adapt their networks over time.Continue Reading

• Gaining business intelligence from network data analysis

  Harvesting your networking data to generate business intelligence can be done -- if you know how to begin.Continue Reading

• multiplexing

  Multiplexing is the simultaneous sending of multiple information streams over a communications medium as a single, complex signal that is then recovered at the receiving end.Continue Reading

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

  The OSPF router protocol is used to find the best path for packets as they pass through a set of connected networks. OSPF is one of several Interior Gateway Protocols that replaces the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), an older routing protocol ...Continue Reading

• What to consider when choosing the best Ethernet switch

  IT pros need to consider new developments in technology like software-defined networking and the Internet of Things when choosing the best Ethernet switch for their current and future network.Continue Reading

• throughput

  Throughput is a term used in information technology that indicates how many units of information can be processed in a set amount of time.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about the hybrid WAN

  The ballooning amount of data generated by users and applications is fueling the development of hybrid WANs. Here's what you need to know.Continue Reading

• frame relay

  Frame relay is an affordable way to transmit switched-packet data within LANs and WANs.Continue Reading

• Facebook, Google use SDN to boost data center connectivity

  Internet content providers like Facebook and Google are already using SDN to improve hyperscale data center connectivity. But more could be done.Continue Reading

• How indoor mesh wireless solved an outdoors problem

  Using an approach engineered for indoor deployments helped this system administrator solve a network connection problem in the great outdoors.Continue Reading

• What is the network’s role in a cloud computing service?

  Download this free chapter excerpt from “Designing Networks and Services for the Cloud” to learn how networks can make a cloud computing service more reliable and secure.Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi heat map: Secret weapon for wireless network admins

  Using heat map technology to pinpoint network activity saves time instead of sending a senior admin to do a site test survey across the entire campus.Continue Reading

• Cloud networks need careful planning, not just more bandwidth

  Cloud computing has fundamentally changed the way enterprises deploy and use IT resources. So what does it mean to build a cloud network?Continue Reading

• Ten recommendations to improve your NFV network evolution

  As providers move into network functions virtualization, these 10 recommendations can help guarantee a successful NFV network transition.Continue Reading

• With wave 2 Wi-Fi on the horizon, is your network ready?

  Wave 2 Gigabit Wi-Fi will usher in speeds of up to 7 Gbps. Expert Lisa Phifer explains what you need to do to get ready.Continue Reading

• How to buy: What IT needs to look for in data center switches

  IT needs to know what to look for when buying data center switches that support high speeds and lower latencies to pave the way for agile data center network consolidation.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

• REST APIs in SDN: An introduction for network engineers

  REST APIs play a vital role in SDN controllers and applications. This will be new territory for many network engineers, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.Continue Reading

• How to build a network for Open vSwitch testing

  Setting up an Open vSwitch test network can be as simple as downloading code, deploying it on x86 servers and attaching storage disks. Here's how to get started.Continue Reading

• What is generic Ethernet access?

  Generic Ethernet access is a new carrier service rolling out in the United Kingdom. Is this a technology that can work for you?Continue Reading