Problem solve

Network Performance Management

• How to locate the lost IP address of an access point (AP)

  Find out how to find a missing IP address for an access point (AP) from network security expert Puneet Mehta. Continue Reading

• How to use IPv6 on an IPv4 backbone

  Learn how to use IPv6 on an IPv4 backbone without dual stacking in this expert response from Silvia Hagen. Continue Reading

• What are recent security developments for MIPv6?

  Learn about MIPv6 security and if it's safe for public Internet deployment in this expert response from Silvia Hagen. Continue Reading

• Will different wireless card link speeds cause network latency?

  Our wireless networking expert, Lisa Phifer, explains how to avoid network latency when wireless network cards with different maximum link speeds slow down your WLAN. Continue Reading

• Compliance in a virtualized world: Server virtualization and NAC security

  Network security, especially NAC, is the Achilles' heel of server virtualization. With virtual servers moving around the data center, traditional access control is difficult to apply. This can be particularly challenging when organizations need to ... Continue Reading

• What makes a WAN different from a LAN and MAN?

  Learn the basics of networking in this expert explanation of the differences between WANs, LANs and MANs -- how they connect and which protocols they use.Continue Reading

• Building revenue-increasing telecom services for the future

  Telecom service providers are facing a decline of 50% or more in the revenue they make per bit, which means they have to unlock the value of the network using IMS and SOA to expand into new and profitable services.Continue Reading

• How do I increase network signal strength over a large distance?

  Learn how to establish a wireless network over a large area by incorporating access points or antennas in this expert response from Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• What HIPPA-compliant software would you recommend for online medicine?

  Learn about HIPPA compliant telemedicine software in this response from a network security expert.Continue Reading

• Wireless 3G and 4G data standards: Central to business customers

  Wireless data standards make a difference when enterprises decide which operator should carry their business applications, Nemertes research shows.Continue Reading

• Virtual machines present dynamic environment issues for network pros

  Virtual machines (VMs) routinely move between servers and can move across subnets, and virtualization blurs the line between the network and the server. These dynamic environment issues can challenge network professionals. In this tip, learn more ...Continue Reading

• Carrier Ethernet, metro optical lead telecom industry trends

  Carrier Ethernet led the telecom trends at the telecommunications industry's largest trade show, crowding this market with more vendors, according to IDC analyst Eve Griliches.Continue Reading

• Bandwidth calculations for wireless networks supporting VoIP

  When designing a wireless enterprise network supporting VoIP, learn how to calculate bandwidth amounts per user and the number of calls a single AP can support simultaneously. This expert response also features multiple VoIP call bandwidth ...Continue Reading

• Network architecture and capacity planning for server virtualization

  Learn about the network architecture and capacity planning issues that must be considered when you implement server virtualization.Continue Reading

• Limit network energy consumption with computer cooling technologies

  The more heat generated by a piece of equipment, the more electricity is being wasted. For many networks, as in the data center, reducing the amount of heat generated, and therefore the amount of electricity wasted, can lead to significant monetary ...Continue Reading

• Optical networking market reaches $14 billion

  The global optical networking market is continuing solid growth in 2008, with metro WDM showing the strongest demand.Continue Reading

• How much harder is the CCNA from the Network+ exam?

  Learn the differences between the CCNA and Network+ exams as well as the different certification options available from Cisco certification expert David Minutella.Continue Reading

• What is a logical network? How do you improve one?

  Learn what logical and physical networks are and how to improve them, in this expert response with networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis.Continue Reading

• PBT: Where we are today?

  PBT has been hyped as the miracle protocol that could enable Carrier Ethernet to take the place of MPLS, but the likely outcome isn't a choice between one or the other.Continue Reading

• Redback Carrier Ethernet switch launches vendor into hot telecom market

  Redback Networks is entering the Carrier Ethernet market with a new metro-area switch designed to help service providers with mobile backhaul and high-quality video delivery.Continue Reading

• Securing the new network architecture: Security for distributed, dynamic networks

  In years past, companies relied on network edge security to establish a perimeter separating trusted insiders from everyone else. However, the distributed and dynamic nature of modern networks, combined with targeted threats against applications and...Continue Reading

• Telecom network security requires constant vigilance

  Telecom service providers face only increasing security threats as they converge services onto IP networks, and from VoIP to DOS, you need to be vigilant about precautions.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting IP Routing -- 'CCNA Official Exam Certification Library, 3rd Edition,' Chapter 7

  This chapter from 'CCNA Official Exam Certification Library, 3rd Edition' focuses on troubleshooting the IP routing process. To that end, it begins with a section about two important troubleshooting tools: ping and traceroute. Following that, the ...Continue Reading

• Understanding remote scripting -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, part 9

  It's all well and good to jump in and try things -- such as managing Windows networks using scripts -- but sometimes we hit a wall when we do this. Learning the fundamentals can often help us avoid the wall. In this tip from his series on managing ...Continue Reading

• Network mapping in Vista for Windows XP

  Windows Vista's network mapping feature is a handy way to detect devices on your network and create a network diagram based on that information, but doesn't work well with domain networks or computers running older versions of Windows. Learn how to ...Continue Reading

• Buying your own WAPs vs. Internet service provider's wireless routers

  Should you buy a wireless router from your Internet service provider or buy our own WAPs? Our wireless networking expert gives a case for each in this response.Continue Reading

• Managing protocol layers in carrier infrastructure

  Increasing network layer functions requires careful planning to manage the growing interdependence and complexity of network protocols and avoid overlap problems.Continue Reading

• MPLS and Carrier Ethernet: Playing together to ensure quality of service

  MPLS and Carrier Ethernet are often discussed as warring technologies, but deployed in the right places in the network with the proper protocols, they work together to ensure the right next-gen application delivery.Continue Reading

• Are my Cisco certification course books too outdated to use?

  If your Cisco certification course books are nine years old are they too outdated? Our Cisco certification expert explains their relevance to the exams and advises why they might be good to keep.Continue Reading

• What is 802.11n Greenfield mode used for?

  Understand what 802.11n high throughput (HT) mode, or Greenfield mode, is in this explanation from our wireless networking expert.Continue Reading

• How to set passwords on folders in Windows 2003 servers

  Learn how to configure file and folder security on a Windows 2003 server in this expert advice from Puneet Mehta, our network security expert.Continue Reading

• To simulate voice over IPSec VPNs which simulators work?

  Learn which simulators you can use to simulate voice over IPSec VPNs in this advice from our network security expert.Continue Reading

• Does each routing protocol have a different routing table?

  Learn from our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, whether different routing protocols such as RIP and IGRP have different routing tables or number of columns for specifying information related to it.Continue Reading

• What are the best methods for handling rogue access points?

  Our network security expert, Michael Gregg, explains how to enforce network policy and handle rogue access points (APs) in this expert response.Continue Reading

• How to configure ISDN and backup leases on routers

  Routing expert Sudhanshu Gupta explains how to configure ISDN and backup leases on routers in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• How can I configure 10 VLANs with 5 unmanaged switches?

  Given a Cisco Layer 3 (L3) switch and 5 unmanaged switches, learn how to create 10 VLANs from our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta.Continue Reading

• How to route L3 switches for a serial LAN design

  Learn from our routing and switching expert how to configure a Layer 3 switch in a serial LAN design to route from the interface to the last machine, in this Ask the Expert Q&A.Continue Reading

• Deploying next-gen applications beyond video

  Every legacy telecom service will need a next-generation successor. Video consumes a lot of bandwidth, but "fat bit" services like unified communications will help maintain revenue.Continue Reading

• What is broadcasting and which switch will fix timed-out requests?

  Broadcasting is defined by our routing and switching expert as he explains which network switch resolves time-out requests, in this response.Continue Reading

• Network planning, monitoring and management using modeling

  Networked services have become the most popular architecture for delivering enterprise services today. New demands placed on the network are forcing a change to traditional network planning, monitoring and management techniques. Network modeling or ...Continue Reading

• Defining IPTV to clarify your video planning

  IPTV has become a catch-all for TV and video content delivered by a service provider, even though IP isn't always used. A clear definition will help plan bandwidth use.Continue Reading

• Configure WAN interfaces on a Layer 3 switch

  Is it possible to configure WAN protocols on Layer 3 (L3) switches? Learn about L3 switching and how it reacts in a WAN environment in this tip by expert Puneet Mehta and Dr. David Hughes.Continue Reading

• How can I finish Cisco's CCIE security certification in time?

  Under deadline to get a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) security certification? Use this advice from our expert to help you pass your exam in time.Continue Reading

• What are three vital pieces of criteria used to evaluate a network?

  Learn what to look for when evaluating a network, including common problems with architecture.Continue Reading

• Keeping it green: Design principles for efficient network architectures

  Green networking often equates to making networks more efficient. Efficient network design combines improvements in consumption and consolidation to achieve increased manageability and lower lifecycle cost. In this tip, learn more about the ...Continue Reading

• Is my firewall setting preventing wireless network guest access?

  In a wireless guest network, find out why some vendors can connect without authentication while others cannot get an IP in this ask the expert response.Continue Reading

• How green is my network? -- A look at the cost-savings benefit of green IT

  The trend of green networking is an offshoot of the growing emphasis on greening, or decreasing the negative impact to the environment of just about everything -- including data centers and IT in general. Richard Ptak has written about green IT for ...Continue Reading

• How to configure Windows Server 2008 advanced firewall MMC snap-in

  Find out new features of the Windows Server 2008 Advanced Firewall -- and how to configure this powerful host-based firewall using the new MMC snap-in -- in this tip.Continue Reading

• Carrier Ethernet planning: Two distinct dimensions

  Carrier Ethernet was originally viewed as a SONET replacement or an enterprise alternative to a T3, but the growth of consumer broadband is changing the equation and may drive metro adoption faster, if service quality can be managed.Continue Reading

• IP address configuration to connect Layer 3 switches to ports

  Our routing and switching expert explains the IP address configuration needed to connect a Layer 3 (L3) switch to a port, in this response.Continue Reading

• How do I configure two leased lines in one router?

  Our routing and switching expert explains how to configure two leased lines in one router, in this Ask the Expert answer.Continue Reading

• IEEE P802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet: Small network power savings add up

  Much energy is wasted while the network is idle. The IEEE P802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet project aims to deliver major energy savings by combining many small network power savings, both economically and environmentally beneficial.Continue Reading

• How to retrieve passwords from locked laptops

  How can I retrieve passwords from locked laptops? Our networking fundamentals expert answers this question.Continue Reading

• How to interpret test scan results to assess network vulnerability

  Once you've run some test scans with a network tool, how do you interpret the results to assess network vulnerability? Find out in this Ask the Expert response with our enterprise network security expert.Continue Reading

• What commands allow network traffic to pass through PIX firewalls?

  The PIX firewall can secure networks but you need to allow access to the right people. Learn which commands get network traffic flowing, from security expert Puneet Mehta.Continue Reading

• What's the Ethernet packet collision rate in Windows OS?

  Is there a way to know the Ethernet packet collision count/rate in a Windows OS? Find out in this answer from our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis.Continue Reading

• PON evolution presents provider planning choices

  Fiber-to-the-home GPON deployments may seem like the answer for consumer broadband deployments to support high-capacity bandwidth, but economics dictate it's not always the right choice for providers.Continue Reading

• For an SMB firewall, what features should I look at?

  Which features should you look at when choosing a SMB firewall? Find out in this expert response with our network security expert.Continue Reading

• Governance, compliance, security: How are these network problems?

  Issues of governance, compliance and security are becoming the responsibility of network operations staff because increasingly complex, componentized services are carried on the network. Network staff must cooperate with other teams to ensure good ...Continue Reading

• Network pros spend months on troubleshooting

  Most organizations say their networking professionals spend more than two months per year troubleshooting network problems.Continue Reading

• Recovering domain controllers after a server disk failure

  When recovering domain controllers after a system volume failure, it is important to remember that each domain controller in the domain shares a replicated copy of the Active Directory database. When you restore a backup of a domain controller, ...Continue Reading

• MPLS solutions: Gathering customer requirements is job 1

  Telecom service providers need to focus in on customer requirements when planning MPLS implementations to successfully decrease point-to-point connections.Continue Reading

• Application delivery controllers: Moving toward the application-centric network

  The network is becoming more application centric. The data center has continued to evolve and so have the requirements placed on the network. The network must be able to route application traffic based on the information within the URL or even ...Continue Reading

• Network modernization in an optically dominated era

  Network planning and design needs to factor in changes in optical technology as a driver to equipment change, as well as changes in optical technology that facilitate new applications and traffic.Continue Reading

• Server virtualization and the network: Site consolidation's impact on latency

  Server virtualization is nearly synonymous with site consolidation -- bringing concerns about whether performance and throughput will suffer over the WAN as application servers' physical locations change.Continue Reading

• Can you create a persistent wireless connection to a wired LAN?

  Can you create a persistent wireless connection to a wired LAN? Find out from our wireless networking expert, Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• Why are IPv6's IP addresses in hexadecimal formatting?

  Why would IPv6 use hexadecimal formatting if it's so user unfriendly, and what sort of workarounds are there to make IP addressing easier? Find out in this expert answer.Continue Reading

• Wireless troubleshooting: AP not reestablishing association after loss of connectivity

  Learn how to troubleshoot your wireless connectivity with our expert, Lisa Phifer. She explains why connectivity is reachable in a mobile cabin and why the AP can't reestablish association after loss of connectivity, in this expert response.Continue Reading

• What can we expect in an 802.11n Wireless LAN standard implementation?

  At what stage is 802.11n implementation in, and what changes can we expect to see with it? Learn about the standard from wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• Should I CCIE certify or get voice/security Cisco certifications?

  Is it better to complete an expert Cisco certification, like CCIE, or to focus on hot tracks like security or voice? Our expert responds here.Continue Reading

• Understanding VLAN implementation and IP address assignment

  Learn how to create and configure a VLAN in this response from a network administration expertContinue Reading

• E-mail security protocols add service provider requirements

  Two recently developed protocols were designed to protect service providers and their customers from e-mail fraud attempts by verifying the identity of the sender.Continue Reading

• Recovering from a server disk failure: The shortcomings of NTBCKUP

  Recovering a server from a system volume failure can still be tricky, even if you have a backup. In this tip, learn how to recover a Windows Server 2003 with a full system state backup from a server disk failure, and read about some shortcomings of...Continue Reading

• Wireless security protocols -- How WPA and WPA2 work

  WPA and WPA2 improve upon WEP's encryption methods for better 802.11 wireless security. WPA was carefully designed so that hardware upgrades would not be needed. The processing power of many early access points (APs) was quite limited. The RC4 ...Continue Reading

• Upgrade your network: Network evolution and roadmap

  Network infrastructure upgrades are essential to provide availability, reliability and security when you run voice and video on your data network. This tip provides an overview of trends currently affecting the network and the key infrastructure ...Continue Reading

• What should I know before implementing a packet sniffer?

  Before implementing a packet sniffer learn what you need to know before putting one into your network and where it should go.Continue Reading

• To practice for my CCNP, what's the best simulator?

  What should you use to practice on for your CCNP exam? Find out the best simulator from our Cisco certifications expert.Continue Reading

• Wireless security -- How WEP encryption works

  Inadequate wireless security can jeopardize critical company information. Encryption is an important part of wireless security -- but how does it work? In this tip, first in a two-part series on 802.11 wireless security protocols, learn how WEP or ...Continue Reading

• Selling the CIO on the service provider as business continuity partner

  Service providers are well positioned as IT backup organizations for enterprises, offering business continuity and disaster recovery in the case of outages and failures.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting remote scripting using Network Monitor 3.0 -- Managing Windows networks using script

  Learn how to use Network Monitor 3.0 for troubleshooting a remote scripting error in this tip originally published on WindowsNetworking.com.Continue Reading

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) prerequisites and average earnings

  Our Cisco certification expert, David Minutella, explains what the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) requires of you and what the average earnings are, in this Ask the Expert response.Continue Reading

• Improving BGP services and security

  Design your MPLS/BGP network to protect yourself from malicious attacks and customer and peer errors, while you make it more resilient and easier to maintain.Continue Reading

• Does WAN optimization work when compression's enabled on host devices?

  Will WAN optimization work when compression is enabled on host devices? Our expert explains how WAN optimization can be combined to deliver significant performance improvements on pre-compressed traffic in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Can 802.11 protocols be used with GPRS connectivity?

  Can 802.11 protocols be used with GPRS connectivity? Find out from our wireless networking expert, Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• Next generation wireless local area networks'(WLANs) important features

  What are the most important features to look for in a next generation wireless local area network (WLAN)? Lisa Phifer explains in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Short-circuiting hackers' SIP-based VoIP attacks

  Hacker attacks against SIP-based VoIP may have been rare so far, but as VoIP use grows, service providers need to be ready to secure their voice networks as they route traffic without using the public switched telephone network.Continue Reading

• Deploying Microsoft Live Communications Server in a production environment: Prepare your network for

  Microsoft Live Communications Server is just one approach to unified communications (UC), but as with any UC deployment, you must be prepared for the demands it will place on your network. In this tip, learn how to prepare your production network ...Continue Reading

• What is NAT, and how do I know if it's taking place on my network?

  In this Q&A, our expert explains the basics of NAT (Network Address Translation), where it occurs, and what it does.Continue Reading

• Scale your backbone with core MPLS, BGP on the edge

  Using MPLS in the core network, service providers can run Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) only on the network edge to reduce memory requirements and CPU load, without compromising stability.Continue Reading

• Will WPA2-PSK keep wireless networks safe from war drivers?

  Will WPA2-PSK keep wireless networks safe from war drivers? Find out from network security expert Michael Gregg.Continue Reading

• How to train intrusion detection systems (IDS)

  Learn how to train your intrusion detection systems (IDS) from network security expert Michael Gregg.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting the Remote Desktop feature for Windows

  Remote Desktop is a Windows feature that allows you to connect to your computer remotely by using the RDP protocol, but it can sometimes be difficult to establish a Remote Desktop session. Learn troubleshooting techniques and workarounds for ...Continue Reading

• What are a TV tower's effects on your network?

  How will being next to a TV station tower affect your network? Find out in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Server virtualization basics for network pros

  Server virtualization isn't just a data center technology. It can also benefit your network by helping to reduce costs and simplify configuration and management issues -- but you need to know where it makes sense before you deploy.Continue Reading

• Differences between Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and bridging

  Learn the difference between Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and bridging between two NIC cards from networking fundamentals expert Chris Partsenidis.Continue Reading

• How to debug poor WLAN performance

  Find out what the most important causes of poor WLAN performance are in this expert response with our wireless networking guru, Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• How to know if you're connecting to fake or real access points (APs)

  With a wireless LAN hotspot, how do you know if you're connecting to a fake or real access point? Find out in this expert response with Lisa Phifer.Continue Reading

• Designing large-scale BGP networks

  If you're running a large-scale IP network, you're going to need Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), but not for a fast-converging protocol to implement modern IP-based services. You need to know where and how to deploy BGP, and when to bring in help.Continue Reading

• Selling the unified communications convergence story

  Telecom service providers are well positioned to sell unified communications and its various components to a variety of business customers, but providers need to stress the value of their networks, capabilities and partners to make the sale.Continue Reading

• Is time-to-live (TTL) thrown out in IPv6?

  Why is there time-to-live (TTL) in IPv4 but not in IPv6? Find out in this expert response.Continue Reading