Tips

Tips

• Understanding SDN components and where they're going

  What is SDN, and how does it differ from NFV? In part two of this series, IT expert Andrew Froehlich explains SDN technologies and where we can expect to see them in the future.  Continue Reading

• Adoption of cloud computing means updating networks

  The widespread adoption of cloud computing means enterprises have to carefully balance how they upgrade their network infrastructure.  Continue Reading

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

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

• On-premises services and cloud compete at network edges

  As organizations are pushed to move services from on premises to the cloud, the focus shifts to network edges.  Continue Reading

• BGP routing joining OpenFlow in software-defined networks

  Border Gateway Protocol is an internet essential, and BGP routing may be taking on a bigger role in software-defined networking, displacing OpenFlow to manage SDN packet flow.  Continue Reading

• IP subnetting: How to calculate subnet masks

  Check out IP subnetting shortcuts on how to do subnet mask calculations and break down IP address classes to route traffic within your network.  Continue Reading

• Laying the foundation for a virtualized network infrastructure

  SDN, NFV and VNF: Don't get bogged down with these hot-topic terms. In part one of this series, IT expert Andrew Froehlich discusses how and whether you should implement virtualized functions in your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• How to estimate the ROI of a SD-WAN implementation

  Going forward on a SD-WAN implementation is a big step for enterprises, but determining the return on investment can be a deciding factor in whether to crop more expensive MPLS lines.  Continue Reading

• Exploring the ins and outs of enterprise hardware pricing

  Cloud computing has changed how businesses buy technology. How does the age of SaaS affect enterprise hardware pricing?  Continue Reading

• What to know about choosing a vCPE platform

  Service providers are opting for virtual CPE and its resulting benefits, but choosing the right vCPE platform is essential to get the most out of it.  Continue Reading

• Why network operations efficiency should drive technology change

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

• Are you getting what you're paying for with your WAN SLA performance?

  An Enterprise Management Associates study examining WAN SLA performance found that companies need to be more proactive in how they keep tabs on their service providers.  Continue Reading

• How segment routing could be a boon to SDN

  Segment routing could prove to be a compelling alternative to OpenFlow, but more work needs to be done before it becomes a mainstream technology.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of the 802.11ad standard shouldn't be overlooked

  The other WLAN standard, 802.11ad, will bring even more flexibility and opportunities to enterprises, but the specification also comes with some challenges.  Continue Reading

• How SD-WAN benefits app delivery

  There are many SD-WAN benefits for the enterprise, including cost savings, better app delivery and more. Learn how to software define your wide area network.  Continue Reading

• Comparing cable types: Fiber vs. copper twisted pair

  What's the difference in fiber vs. copper cables? Key differences include cost, speed and more when it comes to fiber optic and copper twisted-pair cabling options.  Continue Reading

• Denial-of-service defense depends on multipronged strategy

  Ransomware and data breaches may be getting all the headlines, but denial-of-service attacks are on the rise. What can you do to mitigate their effect?  Continue Reading

• Cisco's Tetration adds visibility for monitoring data centers

  Cisco analytics engine takes monitoring data centers to new levels by capturing network traffic and employing big data techniques to diagnose problems.  Continue Reading

• White box switches and hyper-convergence aid data center networks now

  White box switches and hyper-convergence are two upgrades that can breathe new life into your data center network. Learn what they are and how to make them work for you.  Continue Reading

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

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

• DevOps and automation in the software-defined network

  Software-defined networking allows today's networks to keep pace with DevOps and automation demands, making rapid and reliable software delivery possible.  Continue Reading

• Secure cloud network services drive enterprise cloud migrations

  Ensuring secure cloud network connections is paramount to easing business concerns about moving workloads to the cloud, and a growing number of cloud networking options can help.  Continue Reading

• WAN-cloud eXchange extends the private WAN to the cloud

  Enterprises can reap cloud benefits while relieving concerns about security and reliability with a WAN-cloud eXchange, or WAN-CX.  Continue Reading

• As technology changes, networking skills need to keep up

  Evolving technology demands that networking professionals stay up to speed on the latest advancements, especially those centered around software-based services.  Continue Reading

• Network fault management in today's complex data centers

  Network designs and technologies may change, but identifying -- and remediating -- faults is a fundamental task for today's system managers. Here's what you need to know.  Continue Reading

• When will SD-WANs 'cross the chasm'?

  It can be difficult to separate hype from reality, especially when it comes to SDN technology. Here, analyst Jim Metzler explores when software-defined WANs might go mainstream.  Continue Reading

• Data center convergence enabled by SDN, SD storage

  As applications drive the need for massive storage capacity, data center convergence will be aided by software-defined storage and networking to enable private cloud architecture.  Continue Reading

• Network designs for dynamic route pacing

  The new generation of network devices means network designs based on dynamic routing. But there are pitfalls to keep in mind.  Continue Reading

• Visibility key to loving your WAN carrier

  Taking a few simple steps can help strengthen the relationship between your WAN carrier and IT management.  Continue Reading

• Future network market vision emphasizes the edge

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

• IT's hardware evolution in this software-defined age

  There may be a software-defined revolution going on, but the hardware evolution continues. Learn why hardware retains its importance in networking today, even in this SDN age.  Continue Reading

• How to build a VMware lab setup for testing

  Understanding what makes virtualization tick comes down to successful testing; find out how to build a VMware lab setup for testing at home.  Continue Reading

• Dynamic virtual network services usher in connectivity revolution

  Dynamic virtual network services are using NFV to provide new enterprise services faster and cheaper by removing the need for expensive hardware deployments from the equation.  Continue Reading

• Proactive risk management: Managing the deluge of alerts

  In today's threat landscape, proactive risk management is needed to stay on top of a surge of network and security alerts.  Continue Reading

• How to make your WAN architecture software-defined

  There's more than one way to make your WAN architecture software-defined. Learn three very different routes to achieving an SD-WAN.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined networking products to enable scalable container deployment

  Container deployments enable the rapid introduction of new applications, but they can also cause networking problems at scale. Analyst Lee Doyle says software-defined networking products will change that.  Continue Reading

• Getting the most out of a managed WAN implementation

  Marketing materials paint a rosy picture, but a managed WAN implementation can be a challenge for enterprise network engineers.  Continue Reading

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

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

• Automated BSS and OSS models needed for new network operations

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

• 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