Tips

Tips

• Why software-defined networking is becoming a reality

  Software-defined networking isn't a new concept, but it's newly able to evolve due to fast processing speeds. Will that mean a future for network application development?  Continue Reading

• Preparing your WAN for 10 GbE implementation

  Where can 10 GbE be used in a wide area network (WAN) and how can you prepare the WAN for such an implementation? Read this article to find out.  Continue Reading

• How to make enterprise wireless LAN work

  The size of an enterprise WLAN brings new technical challenges. Now vendors are tackling issues of capacity management and automated provisioning for mobile clients.  Continue Reading

• Measuring WAN Latency

  In this tip, learn how to measure wide area network (WAN) latency to determine whether the WAN is the source of network slowness complaints.  Continue Reading

• Next-generation application delivery controllers: Cloud and mobility

  Next-generation application delivery controllers are evolving to play a role in cloud balancing, as well as in optimizing mobile application delivery and policy enforcement.  Continue Reading

• Cloud automation, orchestration vital to run seamless cloud services

  The need for cloud automation and orchestration in complex, on-demand environments is a critical issue that affects cloud providers of every size.  Continue Reading

• Virtual application delivery controllers offer low cost, high agility

  A virtual application delivery controller offers cost savings and higher agility. However, testing the solution in your production environment is key to ensure a proper fit.  Continue Reading

• Application delivery controller technology plays many roles

  As IT shops become application service providers, they are turning to application delivery controller technology to play a role in virtualization in addition to WAN optimization.  Continue Reading

• Three enterprise cellular options

  When building a more complex WLAN for mobile devices is not a viable choice, there are a few enterprise cellular options that can extend coverage.  Continue Reading

• NVGRE standard primer: More VLANs and isolated tenants in the cloud

  Microsoft's NVGRE standard offers competition to VMware's VXLAN standard, promising to create more VLANs that stretch across Layers 2 and 3 for multi-tenant cloud networks.  Continue Reading

• Wireless WAN services: Myths versus reality

  Wireless WAN services are more robust and reliable than many WAN managers give them credit for. This feature article will bust some of the myths surrounding the wireless WAN.  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing server architecture: Designing for cloud efficiency

  Optimizing cloud computing server architecture requires cloud providers to classify applications by their resource needs and evaluate them against their cloud business plans.  Continue Reading

• VDI over WAN: Performance preparations

  Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) over WAN environments causes slow performance. To prepare your WAN, learn in this tip how to monitor traffic and update your network design.  Continue Reading

• Storage virtualization benefits and challenges: A primer

  Storage virtualization benefits abound, but along with the ability to implement dynamic storage provisioning for the cloud come some complications…including latency.  Continue Reading

• OpenFlow: Software-defined network eases cloud management for providers

  Cloud providers want an API for the network layer to control the flow of specific applications -- a capability we see emerging with OpenFlow and software-defined networks.  Continue Reading

• Using QoS to limit bandwidth

  Quality of Service may be the simplest and cheapest fix to a real-time application performance problem. Learn in this tip how using QoS to limit bandwidth can decongest WAN links.  Continue Reading

• VXLAN standard primer: Extended VLANs, long-distance VM migration

  The VXLAN standard aims to solve the long-distance VM migration dilemma by enabling extended VLANs across geographically dispersed data centers for a multi-tenant cloud network.  Continue Reading

• Identifying flexible cloud technology models: A primer

  Until the perfect cloud technology model is identified, providers are building services using servers, storage, software and networking tools that give them the most flexibility.  Continue Reading

• Can your security strategy handle networked facilities management?

  Linking building and power management systems to converged Ethernet networks brings new security concerns.  Continue Reading

• WAN application delivery optimization: Top 5 deployment mistakes

  Believe it or not, not every performance problem can be solved with WAN application delivery optimization (ADO). Learn five common ADO deployment mistakes enterprises make.  Continue Reading

• Application delivery optimization: 5 tips for success

  Application delivery optimization solutions should make efficient use of bandwidth and increase app performance, but such benefits are missed without these five tips for success.  Continue Reading

• Cloud infrastructure services: Balancing high availability and cost

  Building cloud infrastructure services to high-availability (five 9s) standards will make them too complex and expensive. Ivan Pepelnjak looks for a reliable compromise.  Continue Reading

• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) challenges over the WAN

  Many virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) challenges present themselves over wide area networks (WANs). Here is how you can prepare your WAN for VDI while the technology matures.  Continue Reading

• vSwitch architecture best practices

  vSwitch architecture varies depending on the type of traffic being managed and how many physical NICs are connected. Learn these best practices.  Continue Reading

• vSphere vSwitch primer: Design considerations

  It takes the right kind of vSphere vSwitch design to implement segmentation for traffic manageability, security, redundancy and failover in a virtual environment.  Continue Reading

• Network energy efficiency starts in the LAN closet

  Many look to data center servers and storage to cut power use, but network energy efficiency can start inside the LAN closet with switches, routers and security devices.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization security challenges are plentiful: What's the answer?

  The network plays a role in addressing virtualization security challenges, but typical firewalls are not necessarily part of the solution.  Continue Reading

• Need for wireless network upgrade is key AT&T/T-Mobile driver

  Rising demand for high-quality network service delivery will require operators to undertake a massive wireless network upgrade, driving deals like the AT&T/T-Mobile acquisition.  Continue Reading

• How to connect virtual environments to DMZ network architecture

  Connecting virtualized environments to DMZ network architecture creates new challenges. Network managers must learn new design methodologies to protect virtual traffic in the DMZ.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for connecting virtualization hosts to DMZ networks

  DMZ networks can be used to protect virtualization hosts, but best practices must be considered, including combing virtual and physical firewalls and locking down virtual switches.  Continue Reading

• Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for the enterprise

  Businesses have taken notice of the mobile Wi-Fi hotspots trend and have invested in mobile hotspot devices. Question is, which of several options is most suitable for business?  Continue Reading

• Virtualization technology offers cloud infrastructure flexibility

  By using virtualization technology, cloud service providers gain infrastructure evolution options and also flexibility in terms of their evolving cloud services mix.  Continue Reading

• Enterprise energy management: IT and building management systems meet

  As IP-based building management systems emerge, networking teams will control integrated IT and building resources as part of an overall enterprise energy management strategy.  Continue Reading

• New service needs drive changes to telecom data center architecture

  The need to deliver content, mobile and cloud services and compete with OTT providers is driving a three-phase change to telecom data center architecture for network operators.  Continue Reading

• How does your WAN intersect cloud services?

  Where is the line between cloud service and the wide area network? In this tip, Tom Nolle breaks down information flows to recommend the best WAN connectivity for cloud computing.  Continue Reading

• How to integrate your WAN with Internet cloud services

  Learn what issues are involved with integrating your wide area network (WAN) with Internet cloud services and how to solve problems around Internet-based cloud services.  Continue Reading

• The ideal virtualization networking solution may not exist yet

  In a perfect world, virtualization networking would mean non-blocked, any-to-any access between nodes on the network, but that doesn't really exist yet. So what's the alternative?  Continue Reading

• Planning ahead for gigabit wireless LAN migration

  In the era of gigabit wireless LAN migration, it is important to recognize key details of this kind of investment, and be prepared for 802.11ac and 802.11ad standards.  Continue Reading

• Three business drivers promote operator cloud/network integration

  Three technology and business drivers provide the impetus for network operators to work toward tight cloud and network integration to monetize expensive and valuable network assets.  Continue Reading

• Understanding gigabit Wireless LAN: 802.11ac and 802.11ad

  Just when enterprises are getting comfortable with 802.11n technology, enter gigabit wireless LAN standards 802.11ad and 802.11ac, which could produce draft products in a year.  Continue Reading

• How to build a scalable IaaS cloud network infrastructure

  Attempts to scale Infrastructure as a Service cloud network infrastructure often involves workarounds, but providers should look to IP-over-IP transport and invest in design.  Continue Reading

• How next-generation standards are reshaping wireless WAN technologies

  Learn how the latest next-generation standards are reshaping enterprise wireless WAN technologies and how these telecom services can enhance your company's mobile strategy.  Continue Reading

• Managing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) traffic over the WAN

  Organizations must understand how virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) traffic behaves over the WAN before deploying VDI to ensure an optimal end-user experience.  Continue Reading

• ACG Research names top seven cloud service providers

  ACG Research selected seven cloud service providers that have the right cloud architecture, technology and services to assure customers about a move to cloud services.  Continue Reading

• Building multiple cloud services from a common infrastructure

  To keep prices low and efficiency high, cloud service providers need to build a common infrastructure that can enable multiple cloud services with full management capability.  Continue Reading

• Controlling embedded Wi-Fi device access

  Enterprise IT shops are finding themselves using WPA2-Personal and other authentication methods to manage embedded Wi-Fi devices on the WLAN.  Continue Reading

• Virtual branch office in a box (vBOB) devices may replace hardware

  As you introduce your enterprise WAN to virtualization, a virtual branch office in a box (vBOB) may take shape in remote offices. Learn in this tip how BOBs are being reinvented.  Continue Reading

• OSS/BSS shifts to XML-based quality of experience model

  The role of operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS) is moving toward a software-based XML customer experience model that focuses on the user’s quality of experience.  Continue Reading

• Cloud monitoring across the WAN for virtual application delivery

  Cloud monitoring tools are essential for successful virtual application delivery across the wide area network (WAN). Learn in this tip what to ask service providers so that your cloud-based apps don't suffer from poor performance over your corporate...  Continue Reading

• Wireless LAN access control: Managing users and their devices

  Wireless LAN access control may not be as simple as 802.1X authentication. Network managers will have to shoot for policy creation, device fingerprinting and network integration.  Continue Reading

• Planning a virtualization firewall strategy

  Creating a virtualization firewall strategy entails determining exactly how you want to protect your virtual environments and then implementing firewall segmentation for security.  Continue Reading

• Beyond the smart grid: Exploring facilities monitoring as a service

  Telecom network operators looking for revenue opportunities related to smart grid activity are seeing major revenue potential in facilities monitoring as a service.  Continue Reading

• Virtual network appliances: Benefits and drawbacks

  There's lots of talk about network virtualization benefits, but are virtual network appliances all they're cracked up to be? Only in some scenarios.  Continue Reading

• Migrating to 10 GbE enables data and storage network convergence

  Migrating your data center to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) enables higher available bandwidth with fewer ports to manage, and lends itself to data and storage network convergence -- both of which are necessary for a high-performing virtualized ...  Continue Reading

• Building a cloud computing infrastructure to serve dual purposes

  While updating network infrastructure, operators must design a cloud computing infrastructure that serves a two-fold purpose -- supporting multiple cloud computing services and serving as the IT platform for the operator’s own applications.  Continue Reading

• Unified threat management (UTM) features needed for Internet security

  In order to deliver the best and broadest Internet security and WAN access to your users, you must evaluate UTM features, or unified threat management appliance features -- like the ones discussed in this tip -- to evaluate which product is best for...  Continue Reading

• Future unified threat management appliance features for Web security

  A unified threat management appliance (UTM) provides the most efficient technology to combat network threats related to Internet and WAN access. See what features are in store for the UTM appliances of the future.  Continue Reading

• Securing the wireless guest network: Authentication and management

  If you're implementing an enterprise-class wireless guest network, tighter security is crucial. A guest wireless LAN must support better visibility and user control.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot cloud application performance with SOA-based management

  Diagnosing problems across distributed applications -- particularly when you don't control many of the components -- is a real challenge for IT. Understand how wide area network (WAN) engineers must embrace service-oriented architecture (SOA)-based ...  Continue Reading

• Firewall change management and automation can curb human error

  Firewall change management can enable firewall management automation so that human errors will be less likely to destroy performance and network admins will know the status of their firewall configuration.  Continue Reading

• Cloud Security: Ensuring multi-tenant security in cloud services

  Cloud security isn’t one size fits all for a range of cloud computing services, so we break down securing cloud services with multi-tenant cloud security options, from how to secure simple SaaS to complex virtual appliances with click-to-deploy ...  Continue Reading

• Securing and optimizing the direct-to-net branch network

  When IT chooses to connect a branch network to both the Internet and the enterprise WAN, it creates the direct-to-net branch office: The WAN is only for traffic headed to internal hosts. Although this considerably reduces bandwidth demands on WAN ...  Continue Reading

• How to secure and optimize the micro-branch network

  Learn how to secure and optimize the micro-branch network -- when only a few teleworkers or remote employees connect to the wide area network (WAN) via the Internet.  Continue Reading

• Security and optimization for backhauled branch network infrastructure

  As the geographic spread of employees expands and their connections back to headquarters evolve, IT managers must understand how to optimize and secure corporate branch networks. This article explains how to speed up and secure network ...  Continue Reading

• AT&T 4G network architecture and the LTE wars

  Frost & Sullivan analyst Mike Jude looks at how changes in the AT&T 4G network architecture deployment is upping the ante among 4G LTE wireless operators, particularly as smartphone and tablet use increases and spurs faster deployment.  Continue Reading

• Live migration networking: Enter long-distance data center bridging

  Live migration networking poses all sorts of challenges, including the potential need for long-distance data center bridging that results in traffic trombones. When it comes to server virtualization networking, is it possible to avoid the pitfalls?  Continue Reading

• 4G network offload: Radio access network and mobile backhaul solutions

  Wireless operators looking at 4G network offload to cope with growing mobile traffic have two options for relief – radio access network (RAN) offload using mobile hotspots and femtocells, and mobile backhaul solutions to move wireless traffic to the...  Continue Reading

• Five steps for overcoming IPv6 planning pitfalls

  IPv6 planning for your enterprise WAN requires careful evaluation of the hardware and software in your company's product portfolio, but are you missing anything else? Use these five steps to avoid common IPv6 planning pitfalls.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 migration strategy: The very least enterprises should do

  This Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) migration strategy for enterprises explains the preliminary steps businesses must make to ensure a successful IPv4 to IPv6 migration.  Continue Reading

• The IANA's IPv4 depletion is an IPv6 reality check for enterprises

  Learn what the recent IPv4 depletion from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) means for enterprises in this IPv6 reality check article series.  Continue Reading

• Mobile backhaul offload could affect Evolved Packet Core design

  Part two of our analysis of 4G network offload strategies looks at the implications of moving mobile backhaul traffic to the metro network, and how it could affect the design of LTE’s Evolved Packet Core.  Continue Reading

• How to ensure WLAN performance optimization

  To ensure wireless LAN performance optimization, you’ll need to implement new WLAN measurement and testing tools and conduct WLAN performance testing periodically even after network implementation.  Continue Reading

• TM Forum/CableLabs partnership promotes telecom/cable industry sharing

  With its new TM Forum partnership with CableLabs, the Forum hopes to leverage best practices, expertise and standards between the telecom industry and the cable industry, to the benefit of both.  Continue Reading

• Mobile application development programs: Operators learn the ropes

  Establishing mobile application development programs may seem essential for mobile operators, but they must include four essential elements to attract app developers -- including application frameworks designed to operate across operators’ ...  Continue Reading

• How to find the right balance between WAN security and performance

  The number of people working outside a primary office from remote locations like branch offices or even at home is increasing, creating security and wide area network optimization challenges for organizations.  Continue Reading

• How network visibility improves WAN performance and security

  Effective management of wide area network (WAN) performance and security starts with gaining full network visibility into how capacity is being used by both the applications and end users on the network.  Continue Reading

• Do Web application firewalls complicate enterprise security strategy?

  Using Web application firewalls should only be one slice of your overall enterprise network security strategy. Even then, users must be aware that application firewalls can leave behind vulnerabilities.  Continue Reading

• Content delivery networks: Video, mobility shape operators' CDN plans

  Network operators want to link content delivery networks (CDNs) with their content monetization plans to take advantage of major opportunities in the video and mobility markets.  Continue Reading

• Why IPv6 won't rid the Internet of Network Address Translation

  One of the most common myths about IPv6 is that it will restore the so-called end-to-end principle of the Internet. This article explains how today's network needs for Network Address Translation (NAT) will make this very unlikely to happen.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 security issues: Fixing implementation problems

  Find out how to work around the implementation-specific IPv6 security challenges that will surface until equipment vendors close the gaps between their IPv4 and IPv6 releases.  Continue Reading

• Consumer Electronics Show 2011: A consumer wireless fest

  Almost every announcement at Consumer Electronics Show 2011 had a consumer wireless technology connection, so why not rename it the consumer wireless show, Frost & Sullivan analyst Mike Jude asks in his 2011 CES column.  Continue Reading

• Network application performance monitoring: Storage to the user

  Application performance monitoring tools must provide visibility to everything from storage I/O to remote end-user access and a whole lot in between. Here’s what your monitoring tools should show.  Continue Reading

• End-to-end network application performance monitoring

  Network application performance monitoring inevitably leads to the use of multiple monitoring tools at once. That doesn’t have to be a management nightmare.  Continue Reading

• Connected home services target ‘content everywhere’ capabilities

  The evolution of device-agnostic connected home services are highly dependent on wireless technology to ensure users have the ability to access ‘content everywhere,’ according to new Frost & Sullivan research.  Continue Reading

• How to set up WAN simulators to test branch application performance

  A wide area network (WAN) simulator is necessary for enterprise IT architects and engineers to ensure acceptable application performance to end users at branch offices. In this tip, learn how to set up any generic WAN simulator to conduct network ...  Continue Reading

• Top five telecom trends: Make way for convergence 2011

  The top five telecom industry trends for 2011 show clear signs of "convergence 2011" – where mobile broadband, cloud computing and regulatory policy turn the traditional telecom industry on its head.  Continue Reading

• Low WAN traffic visibility challenges network performance management

  Gaining WAN traffic visibility allows wide area network managers to control wide area network performance, but this is increasingly harder to do with interactive technologies like video, unified communications (UC ) and virtual desktop ...  Continue Reading

• Wireless LAN troubleshooting: How to get proactive

  Wireless LAN troubleshooting and WLAN diagnostics can be done proactively with a new set of tools, including WLAN managers and distributed sensor platforms that track and problem solve on complex networks.  Continue Reading

• How remote users change WAN connection and bandwidth requirements

  The growth of remote users entering an increasingly virtual workplace is putting stress on WAN connections and bandwidth. How should network technology evolve to meet the demands of teleworkers? Find out in this article.  Continue Reading

• Integrating public and private cloud services

  Network managers must support integrated public and private cloud services because users will go under the radar to use public cloud services that help them get their work done more easily.  Continue Reading

• WLAN testing: Wireless intrusion prevention systems and centralized testing tools

  WLAN testing has grown to accommodate the full-time surveillance necessary for super-speed 802.11n technology and mobile applications. Now WLAN testing can be done with AP-based wireless intrusion prevention systems and more.  Continue Reading

• Minimizing the impact of 4G wireless on network operations

  The impact of 4G wireless on network operations can be eased by advanced infrastructure and deployment planning in the radio network, backhaul, service interconnection and content management.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting MPLS WAN services: VPLS, pseudowires, and Layer-3 VPNs

  Troubleshooting MPLS WAN services, like pseudowires, virtual private LAN services (VPLS) and Layer-3 VPNs (virtual private networks), can be trickier than traditional provider offerings. Learn how to fix Multiprotocol Label Switching wide area ...  Continue Reading

• How to prepare enterprise WANs for MPLS/VPN integration

  How should IT professionals prepare their enterprise WANs (wide area networks) for an MPLS VPN integration? Find out using the steps described in this tip.  Continue Reading

• When should companies consider building MPLS networks into their WANs?

  Learn when corporations should consider building Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks into their enterprise wide area networks (WANs) in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How is MPLS different from SONET and ATM networks?

  WAN managers face an array of technology possibilities, like SONET, ATM and MPLS, being pitched to them by every service provider. Making sense of these terms, and the differences between the technologies, will enable organizations to make an ...  Continue Reading

• Application-layer firewalls defend against attacks up the stack

  Application-layer firewalls must be combined with lower-level network security firewalls in order to implement a network firewall strategy that defends against low-level attacks as well as application-aware attacks.  Continue Reading

• Customer data analytics: New revenue option for network operators

  The TM Forum believes facilities-based network operators should invest in high-quality analytics tools to provide advanced customer data analytics to other service providers in order to create new revenue from the vast amount of customer information...  Continue Reading

• MPLS and MPLS Transport Profile (MPLS-TP): The technology differences

  Carriers hope MPLS Transport Profile, or MPLS-TP, will reduce transport network complexity by providing a packet switching technology that works across different types of transport networks but offers unified network management and provisioning. ...  Continue Reading

• Managed WAN services best practices: How to triple the odds of success

  Before procuring managed WAN services for your enterprise wide area network, read these best practices for tripling your success and finding a provider that can guarantee good service.  Continue Reading