Tips

Tips

• Modeling can be key to capacity planning

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

• Configuring a VRF

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

• Network planning: Bandwidth utilization

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

• Troubleshooting WAN performance issues

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

• Disabling IPv6 in Windows Vista -- Pros and cons

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

• Application performance management: Developing a strategy

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

• Bandwidth: Calculate current and future requirements

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

• Broadband VPN bandwidth issues

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

• Using MPLS TE to avoid core network congestion

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

• Virtualization to fundamentally change telecom networks

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

• Telecom operators need vendor help to justify new investment benefits

  Telecom network operators need to justify the value of new equipment purchases, and vendors need to help them define the benefits if telecom revenue is to recover now that voice is no longer king. The question is: Will vendors step up to the plate ...  Continue Reading

• Network performance and throughput in server virtualization environments

  Network performance and throughput are crucial areas where server virtualization can affect the data center network. These need attention from networking professionals. As organizations expand their use of server virtualization, the data center ...  Continue Reading

• Telecoms must address three SOA implementation challenges

  To successfully implement SOA, telecom providers must be clear on the main deployment challenges, and keep high performance, scalability, efficient applications automation and boundaries from third parties' top of mind.  Continue Reading

• How to use Netsh WLAN to configure Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista wireless connections from t

  Learn how to configure wireless networking connections, specifically, Windows Server 2008 Windows Vista wireless connections, from the command line interface (CLI) using Netsh WLAN. Figure out how to add or delete profiles and connect or disconnect ...  Continue Reading

• Server virtualization and the impact on network configuration

  Server virtualization delivers sophisticated capabilities that affect performance, scaling and connectivity needs. Solutions have evolved from enabling partitioning of a single computer into multiple virtual servers to enabling virtual servers to be...  Continue Reading

• No BS on OSS/BSS

  Operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS) for service providers have always been important, but change all that as the telecom industry marches to complete IP network transformations.  Continue Reading

• How to avoid the WPA wireless security standard attack

  The latest crack in wireless Internet security, specifically, the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security standard, can threaten the safety of enterprise networks and company information or data. This tip shows the best way to avoid being victimized ...  Continue Reading

• Top Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) scripting books, websites

  Once you've learned how to write Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) scripts to manage various aspects of Windows-based networks, check out the top resources recommended for your study. In this tip, Mitch Tulloch lists the best books and ...  Continue Reading

• The year's 5 hottest telecom topics and editor's picks

  The past year in telecom was a lot more than ominous recession forecasts and survival tips. From BGP and MPLS to flexible service provisioning, optics and wireless broadband, telecom pros were intensely focused on next-generation networking this ...  Continue Reading

• Five steps to a next-gen network transformation plan

  Creating a network transformation plan establishes a solidly outlined plan to get the most out of a service provider's next-generation network investment. Networking expert Tom Nolle presents the essential five steps needed to create a flexible ...  Continue Reading

• HTTP error code troubleshooting, Part 3: Disabling IE friendly error messages

  To troubleshoot an HTTP error code, you may need to disable Internet Explorer's friendly error messages. In this tip, learn how to do this and discover the reasons why you may continue to see the same friendly error message.  Continue Reading

• HTTP error code troubleshooting, Part 2: How to use IIS tool WFetch

  You can understand what's causing an HTTP error by looking at the error code, but sometimes that's not enough. In this tip, learn how to use network analysis tool WFetch, from Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 Resource Kit, to ...  Continue Reading

• MPLS QoS: Implementing the best model for guaranteed service

  Adding Quality of Services (QoS) guarantees for MPLS VPN services using DiffServe is a significant engineering undertaking, but advanced planning will help you choose the right QoS model for the project.  Continue Reading

• The TPM chip: An unexploited resource for network security

  The TPM chip developed by the Trusted Computing Group is installed in most new desktops, laptops and servers. It can be used to strengthen user login authentication, protect against unauthorized software modification, and fully encrypt hard disks ...  Continue Reading

• HTTP error code troubleshooting, Part 1: HTTP status codes defined

  To troubleshoot HTTP error codes, you must first understand HTTP status codes. Any time a client issues an HTTP request to a Web server, the server returns a response code. In this tip, learn the 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Series response status ...  Continue Reading

• IEEE 802.11w protects wireless LAN management frames

  The IEEE 802.11w wireless encryption standard builds on the 802.11i framework to protect against subtle attacks on wireless LAN (WLAN) management frames. It will increase the confidence of network managers that applications such as wireless VoIP can...  Continue Reading

• 3 recession survival steps for telecom service providers

  As the economy settles in for an extended recession, telecom service providers can prepare their businesses to not only survive the global economic downfall, but to pull through in a strengthened position. CIMI Corp. President Tom Nolle offers three...  Continue Reading

• Properties of Windows Management Instrumentation: Managing Windows networks using scripts, Part 12

  Learn how to display all properties of any Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) class in this tip on how to manage Windows networks using scripts.  Continue Reading

• Measure wireless network performance using testing tool iPerf

  In this tip, learn how to measure wireless networking performance with iPerf -- a tool that calculates TCP/UDP, throughput, loss and delay. Eliminate jitter, isolate bottlenecks of traffic, or monitor Wi-Fi or AP performance using this open source ...  Continue Reading

• OSS service delivery platforms: New services launch pads

  Service delivery platforms (SDPs) bring together many OSS/BSS disciplines and provide a unified view of subscriber data, service configuration and device-level information that strengthens every link in the service fulfillment chain.  Continue Reading

• Tackling next-gen network OSS/BSS challenges

  Use OSS/BSS to help manage packet-switched, content-driven telecom networks so the right packets reach the right customers, and service providers capture the revenue.  Continue Reading

• Packet optical: Differing views on network elements

  Packet optical networking solutions may be the biggest new thing for replacing or migrating away from TDM-based SONET/SDH optical networks. Telecom service providers are looking at both single and multiple network element solutions, depending on ...  Continue Reading

• How to achieve server virtualization in your network

  Learn how to virtualize the physical servers in your network in order to reduce hardware costs and ease network management in these step-by-step instructions.  Continue Reading

• More remote scripting tricks: Managing Windows networks using scripts, Part 11

  Learn a remote scripting trick and how to use Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) to remotely query for local administrators in this tip from the series Managing Windows networks using scripts.  Continue Reading

• 802.11s mesh networks

  802.11s mesh technology, currently under development by the IEEE, will bring a number of advances to 802.11 wireless networking.  Continue Reading

• 3 reasons to speed legacy to next-gen network migration

  It's about revenue flow. Telecom providers have three good reasons--customer demand, economics and network equipment--to speed their transition from legacy to next-gen telecom networks. Here's how to go about it.  Continue Reading

• Avoiding private IP security risks in public networks

  A shortage of public IP addresses for new services looms, but service providers should avoid the dangers of using private IP addresses and Network Address Translations to fix the problem.  Continue Reading

• How to prioritize wireless traffic

  Learn how to prioritize wireless traffic by using Wi-Fi Multimedia to give selected traffic preferential treatment and to move business applications and multimedia traffic to the network edge.  Continue Reading

• Remote scripting tips and tricks -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, Part 10

  Learn how to manage your Windows networks using scripts with these two tricks involving remote scripting using WMI scripts written in VBScript.  Continue Reading

• Telecom business model transformation requires symbiotic service models

  Business model transformation is the worldwide priority of network operators. While SOA and IMS don't guarantee results, they are essential tools to create the pieces of a telecom service transformation.  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

• 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

• 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

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

  A security perimeter alone can no longer secure the network in an era of distributed architectures. Learn what tools and techniques you need now to supplement network security.  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 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

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• How asset management can benefit your network

  Asset management combines and impacts network operations that touch every part of the organization. Auto-discovery of infrastructure inventory provides an accurate accounting of what's there, frequently uncovering "lost," underutilized and phantom ...  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting the mystery error -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, part 7

  Learn how to troubleshoot a mysterious "remote procedure call failed" error received when the ChangeIPAddress.vbs script developed earlier was used to change the IP address on a remote computer. This tip is part of a series on managing Windows ...  Continue Reading

• Understanding 802.11n wireless antennas

  Learn how 802.11n wireless antennas have been improved to increase network footprint, available bandwidth and resilience to problems that crippled older 802.11a/b/g access points, and how improved speed and capacity is made possible using techniques...  Continue Reading

• 5 essential reasons for BGP in your IP network

  The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is considered the hardest routing protocol to design, configure and maintain, but there are the 5 major reasons you need all of that difficulty in your network.  Continue Reading

• Open source network monitoring: Monitor your routers with Cacti

  Learn how to configure the open source network monitoring tool Cacti to poll your routers, gather network data, and provide graphs based on what you configured. Cacti is a free open source tool with a Web interface. Cacti can be used to complement ...  Continue Reading

• Prevent unauthorized USB devices with software restriction policies, third-party apps

  In the conclusion of his series on preventing unauthorized USB device use on your network, Brien Posey discusses the pros and cons of using software restriction policies such as certificate rules, hash rules, Internet zone rules, and path rules to ...  Continue Reading

• Remote scripting first steps -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, Part 6

  Learn how to run your Windows script remotely against a remote Windows XP computer, in the interest of managing your Windows network using scripts.  Continue Reading

• Network management: Three drivers for radical change

  Traditional network management is in for vast changes due to three major drivers changing the network landscape, which can be managed if approached correctly.  Continue Reading

• Making the case for Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs

  Offering VPN services isn't a simple Layer 2 or Layer 3 choice. If you want to implement true convergence onto a single core infrastructure, your core network should support the transport of public IP and private IP (VPN), as well as a number of ...  Continue Reading

• ITIL -- What network managers need to know

  IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is an IT service management framework surrounded by industry best practices. This tip answers questions that network managers may have about implementing ITIL and explains how it can be beneficial to networking.  Continue Reading

• An insider's primer: Wireless WAN technology

  Wireless WAN technologies are changing so quickly that even telecom industry pros need some help keeping the three major technology groupings straight. This tip offers a quick reference guide for wireless protocols and radio technologies on the ...  Continue Reading

• Top 3 value propositions for a winning RFP response

  Telecom service providers often end up trying to win enterprise RFPs on cost alone. In this tip, find out how to get ahead of the pack by emphasizing backbone quality, SLAs, and architecture and integration expertise.  Continue Reading

• Network design: Five ways to lower your costs

  Any modern company needs a fast and efficient network to support its communications and business systems, and superior technology can sometimes provide the upper hand in a competitive market. At the same time, IT budgets are limited, requiring smart...  Continue Reading

• Using Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, part 4

  Learn about uses of the Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration class in this tip from the WindowsNetworking.com series on managing Windows networks using scripts.  Continue Reading

• USB storage devices: Two ways to stop the threat to network security

  USB storage devices pose a significant threat to network security. Disabling USB ports is an extremely effective way of preventing USB storage devices on your network; however, these sorts of techniques also prevent the use of authorized USB devices...  Continue Reading

• 10 MPLS traffic engineering myths and half truths

  To clear up misunderstandings about what MPLS traffic engineering can and can't do, this tip discusses MPLS TE myths and half-truths, addressing quality of service, network convergence and network congestion.  Continue Reading

• WLAN troubleshooting with spectrum analyzers

  When users complain that the WLAN is slow, it's time to break out the Wi-Fi toolbox. Wireless protocol analyzers can diagnose some issues but spectrum analyzers go deeper.  Continue Reading

• Network security: Using unified threat management (UTM)

  Network security products vary in use and protection. If you're looking at options to secure your network, use this introduction on Unified Threat Management (UTM) to learn about what UTM's advantages are compared to traditional security models.  Continue Reading

• How to serve the SMB converged services market

  The converged communications services trend is taking off for SMBs, with VoIP leading the way, but service providers need to better understand what drives this market. Find out more from the results of AMI Partners' 2007 communications survey.  Continue Reading

• Understanding WMI -- Managing Windows networks using scripts, part 3

  Learn how Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) works and how it can be scripted using VBScript in this tip, originally published on WindowsNetworking.com  Continue Reading

• Remote office backup, archiving and disaster recovery for networking pros

  This tip takes a look at various techniques and technologies to protect and maintain data accessibility and data consistency in remote office branch office (ROBO) environments. While disaster recovery (DR) and business continuance (BC) often get the...  Continue Reading

• Routing with NAT traversal and UPnP

  Routers that rely on symmetric Network Address Translation (NAT) and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) can be stumbling blocks to IPv6 migration, but these technologies have proven useful in the IPv4 world. Applications like peer-to-peer networking, ...  Continue Reading

• Cisco router ISDN configuration

  Learn how to configure your Cisco router to work with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). This tip teaches you Cisco routers' basic ISDN configuration, demand dial routing and demonstrates real-case scenarios for your routing connection.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshoot network problems with Network Monitor

  Learn how Network Monitor can be used to troubleshoot various types of network problems in this tip from WindowsNetworking.com.  Continue Reading

• Secure Cisco routers against IOS flaw attack

  Learn how to secure Cisco routers against the recently announced Cisco IOS flaw, which could be exploited by hackers. Find out how to determine which routers are affected and ways to protect yourself from this vulnerability, including steps to ...  Continue Reading

• Network analysis -- Enhancing security assessments

  Network security assessment doesn't have to rely on expensive automated tools. In this tip, learn how to use data from freely available tools to produce a comprehensive view of network security.  Continue Reading

• Operations support systems: Fundamentals of working with OSS

  Operations support systems (OSSs) are a stalwart of the telecom industry, but have been experiencing significant changes of late. Learn about the major types of OSSs and how technology and business changes are affecting them.  Continue Reading

• Fixed mobile convergence: Understanding the landscape

  Fixed mobile convergence (FMC), the convergence of wired and wireless technologies into a single solution, is explained in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Implementing video on demand

  Video on demand (VoD) implementation best practices are discussed, as well as VoD service, delivery and management models.  Continue Reading

• Ethernet as a service: Best practices for delivery

  Ethernet services can offer providers many benefits as well as the opportunity to lead customers into the managed services space. This tip offers best practices for providing Ethernet as a service.  Continue Reading

• Using VRFs to provision customer traffic

  A virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) instance can allow network paths to be segmented without using multiple devices. Learn simple VPF configuration in this article.  Continue Reading

• Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Introduction

  Learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-611 -- Implementing Cisco MPLS Exam.  Continue Reading

• Optical networks: Metro network design best practices

  Optical networks in metro areas are being affected by many factors, including whether to use SONET, WDM or Ethernet, as well as the services, such as IPTV, that will be supported. Find out best practices for sifting through the complexity and ...  Continue Reading

• Fiber-optic networks: Access network design

  Fiber-optic technology in access networks is expanding due to the demand for broadband in consumer environments. Learn about the pros and cons of FTTX and passive optical networking (PON) systems.  Continue Reading

• Point-to-multipoint MPLS

  Learn how point-to-multipoint MPLS benefits video distribution and data that requires highly scalable and reliable transport.  Continue Reading

• Understanding MPLS network components

  MPLS network components are explained from a service provider's viewpoint in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for flexible project plans

  Flexible project plans for network service delivery are developed through proper planning, communication between the groups involved, and a well developed contingency plan.  Continue Reading

• Network management and troubleshooting in the multimedia network

  Network management in a multimedia service provider network creates a stable framework for service delivery that will provide customers with good experiences for voice, data and video services under normal conditions. The main areas involve capacity...  Continue Reading

• Configuring MPLS and VRF -- Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Lesson 6

  Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) is a key component of Layer 3 MPLS VPNs. It enables PE routers to appear to be many routers to the customer edge (CE) routers. The provider edge (PE) router will maintain separate and distinct routing tables for ...  Continue Reading

• Label imposition -- Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Lesson 4

  Label imposition, the process by which labels are assigned to packets, is examined in the fourth tip in a series that will help you learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-...  Continue Reading