Tips

Tips

Telecommunication networking

• 5G indoor coverage poses problems for office buildings and operators

  The millimeter waves of 5G have trouble penetrating walls and other structures, which presents significant challenges for carriers as they plan 5G indoor coverage.  Continue Reading

• 5G frequency spectrum forces new look at coverage strategies

  New 5G frequency allocations will help make it an amazing technology, but it will also force a rethinking of how those signals are transmitted.  Continue Reading

• What are the features and benefits of 5G technology for businesses?

  In addition to high speeds and low latency, the emergence of 5G cellular technology could put some pressure on the market prices of incumbent WAN connectivity.  Continue Reading

• Learn about the top telecom certifications

  Use this expert advice to wade through myriad telecom certifications and pinpoint the top certifications for the industry, like TCO, iNARTE and BICSI certifications.  Continue Reading

• Top 5G use cases for business include fixed wireless, healthcare

  While 5G is not fully baked yet, early business use cases are intriguing. Connections between branch offices and headquarters, for instance, could be greatly improved.  Continue Reading

• Examine the requirements for 5G core networks

  The 5G core network will support millions of devices that need high-speed communication and data processing. Learn what other capabilities are required for 5G deployment.  Continue Reading

• How 5G can start a brand new era for the virtual RAN

  5G is forging the way for operators to delve into virtualized RANs. Yet, despite its benefits, vRAN lacks standards and is still in the early developmental stages.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between 4G and 5G technology?

  As you evaluate the difference between 4G and 5G, you'll see the next-generation cellular standard seems pretty impressive. But goals and reality can be quite different.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of network slicing in 5G

  Although network slicing is useful for certain applications, like IoT and mobile networks, it might not be necessary at this point, especially when considering its cost.  Continue Reading

• Enterprises iffy on telecom services beyond network connectivity

  Enterprises look to telecom carriers for network connectivity services, but providers need to win them over to sell cloud and productivity options, according to network pros.  Continue Reading

• Telecom trends 2019: Time for operator 5G and IoT decisions

  Telecom trends in 2019 dictate that network operators have tough choices to make to compete with OTT players, increase revenue in terms of 5G and IoT, and consider the software-based fast-fail model.  Continue Reading

• How NFV and SDN could shape the future of telecom

  Looking to the future of telecom, NFV and SDN can help generate new services revenue and lower operating costs using cloud principles, rather a traditional network standards approach.  Continue Reading

• How three new telecom services can compete with OTT services

  Network operators should embrace three new types of telecom services -- hosting, information processing and experiences -- to increase revenue and compete with OTT services providers.  Continue Reading

• What is carrier cloud's role in 5G and IoT transformation?

  Carrier cloud deployment is helping network operators respond to opportunities that will drive transformation, like 5G and IoT. The question is, where can carrier cloud help?  Continue Reading

• How network operators can differentiate SD-WAN services

  Providers' SD-WAN services currently compete largely on cost, but network operators hope to gain market share with network-based SD-WAN feature differentiation.  Continue Reading

• Midyear 2018 telecom trends: Operators broaden their focus

  Midyear 2018 telecom trends show operators looking to increase profits on a number of fronts ranging from new investments, network automation and rethinking the 5G transition.  Continue Reading

• Carrier cloud needs 5G wireless networks, other drivers for success

  While 5G wireless networks appear to be the biggest driver in building the necessary carrier cloud, two other short-term drivers can help complete the carrier network transformation.  Continue Reading

• The role of SDN in 5G technology and the WAN: Can it scale?

  Network operators have a narrow window to figure out if SDN in 5G technology can scale well enough to move it beyond the data center and into the WAN.  Continue Reading

• 5G service lifecycle automation may be key to business cases

  Network operators need a 5G service lifecycle automation roadmap that leads to revenue-producing business cases to make the evolution to 5G worth the investment.  Continue Reading

• Three-step network strategy sells big changes as more doable

  A three-pronged network strategy takes an evolutionary approach to selling revolutionary technology changes internally, with a bigger chance of success.  Continue Reading

• 5G wireless technology influences telecommunication's future

  The capabilities of 5G wireless technology and event-driven networking hold the promise for telecommunication's future, but solving the remaining challenges will determine the outcome.  Continue Reading

• Four telecom infrastructure trends driving network of the future

  Four telecom infrastructure trends -- SDN, NFV, IoT and 5G -- are driving the network of the future, but telecom networks are more likely to transform in 2020, not 2018.  Continue Reading

• Are the promised benefits of 5G wireless technology justified?

  The evolution of 5G wireless technology is expected to bring benefits ranging from high broadband speeds to shared wired and wireless infrastructure uses, but cost and business use cases must align.  Continue Reading

• Open source network tools compete with shrinking vendor equipment

  Vendor equipment consolidation could limit network operator service automation efforts, but new open source network tools offer options and prevent lock-in.  Continue Reading

• Future internet infrastructure to utilize fiber, edge hosting, CDNs

  The future internet infrastructure for network operators will rely on vastly increased amounts of fiber, edge hosting and content delivery networks to match users' needs.  Continue Reading

• Telecom vendors feel the pressure of operator transformation plans

  Changes in network operators' buying trends have rocked the status quo for telecom vendors, with pricing pressure, software and chants of 'no more lock-in' driving it home.  Continue Reading

• Using NFV and SDN for detailed network microsegmentation

  Detailed network microsegmentation using SDN and NFV gives service providers opportunities to create and provide more flexible and effective security services to their customers.  Continue Reading

• White box switching, SDN and NFV prompt carrier networking gear revolution

  For service providers considering a networking gear upgrade, white box switching plus SDN in the data center and NFV in the core offer scalability, lower cost and better margins.  Continue Reading

• Embrace experimental next-gen network services to increase revenue

  As network connections revenue declines, next-gen network services that deliver a user experience can transform the business. Note to operators: Missing this opportunity is not optional.  Continue Reading

• Telecom operators navigate three technology transformation options

  To reduce cost or increase revenue, operators have three telecom technology transformation options to increase service automation, using different amounts of new technologies.  Continue Reading

• New telecom transformation goals require service automation

  Restarting a telecom transformation means putting business goals first and technology choices second, and making the service process more efficient through automation.  Continue Reading

• Exposing network APIs to enterprises opens new provider SDN options

  Service providers can increase network automation using SDN and NFV next-generation infrastructure for enterprise service options by exposing secure network APIs.  Continue Reading

• Carriers meet need for scalable, secure cloud network services

  As hyperscale providers like AWS dominate the cloud, carriers find their role in secure cloud network services for organizations in need of cloud connections.  Continue Reading

• Three technologies to increase the benefits of SDN and NFV

  Service modeling and orchestration, SD-WAN and open source are the three technologies gaining traction to increase the value and benefits of SDN and NFV.  Continue Reading

• Virtual service management needs hybrid approach

  The best answer for creating virtual service management may be a hybrid approach that combines end-to-end analytics-based and service-level management.  Continue Reading

• Four steps to make SDN and NFV proof-of-concept trials meaningful

  The results of SDN and NFV proof-of-concept trials can advance network deployments, but they often fall short. Check out four steps that can make POC trials more meaningful.  Continue Reading

• Why network operations efficiency should drive technology change

  If the systems responsible for network operations efficiency and automation were driving telecom technology upgrades, the savings might just pay for SDN and NFV deployments.  Continue Reading

• How to choose the right next-gen network migration option

  Network operators planning next-generation network migrations need to choose from layered, geographic and service-oriented approaches, or a combo platter that meets their needs.  Continue Reading

• Future network market vision emphasizes the edge

  Facing two network market truths, carriers must focus on metro networks with big pipes connecting cloud data centers at the edge to keep costs in line with incoming revenue.  Continue Reading

• SDN/NFV network standards don't address benefits of change

  Evolving SDN/NFV network standards address the technology but don't help operators understand potential operational efficiencies and increased service revenues.  Continue Reading

• Automated BSS and OSS models needed for new network operations

  Modernizing BSSes and OSSes to transform networks operations would be faster than changing the network itself and would save money before SDN and NFV savings start kicking in.  Continue Reading

• NFV and SDN work in tandem in network infrastructure design

  NFV and SDN work at different layers of new network infrastructure designs. And together, they can drive change in creating virtual devices and flexible network connections.  Continue Reading

• Virtual wires on the radar for future network infrastructure

  Due to changes in network infrastructure, running traffic over virtual wires could emerge from a combination of technologies, including SDN, NFV, virtualization and cloud.  Continue Reading

• 2016 telecom trends: As NFV goes, so goes carrier cloud

  In 2016, evolving trends in telecom will reveal whether the cloud, NFV and SDN can be effective business-level options for operators that need operations and management automation.  Continue Reading

• How to use network orchestration for video and voice QoS

  Walk through how to use tools like Ansible, Jinja2 and YAML to orchestrate real-time video and voice QoS across traditional network devices without full SDN.  Continue Reading

• Virtual routers find evolving carrier network uses

  Virtual routers work well in some parts of carrier networks, but not everywhere. Now, mobile, cloud and SDN offer evolving uses for virtual routing.  Continue Reading

• Mobile, video content delivery key to next-gen metro networks

  SDN and NFV applications could be the answer to make mobile and video content delivery in the metro network more agile for delivering enterprise services.  Continue Reading

• The evolution of Carrier Ethernet service chaining offers new options

  Operators looking to service chaining for Carrier Ethernet must assess both the issues and opportunities for use via NFV or as hosted network edge services.  Continue Reading

• How to make legacy and emerging network technologies work together

  Emerging network technologies like SDN and NFV have to interwork with legacy equipment and be managed as one. Find out what it will take to get there.  Continue Reading

• The journey to next-generation networks begins now

  Network operators will see real change in their next-generation networks in 2015, moving SDN and NFV from science project status to serious trials, while mobile networks get the lion's share of investment, and new regulations affect all of it.  Continue Reading

• VWAN threatens traditional three-tiered WAN design

  With vWAN providers changing the traditional three-legged WAN structure, carriers need to develop new WAN plans and services using SDN and NFV to keep enterprises on their networks.  Continue Reading

• Virtual WAN providers challenge traditional MPLS

  Virtual WAN providers are opening up wide area network options to replace MPLS, using SDN and NFV to create overlays that overcome the public Internet's drawbacks.  Continue Reading

• Why you need software-defined security for your SDN

  The network architecture shift to software-defined networking requires software-defined security, not a hard-wired security approach.  Continue Reading

• How to describe technology in business terms to win board approval

  Networking professionals have to be able to explain the value of technology in business terms to win board approval. Find out how to talk business-speak.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing 4G and Wi-Fi options for spot-on wireless network planning

  Three important questions can help you analyze your 4G and Wi-Fi assets and user expectations for wireless network planning now and in the future.  Continue Reading

• Why you should update your IPv6 equipment purchasing policies now

  To make your network IPv6 equipment ready for the transition, these guidelines can help you update your purchasing policies to make sure you and your vendors are on the same page when it comes to IPv6 features.  Continue Reading

• Wanted: A new network management model for NFV

  NFV network management models need to be less device-driven and more focused on orchestration across legacy network components and virtual resources.  Continue Reading

• Beyond location, operators can mine data for context-based services

  Carriers sit on a goldmine of user data that could launch context-aware services, but they must review regulatory and compliance issues carefully.  Continue Reading

• Need more green? Context-aware services can lead to new revenue

  To increase revenue with context-aware services, carriers can add on to location-based services, then offer advanced in-context services from there.  Continue Reading

• Virtual networks require fresh look at management and orchestration

  Operators need new management and orchestration systems to support virtual and physical networks and to link network elements to customers' services.  Continue Reading

• Who's calling? Engineering identity, authorization for VoIP calls

  To enable legal voice call interception in the world of VoIP, service operators need to find a way to gain accurate user identity and authentication.  Continue Reading

• PSTN-to-VoIP evolution poses identity, authentication challenges

  Going from PSTN to VoIP services, this two-part series looks at the evolution of voice and its challenges, from enabling 911 to user identification.  Continue Reading

• Lower network Opex needed to maximize new service revenue

  Operators need to reduce network Opex to maximize new services revenue, and different approaches are emerging to address the challenge.  Continue Reading

• Three myths about SOA cloud providers have to stop falling for

  When it comes to SOA, cloud providers often don't realize that much of what they've heard is based on misconceptions and unfair stigma.  Continue Reading

• Getting to know OpenStack Neutron: Open networking in cloud services

  OpenStack Neutron provides a consistent set of network services for use by other elements, such as VMs, systems management modules and other networks.  Continue Reading

• How big data and mobility fuel the need for open cloud architectures

  Open cloud architectures let providers scale storage and integrate with enterprise storage platforms -- two big requirements in the big data age.  Continue Reading

• Managing virtual network services: Lessons from implementation

  Virtualization broke many traditional management models. Cloud providers deploying virtual network services should understand the consequences.  Continue Reading

• Designing an effective vulnerability management program for the cloud

  Vulnerability scans aren't enough. A comprehensive vulnerability management program is vital for cloud providers to make informed security decisions.  Continue Reading

• Getting cloud capacity planning right in the face of oncoming growth

  Cloud capacity planning requires accurate knowledge of a cloud provider's existing infrastructure, future plans and the growth plans of its customers.  Continue Reading

• Identifying and mitigating cloud computing vulnerabilities

  How successful a cloud provider is in growing its business depends on its ability to dispel customer concerns about data security and privacy.  Continue Reading

• Will the cloud exchange be the next big ecosystem player?

  An emerging branch of the cloud ecosystem, the cloud exchange, has the potential to address many concerns about the cloud broker model.  Continue Reading

• Open cloud: Just a buzzword or the future of infrastructure?

  Embracing an open cloud means there is no technology lock-in, no contractual lock-in and no services lock-in.  Continue Reading

• Selling SaaS: Operational requirements for consumers vs. businesses

  The key to successfully selling SaaS across all market segments is addressing the different operational requirements among various buyer groups.  Continue Reading

• Infrastructure services should be means, not end, for IaaS providers

  As IaaS prices continue to fall and dilute already thin margins, IaaS providers must reposition their offering as a cloud services building block.  Continue Reading

• Is OpenStack IPv6-ready?

  Cloud computing won't reach its potential without IPv6 support. Three experts tested OpenStack to see how IPv6-ready the cloud platform really is.  Continue Reading

• SDN needs versatile northbound APIs for cloud integration

  For cloud services to behave transparently across large domains, the network needs tighter integration with cloud platforms via northbound APIs.  Continue Reading

• FedRAMP 3PAO: Cloud providers that rush assessments risk delays

  In their rush to achieve FedRAMP authorization this year, cloud providers are making errors that lead to multiple rejections, says one FedRAMP 3PAO.  Continue Reading

• Selling government cloud services: FedRAMP vs. FISMA

  Even if a cloud provider isn't planning to sell government cloud services, it's still important to have a basic understanding of FedRAMP and FISMA.  Continue Reading

• Don't just build an app store: Nurture a cloud developer ecosystem

  Service providers must nurture a cloud developer ecosystem -- not just collect software partners. Learn what the difference is and how to get there.  Continue Reading

• Cloud bursting: How will it affect your billing requirements?

  Cloud bursting attracts many customers to public cloud services, but tracking these dynamic resources for billing becomes problematic for providers.  Continue Reading

• Building cloud-ready applications: What changes?

  To maximize profits, providers must understand cloud-ready applications, learn how to meet their unique requirements and offer facilitating services.  Continue Reading

• Designing a manageable, secure architecture for mobile cloud services

  To deliver mobile cloud services, providers need a standard set of mobile APIs for developers and a clear mechanism for mobile device management.  Continue Reading

• Using metro storage clusters to manage data growth, add value to IaaS

  Metro storage clusters -- geographically distributed, interconnected storage platforms -- can help IaaS providers manage data growth and add value.  Continue Reading

• Unlocking the potential of SDN controller applications

  Three broad sources for route information could drive SDN controller applications: provisioning instructions, "route sniffing" and path computation.  Continue Reading

• SDN's missing links: Five barriers blocking SDN adoption by providers

  As more providers move to deploy SDN, adoption is being hindered by crucial gaps in device standards and tools for network control.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud networks face challenges, but SDN may be the answer

  Customers have misgivings about hybrid cloud, but enhancing cloud networks with software-defined networking may help allay many concerns.  Continue Reading

• FISMA compliance through continuous monitoring: Tips for cloud providers

  Continuous monitoring for FISMA compliance must shift from its static approach to a cyclical, more dynamic strategy for near real-time risk awareness.  Continue Reading

• Why every cloud provider needs a robust security audit strategy

  Customers want transparency, but they don't want to be overwhelmed. A cloud security audit strategy needs to balance those two goals.  Continue Reading

• Three models of SDN explained

  In this tip, networking expert Tom Nolle outlines the three models of SDN, explaining the basic goals, mechanisms, benefits and drawbacks of each.  Continue Reading

• Ensure cloud uptime with common standards for data center designs

  Standards-based approaches to data center designs can cut costs and prevent potential fallout from service outages.  Continue Reading

• How viable is the virtual cloud operator model?

  Two factors make it hard to assess the virtual cloud operator opportunity: The VCO concept isn't yet well-defined, and its role is evolving rapidly.  Continue Reading

• Promote cloud adoption with extensible, policy-driven cloud governance

  Providers can help enterprises tackle cloud governance by providing them the tools to create application-specific policies for dynamic environments.  Continue Reading

• Need visibility into the cloud value chain? There's an API for that

  In a complex cloud value chain, the key to transparency is a standard way, via an API, to exchange management information among all entities involved.  Continue Reading

• Differentiate your cloud hosting services without causing lock-in

  Read these four tips to learn how providers can differentiate their cloud hosting services while still curbing customers' fear of cloud lock-in.  Continue Reading

• How to choose between partners or acquisitions for SaaS development

  Software developer partnerships or acquisitions are critical to cloud providers that need SaaS development. Deciding which path to take is the key.  Continue Reading

• Churn risks rise when customers don't reap full benefits of the cloud

  When customers only dabble, they don't get the full benefits of the cloud. For providers, these unmet expectations lead to lower and slower adoption.  Continue Reading

• New vision of cloud calls for new cloud architecture design

  It's unlikely that IaaS will generate much savings for users or profits for providers, so providers must consider reshaping their vision of cloud.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for VM backups: A cloud provider perspective

  By becoming more diligent about virtual machine backup and archiving, cloud providers can better meet SLAs and launch more premium services.  Continue Reading

• SDN and OpenFlow may hold the key to improving cloud automation

  Cloud automation is critical to provide optimal service delivery in a highly elastic model, and software-defined networking (SDN) may be the glue that holds it together.  Continue Reading

• IPv6-ready cloud providers have edge over competitors stuck in IPv4

  IPv6-ready cloud providers offer technology advantages to enterprises planning to deploy public or hybrid cloud services, according to an IPv6/cloud analysis.  Continue Reading