Opinion

Opinion

• How free Wi-Fi hotspots help in emergency response situations

  Emergency and disaster response require teamwork among businesses, governments and community groups. In these times, free Wi-Fi hotspots help people feel connected.  Continue Reading

• 5 enterprise wireless industry trends to track in 2020

  Yes, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will continue to grab headlines. But other ongoing wireless industry trends include problematic devices and heavy-handed licensing by vendors.  Continue Reading

• The top 5 predictions for networking technology trends in 2020

  In the new year, will networking have 20/20 vision? The success of some enterprise networking trends will be clear, while others have a blurry outlook.  Continue Reading

• The evolution of SDN and its role in networking

  Has SDN run its course, or has the architecture simply evolved? In many current products, data centers and cloud environments, SDN may be closer than you think.  Continue Reading

• Why networking certifications no longer matter

  Networking certifications have consistently been an important milestone for network professionals. But diverse network infrastructure, automation and UI upgrades could change that.  Continue Reading

• Skip the wireless site survey cost and invest in more wireless APs

  A wireless site survey simply provides a one-time snapshot of a work environment's wireless coverage. But Wi-Fi requires ongoing management based on several changing variables.  Continue Reading

• Wireless site surveys and why you no longer need them

  Wireless site surveys have always been part of a WLAN installation, but today that no longer should be the case. Capacity, not coverage, is more important.  Continue Reading

• The switch to 400 GbE may be closer than you think

  Several dynamics are driving the need for 400 GbE infrastructures, including the increase in server density, private cloud applications and network edge data.  Continue Reading

• AI in networking presents opportunities for service providers

  Network installers and managed service providers can reap key benefits with AI in networking, including better productivity, staff management and customer response.  Continue Reading

• 5G, cloud embolden network outsourcing and ultimate virtualization

  Could the cloud, 5G, small cell technology, BYOD and carrier-provisioned networks completely virtualize network infrastructure? Well, maybe not today.  Continue Reading

• 6 emerging trends in wireless networking technology for 2019

  In 2019, expect to see some interesting trends in wireless networking technology, including a surge in millimeter waves, the budding potential for end-to-end network analytics and, of course, the ongoing development of 5G services.  Continue Reading

• The top 9 trends in network technology for 2019

  In the new year, expect SDN and SD-WAN to come back down to earth. Meanwhile, multi-cloud, edge computing and intent-based networking will ramp up. Plus, data centers are not dead.  Continue Reading

• Access networking layer ready for software-defined reboot

  After years of stagnation, the access-layer network is in need of a makeover. Implementing software-defined configurations is perhaps a good place to start.  Continue Reading

• 4G LTE or 5G could be your branch office backup internet connection

  As of May, Citrix has entered this space, too.  Continue Reading

• Too many tools hobble network management design

  'Measure twice, cut once' doesn't work for network management. It's time for the industry to consider a new way to coordinate network management design tools.  Continue Reading

• Market for network performance tools enters vendor consolidation phase

  Recent acquisitions of network performance monitoring and diagnostic tool vendors signal market consolidation.  Continue Reading

• What's VMware's goal with its Virtual Cloud Network release?

  Attendees saw a noteworthy turnabout at VMworld 2018. With its Virtual Cloud Network announcement, VMware signaled its new vision of cloud, and the network is the center of its strategy.  Continue Reading

• Nyansa's Voyance uses machine learning to improve Wi-Fi troubleshooting

  Wi-Fi woes trip up company business, but a tool that uses machine learning can help. Read this review that covers one company's experience with Nyansa's Voyance tool.  Continue Reading

• How Cisco's Viptela buy affects branch routers, IT customers

  Zeus Kerravala says Cisco's ISR isn't going anywhere and discusses what its use of Viptela's software-defined WAN means for the IT giant's future, its product line and its customers.  Continue Reading

• Social concept points to an SDN model with two control planes

  It might not seem like control planes and SDN models have a lot in common with a social concept, but together, they could highlight how business intent and operations inform network design.  Continue Reading

• New details released on Huawei's intent-based network

  ZK Research offers details on Huawei's new Intent-Driven Network and what its hardware and the software can do to smooth network glitches and even raise security.  Continue Reading

• Should IT share data analysis from network management consoles?

  By making data analysis available from a network management console, IT groups could offer their lines of business better insights into end-user productivity.  Continue Reading

• Cato Networks adds 'identity awareness' to SD-WAN as a service

  Cato Networks SD-WAN as a service was updated this week with identity-aware routing. The vendor claims identity awareness can simplify network operations and better meet business goals.  Continue Reading

• Vendors vie for a piece of the SD-WAN market share pie

  The SD-WAN vendor market is showing some signs of consolidation. But it will remain volatile in the near term, and that should prove beneficial to customers.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud strategies should be reimagined as multi-cloud

  The tech industry needs to change the way it defines hybrid cloud. A multi-cloud environment is often a more accurate description and worthwhile goal.  Continue Reading

• MU-MIMO technology boosts system capacity for WLANs

  MU-MIMO technology might not be magic, but it upgrades WLAN performance and system capacity so well that some network engineers might call it magical.  Continue Reading

• Transforming a legacy network through digital transformation

  In a recent keynote speech, GE's CTO Chris Drumgoole outlines the transformation of a corporate giant's network from traditional and sluggish to limber and cloud-enhanced.  Continue Reading

• Challenges of blockchain muddle understanding of the technology

  There is a lot of hype about blockchain and how it might be used within networking operations. But just understanding the technology and what it actually does might be among the biggest challenges of blockchain.  Continue Reading

• Software-based networks lay foundation of networking's future

  Software-based networks are evolving, reshaping how companies do business and blending into legacy networking. Enterprises will have to sort out which approaches work best.  Continue Reading

• The growing ties between networking roles and automation

  Network automation is here, bringing with it new demands for network professionals. But these changes should go beyond shifting networking roles, responsibilities and skills.  Continue Reading

• Network data analytics must work alongside human ingenuity

  Network data analytics offer a key tool in the arsenal of monitoring and understanding network behavior. But network professionals can't forget another crucial element -- themselves.  Continue Reading

• SDN marketplace sows confusion on network infrastructure upgrades

  The ever-evolving SDN marketplace continues to confuse IT departments as they determine what steps they should take with their network infrastructure upgrades.  Continue Reading

• Millimeter wave spectrum has key role in 802.11ay wireless

  IEEE 802.11ay Wi-Fi is getting closer to final ratification. The new standard relies on millimeter wave spectrum to deliver stronger and more robust services.  Continue Reading

• Consider the Ethernet option for primary SD-WAN connectivity

  SD-WAN connectivity offers the ability to use a variety of links. While most enterprises opt to use cable or DSL as the primary link, Ethernet could be the better option.  Continue Reading

• Wide area Ethernet can fuel digital network transformation

  Wide area Ethernet might be just what the doctor ordered to help enterprises propel their digital network transformation efforts.  Continue Reading

• The sky's the limit with 5G wireless communication

  As the reality of 5G wireless communications builds, enterprises are looking toward new ways of doing business with higher speed and increased capacity.  Continue Reading

• The future of networking technology is playing out right now

  To prepare for the future of networking technology, IT managers must understand evolving concepts like hyper-convergence, SD-WAN and intent-based networking.  Continue Reading

• Aligning IT with business still a struggle for enterprises

  The idea of aligning IT with business needs has been around as long as tech itself. But enterprises still struggle with siloed hardware, security and cloud applications.  Continue Reading

• Cloud-based networking becomes a reality

  Cloud-based networking trends continue to push enterprises toward software-defined technologies and virtualization, while skill sets and networking education shift.  Continue Reading

• Users want hybrid cloud networking to be simple

  As more services move to the cloud and become more mobile, if the network is invisible and performs well, IT pros are doing their jobs in users' eyes.  Continue Reading

• Local area network design gets boost from SDN

  Network pros improve LAN design, especially in automating policies, with software-defined network functions, or 'SDN-lite,' even if true full-featured SDN is still out of reach.  Continue Reading

• The API economy goals should include more collaboration

  IT pros addressing business needs in the API economy must be sure they're collaborating with the right teams and building technology that attracts developers.  Continue Reading

• Adopting virtualized IT is about building decision support

  Why do companies adopt big data, cloud and other forms of virtualized IT? They do it to support a growing decision support model.  Continue Reading

• Checklist to upgrade your network's performance

  Need to upgrade your network's performance? This checklist includes more than just security and improved throughput.  Continue Reading

• New network visibility tools create legacy and clarity issues

  Clarity is crucial to all enterprises. As networks undergo technology shifts, managers are finding new network visibility tools to gain a clear look across the organization.  Continue Reading

• Intent-based networking is focus of Cisco network analysis tools

  As intent-based networking emerges, network managers have good reason to embrace the changes as manual tasks are automated and new network analysis tools hit the market.  Continue Reading

• F5 targets application consistency for enterprise multi-cloud strategy

  With a multi-cloud strategy growing within enterprises, F5 cloud efforts focus in on application services delivery for more than 80% planning to deploy multiple cloud architectures.  Continue Reading

• Versa's SD-Branch could create simplified 'thin branch' management

  Networking expert Zeus Kerravala weighs in on Versa Networks' SD-WAN extension, SD-Branch, which could simplify branch management while creating a thin branch.  Continue Reading

• What is the future of networking for enterprises?

  What will be the future of networking at enterprises and organizations operating in 2025?  Continue Reading

• A10's Harmony brings app delivery services to a multicloud deployment

  As use of cloud services explodes, A10 Networks is working to add application delivery services to the multicloud deployment process.  Continue Reading

• Software-based networks ease staff manual labor, increase efficiency

  Find out how three enterprises are experiencing the benefits of software-based networks as their staffs are freed up from manually tweaking network components.  Continue Reading

• Managing wireless networks: How to address the key challenges

  One challenge in managing wireless networks is that the tools and tech are changing rapidly. Here’s what network pros need to know now.  Continue Reading

• Vive la revolution! New wide area network technologies usher in change

  In today's wide area network, emerging technologies disrupt the status quo ... and that's a good thing. Enterprises now have more options than ever when it comes to WAN design.  Continue Reading

• Market trends will push Cisco to make an open NOS

  Cisco remains committed to selling a network operating system tightly integrated with hardware. But market trends will likely force the vendor to release an open NOS soon.  Continue Reading

• Cloud visibility goal of Ixia CloudLens software update

  Ixia takes aim at cloud visibility with its new CloudLens Public for tracking cloud performance.  Continue Reading

• When network failure hits today's enterprise, costs pile up fast

  When a network failure hits, everybody loses -- money, time and face. In the latest edition of 'Network Evolution,' we explore how to keep that from happening.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• With NBASE-T Ethernet switches, repurpose the cabling you already have

  As the demand for bandwidth continues to mushroom, new NBASE-T Ethernet switches help network managers get higher data speeds out of their existing cables.  Continue Reading

• 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.  Continue Reading

• Four infrastructure technologies to watch in 2017

  Enterprises have a lot to consider when evaluating the infrastructure technologies to deploy in the next 12 months. Which ones will make the grade?  Continue Reading

• Cloud-native networking gains fans in the enterprise

  Cloudy with a chance of networking: Forecast calls for increasing cooperation between enterprise clouds and networks, as IT pros explore how to meet new infrastructure challenges.  Continue Reading

• High-speed DCI technologies critical in age of cloud, big data

  High-speed data center interconnect can help network managers handle the data explosion, preventing east-west traffic jams in the era of cloud and hyper-converged infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Amidst complex infrastructures, network visualization is needed

  Today's networks are increasingly complex. An overhaul in network visualization is needed to help parse and diagnose modern networks.  Continue Reading

• Get thee to a conference: Hybrid network training a must for admins

  Network admins need hybrid network training to do their jobs more effectively, because today's hybrid IT reality means working with on-premises and cloud-based networks.  Continue Reading

• Automation key element in network monitoring best practices

  The fundamentals underpinning network monitoring might be simple, but it doesn't mean keeping tabs on your network is easy. What can you do to improve your monitoring tool framework?  Continue Reading

• LAN SDN management looks to the cloud and causes LAN ghost towns

  Future campus LAN SDN management will be needed to deal with LAN applications that have migrated to the cloud, creating on-premises network ghost towns.  Continue Reading

• Infinite options tempt, but cutting proprietary management even better

  Are the bad old days of control interface proliferation back again? Patrick Hubbard says it's time for network administrators to put their foot down.  Continue Reading

• Big data: With new network analytics tools, forget analysis paralysis

  Next-generation ITOA platforms turn big data into action. These network analytics tools of tomorrow sniff out issues before they become problems for users, and even automate fixes.  Continue Reading

• CCIE exams: Still worth it?

  Jedadiah Casey had been studying for the CCIE exams for months when he found himself asking whether the certification is even relevant in the SDN era. His answer: Absolutely.  Continue Reading

• IT pros need to raise security umbrella as devices proliferate

  As more connected gadgets and devices find their way into corporate networks, it's up to IT managers to ensure the network remains secure. What steps should you take?  Continue Reading

• The need for network end-to-end visibility in hybrid IT

  Understanding your network is critical, and end-to-end visibility is the key to accessing the full potential of hybrid IT.  Continue Reading

• High-speed wireless access: Fact or fiction?

  High-speed wireless access is all the rage, but one user cautions against buying into the 802.11ac hype. Yes, it's progress, but not as much as you might think.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting network issues in an era of reduced visibility

  As networks become more complex, fundamental monitoring tools are losing their currency. But it's still possible to retain visibility and keep users happy.  Continue Reading

• Making your business driver and technology coexist

  You may cringe when you hear the term 'business driver,' but understanding the technology component within that jargon will make your job easier.  Continue Reading

• High-speed networks to get boost from SDN, inverse virtualization

  To advance adoption, SDN has to meet high-speed networking demands. One solution may be the emerging concept of inverse virtualization for traffic processing.  Continue Reading

• Role of hardware in networking remains critical

  Will hardware in networking soon be "gone, but not forgotten"? Not a chance. Even in the era of software-defined everything, physical gear still matters.  Continue Reading

• Physical network infrastructure to decrease in SDN virtual evolution

  Ethernet switches, Wi-Fi APs and routers may be the only physical network infrastructure you need in a virtual-, SDN- and cloud-based future, according to networking expert Craig Mathias.  Continue Reading

• Wireless management in the cloud heralds transformation

  Placing wireless management in the cloud is gaining traction among enterprises as companies examine more efficient ways to oversee their networks. It's part of a shift that's affecting network infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing big data in the cloud to boost business

  Google's GCP Next event highlights the growing trend of analyzing big data in the cloud to boost business.  Continue Reading

• Tapping into old skills in the face of networking evolution

  Even outdated learning and skills, when adapted properly, can be important and useful for engineers adjusting to today's networking evolution.  Continue Reading

• Internet of Things use cases that do more than lock doors

  The Internet of Things isn't only about locking doors. It's also about having a network that knows who to let in and who to keep out, without any human intervention.  Continue Reading

• How Cisco's fog computing approach may fuel IoT

  The Internet of Things is led by Amazon, Azure and HTTP-tuned networks. But where does fog computing fit into the picture? Learn how Cisco's fog computing approach may fuel IoT.  Continue Reading

• Is an MPLS connection your security blanket?

  SD-WAN means you're not just limited to an MPLS connection at every site anymore. The flexibility and cost savings of combining MPLS with Internet is great, but is it secure?  Continue Reading

• Get hands-on with the Open Network Operating System

  It's time to dive in with ONOS. Network pro Patrick Hubbard shares his recent experiences testing the open SDN operating system, and how you can try it, too.  Continue Reading

• You never know where you'll find a network deployment

  A network deployment can be a good reminder that IT isn’t always a desk job. Network engineers often go into cramped, dirty or unsafe places to install equipment.  Continue Reading

• EMC-Dell merger good for open SDN?

  The EMC-Dell merger has plenty of people wondering what will become of VMware NSX. But could the deal, counterintuitively, actually be good for open SDN?  Continue Reading

• Starbucks is increasingly a free wireless ISP

  Brands are increasingly defined by their networks. Starbucks leads the way in becoming a retail -- and free -- wireless ISP.  Continue Reading

• What does 'open network' really mean today?

  One of the Open Networking User Group's most important conclusions of 2015: "Open networking" now means user choice, not a particular protocol or open source project.  Continue Reading

• Network configuration management tools could pave the way to SDN

  Could network configuration management tools be IT administrators' best way to prepare for SDN? One observer says "yes."  Continue Reading

• Mobile device usage solves one problem, creates another

  The ubiquity of mobile devices has made it easy to find and contact anyone, anywhere. But it's also creating headaches for many enterprise network engineers.  Continue Reading

• Opportunity for SDN deployments in developing IT economies

  The relatively young IT systems found in developing economies could prove the perfect stage for SDN growth, with major opportunities for forward-thinking network engineers.  Continue Reading

• Advent of IoT cloud services to fuel embrace of HTTP

  The evolution of IoT means the birth of IoT cloud services, and that means IT administrators will have to view their networks in new ways.  Continue Reading

• Open Networking User Group debate: The pro-hardware transcript

  Check out the pro-hardware side of the Open Networking User Group debate at its Fall 2015 conference where hardware squared off against software.  Continue Reading

• ONUG 'Great Debate': The pro-software transcript

  Check out the pro-software side of ONUG's debate at its Fall 2015 conference in a hardware versus software faceoff.  Continue Reading

• Network engineer qualifications trump coding hype

  Is the network engineer job as we know it at a crossroads as the need for developers accelerates? Not a chance. Network engineer qualifications embrace coding -- and have for a long time.  Continue Reading

• When will enterprises be ready to use SDN?

  After years of hype, high-profile mergers and proven use cases, enterprises hesitated to use SDN. Is it finally time for it to secure a spot in mainstream networks?  Continue Reading

• AT&T's NetBond offers secure transit via network cloud

  AT&T's NetBond service, geared toward providing secure data transfer through multiple cloud providers, offers some compelling benefits.  Continue Reading

• There's more to switch software than SDN

  Hardware is still a critical component in data center networking equipment, but the influence of switch software shouldn't be overlooked.  Continue Reading

• Why you shouldn't overlook Microsoft SDN

  Microsoft SDN may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of software-defined networking, but don't write it off quite yet.  Continue Reading

• VMware's NSX use cases are missing in action

  Ask network admins why they think NSX use cases are few and far between and this is what you'll find.  Continue Reading