News

Network Security Best Practices and Products

• March 14, 2017 14 Mar'17

  SDN fuels the network transformation needed for digital shift

  There's a lot of talk about digital transformation in the tech industry, but to obtain it, enterprises need to undertake network transformation. That's where SDN can help.

• March 14, 2017 14 Mar'17

  Startup introduces switch silicon with 12.8 Tbps processing speed

  Innovium, led by former execs at Cavium and Broadcom, is targeting its switch silicon to hyperscale data centers as more workloads move to the cloud.

• March 10, 2017 10 Mar'17

  Open Compute Summit all promise, no delivery, for enterprise

  Announcements from Facebook and Microsoft were the highlight of this year's Open Compute Summit, which remains a showcase for hyperscale cloud technology.

• March 09, 2017 09 Mar'17

  New York cybersecurity regulations could have big impact nationwide

  This week, bloggers assess the effect of New York cybersecurity regulations, whether the network edge will grow in importance and how customers create complexity.

• March 08, 2017 08 Mar'17

  Switch-maker Arista containerizes its Extensible Operating System

  Switching vendor Arista has containerized its Extensible Operating System. Container development is rising in the data centers of cloud providers -- the vendor's largest customer base.

• March 07, 2017 07 Mar'17

  Cisco adds cloud management to hyper-converged integrated systems

  Cisco has added cloud-based management to its HyperFlex hyper-converged integrated systems. The vendor also released a HyperFlex model with a much larger network interconnect.

• March 03, 2017 03 Mar'17

  Customer-focused strategy more key than digital transformation hype

  The tech industry's chatter about digital transformation and disruption are scare tactics that shouldn't distract companies from making purchases based on a customer-focused strategy.

• March 03, 2017 03 Mar'17

  Versa Networks' SD-WAN platform now supports IPv6

  In SDN news, Versa Networks announces SD-WAN that supports IPv6, and ONUG releases the speaker lineup for its upcoming spring conference, hosted in San Francisco on April 25-26.

• March 03, 2017 03 Mar'17

  Riverbed launches NFV management, provisioning platform to telcos

  Riverbed launches an NFV management and provisioning platform; Super Bowl Wi-Fi data sets a new record; and ManageEngine premieres auditing for AWS and Azure.

• March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17

  SDN service for sale ... from a healthcare provider?

  Early NSX adopter BayState Health is weighing the possibility of a future as an SDN service provider -- using multi-tenancy to run other organizations' networks parallel to its own.

• March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17

  The connected stadium: If you build it, they will come

  In the next-generation sports venue, the home team's stadium network can serve as a strategic resource, driving fan engagement, concession sales and more.

• March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17

  With new IEEE Ethernet standard, old cables learn new tricks

  The new IEEE Ethernet standard offers some much-needed flexibility for network managers trying to keep up with skyrocketing bandwidth demand while working under long refresh cycles that prevent frequent rip-and-replace upgrades. With 802.3bz, or ...

• February 28, 2017 28 Feb'17

  How leaf-spine architecture differs from fabric extenders

  This week, bloggers compare leaf-spine architecture and fabric extenders, look into HPE's acquisition of SimpliVity and discuss the need for AI in SDDCs.

• February 24, 2017 24 Feb'17

  ARRIS expected to go after large campuses with Brocade networking buy

  ARRIS plans to buy a portion of the Brocade networking portfolio that includes Ruckus Wireless. ARRIS is expected to target large public venues, education and hospitality.

• February 23, 2017 23 Feb'17

  Higher spending on public cloud service providers bad news for Cisco

  Enterprise spending on public cloud service providers will increase almost 22% annually through 2020, depressing sales of data center switches from Cisco and other suppliers.

• February 22, 2017 22 Feb'17

  New Cisco VNF hardware designed for data centers, branch offices

  Cisco has introduced hardware that contains all the components for running virtual network functions. The new gear delivers Cisco VNFs in the data center and branch office.

• February 22, 2017 22 Feb'17

  Cybersecurity policies take center stage at RSA 2017

  This week, bloggers look into cybersecurity policies presented at RSA 2017, how to confront hybrid cloud challenges and the meaning of the SMS-Curvature merger.

• February 17, 2017 17 Feb'17

  Arista Networks' revenue rises, while rival Cisco stumbles

  Arista Networks' revenue rose more than 33% on strong sales of switches and routers. Arista released results a day after Cisco reported a decline in sales of networking gear.

• February 16, 2017 16 Feb'17

  Cisco revenue continues to fall from weak sales in switches, routers

  Cisco revenue dropped for the fifth consecutive quarter due to declining sales of switches and routers. The company is expected to counter the drop with more acquisitions of network software makers.

• February 16, 2017 16 Feb'17

  Will automation define the future of network technology?

  This week, bloggers look at automation as the future of network technology, weigh in on Cumulus' EVPN features and examine ExtraHop's Addy machine learning analytics.

• February 16, 2017 16 Feb'17

  Cisco opens Umbrella, a cloud-based secure internet gateway

  Cisco premieres a cloud-based secure internet gateway; Extreme Networks to provide wireless services to the World Series champion Chicago Cubs; mobile data traffic soars in 2016.

• February 15, 2017 15 Feb'17

  ExtraHop intros Addy, machine learning as a service

  ExtraHop integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence with Addy, its new machine-learning-as-a-service offering.

• February 14, 2017 14 Feb'17

  Riverbed bolsters SteelHead WAN optimization appliance with SD-WAN

  Riverbed cloaks its SteelHead SD-WAN optimization appliance with SteelConnect features to provide security and application acceleration.

• February 10, 2017 10 Feb'17

  Cisco joins Microsoft in providing Azure Stack services in UCS server

  Cisco and Microsoft have worked together in delivering Azure Stack services through Cisco's UCS server. The new product ships in the third quarter.

• February 09, 2017 09 Feb'17

  An Avaya networking sale may prove challenging

  This week, bloggers look into challenges facing an Avaya networking sale, ZeroStack's launch of automated infrastructure, and discuss the hot topics of this year's RSA Conference.

• February 08, 2017 08 Feb'17

  Cisco ACI software hasn't found a place in enterprise data centers

  Cisco ACI software is being used by less than a third of enterprises that have bought the application's companion hardware, the Nexus 9000.

• February 06, 2017 06 Feb'17

  Cato Networks' new SD-WAN service combines security and networking

  This week's SDN news revolves around SD-WAN. Cato Networks introduces an SD-WAN service which merges networking and security, while Viptela and Riverbed roll out managed SD-WAN announcements.

• February 03, 2017 03 Feb'17

  Tetration Analytics upgrade made affordable for midsize companies

  Cisco has added policy-enforcement capabilities to the latest version of the Tetration Analytics engine. The upgrade also includes a cheaper version for midsize companies.

• February 02, 2017 02 Feb'17

  Aerohive eyes small firms with APs, cloud-based management software

  Aerohive shifts gears with Wi-Fi for small businesses that feature cloud-based management software, Cisco considers the true cost of a data breach and Arista beefs up visibility.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  SN blogs: Are dropped packets better than delayed packets?

  This week, bloggers look into whether dropped packets are better than delayed packets, discuss cloud-based shadow IT and clarify the meaning of microservices.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  New year, new WAN: SD-WAN adoption takes off

  More and more enterprises are using software-defined networking principles in the wide area network, with industry experts predicting that SD-WAN adoption will skyrocket in 2017. In fact, some top analysts expect the market to grow as much as 90% ...

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  Open source network software promises major industry shifts

  Let the disruption commence! Observers say it's high time the networking sector accepts and sorts out open source, arguing it's not a question of if enterprises use it, but how.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  Viptela SD-WAN technology transforms major healthcare network

  In this software-defined WAN case study, Kindred Healthcare says Viptela SD-WAN technology has made its network more agile and less expensive to deploy and manage.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  Cisco IWAN architecture case study: Manufacturer embraces SD-WAN

  MTD Products credits the Cisco IWAN architecture with cutting costs and improving performance in the wide area network, ultimately leading to an increase in employee productivity.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  SD-WAN adoption: Exxon Mobil deploys Cybera technology

  In this case study, learn how SD-WAN adoption dramatically simplified a major oil company's wide area network while improving security and increasing flexibility.

• February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17

  SD-WAN vendors enjoy rave reviews from happy users

  Compared to data center SDN companies, SD-WAN vendors seem to have it easy, with a relative slew of satisfied customers eager to share their deployment stories.

• January 31, 2017 31 Jan'17

  Juniper switch fabric includes single set of data center tools

  The latest Juniper switch fabric is aimed at multiple data centers and includes a single set of management tools. The product is the latest under the Unite brand.

• January 30, 2017 30 Jan'17

  Infoblox tackles DNS security issues with new cloud offering

  Infoblox tackles the hacking risks posed to small branch offices and remote workers by DNS security issues.

• January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17

  Will AppDynamics pricing stay too high for small, medium businesses?

  Cisco will broaden its application monitoring portfolio with the acquisition of AppDynamics. But will the vendor make AppDynamics pricing friendlier to smaller businesses?

• January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17

  HPE focuses on hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation

  This week, bloggers assess hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation after HPE's buy, Cumulus Networks' new switch hardware and why companies accept poor cybersecurity.

• January 26, 2017 26 Jan'17

  Hughes' managed SD-WAN supports range of broadband access options

  Hughes now offers managed SD-WAN, which supports wireless, fiber and satellite connectivity. Also, an IHS Markit survey reveals 2016 SDN expectations didn't meet the actual numbers.

• January 23, 2017 23 Jan'17

  IT infrastructure market jumps by 8% as Ethernet sales grow

  The IT infrastructure market grows by 8%, while HPE acquires SimpliVity and Barefoot Networks strikes a chip deal with vendors.

• January 23, 2017 23 Jan'17

  SD-WAN use case: Home improvement store opts for NetScaler SD-WAN

  In this SD-WAN use case, find out how The Tile Shop retail stores improved WAN bandwidth usage for business needs by implementing Citrix NetScaler SD-WAN.

• January 20, 2017 20 Jan'17

  Cumulus NOS, Edgecore switch bundle unlikely to beat incumbent vendors

  Analysts are skeptical of networking supplier Cumulus's entry into the hardware business. The vendor is selling and supporting an Edgecore switch with the open Cumulus NOS.

• January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17

  Trigger gets props among hot next-gen network automation tools

  This week, bloggers look into network automation tools, incident response, and the new reality of MPLS and SD-WAN.

• January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17

  Enterprises finding high value in 25 GbE, 100 GbE switches

  Research finds shipments of 25 GbE and 100 GbE switches are outpacing 10/40 GbE hardware, as companies find more value in the higher-bandwidth gear.

• January 18, 2017 18 Jan'17

  DARPA project could help with mobile security in the enterprise

  A DARPA project seeks researchers from academia and business to improve security for mobile networks and devices. The program could bring better tools for the enterprise.

• January 17, 2017 17 Jan'17

  Cisco certification changes focus on data center and analytics

  Cisco certification changes, effective in January, mean trainees will need to focus more on data center and analytics topics.

• January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17

  Viptela names former Cisco exec Akkiraju CEO amid SD-WAN market shift

  Viptela, a startup in the SD-WAN market, taps former Cisco exec Praveen Akkiraju as its new CEO. Akkiraju's immediate goal for Viptela is to help customers migrate to the cloud.

• January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17

  Dell's new multigig campus switches built for wired, wireless LAN

  Dell is pitching the open networking features of its new campus switches. The hardware's ability to run any of several network operation systems is a market differentiator.

• January 12, 2017 12 Jan'17

  I2RS, Interface to the Routing System, remains viable SDN hybrid

  One SDN blogger discusses I2RS, a hybrid model of SDN in the works, while another expert categorizes NFV and SDN vendors. Also, ONF updates its vision after its merge with ON.Lab.

• January 12, 2017 12 Jan'17

  Seeking truth in network device configuration

  This week, bloggers look into network device configuration, the tools the next generation of network engineers will require and security scalability.

• January 12, 2017 12 Jan'17

  Cisco market share report shows big lead for the vendor

  This week, a report shows a big lead in Cisco market share in multiple segments; Ericsson extends its Cisco partnership; and Extreme targets retailers with new products.

• January 10, 2017 10 Jan'17

  Chit chat: The new team collaboration apps go mainstream

  Gone are the days of dial-up internet and ubiquitous AOL accounts, when Meg Ryan had mail and no one owned a smartphone. Yet, many years and seven iPhone generations later, email -- for all its frustrations and shortcomings -- still reigns as the ...

• January 09, 2017 09 Jan'17

  WAN optimization, routers becoming a part of SD-WAN products

  The need for stand-alone enterprise routers and optimization technology in the WAN is fading, as SD-WAN products deliver the same capabilities.

• January 05, 2017 05 Jan'17

  Private equity firms interested in Brocade networking business

  Several private equity firms are interested in buying the Brocade networking business, which would include the Ruckus wireless LAN portfolio.

• January 05, 2017 05 Jan'17

  Looking at cybersecurity initiatives in 2016 and 2017

  This week, bloggers explore cybersecurity initiatives, Google Compute Engine and new Versa SD-WAN options.

• January 03, 2017 03 Jan'17

  Nyansa user experience tools platform garners Network Innovation Award

  Nyansa uses a blend of cloud-based analytics, real-time DPI and an easy-to-understand console for its user experience tools platform.

• December 28, 2016 28 Dec'16

  Looking back at the biggest 2016 tech trends in networking

  In 2016 tech trends in networking, the industry witnessed the growth of analytics, Cisco's embrace of software and services and new Ethernet standards.

• December 27, 2016 27 Dec'16

  Cisco software strategy worries network operators

  Cisco's push into SDN concerns network operators who see the Cisco software strategy as de-emphasizing traditional hardware.

• December 22, 2016 22 Dec'16

  Network overhaul performs in the clutch for auto supplier

  Clutch manufacturer FCC tore out its antiquated switches and mainframes in a network overhaul meant to keep the company alive.

• December 21, 2016 21 Dec'16

  2016 SDN trends: The year of the software-defined WAN

  As 2016 draws to a close, SD-WAN paced SDN trends as it permeated the SDN world; Cisco and VMware dominated SDN deployments; and concerns remain about training.

• December 20, 2016 20 Dec'16

  Data center forecast for 2017 focuses on SD-WAN, infrastructure management

  Eric Hanselman, 451 analyst, cites interconnect technologies and deployment of infrastructure management techniques as key data center forecast trends.

• December 20, 2016 20 Dec'16

  Networking decides between modern Ethernet standards

  This week, bloggers discuss the debate between modern Ethernet standards, compare network management to landlords and examine 2017 cybersecurity threats.

• December 15, 2016 15 Dec'16

  Cisco closing Intercloud Fabric in cloud strategy shift

  Cisco is in the process of moving customers off the Intercloud Fabric as the company prepares to close the infrastructure-as-a-service offering.

• December 14, 2016 14 Dec'16

  AWS device cited as stepping stone to Amazon foray into HCI

  This week, bloggers assess what Amazon's Snowball Edge really means when it comes to HCI, as well as discuss some of the new features of Arista's new leaf and spine switch.

• December 14, 2016 14 Dec'16

  Why 2017 promises to bring more network automation systems

  Arista, Cisco and Juniper took steps this year toward providing better network automation systems. Next year, companies can expect to see technology from other vendors.

• December 14, 2016 14 Dec'16

  Seven trends in place for SD-WAN technology in 2017

  SD-WAN technology and deployment made leaps in 2016, with an increased number of use cases and suppliers. Check out seven trends on the SD-WAN horizon for 2017.

• December 08, 2016 08 Dec'16

  County government redesigns data center around Cisco ACI fabric

  Durham County, N.C., had a traditional data center. But it also had forward-thinking employees looking at Cisco ACI fabric to lay the groundwork for tech innovation.

• December 07, 2016 07 Dec'16

  Ethernet switch market up 2%: IDC

  The worldwide Ethernet switch market grew 2%, racking up revenues of $6.29 billion in the third quarter, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch Tracker and Worldwide Quarterly ...

• December 07, 2016 07 Dec'16

  Zero downtime goal of new industry group

  Networking analysts discuss if a new zero-downtime initiative will be viable and the best way to unlock the value of the hybrid cloud.

• December 07, 2016 07 Dec'16

  Cisco refreshes Meraki switches, adds access point for hotel industry

  Cisco has released the first Layer 2 Meraki switches with 10 GbE uplinks. The vendor also introduced an access point designed for the hotel industry.

• December 06, 2016 06 Dec'16

  Arista, Brocade intro better spine, leaf switches for the data center

  Arista and Brocade have introduced spine and leaf switches. Arista has focused on performance; Brocade has added network automation and visibility.

• December 05, 2016 05 Dec'16

  Amazon Snowball Edge a possible threat to server, network vendors

  Amazon Snowball Edge, a server-like IoT device, could eventually pose a threat to server and networking vendors, which are already losing business to the public cloud provider.

• December 01, 2016 01 Dec'16

  From Sonnet 18 to SD-WAN technology: An unlikely networking career

  From teaching Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 to taking on a major SD-WAN technology deployment: Senior engineer Phil Gervasi shares the major career pivot that brought him to networking.

• December 01, 2016 01 Dec'16

  White-box switches save green, but they aren't for everyone

  While some networking pros say white-box switching is the 'next big thing,' others argue that's a myth that needs busting. As usual, enterprises must consider the business case.

• December 01, 2016 01 Dec'16

  Integrate UC platform with business-critical SaaS for competitive edge

  By one current estimate, the average business operates across six different clouds. With many software-as-a-service platforms still unable to communicate with each other, enterprise workers must straddle the space between them -- leading to ...

• November 30, 2016 30 Nov'16

  HPE Aruba networks readied for mobile, IoT

  HPE Aruba networks are getting the access switch and software needed to support mobile and IoT devices, such as surveillance cameras and medical gear.

• November 29, 2016 29 Nov'16

  A10 intros Lightning brand of cloud application delivery services

  A10 has introduced the Lightning brand of cloud-based application delivery services. The latest product stems from the July acquisition of Appcito.

• November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16

  Cisco patent infringement avoided, new Arista OSes OK to import

  Federal officials have cleared Arista's newer switches for importation to the U.S. after trade officials found older Arista products in violation of three Cisco patents.

• November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16

  Furniture manufacturer deploys data center SDN despite fear of change

  After learning about the benefits of data center SDN technology, Steelcase Inc. overcame a fear of change and made the leap to Pluribus Networks' Netvisor operating system.

• November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16

  Viptela, CA Technologies merge network performance management, SD-WAN

  Viptela's SD-WAN meets CA Technologies' network performance management in a new partnership; VeloCloud adds voice quality monitoring to SD-WAN services; and AT&T and Colt test SDN interoperability.

• November 21, 2016 21 Nov'16

  Cloud security challenges encapsulate service delivery

  In this week's blog roundup, bloggers examine cloud-delivered security and the obstacles standing in the way of redefining the network.

• November 21, 2016 21 Nov'16

  Gartner: SD-WAN providers to disrupt edge router market

  SD-WAN providers are building products that are replacing routers in the branch office. Gartner says half of WAN edge infrastructure refreshes will be based on SD-WAN by 2020.

• November 18, 2016 18 Nov'16

  Republican leaders recommend postponing FCC regulations

  Following the presidential election, Republican leaders suggest the FCC take a pause in voting on any new FCC regulations. Plus, Facebook turns its attention to telecom.

• November 18, 2016 18 Nov'16

  Cisco cloud survey reveals nonstop growth and expansion

  This week, a Cisco cloud survey digs into the explosive growth of cloud data, Xirrus deploys a new Wave 2 access point and Nexthink updates end-user analytics.

• November 17, 2016 17 Nov'16

  Cisco earnings show service providers are not buying

  The latest Cisco earnings show a drop in overall revenue, as service providers spend less. Cisco blames lower sales on macroeconomics.

• November 16, 2016 16 Nov'16

  F5 pushing application delivery platform to the Equinix hybrid cloud

  Data center provider Equinix has agreed to provide customers with the option of using the F5 application delivery platform in hybrid cloud environments.

• November 16, 2016 16 Nov'16

  Broadcom Brocade deal leaves questions

  This week, bloggers weigh the possible outcomes of the Broadcom Brocade deal and discuss cybersecurity lessons fueled by the 2016 U.S. election.

• November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16

  Startups launch verification technology to help manage networks

  Forward Networks and Veriflow Systems have introduced verification technology to help engineers manage corporate networks.

• November 11, 2016 11 Nov'16

  Aviatrix wins Network Innovation Award

  This month's Network Innovation Award winner, Aviatrix, wants to help firms bridge the spaces between their clouds with their enterprise cloud-defined networking technology.

• November 11, 2016 11 Nov'16

  Facebook's new switching platform completes 100 Gb data center pod

  Facebook has completed its open source 100 Gb data center pod. The technology for hyperscale data centers includes a second-generation modular switching platform called Backpack.

• November 11, 2016 11 Nov'16

  President-elect silent on federal cybersecurity policies

  This week, bloggers look ahead to the new administration's cybersecurity policies, how to close gaps in app delivery management and the best way to optimize data centers.

• November 08, 2016 08 Nov'16

  Nyansa adds app monitoring to network traffic analytics

  Nyansa has widened the capabilities of its network traffic analytics system with the addition of application monitoring. The latest capabilities are packaged as Voyance+.

• November 08, 2016 08 Nov'16

  Dell EMC code contributions restructure OpenSwitch architecture

  In this blog roundup, networking bloggers discuss changes in OpenSwitch architecture, SD-WAN's advantages and disadvantages, and the latest container security project.

• November 04, 2016 04 Nov'16

  Brocade acquisition to attract several buyers for unwanted Ruckus WLAN

  Broadcom's decision to sell the Ruckus WLAN product following the Brocade acquisition is expected to lead to offers from Dell, Juniper and Nokia.

• November 03, 2016 03 Nov'16

  Cisco pledges a quicker rollout of network automation tools

  Cisco tells Partner Summit attendees it will move faster to deliver the network automation tools the vendor has been slow to provide.

• November 03, 2016 03 Nov'16

  Is API adoption necessary for successful network automation?

  This week, bloggers explore API adoption for network automation, Igneous Systems' hyperconverged cloud management and NetBeez's troubleshooting.

• November 02, 2016 02 Nov'16

  Broadcom buys Brocade in $5.9B deal

  Broadcom Ltd. Nov. 2 said it would acquire storage and networking supplier Brocade Communications Systems Inc. in a deal valued at $5.9 billion. Chip-maker Broadcom said it will keep Brocade's ...

• November 01, 2016 01 Nov'16

  Where have all the legacy voice engineers gone?

  When traditional voice engineering went the way of the dinosaurs, many of its practitioners had to evolve.