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• How to translate network usage to cost

  Converting network usage data into monetary terms will help network professionals prove their worth to an organization. This article is the third in a series that explores ways in which network professionals can use ITIL best practices to help their... Continue Reading

• LTE vs. WiMAX for 4G wireless broadband: Which one and why?

  This new advanced workshop on 4G wireless broadband deployment looks at the operator issues surrounding LTE and WiMAX and the issues that remain around providing voice services. Continue Reading

• Formula for proper bandwidth utilization on a T1 line

  Utilize bandwidth efficiently to prevent dropped packets over a T1 line. Our site network administration expert provides best methods in this expert response. Continue Reading

• Why would a computer show drive letters for discs that don't exist?

  If a computer shows drive letters for removable discs that aren't physically connected to it when no hard disk partitioning has been done, could a virus be responsible? Our network administration expert explains. Continue Reading

• Can I get monthly updates of IT networking content?

  Learn how to subscribe to SearchNetworking.com's monthly newsletter containing a retention of networking news, how-to tips, blog entries, podcasts, videos, guides and more. Continue Reading

• The link between network management and application delivery

  Network management is a critical part of ensuring acceptable application delivery. Learn some of the factors that make it difficult to ensure acceptable networked application performance and find advice on how using better network management, ...Continue Reading

• Determining IPsec tunneling, bandwidth capacity

  VPN router tunnels, including IPsec tunnels, are demystified in this tip as well as bandwidth management and determining bandwidth capacity for router tunnels.Continue Reading

• Testing a 1000-branch WAN for user acceptance

  WAN user acceptance tests are key to establishing a good service-level agreement and an operational multi-branch WAN. Find out more about creating and running an effective test to ensure a good SLA and a bug-free WAN.Continue Reading

• Reduce TCP congestion, packet loss on the WAN with SACK and FACK

  TCP robustness and packet loss can be reduced with the use of the SACK and FACK algorithms on the WAN. Find out how these algorithms can help reduce congestion on the network.Continue Reading

• AT&T partners to search for wireless revenue streams

  AT&T moved to bring next-gen wireless devices to market faster by choosing a partner with a management platform and billing capabilities already in place.Continue Reading

• GRE tunnel vs. IPsec tunnel: What is the difference?

  Encapsulating a packet for secure transportation on the network can be done using either GRE or IPsec protocols. This tip explains under what circumstances each protocol works best.Continue Reading

• Interpreting bandwidth utilization graphs

  Network bandwidth utilization graphs can help determine if an enterprise has the right amount of bandwidth. Find out more about interpreting the graphs and finding the solution the fits the best.Continue Reading

• Five design factors to facilitate efficient router virtualization

  To fully extend the Age of Virtualization to routers and networks, telecom service providers need design changes that will make virtual router operations more efficient if they are to surpass parallel-but-separate networks in cost and security.Continue Reading

• Router virtualization: Developing effective networking strategies

  As new router and network virtualization technologies become a reality, telecom carriers need to weigh lower capital costs against realistic operations costs to see whether it's worth replacing parallel networks.Continue Reading

• Open source software for enterprise network management and monitoring

  Open source software is a valuable, economic resource for enterprise network managers. Find the best software for your network with our site network administration expert's advice.Continue Reading

• Building telecom SOA: An architectural roadmap to profits

  Telecom carriers need to find new ways to build out revenue-increasing opportunities. TM Forum chairman Keith Willetts looks at the promise of service-oriented architecture (SOA) for telecom carriers and the Forum's efforts to standardize its ...Continue Reading

• How to align network usage information to business processes

  Network usage information aligned to business process standards is an ITIL best practice that can help network professionals thrive during a recession. This article is the second in a series that explores ways in which network professionals can ...Continue Reading

• When do applications suffer from poor network performance?

  Poor network performance causes applications to suffer in an enterprise. Find out at what point packet loss between client and server starts causing problems in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Where is expert Silvia Hagen's most recent IPv6 and IPv4 advice?

  For IPv6 and IPv4 expert Silvia Hagen's latest advice, view her Public Profile on the IT Knowledge Exchange.Continue Reading

• Networking vs. network security: How to choose the right certification

  Network professionals have several career paths. Our site Cisco certification expert explains the appropriate certifications for networking and network security pros in this expert response.Continue Reading

• VPLS: A secure LAN cloud solution for some, not all

  VPLS can be the right solution for enterprise customers using non-IP protocols and for disaster recovery scenarios, as long as service providers and customers understand the security implications and don't get swept away with the hype.Continue Reading

• IP transformation: Improving network efficiency, increasing revenue

  Telecoms are maybe recession-proof, but IP transformation could improve that stance even more by helping increase network efficiency and increase revenue.Continue Reading

• How network management can use ITIL best practices to battle recession

  Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) offers network professionals a way to thrive. Understanding business process is the first of four ITIL best practices for network management.Continue Reading

• Satisfying the need for WAN speed

  Improving the performance and throughput of a WAN usually starts with a basic understanding of speed limitations and capacity. While the common view is faster is better, in the land of WANs and other areas of networking, it is all about distance, ...Continue Reading

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet interconnect solutions: Investigate carefully before choosing

  In any data center with 10 Gigabit Ethernet, IT professionals must decide whether optical fiber or copper cables will best support their networking equipment. Solutions vary in terms of maximum interconnect distance, power and heat, signal latency, ...Continue Reading

• Optimization of the data center with 10 Gigabit Ethernet

  Data center networking has taken advantage of 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Optimize your interconnection equipment and prevent latency with more efficient LAN technology.Continue Reading

• Converged Enhanced Ethernet: New protocols enhance data center Ethernet

  10 Gigabit Ethernet performance in the data center is improving. Network traffic and packet loss issues are being solved with new, more efficient protocols.Continue Reading

• How 802.11n wireless APs in Greenfield mode affect nearby networks

  802.11n high throughput (HT), or Greenfield mode is an efficient method of communication across the wireless LAN that 802.11a/g devices don't recognize. Lisa Phifer explains in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Monitoring your network to detect rogue access points (APs)

  Rogue access points (APs) put data security at risk. Network admins can identify and monitor unknown APs using wireless LAN security software. Lisa Phifer explains in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Carrier Ethernet: Big picture issues for carrier deployment

  Carrier Ethernet standards were designed to address Ethernet technology's shortcomings in access and core networks and in site-to-site transport to bring Ethernet to carrier grade. This tip addresses additional telecom service provider issues in ...Continue Reading

• Three 4G business models emerge for LTE and WiMAX

  4G evolution talk is all the rage, but the best business models for wireless broadband technologies aren't in sharp focus yet. Wireless operators have to decide whether to deploy WiMAX or LTE for their 4G networks, and knowing their customers' ...Continue Reading

• CCNA: How Cisco has changed the test and what to study

  CCNA exam questions and preparation have changed over the years. Our Cisco certification expert, David Minutella, explains what is covered on the test today and whether or not more training is necessary.Continue Reading

• Mobile broadband forecast bright, but there's no joy in ARPU

  Mobile broadband traffic projections are through the roof in the next five years, but the surge doesn't apply to wireless operator ARPU, or wireline provider ARPU, for that matter. Providers need to find value-added services that help them compete ...Continue Reading

• Will 802.11x wireless products be compatible with 802.11n?

  In 2009, we will see a new wireless standard emerge addressing 802.11x product compatibility issues. Wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer explains how current wireless devices may become outdated, in this expert response.Continue Reading

• How to find an SSID and identify neighboring WLANs

  Wireless network expert Lisa Phifer explains what an SSID is and how to identify and differentiate between neighboring WLAN identifiers in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Metro network complexity: Time to cut the Gordian knot?

  Service providers have built multi-service metro networks with high-functioning equipment, but metro networks are now complex and expensive to operate. This IDC report looks at why carriers need to consider alternatives to get the service velocity ...Continue Reading

• WAN capacity planning: Building a methodology

  Successful WAN capacity planning depends on many factors and how they work together. This article provides network managers with a starting point for understanding how to measure and predict network capacity and provides a 10-step methodology to ...Continue Reading

• WAN design: What to consider

  WAN design includes taking many factors into consideration. Network managers must start with business goals and technology requirements, then use techniques including discovery, network analysis, and simulation to determine the network architecture ...Continue Reading

• Questions to ask to determine WAN bandwidth requirements

  When addressing bandwidth management, business and technical issues cannot be overlooked. This means that as a network manager you must identify all the key factors that affect bandwidth usage and requirements. This article walks through collecting ...Continue Reading

• Persistent, secure connections for roaming WiMAX, 3G and 802.11x

  With the proliferation of wireless services, mobile workers who must communicate over both the LAN and WAN seek secure, persistent connections for their wireless devices across WiMAX, 3G and 802.11 networks. Learn how to help keep these connections ...Continue Reading

• FTTx: Three considerations for deployment planning

  Fiber may be the most effective way to deliver high-speed bandwidth, but three main FTTx deployment considerations for service delivery will affect each provider's cost/benefit analysis. Find out what network operators need to consider in selecting ...Continue Reading

• Defense solutions have broad communications applications

  TM Forum president and CTO Martin Creaner looks at how the defense industry's increased participation in solution building can benefit telecom service providers, particularly in terms of network management, security and OSS.Continue Reading

• Securing embedded 802.11n devices

  As WLANs are updated to 802.11n, most will be populated by increasingly diverse embedded 802.11n devices, including phones, cameras and barcode scanners. These pose unique challenges for network management and security. In this tip, learn how to ...Continue Reading

• 802.11n's impact on WLAN security

  802.11n wireless LANs offer many benefits over 802.11a/b/g for not only performance but also network security. However, 802.11n can also bring new security threats. As businesses move full steam ahead toward bigger, faster WLANs, many factors must ...Continue Reading

• How to stop channel interference on 802.11x wireless access points

  Networking expert Lisa Phifer explains how to identify interference on the WLAN, how to stop 802.11x networks from overlapping and gives advice against other forms of interference.Continue Reading

• How to create a Wi-Fi hotspot

  Creating a Wi-Fi hotspot can be done one of two ways. Our site wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer explains how to create a prepaid hotspot from the ground up.Continue Reading

• Profiling -- and protecting against -- network problem users: The Internet Novice

  With this first entry in a new series about network problem users, SearchNetworking.com looks at the Internet Novice. Though well-meaning, Internet novices can pose a significant threat to the corporate network. Education and smart policies can ...Continue Reading

• Choosing customer MPLS VPN routing protocols

  Providing customers with MPLS VPNs puts the issue of which IP protocols to use in the network front and center. Telecom service providers prefer BGP, but enterprise customers often prefer other options. This expert article looks at a range of ...Continue Reading

• The effects of SOA and mashups on the WAN

  Service-oriented architecture (SOA) and application mashups offer enterprises the flexibility and efficiency they need, but they can have unforeseen effects on the network. Learn about the application performance and traffic issues that SOA and ...Continue Reading

• Deploying efficient WAN application management

  WAN-based enterprise applications require a detailed roadmap to create a solid backbone for efficient business operations. And companies go to great lengths to lay out such a roadmap. Yet despite good intentions and, more importantly, well-conceived...Continue Reading

• Where can I find Puneet Mehta's most recent network security advice?

  To view network security expert Puneet Mehta's latest advice, see his Public Profile on the IT Knowledge Exchange: https://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/profile/Puneet/Continue Reading

• Network transformation "how to" tops global operators' lists

  The services side of telecom network transformation is of high concern to global service providers as they try to reconcile short-term consumer-services revenue opportunities with longer-term network-planning cycle opportunities and design next-gen ...Continue Reading

• Configure network monitoring for optimal performance

  Networking monitoring systems can use a lot of bandwidth to accomplish their task of monitoring the network. The more devices you monitor and the more up-to-date you want that monitoring to be, the more bandwidth your monitoring system will eat away...Continue Reading

• How the NetFlow protocol monitors your WAN

  Learn how the NetFlow protocol, developed by Cisco and recently opened as an IETF standard, can monitor your WAN traffic and perform a number of other network monitoring tasks.Continue Reading

• Is the A+ certification a CCNA exam prerequisite?

  Cisco certification expert David Minutella explains whether or not CompTIA A+ certification is necessary to tackling the CCNA exam.Continue Reading

• A new vision for telecom network transformation

  To maintain revenue from transporting bits over their networks, telecom operators must adopt a new vision of transformation, plus a new model to monetize network investment. Think supermarket, with basic supplies and premium products, which means ...Continue Reading

• What wireless networking certifications are available?

  Our Cisco certification expert, David Minutella, lists the certifications available to networking professionals looking to specialize in wireless communications.Continue Reading

• How to monitor and manage your data center network

  A large part of designing and building a good data center network is making sure you can monitor and manage it effectively. This tip covers some issues that complicate managing data center networks and provides an overview of the monitoring options ...Continue Reading

• Building the network infrastructure in your data center

  The network architect must help contribute to an energy-efficient and cost-effective data center network design -- without sacrificing performance. This can be accomplished by choosing optimal networking equipment. This tip discusses some ...Continue Reading

• Power and cooling considerations for data center network design

  The network architect involved in data center design needs to be aware of issues that factor into networking the data center beyond the network itself. This tip will introduce physical facilities considerations of data center design, such as power ...Continue Reading

• Using NAT Traversal and IPsec Passthrough together

  NAT Traversal and IPsec Passthrough are two different solutions to tunneling encrypted packets through an NAT-ing device like a firewall. Learn to configure them without conflict.Continue Reading

• Redundant routers and network segmentation

  This tip investigates a routing configuration using a router for each switch -- or redundant router architecture -- on the WAN, and discusses a common failure scenario that is somewhat difficult to defend against: a segmented network.Continue Reading

• Redundancy on the WAN: Routers for backup circuits

  When improving redundancy with a backup WAN circuit between two sites, the network architect must decide whether there should be two routers, with one for each circuit, or whether both circuits should plug into the same router. In this tip, Tom ...Continue Reading

• Optimizing WAN bandwidth for the enterprise

  There are several alternatives available to help solve the bandwidth dilemma.Continue Reading

• Network challenges and considerations: Bandwidth utilization series

  Network challenges and final considerations are discussed in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.Continue Reading

• Understanding the network application environment

  Understanding the network application environment is critical to application performance management. In this tip, learn how application discovery and classification, network analysis, and business drivers affect your network application environment ...Continue Reading

• QoE benchmarks or diagnostics for application performance: What's the difference?

  The importance of managing (monitoring as well as actively managing) networked applications for QoE should be all but self evident. EMA data from 2007 (Figure 1) showed that a healthy 72% of respondents from a wide range of enterprises and service ...Continue Reading

• Denial of service and bottlenecks: Bandwidth utilization series

  Denial of service and bottlenecks on your network are explained in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.Continue Reading

• Modeling can be key to capacity planning

  Planning for the future of your network sometimes requires rigorous planning and modeling. In this tip, Ed Tittel shows how a free modeling tool just may come to your rescue.Continue Reading

• How much bandwidth is enough?

  Bandwidth is discussed in this tip on fact versus fiction and how it can affect network performance.Continue Reading

• Network planning: Bandwidth utilization

  Network planning is explained in this tip on bandwidth utilization.Continue Reading

• Configuring a VRF

  Doug Downer demonstrates how to configure a VPN Routing and Forwarding (VRF) in an instance where a service provider needs to keep Internet services separate for two different clients on shared devices.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting WAN performance issues

  Isolating the root cause of a WAN performance issue is critical, and having the right tools or managed services in place is imperative. Those tools can help determine whether the root cause of the problem lies in the application; the carrier network...Continue Reading

• IPsec VPN clients

  Here's a list of IPsec clients that run on many systems. See what they have to offer and what they are often missing.Continue Reading

• The VPN Expert: VPN client alternatives, part 2 -- PPTP

  Lisa Phifer discusses one widely available type of "free" client: those used in Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol VPNs.Continue Reading

• Advanced OpenVPN configuration

  This article deals with some features of advanced OpenVPN configuration like protecting clients through a firewall behind a tunnel, distributed compilation through VPN tunnels with distcc and authentication methods.Continue Reading

• Application performance management: Developing a strategy

  Application performance management is a critical task because application delivery can play a critical role in both revenue generation and corporate functionality. In this tip, learn how to develop a strategy for managing applications on your ...Continue Reading

• Disabling IPv6 in Windows Vista -- Pros and cons

  Windows Vista features a dual stack, running IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously. If your organization is still using only IPv4, there are IPv6 performance and security problems that can be countered by simply turning off IPv6. But there are also reasons ...Continue Reading

• What's in a packet?: Bandwidth utilization series

  Packet basics on your network are explained in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.Continue Reading

• Bandwidth: Calculate current and future requirements

  Increased bandwidth, and factors influencing the need for it, are considered in this tip. Network engineers will discover best practices for estimating current and future bandwidth needs.Continue Reading

• Bandwidth monitoring on the WAN

  Monitoring bandwidth on the WAN, as discussed in this tip, is one way network engineers can solve WAN performance issues.Continue Reading

• Bandwidth scam

  Throwing bandwidth at a network performance problem rarely solves anything. But why did we think it would? Networks and their related protocols are designed to support traffic. They are designed to tolerate congestion and work properly until they ...Continue Reading

• Bandwidth matters

  In a perfect world with perfect networks, bandwidth is really the only thing that matters. But obviously, the world isn't perfect. Discover why understanding bandwidth is essential to a happy network and happy network users.Continue Reading

• Broadband VPN bandwidth issues

  VPN bandwidth presents a serious challenge when the VPN is connected over broadband Internet connections. Vendors tout the ability to provide bandwidth controls and QoS, but you must consider that the traffic will be in the same queue as any other ...Continue Reading

• What salaries and jobs align with CCIE, CCNA, and CCNP certifications?

  The CCIE, CCNA, and CCNP Cisco certifications along with work experience are aligned to these job opportunities and salary ranges according to our training and Cisco certification expert, David Minutella.Continue Reading

• Using MPLS TE to avoid core network congestion

  Telecom service providers with high-bandwidth core networks inevitably face link congestion. To help you deal with router architecture proactively, IP expert Ivan Pepelnjak offers advice on reintroducing virtual circuits in the core IP network using...Continue Reading

• What's the best Cisco router to practice my CCNA and CCNP exams on?

  Our Cisco certification expert recommends the best router for practicing and learning your CCNA and CCNP exams, in this response.Continue Reading

• Managed services for branch office networks: New options

  Managing branch offices and the complex relationship that exists there among applications, networking, and management systems is becoming a bigger challenge every day for networking professionals. New services for branch locations are emerging in ...Continue Reading

• Alcatel-Lucent adds Carrier Ethernet services framework

  Taking Carrier Ethernet to the next level, Alcatel-Lucent's new portfolio includes a framework for advanced services designed to help providers deliver new applications that enable advanced services for residential, business and mobile networks.Continue Reading

• How does IPv6 benefit current and future applications?

  IPv6 benefits current and future applications on the network. Learn what impact and effects the Internet Protocol version 6 brings, from our IPv4/IPv6 expert.Continue Reading

• TM Forum presses for SOA adoption to retain ARPU

  With a focus on SOA, the TM Forum's 2009 agenda is encouraging the telecom industry to continue its business transformation projects and IT alignment in order to future-proof their operations systems with flexible, reusable components.Continue Reading

• What does node-local mean in IPv6 in terms of multicast scope?

  In terms of multicast scopes, learn what node-local means in this definition by our Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) expert, Silvia Hagen.Continue Reading

• Does IPv6 abandon TCP/IP fragmentation?

  Is TCP/IP fragmentation abandoned in IPv6? Our expert, Silvia Hagen, explains the packet routing process in this answer.Continue Reading

• How do you calculate ROI costs for an IPv6 implementation/migration?

  Calculating the return on investment (ROI) and the cost of your IPv6 network migration depends on the factors our expert describes in this response.Continue Reading

• Difference between circuit-switching and packet-switching in examples

  What is the difference between a circuit switching and packet switching? Our networking fundamentals expert gives examples of packet switching and circuit switching in this response.Continue Reading

• VLANs versus IP subnets: Why use a VLAN over IP subnetting?

  A virtual local area network (VLAN) is better than IP subnetting because its advantage is security. Learn what a VLAN is and how it differs from creating IP subnets, in this expert response from our networking fundamentals expert.Continue Reading

• Why are TCP/IP networks considered unsecured?

  Learn why TCP/IP networks are considered unsecured from our networking security expert, Michael Gregg.Continue Reading

• Can Network Address Translation work without static IP addresses?

  Find out how Network Address Translation (NAT) works with static and dynamic IP addresses and what the most common type of NAT is from our networking fundamentals expert.Continue Reading

• Virtualization to fundamentally change telecom networks

  Virtualization will be the new model for service provider network infrastructure, and if it is effective, carrier revenue will increase while capex and opex decrease. Juniper is leading the way with a new router virtualization switching fabric that ...Continue Reading

• How to link wired LANs using wireless network bridges and APs

  Our wireless networking expert aids an administrator deploy a WLAN in this response to the question "How can I link my wired LANs using ZyXEL's B-3000 access point (AP) and B-420 wireless bridges?"Continue Reading