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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
SDN essentials: Why network orchestration and virtualization?
The goal of SDN is dynamic networks, so it's crucial to understand the concepts of network orchestration and virtualization -- the keys to flexibility. Continue Reading
Clos network
A Clos network is a type of non-blocking, multistage switching architecture that reduces the number of ports required in an interconnected fabric. Continue Reading
SDN basics: Understanding centralized control and programmability
Network engineers who want to learn about SDN basics must begin with the concepts of centralized control and network programmability. Continue Reading
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Cisco IOS (Cisco Internetwork Operating System)
Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is a proprietary operating system that runs on most Cisco Systems routers and switches. Continue Reading
How SDN and NFV simplify network service chain provisioning
SDN and NFV simplify service chain provisioning, making it easier and cheaper to spin up applications in enterprise and service provider networks. 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
Network programming languages Frenetic and Pyretic simplify OpenFlow
OpenFlow can simplify networks, yet the protocol itself is complex. Network programming languages Frenetic and Pyretic streamline OpenFlow SDN.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
VMware NSX will change the network admin role: Are you ready?
VMware NSX could bring network virtualization under the management of system admins, or it could alter the network admin role. Which will it be?Continue Reading
Your next job may be 'network programmer': What you'll need to know
SDN brings flexibility to networking, but this will require engineers to gain new skills in order to fill the emerging role of network programmer.Continue Reading
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WAN aggregation: Why you should consider this application delivery optimization technique
What is WAN aggregation, and how does it work? Our expert explains why all companies should consider this type of application delivery optimization.Continue Reading
Subnet basics: Must you set up Wi-Fi subnets in a single building?
Expert Mike Jude discusses the rationale of creating distinct Wi-Fi subnets in a single building.Continue Reading
Jennifer Rexford: The road to SDN programming language started at AT&T
SDN researcher Jennifer Rexford talks about her work with SDN programming languages and Pyretic, a Python-based language for OpenFlow networks.Continue Reading
What is protocol spoofing as it relates to WAN optimization?
Learn in this expert response what protocol spoofing is and how it can be used as a WAN optimization technique.Continue Reading
session border controller (SBC)
A session border controller (SBC) is a dedicated hardware device or software application that governs the manner in which phone calls are initiated, conducted and terminated on a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. Phone calls are referred ...Continue Reading
ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM)
Ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) is a specialized type of high-speed memory that searches its entire contents in a single clock cycle, with the term “ternary” referring to its ability to store and query data using three different inputs: 0,...Continue Reading
Mapping your wireless local area network: How to make your WLAN shine
In this essential guide, get acquainted with wireless local area network basics and uncover steps you can take to improve your WLAN infrastructure.Continue Reading
Will the cloud exchange be the next big ecosystem player?
An emerging branch of the cloud ecosystem, the cloud exchange, has the potential to address many concerns about the cloud broker model.Continue Reading
The evolution of network control
The degree of network control IT pros possess is expanding with new tools and solutions. Learn the latest about network management and monitoring.Continue Reading
Overcoming network functions virtualization implementation challenges
Carriers need network functions virtualization implementation prespecification, so they'll look to TM Forum and cloud management models for help.Continue Reading
OVSDB (Open vSwitch Database Management Protocol)
The Open vSwitch Database Management Protocol (OVSDB) is an OpenFlow configuration protocol that is designed to manage Open vSwitch implementations.Continue Reading
jumbo frames
A jumbo frame is an Ethernet frame with a payload greater than the standard maximum transmission unit (MTU) of 1,500 bytes. Continue Reading
VMware network virtualization will spell trouble for Cisco, eventually
The VMware network virtualization platform won't end the Cisco-VMware relationship, but it could hurt Cisco in the data center over the long term.Continue Reading
Where SDN and DPI technology meet: Centralized control and automation
When SDN and DPI technology meet, network engineers can apply monitoring and management policy to the whole network instead of individual components.Continue Reading
SDN and the enterprise campus network
SDN campus solutions have the potential to impact current LAN architecture, changing the enterprise campus network.Continue Reading
Are there alternatives to the OpenFlow protocol?
Jason Edelman explains OpenFlow protocol alternatives and what's important in determining which southbound protocol will work for you.Continue Reading
IETF SDN: I2RS uses traditional routing protocols in software networks
The IETF SDN strategy relies on centralized management and distributed decision making with traditional network protocols -- departing from OpenFlow.Continue Reading
Cisco LISP (Location Identifier Separation Protocol)
LISP (Location Identifier Separation Protocol) is a routing and addressing architecture developed by Cisco Systems. LISP creates two addresses for each network node: one for its identity and another for its location in the network.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
How to choose the right SDN controller platform
When choosing the best SDN controller platform for your company, look at the problem you need to solve, the end goal and various end-to-end solutions.Continue Reading
OF-Config (OpenFlow Configuration and Management Protocol)
The OpenFlow Management and Configuration Protocol (OF-Config) is a protocol developed under the Open Networking Foundation used to manage physical and virtual switches in an OpenFlow environment.Continue Reading
femtocell
A femtocell is a wireless access point that improves cellular reception inside a home or office building. The device, which resembles a wireless router, essentially acts as a VOIP repeater.Continue Reading
Virtual overlay networks: Tunneling protocols enable multi-tenancy
Virtual overlay networks use tunneling protocols to extend isolated network segments between servers for multi-tenant data center networks.Continue Reading
OpenStack tutorial: A guide for cloud providers
This OpenStack guide explores the hype around this open source project, alternative options, what OpenStack Quantum can offer cloud providers and more.Continue Reading
In the SDN WAN: Network programmability, provisioning and high availability
The SDN WAN's network programmability and automated provisioning addresses the demands placed on the wide area network by the cloud, SaaS and BYOD.Continue Reading
network hypervisor
A network hypervisor is a program that provides an abstraction layer for network hardware. Network hypervisors allow network engineers to create virtual networks that are completely decoupled and independent from the underlying physical network.Continue Reading
10 gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE)
10 gigabit Ethernet is a telecommunication technology that offers data speeds up to 10 billion bits per second. It differs from traditional Ethernet in that it is a full-duplex protocol and does not require Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision ...Continue Reading
programmable network (PN)
A programmable network is one in which the behavior of network devices and flow control is handled by software that operates independently from network hardware.Continue Reading
Enterprise wireless standards: The basics
Glen Kemp discusses the standards and protocols that support enterprise-class wireless deployments and how they differ from consumer configurations.Continue Reading
network tap
A network tap is an external monitoring device that mirrors the traffic that passes between two network nodes. A tap (test access point) is a hardware device inserted at a specific point in the network to monitor data.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
OpenFlow configuration protocols: Understanding OF-Config and OVSDB
OpenFlow directs network packet flows, but OpenFlow configuration protocols, OF-Config and OVSDB, form relationships between controllers and switches.Continue Reading
Quiz: Managing the enterprise network
This five question quiz accompanies Henry Svendblad's presentation series on managing the Enterprise Network. Test your retention of the materials Svendblad covered in his video series on enterprise network management.Continue Reading
ISSU (in-service software upgrade)
An ISSU (in-service software upgrade) is a technique for updating software on a network device without taking that device offline and thereby disrupting network services.Continue Reading
How data center network fabric and SDN intersect
SDN and data center network fabrics both enable converged networking and the ability to manage many switches as one. Where do the two intersect?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
NetScaler (SDX)
Citrix NetScaler SDX is a service delivery networking platform for enterprise and cloud datacenters. NetScaler SDX supports multiple NetScaler instances on a single hardware appliance.Continue Reading
Should I use the OpenFlow protocol in software-defined networks?
The OpenFlow protocol isn't required for SDN, although the Open Network Foundation recommends it, which means networking vendors have options.Continue Reading
Why do I need SDN technology?
SDN is valuable, but uses extend to other parts of the network for increased network flexibility, dynamic traffic flow, decreased latency and QoS.Continue Reading
Embrane
Embrane is a company that makes software products for the delivery of SDN (sofware-defined networking) services, including load balancers, firewalls and VPNs.Continue Reading
Nicira Network Virtualization Platform (Nicira NVP)
Nicira NVP is network virtualization software that manages an abstraction layer between end systems and the physical network infrastructure and enables the creation of independently operable virtual networks.Continue Reading
NETCONF
NETCONF is an IETF network management protocol that provides an administrator or network engineer with a secure way to configure a firewall, router, switch or other network device.Continue Reading
software-defined networking monitoring application (SDN monitoring application)
An SDN monitoring application is a software program that oversees the traffic in a software-defined network (SDN) as a component of network management.Continue Reading
distributed virtual switch
A distributed virtual switch is an abstract representation of multiple hosts defining the same name, network policy and port group.Continue Reading
network fabric
Network fabric is an industry term that describes a network topology in which devices pass data to each other through interconnecting switches.Continue Reading
DOVE (IBM DOVE)
IBM Dove (Distributed Overlay Virtual Ethernet) is an architecture that allows a network engineer to abstract the physical network infrastructure from hypervisor hosts and make network changes in software rather than hardware.Continue Reading
Is SDN a centralized or distributed network architecture?
A software-defined network can have a centralized or distributed network architecture in the data center, LAN and WAN, depending on business needs.Continue Reading
What is the difference between an overlay network and SDN?
A software-defined network can be deployed as an overlay network to a physical network or natively as the primary network to improve flexibility.Continue Reading
Does software-defined networking require special SDN switches?
Software-defined networks do not require special SDN switches; instead, vendors offer a variety of SDN controllers, network fabrics and hardware.Continue Reading
Where do network fabric and SDN technologies intersect?
Networks can use a network fabric and SDN technologies together, and vendors' SDN architectures integrate them in a variety different ways.Continue Reading
The role of northbound APIs in an SDN environment
Northbound APIs on SDN controllers enable applications and orchestration systems to program the network and request services from it.Continue Reading
SDN, network virtualization: Are they the same?
Despite differences, SDN and network virtualization share common elements to direct network resources to VMs and segment or consolidate networks.Continue Reading
Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF)
Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) is the part of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) that supports service data flow detection, policy enforcement and flow-based charging.Continue Reading
Mininet
Mininet is a software emulator for prototyping a large network on a single machine. Continue Reading
Distributed Control Plane Architecture (DCPA)
A Distributed Control Plane Architecture (DCPA) is a network architecture that makes it possible to allocate control protocol functions across multiple processor levels in the network system.Continue Reading
Floodlight
Floodlight is a Java-based OpenFlow controller.Continue Reading
ODIN (Open Data Center with an Interoperable Network)
ODIN (Open Data Center with an Interoperable Network) is a reference architecture that describes best practices for creating a flat, converged, virtualized data center fabric based on open industry standards. Continue Reading
Path Computation Element (PCE)
Path Computation Element (PCE) is a network component, application or node that can apply computational constraints and compute a network path or route based on a network graph. The PCE has access to topology information for the entire network and ...Continue Reading
SDN application (software-defined networking application)
An SDN application is a software program designed to perform a task in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment. SDN applications can replace and expand upon functions that are implemented through firmware in hardware devices in a ...Continue Reading
Network functions virtualization primer: Software devices take over
With network functions virtualization (NFV), engineers replace network devices with software on basic servers for flexibility and cost reduction.Continue Reading
Do I need to use an SDN controller for software-defined networking?
An SDN controller, with or without OpenFlow, is not required for a software-defined network, and SDN architecture vendors take different approaches.Continue Reading
hybrid SDN
A hybrid SDN (software-defined network) is a network where both traditional networking and SDN protocols operate in the same environment.Continue Reading
OpenStack Neutron (formerly called Quantum)
OpenStack Neutron is a cloud networking controller and a networking-as-a-service project within the OpenStack cloud computing initiative.Continue Reading
Trema
Trema is an open source framework for developing OpenFlow controllers for software-defined networking in the Ruby and C programming languages.Continue Reading
Plexxi
Plexxi is a Cambridge Massachusetts company that makes software-defined networking (SDN) software. The company was founded with venture-based funding in 2011. Plexxi's management team is composed of networking professionals.Continue Reading
application-defined networking
Application-defined networking (ADN) is a networking scenario in which applications have the ability to adapt network environments to meet their needs, rather than having resources allocated by the network.Continue Reading
OpenFlow controller
An OpenFlow controller is an application that manages flow control in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment.Continue Reading
OpenFlow switch
An OpenFlow switch is a software program or hardware device that forwards packets in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment.Continue Reading
OpenFlow Consortium
The OpenFlow Consortium was a collaborative group of university researchers and network administrators that developed the original specification for the OpenFlow protocol.Continue Reading
network intelligence (NI)
Network Intelligence (NI) is the capacity of a network to examine data packets continuously and in real time.Continue Reading
FlowVisor
FlowVisor is an experimental software-defined networking controller that enables network virtualization by slicing a physical network into multiple logical networks.Continue Reading
campus network
A campus network is a proprietary local area network (LAN) or set of interconnected LANs serving a corporation, government agency, university, or similar organization.Continue Reading
Arista Extensible Operating System (Arista EOS)
Extensible Operating System (EOS) is a scalable network operating system (OS) that offers high availability, streamlines maintenance processes, and enhances network security.Continue Reading
POX
POX is an open source development platform for Python-based software-defined networking (SDN) control applications, such as OpenFlow SDN controllers.Continue Reading
NOX
NOX is an open source development platform for C++-based software-defined networking (SDN) control applications.Continue Reading
application-aware networking (app-ware networking)
Application-aware networking is the capacity of an intelligent network to maintain current information about applications that connect to it and, as a result, optimize their functioning as well as that of other applications or systems that they ...Continue Reading
SDN overlay (software defined networking overlay)
An SDN overlay is a deployment method for network virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN) that involves running a logically separate network or network component on top of existing infrastructure.Continue Reading
Nicira Inc.
Nicira is a network virtualization and SDN (software-defined networking) company that Martin Casado, Nick McKeown and Scott Shenker founded in 2007.Continue Reading
data plane (DP)
The data plane (sometimes known as the user plane, forwarding plane, carrier plane or bearer plane) is the part of a network that carries user traffic.Continue Reading
control plane (CP)
The control plane is the part of a network that carries signaling traffic and is responsible for routing.Continue Reading
Big Switch Networks Big Virtual Switch
Big Virtual Switch is a data center network virtualization application that runs on Big Network Controller, the SDN controller for the Open Software-Defined Network (SDN).Continue Reading
Big Switch Big Network Controller
Big Network Controller is the SDN controller for the Open Software Defined Network (SDN), a product suite for network virtualization released in November of 2012 by Big Switch Networks.Continue Reading
Big Switch Networks
Big Switch Networks is a network virtualization and SDN (software-defined networking) company that was founded in 2010.Continue Reading
Big Switch Networks Big Tap
Big Tap is a network monitoring application that runs on Big Network Controller, the SDN controller for the Open Software-Defined Network (SDN).Continue Reading
VXLAN gateway (Virtual Extensible VLAN gateway)
A VXLAN gateway is a solution that allows a virtual extensible LAN (VXLAN) to communicate with another network, particularly a virtual LAN (VLAN).Continue Reading
Green cloud computing quiz: Raise your energy efficiency grade
Take our green cloud computing quiz to see if you are doing enough to conserve energy. Reducing energy use helps the earth and saves you money.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
Floodlight primer: An OpenFlow controller
In software-defined networks, engineers use Floodlight controllers to manage physical and virtual devices -- and each traffic flow running between them.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
VPN UTM vendor comparison: Evaluating secure remote access features
View this VPN UTM vendor comparison and understand how to manage your virtual private network infrastructure as part of a unified threat management solution.Continue Reading