Tips

Tips

• The effects of SOA and mashups on the WAN

  Service-oriented architecture (SOA) and application mashups offer enterprises the flexibility and efficiency they need, but they can have unforeseen effects on the network. Learn about the application performance and traffic issues that SOA and ...  Continue Reading

• Deploying efficient WAN application management

  WAN-based enterprise applications require a detailed roadmap to create a solid backbone for efficient business operations. And companies go to great lengths to lay out such a roadmap. Yet despite good intentions and, more importantly, well-conceived...  Continue Reading

• Network transformation "how to" tops global operators' lists

  The services side of telecom network transformation is of high concern to global service providers as they try to reconcile short-term consumer-services revenue opportunities with longer-term network-planning cycle opportunities and design next-gen ...  Continue Reading

• Configure network monitoring for optimal performance

  Networking monitoring systems can use a lot of bandwidth to accomplish their task of monitoring the network. The more devices you monitor and the more up-to-date you want that monitoring to be, the more bandwidth your monitoring system will eat away...  Continue Reading

• How the NetFlow protocol monitors your WAN

  Learn how the NetFlow protocol, developed by Cisco and recently opened as an IETF standard, can monitor your WAN traffic and perform a number of other network monitoring tasks.  Continue Reading

• A new vision for telecom network transformation

  To maintain revenue from transporting bits over their networks, telecom operators must adopt a new vision of transformation, plus a new model to monetize network investment. Think supermarket, with basic supplies and premium products, which means ...  Continue Reading

• How to monitor and manage your data center network

  A large part of designing and building a good data center network is making sure you can monitor and manage it effectively. This tip covers some issues that complicate managing data center networks and provides an overview of the monitoring options ...  Continue Reading

• Building the network infrastructure in your data center

  The network architect must help contribute to an energy-efficient and cost-effective data center network design -- without sacrificing performance. This can be accomplished by choosing optimal networking equipment. This tip discusses some ...  Continue Reading

• Power and cooling considerations for data center network design

  The network architect involved in data center design needs to be aware of issues that factor into networking the data center beyond the network itself. This tip will introduce physical facilities considerations of data center design, such as power ...  Continue Reading

• Using NAT Traversal and IPsec Passthrough together

  NAT Traversal and IPsec Passthrough are two different solutions to tunneling encrypted packets through an NAT-ing device like a firewall. Learn to configure them without conflict.  Continue Reading

• Redundant routers and network segmentation

  This tip investigates a routing configuration using a router for each switch -- or redundant router architecture -- on the WAN, and discusses a common failure scenario that is somewhat difficult to defend against: a segmented network.  Continue Reading

• Redundancy on the WAN: Routers for backup circuits

  When improving redundancy with a backup WAN circuit between two sites, the network architect must decide whether there should be two routers, with one for each circuit, or whether both circuits should plug into the same router. In this tip, Tom ...  Continue Reading

• Optimizing WAN bandwidth for the enterprise

  There are several alternatives available to help solve the bandwidth dilemma.  Continue Reading

• Network challenges and considerations: Bandwidth utilization series

  Network challenges and final considerations are discussed in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.  Continue Reading

• The VPN Expert: VPN client alternatives, part 2 -- PPTP

  Lisa Phifer discusses one widely available type of "free" client: those used in Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol VPNs.  Continue Reading

• Advanced OpenVPN configuration

  This article deals with some features of advanced OpenVPN configuration like protecting clients through a firewall behind a tunnel, distributed compilation through VPN tunnels with distcc and authentication methods.  Continue Reading

• IPsec VPN clients

  Here's a list of IPsec clients that run on many systems. See what they have to offer and what they are often missing.  Continue Reading

• Denial of service and bottlenecks: Bandwidth utilization series

  Denial of service and bottlenecks on your network are explained in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.  Continue Reading

• 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

• How much bandwidth is enough?

  Bandwidth is discussed in this tip on fact versus fiction and how it can affect network performance.  Continue Reading

• Network planning: Bandwidth utilization

  Network planning is explained in this tip on bandwidth utilization.  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

• 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

• QoE benchmarks or diagnostics for application performance: What's the difference?

  The importance of managing (monitoring as well as actively managing) networked applications for QoE should be all but self evident. EMA data from 2007 (Figure 1) showed that a healthy 72% of respondents from a wide range of enterprises and service ...  Continue Reading

• Understanding the network application environment

  Understanding the network application environment is critical to application performance management. In this tip, learn how application discovery and classification, network analysis, and business drivers affect your network application environment ...  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

• What's in a packet?: Bandwidth utilization series

  Packet basics on your network are explained in this insightful series on bandwidth utilization.  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

• Bandwidth monitoring on the WAN

  Monitoring bandwidth on the WAN, as discussed in this tip, is one way network engineers can solve WAN performance issues.  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

• Bandwidth scam

  Throwing bandwidth at a network performance problem rarely solves anything. But why did we think it would? Networks and their related protocols are designed to support traffic. They are designed to tolerate congestion and work properly until they ...  Continue Reading

• Bandwidth matters

  In a perfect world with perfect networks, bandwidth is really the only thing that matters. But obviously, the world isn't perfect. Discover why understanding bandwidth is essential to a happy network and happy network users.  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

• Managed services for branch office networks: New options

  Managing branch offices and the complex relationship that exists there among applications, networking, and management systems is becoming a bigger challenge every day for networking professionals. New services for branch locations are emerging in ...  Continue Reading

• Alcatel-Lucent adds Carrier Ethernet services framework

  Taking Carrier Ethernet to the next level, Alcatel-Lucent's new portfolio includes a framework for advanced services designed to help providers deliver new applications that enable advanced services for residential, business and mobile networks.  Continue Reading

• TM Forum presses for SOA adoption to retain ARPU

  With a focus on SOA, the TM Forum's 2009 agenda is encouraging the telecom industry to continue its business transformation projects and IT alignment in order to future-proof their operations systems with flexible, reusable components.  Continue Reading

• Managing virtual network relationships

  Managing virtual network relationships is trickier than managing physical server relationships. When using server virtualization, data center network managers need a way to reconnect physical resources and virtual workloads in order to understand ...  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 vendors feel the pressure on SDP solutions

  The term "next gen" gets thrown around like it's no big deal; flip a switch and service providers all over the world will be running IP networks that are open to third-party partners, yet completely secure when it comes to network operations and ...  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

• Next-gen network transformation planning

  Transformation has a business goal while convergence has a technical goal. But like rubbing your head while patting your stomach, service providers have to navigate their way through commitments to both at the same time.  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

• Motorola misses wireless broadband high ground

  Motorola's announcement of its commitment to pre-4G wireless broadband development missed the chance to emphasize why service providers need to identify vendors competent in fixed and wireless solutions.  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

• OSS/BSS transformation projects should move forward despite economy

  TM Forum President and CTO Martin Creaner looks at why telecom service providers need to continue with their OSS/BSS transformation programs in 2009 despite the world economy.  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

• Three mega-trends revolutionize telecom in 2009

  Upcoming telecom changes are nothing short of revolutionary, or at least evolutionary, as 2009 trends emerge to create a single business model ecosystem out of telecom and the Web, content players and service providers find a workable balance of ...  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

• Clearwire faces 4G WiMAX deployment challenges

  Clearwire has completed an important first step with Sprint Nextel to deploy its 4G WiMAX network, with funding from blue-chip investors including Google and Comcast. But Clearwire still faces significant challenges.  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

• Return-all-values script: Managing Windows networks using scripts, Part 13

  One way to manage your Windows network is through scripts. The particular workhorse script described in this tip can return all values of all properties of a specific instance of a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to give you useful ...  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

• Understanding enterprise mobility strategies

  Understanding enterprises mobility strategies is critical for carriers looking to grow service offerings for these customers. Adding professional services that can help develop mobility productivity metrics will make carriers true partners.  Continue Reading

• BGP Autonomous Systems transition: The 10 biggest concerns

  As the supply of BGP Autonomous Systems (AS) 2-byte numbers continues to decline, the Internet community is preparing for the transition to 4-byte numbers. Find out what you need to do now, what to do later, and how your vendors need to support you.  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

• Enterprise wireless: Calculating business spending limits

  Enterprise wireless spending is directly related to IT spending and presents an opportunity for service providers that know how to determine estimates for individual companies. Nemertes Research discusses the metrics that can help service providers ...  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

• IP QoS: Two generations of class-of-service tools

  Offering quality of service (QoS) on IP networks started with DiffServ, then the second generation QoS capabilities moved to modern router and Layer 3 switch settings. This tip looks at how service providers can best offer a wider range of classes ...  Continue Reading

• What's all this fuss about telecom carrier capex?

  Telecom carrier capex spending appears stable, with less on legacy and more on optical and Carrier Ethernet, according to IDC Program Director Eve Griliches. Service providers need to keep up equipment spending to remain competitive.  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

• Telepresence, unified communications and collaboration: A network operator's role

  Telepresence, unified communications and collaboration go together for network operators that want a presence in the market, which means hosted services require powerful, centralized presence management tools that can be used across mobile and ...  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

• Wireless OSS must address the untethered user challenge

  An increasingly wireless world must provide an untethered approach to next-generation operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS). Content quality testing and location-based services may boost the market first.  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

• 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

• IP-based services: Curse or blessing for NOC staff?

  IP-based services extend beyond just VoIP and video, and could prove to be a blessing or a curse for NOC staff. Prepare to meet the challenge of delivering IP-based services over your network and you could be rewarded.  Continue Reading

• Deploying effective service delivery platforms for next-gen networks

  Next-generation networks can make legacy networks look simple because all services, applications, billing and operations systems, as well as customer data for fixed and mobile devices must work seamlessly on one network.  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

• The role of IMS and SOA in the service ecosystem

  Telecom providers need to make sure service oriented architecture (SOA) maps to provisioning and activation, and support functions, and work with IMS to visualize the role of software that creates service features and behaviors.  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

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

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

• Virtual machines present dynamic environment issues for network pros

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

• Carrier Ethernet, metro optical lead telecom industry trends

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

• Network architecture and capacity planning for server virtualization

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

• Limit network energy consumption with computer cooling technologies

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

• Optical networking market reaches $14 billion

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

• PBT: Where we are today?

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

• Redback Carrier Ethernet switch launches vendor into hot telecom market

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

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

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

• Telecom network security requires constant vigilance

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

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

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

• Network mapping in Vista for Windows XP

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