Tips

Tips

• 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

• How a network security overview pays dividends

  In an age of heightened cybersecurity risks, companies still aren't spending enough to create a network security overview.  Continue Reading

• Building enterprise network platforms for tomorrow

  As more and more devices become connected -- ushering in new management, security and big data challenges -- network platform requirements will continue to evolve.  Continue Reading

• Business is 'destroying' the application delivery process

  Business has changed, and so must the application delivery process. It's time for IT to go from being provider of services to a broker between clouds and end users. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• Viptela vs. Cisco: Comparing SD-WAN vendors' platforms

  In a software-defined WAN showdown, network pro Will Murrell compares platforms from two top SD-WAN companies -- Cisco's Intelligent WAN and Viptela's Secure Extensible Network.  Continue Reading

• Planning for enterprise network testing

  Enterprise network testing provides network engineers with a deeper insight and understanding of a network's operations, enabling better service to users.  Continue Reading

• Discover three ways to get your WAN software defined

  There are three ways to get your WAN software defined: overlay, replace and as a service. Learn what these entail and how they can reduce costs and improve WAN performance.  Continue Reading

• Network analytics will play a key role for IT managers

  The enterprise network is transforming with mobility and SDN, and the additional complexity means network analytics has to become a primary tool.  Continue Reading

• Cloud exchanges designed for WAN connections to public clouds

  Emerging cloud exchanges offer access to multiple cloud services via WAN links with the benefits of better security and network performance than the public Internet.  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

• SD-WAN technology: A primer for what you need to know

  Software-defined WAN is poised to take the wide area network by storm, simplifying operations and reducing costs. Here's what you should know about the new SDN-based approach.  Continue Reading

• SDN analytics offers key to smarter, more adaptive networks

  SDN analytics promises to make software-defined networks smarter than ever, culling insights from vast amounts of big data and updating operations accordingly.  Continue Reading

• New Ethernet standard, 25 Gigabit Ethernet, slakes server performance

  Expanded performance and throughput in 25 Gigabit Ethernet, a new Ethernet standard, reflects continued advances in server processing.  Continue Reading

• SDN improves delivery of services in metropolitan area networks

  Providers have historically faced long delays in delivering new services to metropolitan networks. Analyst David Jacobs explains how SDN will change that.  Continue Reading

• New WAN access options improve availability, performance

  The old last-mile delivery problem for enterprise network access has become a WAN access first-mile opportunity, as new options improve network availability and performance.  Continue Reading

• IT networking career lessons in a time of change

  In the high-stakes, 'us vs. them' world of modern networking, a veteran network administrator shares some fundamental IT networking career lessons.  Continue Reading

• SDN training priorities for enterprises

  SDN promises to change how networking pros work. Analyst Shamus McGillicuddy shares the top priorities of enterprises tackling SDN retraining.  Continue Reading

• Apply network analytics to more quickly solve service issues

  With little tolerance for unplanned downtime, IT is under pressure. Applying network analytics can help troubleshoot problems faster and more accurately, and prevent service issues down the line.  Continue Reading

• The virtualized network alters data center plans

  The virtualized network is outstripping hardware and fundamentally altering data center plans, though in the long run, it has the chance to revolutionize them.  Continue Reading

• SDN network security: Building a safer architecture

  Software-defined networking may hold the key to better security. Networking expert Lee Doyle explains how to strengthen SDN network security to prevent breaches.  Continue Reading

• Getting started: Why it's time to learn Python for SDN

  Not all programming languages are created equal. For networking pros ready to dive into coding, network engineer Will Murrell suggests starting with Python.  Continue Reading

• Good networking principles prevent SD-WAN glitches

  SD-WANs can create new risks and challenges, but they also offer new rewards if users follow good networking principles.  Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot iPhone and iPad connection problems

  As iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi clients proliferate in the enterprise, IT must troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection problems. Here's how to solve basic iPhone and iPad connection problems.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-converged infrastructure forcing new thinking for networks

  Hyper-converged infrastructure not only drives new thinking about networks, it fundamentally changes some trusted networking techniques.  Continue Reading

• Deploying SDN for small business not yet worth it

  SDN for small business: Does it make sense? Networking engineer Nick Buraglio says maybe someday, but we're not there yet.  Continue Reading

• Looking at the future of wireless technology at CES 2016

  The CES 2016 consumer electronics show offers insight into the future of enterprise wireless technology. Here's what IT should expect.  Continue Reading

• NFV at the wireless edge: Cloud RAN opportunities and challenges

  Cloud RAN, a new architecture based on network functions virtualization concepts, promises to help the wireless network meet the demands of tomorrow.  Continue Reading

• Using a WAN optimizer sounds great, until it doesn't work

  When a new WAN optimizer feature was added to the network, it appeared it would improve performance -- but it didn't.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 connectivity: Ignore at your own peril

  Gathering knowledge on IPv6 connectivity and implementation is critical to success in modern IP networking.  Continue Reading

• Predictions for SDN development in 2016

  This promises to be an exciting year for software-defined networking enthusiasts, with SDN development poised for explosive growth. Analyst John Burke shares his predictions.  Continue Reading

• Understanding your wireless LAN controllers

  WLAN is often described with three planes: data, control and management. The role of the control plane, and the wireless LAN controllers, is the most difficult of these to understand.  Continue Reading

• Merlin Project conjuring up a new network management tool

  The Merlin Project, part of the Frenetic Project, hopes to help IT managers oversee complex networks with a new network management tool.  Continue Reading

• WLAN 2016 technology trends

  As we look ahead in the new year, wireless LAN 2016 technology trends include 802.11ac Wave 2, analytics, 2.5/5/10 Gbps, LTE conflicts and the Internet of Things.  Continue Reading

• Container networking: SDN systems designed for developers

  New SDN projects like Flannel and Weave Net are developer-friendly and Docker-compatible. Analyst Dan Conde explains why you might want to consider the new kids on the SDN block.  Continue Reading

• vCPE delivers opportunities for new business services

  Virtual CPE is one of the largest drivers of NFV deployment. Analyst Lee Doyle explains how the technology will help providers meet shifting business requirements.  Continue Reading

• Common network errors and their causes

  Network not behaving? Learn how to identify the most common network errors -- like discards and collisions -- and how to implement solutions to get your network humming again.  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

• The new WAN: How SDN changes wide area network operations

  SDN promises to transform the wide area network. Network pros should consider how SD-WAN will also change operational and organizational needs.  Continue Reading

• Has the time for wireless enterprise networks arrived?

  Is it time for Wi-Fi to become the primary access method for enterprise users?  Continue Reading

• How to manage Wireshark display filters

  Wireshark display tools such as capture and packet filtering offer critical insights into network functioning, but only if properly understood and managed.  Continue Reading

• Exploring OpenDaylight Project internals

  Diving into ODL Project internals as an engineer can be daunting, but doing so can lead to a richer understanding of the SDN platform. First, you'll need some new tools.  Continue Reading

• How new technologies are reshaping MiTM attacks

  MiTM attacks are including wireless networks among their targets, targeting vulnerabilities in applications, browsers, mobile, IoT and the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Are you ready for an SDN deployment?

  The principal motivation behind SDN deployments is the need for a responsive and nimble IT organization. While the network architecture is definitely in the future, not all are ready for it.  Continue Reading

• IO Visor challenges Open vSwitch

  An alternative to Open vSwitch aims to execute software upgrades without disrupting network services. Expert Keith Townsend explains how the technology works.  Continue Reading

• How to build the NFV business case

  Building a compelling business case for NFV is challenging, but essential. Telecom expert Tom Nolle explains how to convince CFOs that the time is right for implementation.  Continue Reading

• 'Load balancers' to 'ADP': The latest on app delivery

  Last decade's 'load balancers' are today's 'application delivery platforms.' Time to get up to date, too, on what else is new in app delivery tech.  Continue Reading

• How to meet the challenges of NFV orchestration

  Orchestration challenges are slowing NFV adoption, with a number of factors hindering deployments. Expert Lee Doyle explains and offers advice for service providers.  Continue Reading

• Developing consistent information security policy management

  Never-ending network challenges mean IT and business leaders need to adopt a unified information security policy management platform.  Continue Reading

• Searching for the right WAN connection type

  WAN connection types have evolved from T-1s and ISDN links to dynamic pipes capable of supporting bandwidth-intensive applications. What's next?  Continue Reading

• Filtering IPv6 extension headers is sometimes necessary

  IPv6 extension headers cause public Internet servers to drop packets, but such filtering is sometimes necessary for security purposes.  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

• Google's Ubernetes assists with software container management

  Ubernetes -- part of Google's evolving container management project -- uses network virtualization to unite container clusters across virtual and physical locations.  Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi Aware and its impact on the enterprise

  Wi-Fi Aware offers application-driven, personalized, proximity-based services that detect local capabilities. What does the new face of Wi-Fi innovation look like?  Continue Reading

• SDN orchestration with Anuta Networks' NCX platform

  Anuta Networks' NCX allows for orchestration in a multivendor environment. Expert Keith Townsend says that makes it one of the more interesting SDN products on the market.  Continue Reading

• SDN and OpenFlow improve broadband deployment

  Broadband deployment is time-consuming and complicated, but SDN and OpenFlow could change that. Networking expert Nick Buraglio explains.  Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot Android Wi-Fi connection problems

  Android smartphone and tablet users now abound in the enterprise, making Android Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting a key element of enterprise wireless network connection management.  Continue Reading

• SDN will play key role in mobile network security

  SDN will serve as a critical tool in the fight to secure the mobile network, thanks to its adaptability, which will allow it to address new threats as they emerge and evolve.  Continue Reading

• Is 25 Gigabit Ethernet the cure for data center oversubscription?

  With reduced hardware costs and more flexible lanes in the physical architecture, 25 Gigabit Ethernet may offer answers in oversubscribed data centers.  Continue Reading

• DLP tools essential to sensitive data protection strategy

  Data loss prevention tools that guard sensitive data are a security administrator's friend. But what exactly do they do?  Continue Reading

• Persuading management to support the IT buying process

  What steps should you take to get your network buying needs approved by top management? One piece of advice: Learn what your manager needs.  Continue Reading

• SDN monitoring can help meet new network visibility demands

  To keep pace with the demands of next-generation networks, management systems must be scalable, dynamic and intelligent. Expert Lee Doyle says SDN monitoring tools can help.  Continue Reading

• Do wide area networks need to get software-defined?

  Should you upgrade your wide area network to SD-WAN? Learn what factors you should consider before making the leap.  Continue Reading

• Network engineer skills for an SDN world

  To compete in a software-defined industry, networking professionals need to learn and adapt. Expert Terry Slattery explains which network engineer skills are most important in SDN.  Continue Reading

• Can the NETCONF protocol give OpenFlow a run for its money?

  OpenFlow is no longer the undisputed king of the SDN castle, with alternative standards like the NETCONF protocol challenging its hegemony.  Continue Reading

• The role of ARM in NFV platform development

  Semiconductor manufacturer ARM wants to be one of the top two sources for NFV platform silicon. Networking analyst Lee Doyle says the company and its partners will likely succeed.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 filtering threatens impact of new protocol

  IPv6 extension headers give the protocol additional versatility, but widespread IPv6 filtering is threating the new protocol's ability to survive in the public Internet.  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

• Time to get your cloud network architecture ready

  Enterprises need to ensure their cloud network architecture is ready for the future. Here are some concepts network managers should think about.  Continue Reading

• Using quality of experience to boost mobile user experience

  Quality of experience is a handy way to measure mobile users' experience with application performance. But understanding all of the components that comprise QoE is another task entirely.  Continue Reading

• How to find the best network management tools today

  Finding the best network management tools today can be a challenge. Here's guidance on how to proceed.  Continue Reading

• Is a hybrid WAN architecture right for you?

  Hybrid WANs have a lot of benefits, but make sure you understand how they can work in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Do managed software-defined WAN services make sense?

  By offering managed software-defined WAN services -- and potentially hastening MPLS' demise -- are providers sabotaging themselves? Our expert says no.  Continue Reading

• OPM hack two months later: What was learned?

  Network security expert Michele Chubirka shares her thoughts about June's OPM hack and what steps IT should take to fend off future attacks.  Continue Reading

• Taking steps to avoid another OPM security breach

  The Office of Personnel Management security breach rocked the IT industry. Here's what should be done to make sure it doesn't happen again.  Continue Reading

• Content delivery networks take on new roles

  Content delivery networks can pave the way for using rich media in an enterprise but make sure you understand how it works.  Continue Reading

• Do software containers spell trouble for SDN?

  In the brave new world of software containers, you might not notice SDN, but that doesn't mean it isn't there.  Continue Reading

• Choosing QoS vs. upgrade to solve link congestion

  Learn how to determine if quality of service will handle a congested link or if the capacity of your network must be increased.  Continue Reading

• SDN business case: How software-defined WANs save money

  Build a strong SDN business case in the wide area network, with potential for significant return on investment in both savings and performance.  Continue Reading

• Mitigating the challenges of container networking

  Container networking can cause issues at scale. Networking expert Jeff Loughridge suggests ways network engineers can work around such challenges.  Continue Reading

• Software containers can create problems in the network

  Software containers offer attractive alternatives to hypervisors, but in large-scale deployments, they can cause problems for network engineers.  Continue Reading

• Big data impact on network operations probed in study

  Big data is big news, but it's also influencing networking pros' capacity planning, according to an Enterprise Management Associates study.  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

• Overcoming the challenges of wiring farm networks

  The sound of mooing and the smell of diesel fuel are just part of what makes wiring a farm for networking a special experience.  Continue Reading

• ALU, HP and Juniper virtual router review

  How do virtual routers from Alcatel-Lucent, HP and Juniper stack up? See where they might fit in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Tools you need to become your own network cloud manager

  An ever-increasing percentage of enterprise workloads is moving to the cloud. Now is the time for IT pros to acquire the cloud-monitoring tools a next-gen network requires.  Continue Reading

• SDN and Openflow: Is the protocol dead?

  SDN and OpenFlow were once practically synonymous, but today the protocol is conspicuously absent. Its evolution offers an important lesson for networking pros.  Continue Reading

• Successful NFV platforms hinge on middleware selection

  When selecting NFV platforms, communication service providers should look for highly reliable middleware that allows them to adapt their networks over time.  Continue Reading

• Gaining business intelligence from network data analysis

  Harvesting your networking data to generate business intelligence can be done -- if you know how to begin.  Continue Reading

• Cisco, Brocade virtual router review

  Virtual routers can be measured by platforms, features and price. Kevin Tolly reviews VRs from Brocade and Cisco.  Continue Reading

• OpenStack Heat jumpstarts SDN learning, but still needs work

  OpenStack Heat -- an orchestration project -- uses SDN to launch applications in the cloud. It's one step closer to mainstream SDN, but we're not there yet.  Continue Reading

• Next-generation Wi-Fi: How SDN changes the wireless landscape

  The future is now. SDN technologies are quickly becoming central to vendors' next-generation Wi-Fi products and services -- and their role will only increase.  Continue Reading

• Management as a service? Don't underestimate cloud's capabilities

  Management as a service provides enterprises some key benefits like reduced cost and improvements in reliability.  Continue Reading

• The new cloud network: More than an Internet link

  Learn about the virtual WAN, the software-defined WAN and other new cloud network possibilities.  Continue Reading

• How software-defined WAN architecture is changing the market

  SDN principles are transforming the wide area network, with a number of networking companies -- both startups and established players -- offering software-defined WAN technologies to enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Understanding the basics of a hybrid VPN

  In part two of a three-part series, an expert looks at how hybrid VPNs are impacted by the shift from private services to the public Internet.  Continue Reading

• When the benefits of network virtualization aren't enough

  Consultant Glen Kemp shares the story of a client who re-evaluated the benefits of network virtualization after encountering a platform bug.  Continue Reading

• When planning IT, orgs need analytics and big data

  Networking expert Mike Jude says big data analytics isn't complete without cognitive computing. But a cognitive computing framework should not be taken lightly.  Continue Reading

• The science behind virtual routers and their emerging roles

  The evolution of virtualization has now hit the router market. Here's what you need to know to make virtual routers work for you.  Continue Reading

• NFV basics: Hold the specialized hardware

  John Burke writes that network functions virtualization goes way beyond merely deploying a physical appliance.  Continue Reading