Tips

Tips

• IPv4 to IPv6 translation: Comparing network-ready routing solutions

  IPv4 to IPv6 translation has been a problem for more than a decade, and several solutions that attempt to solve IPv4 address exhaustion are network ready, according to IP expert Ivan Pepelnjak, who gives his recommendations.  Continue Reading

• How to configure Virtual Switch Tagging for vSphere VLANs

  Virtual Switch Tagging is the most commonly used method of 802.1Q VLAN tagging for VLANs for vSphere. In this tip, learn how to configure a switch for VLAN Switch Tagging.  Continue Reading

• Service layer architecture: 4 main network operator requirements

  A recent survey revealed service layer architectures will have to meet four main network operator requirements to enable carriers to differentiate themselves effectively from over-the-top (OTT) services and act on new market opportunities.  Continue Reading

• vSphere VLAN: Understanding 802.1Q VLAN tagging

  vSphere VLANs have requirements different from those of VLANs in physical environments because VMs are fluid and can't be assigned to one physical NIC. So 802.1Q VLAN tagging offers a new approach to configuring and managing VLANs in vSphere.  Continue Reading

• How to choose ITIL monitoring tools

  ITIL network monitoring requires ITIL monitoring tools that scan network function as well as application performance and have the ability to continually update information in a series of ITIL v3 databases.  Continue Reading

• Networking for virtualization: Virtual network switch problems abound

  When it comes to networking for virtualization, every hypervisor comes with built-in switching, but virtual network switch problems abound, including the lack of traffic visibility and manageability.  Continue Reading

• Edge virtualization technologies solve virtual network switch woes

  Virtual network switches have posed serious problems for networking pros, but network edge virtualization technologies, including distributed virtual switches, may be what makes manageability possible in networking for virtualization.  Continue Reading

• Smart pipe strategy puts new telecom services in business value chain

  New TM Forum initiatives focus on new telecom services that bring in revenue while making 'smart pipe' networks essential to value chain partners. Whether through cloud computing services or network outsourcing, it is ushering in a new -- possibly ...  Continue Reading

• Financing FTTH deployment: Show us the ROI for Fiber to the Home

  The cost of FTTH deployment is high and demands heavy upfront equipment costs, yet competition keeps profit margins low. Find out how carriers are trying to improve the network ROI and reinvent the fiber to the home business model to help mitigate ...  Continue Reading

• Managing virtualization networking: Virtual network switch challenges

  Managing virtualization networking is a real challenge for network admins since they often don't have control of virtual network switches and the traffic that runs inside servers. But there are some solutions by way of virtualization networking ...  Continue Reading

• What is a WAN manager's role in storage?

  Bandwidth, data deduplication, disaster recovery (DR) and remote site acceleration and optimization are all areas where storage and WAN managers' job responsibilities overlap. This article explains how and answers the question, 'What is a wide area ...  Continue Reading

• Web SSL VPN introduction

  This Web SSL VPN introduction answers the question "What is a Web SSL VPN?" and explains SSL VPN advantages in remote access environments. Understand how they evolved from their lesser IPsec VPN counterparts, how they protect against hackers, how ...  Continue Reading

• A history of VPN: Disadvantages of early virtual private networks

  This history of VPN explains why early virtual private network solutions proved disadvantageous for businesses and how the advent of newer VPNs has created more secure and simpler-to-deploy solutions for wide area networks (WANs) and remote users.  Continue Reading

• Web SSL VPN advantages: Secure remote access

  View this business case to understand Web SSL VPN advantages and how they compare with traditional IPsec virtual private networks. Learn in this tip how secure remote access can be easier, faster and cheaper for enterprise wide area networks (WANs).  Continue Reading

• How to optimize Ethernet for data center networks

  It will take time for super-fast data center Ethernet technologies to evolve, so managers of data center networks must optimize existing Ethernet through a series of strategies that range from choosing very large switches to isolating storage ...  Continue Reading

• Traffic grooming in optical networks: Making real-world choices

  Solutions for traffic grooming in optical networks haven't kept pace with all-optical network development and still work in the electrical domain. Telecom providers have to make hard, real-world choices about how to best transport their services ...  Continue Reading

• Telecom's three advantages in selling Everything as a Service

  Cloud computing has ushered in the era of "Everything as a Service." Network operators need to exploit three advantages as they compete with other "X as a Service" providers selling software, infrastructure, platforms and more as a service.  Continue Reading

• Should you consider wireless WAN service for your enterprise?

  Learn the advantages and disadvantages of using wireless in your enterprise wide area network (WAN). This article on wireless WAN service considerations explains how 3G and 4G technology developments  Continue Reading

• Integrating LAN edge switch security and network access control

  The best form of network edge security is to integrate LAN edge switch security features with network access control devices so that networking teams can use VLANs, ACLs and health checks at the switch alongside NAC's behavior analysis.  Continue Reading

• Configuring LAN edge switches for network access authentication

  Intelligent edge switches can play a role in network access authentication, but these functions are often overlooked.  Continue Reading

• New telecom industry trends require OSS/BSS systems changes

  New telecom industry trends are driving OSS/BSS systems requirements, with new service layer architecture and customer experience management at the core, causing a move to automated systems and management-as-service logic.  Continue Reading

• Five key Evolved Packet Core issues face 4G LTE network planners

  Wireless operators deploying Evolved Packet Core technology in 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks agree on five key issues to address in this unique transition from 3G to 4G networking. Learn from their experience on everything from fiber ...  Continue Reading

• Integrating the Evolved Packet Core for seamless 3G/4G mobile backhaul

  When transitioning from 3G to 4G networks, wireless operators must plan carefully to migrate and integrate mobile backhaul so it accommodates both the new Evolved Packet Core for LTE and traditional TDM-based backhaul solutions.  Continue Reading

• Choosing a provider for WAN managed services for your enterprise

  How do you find the right provider for your business's WAN managed services? Ask the right questions. To get a managed service provider (MSP) at the right price with the right offerings and service-level agreements (SLAs), view these tips.  Continue Reading

• Seven IPv6 networking myths that don't match reality

  IPv4 addresses are running out, and the change to IPv6 networking is imperative, yet the myths surrounding what the protocol can and cannot do are becoming the stuff of legend. Our IP expert looks at IPv6 reality instead.  Continue Reading

• LAN edge switch security functions: Switch ACLs; filtering port traffic

  LAN edge switch security functions enable network administrators to use switch access control lists (ACLs) to filter incoming and outgoing traffic, as well as port-level traffic filtering and VLAN management for a more in-depth approach to LAN ...  Continue Reading

• Mobile WAN routers: Comparison and considerations for your enterprise

  If you have road warriors in your enterprise wide area network (WAN) workforce, you're probably worrying about exorbitant mobile broadband fees. Mobile WAN routers are a cost-effective alternative. Read this tip to learn when to use them in your ...  Continue Reading

• WAN video conferencing network design requirements for QoS

  To ensure high-quality video conferencing over your enterprise wide area network (WAN), you need to make sure you have enough bandwidth, among other things. Check out these WAN video conferencing network design configuration requirements before you ...  Continue Reading

• Benchmarking core switches: Modeling techniques for switch testing

  When it comes to benchmarking core switches, network managers find that testing tools are costly, so it may be worth using switch traffic modeling for testing core switch performance.  Continue Reading

• Integrated wireless network management systems work across infrastructures

  Enterprises must implement integrated wireless network management systems that are user-aware and offer end-to-end visibility but also provide the drill-down capabilities of wired network management systems.  Continue Reading

• Cloud networking: Inter-networking data centers and connecting users

  Cloud networks have a mission: connect a pool of resources that any user, anywhere can access without fail.  Continue Reading

• Five telecom provider benefits of offering cloud computing services

  Cloud computing services, platforms and infrastructure can benefit telecom service providers and provide Web-based applications to enterprise customers if carriers address challenges like security and performance to differentiate themselves and cut ...  Continue Reading

• Preparing your wired network for wireless network integration

  Wireless LAN integration means upgrading wired networks with new equipment and traffic prioritization to avoid bottlenecks between the networks and provide QoS for wireless multimedia applications, including WLAN voice and video.  Continue Reading

• Testing 10 gigabit Ethernet switch latency: What to look for

  Testing 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches means going beyond just speed to examine potential latency. Testing 10 gigabit Ethernet switch latency requires choosing the right switches and testing tools and recreating your track flow in just the right way.  Continue Reading

• Demystifying the evolved packet core for 4G LTE networks

  Designing 4G LTE network evolved packet core technology to ensure maximum resource efficiency and high-quality user experience calls for increased focus on metro "middle-mile" networks and analysis of expected traffic handoff patterns.  Continue Reading

• Unified fabric: Data center bridging and FCoE implementation

  IT organizations planning to deploy a unified storage and network fabric through data center bridging and FCoE implementation must consider a host of components, such as adapters, and configuration plans.  Continue Reading

• How to reach maximum 802.11n speed and throughput

  Vendors promise 802.11n WLAN speed of 600 Mbps, but users find they can realistically reach about 300 Mbps. In order to maximize 802.11n speed and throughput, users find they must have just the right AP configuration and use of antennas.  Continue Reading

• IP over dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM): Metro and core issues

  Providers pressured to increase network throughput while reducing costs can look to IP over DWDM in some metro network situations, such as saving money on residential Internet backhaul. IP expert Ivan Pepelnjak also walks you through the ...  Continue Reading

• Wireless or Ethernet LAN? An apples-to-apples cost comparison

  Now that 802.11n has made wireless LAN faster and more reliable, network administrators are wondering: Wireless or Ethernet LAN? Until now Ethernet replacement hasn't been feasible, but 802.11n WLAN benefits are much more tangible now.  Continue Reading

• Top five telecom industry trends for 2010: Market transformation ahead

  Five telecom industry trends for 2010 show clear signs that the coming year may well bring a market transformation unlike any the telecom industry has seen in quite some time.  Continue Reading

• Deep packet inspection: Who needs it for network traffic management?

  Using deep packet inspection (DPI) is a great way to analyze Internet traffic and bandwidth use beyond the TCP headers, when its use doesn't violate network traffic management regulations. Carriers may find that if they don't embrace DPI, their ...  Continue Reading

• Integrating wired and wireless LANs: Making the business case

  With improved 802.11n performance, wireless LAN ports are overtaking Ethernet in the enterprise, and networking teams are pressed to find solutions for integrated wired and wireless network management.  Continue Reading

• Three major issues face telecom on cloud computing services adoption

  Service providers must address three important cloud computing services issues – security, reliability and portability – if enterprise customers are going to adopt the new model, and the TM Forum is aiming to take a key role in the ...  Continue Reading

• How to test LAN switch energy efficiency

  Vendors promise energy-efficient networks, but they often can't provide actual measurements for LAN switch power consumption. In this best practices guide, learn methods for measuring LAN switch energy efficiency.  Continue Reading

• Testing LAN switch power consumption: A best practices guide

  LAN switch power consumption testing is as crucial as benchmarking speeds and feeds on switches. Enterprises that develop a set of best practices for testing network power consumption will save millions in op-ex annually.  Continue Reading

• Telecom network test equipment takes on strategic role

  Telecom network test equipment is becoming a strategic necessity for operators, who want to integrate the NOC with lab- and field-testing equipment to get a handle on network performance and stability issues.  Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization network requirements

  CIOs have fallen in love with virtual desktop infrastructure, so networking teams must meet desktop virtualization network requirements that include network bandwidth management and traffic prioritization for real-time communications.  Continue Reading

• Is the future of 4G LTE wireless networks in cloud computing?

  4G LTE wireless networking will drive low-revenue data business to carriers, so the key to making a profit is to bundle cloud-enabled managed services with basic communications.  Continue Reading

• Selecting a WAN service provider: Keep an eye on SLAs

  Adding new layers on your WAN for application monitoring and optimization can easily increase costs and complexity, which can take a toll on organizations struggling with limited budgets and short staff. The solution may be a managed service ...  Continue Reading

• Procurement zones become telecom network infrastructure strategy

  Telecom carriers are changing their traditional network technology procurement procedures and looking at vendor-led "procurement zones" to ensure equipment and solutions interoperability and get around delayed standards issues in an increasingly ...  Continue Reading

• Launching a network operations outsourcing project

  Outsourcing telecom network operations is becoming more common as next-generation network increase in complexity and IT focus, but a successful launch should include specific planning steps.  Continue Reading

• Telecom outsourcing: Network Planning and operations guidelines

  Next-generation networks are increasingly complex, and the number of telecom infrastructure devices to manage is increasing pressure in the network operations center. Outsourcing network operations may be the answer, but first network operators must...  Continue Reading

• Telecom network operations and infrastructure planning: Outsourcing the challenge

  Next-generation network complexity is causing heavy increases in telecom network operations costs, and finding the skill set needed to integrate and maintain network infrastructure are is increasingly difficult. Telecom carriers are exploring new ...  Continue Reading

• Supply chain revolutionary: AT&T leads procurement zone adoption

  Changing the telecom procurement processes to make equipment vendors more responsible for integration and network operations has been discussed for months, and now it's a reality, with AT&T leading the way with its Domain Supplier program.  Continue Reading

• How to plan for 802.11n wireless LAN upgrades

  802.11n WLAN upgrades mean more than just implementing new antennas and access points. 802.11n network requirements include the need for more power and controller capacity, as well as complex management and monitoring tools.  Continue Reading

• Distributed network management means no more hard NOCs

  Distributed network management with out-of-band networks enables enterprises to move away from network operations centers, becoming eco-friendly and spending less.  Continue Reading

• FTP accelerator may be more of a quick than long-term fix

  One of the top challenges for many companies is transferring large files between network locations, so they are looking for ways to simply speed up the transfer of files from one point to another. FTP or file acceleration alternatives not only solve...  Continue Reading

• Effective service delivery platforms: Are we there yet?

  Service delivery platforms (SDPs) can play an essential role in making sure telecom carriers aren't relegated to transport-only status and instead can increase revenue by serving customers and over-the-top (OTT) partners using flexible multimedia ...  Continue Reading

• Preparing metro networks for 4G LTE backhaul

  Wireless operators must ensure their metro network infrastructure is optimized to handle 4G wireless broadband LTE voice and data, because the backhaul capabilities determine how much data the cell can support.  Continue Reading

• 4G LTE wireless transition: Examining the services advantages

  In the transition to 4G wireless broadband networks, mobile operators need to analyze the business opportunities and customer drivers of 4G LTE networks. For providing revenue-generating services, LTE has three main advantages over 3G, including ...  Continue Reading

• Deploying 802.11n access points: Best practices

  802.11n access points offer greater speed, footprint and ability to support demanding applications than their 802.11a/b/g counterparts, but they require different configuration, monitoring and management. Learn strategies for 802.11n deployment.  Continue Reading

• Telecom industry trends hint at big changes to come

  Telecom industry changes stemming from network convergence and interest in driving IT-oriented service-level architecture could cause upheaval in the equipment-buying and management process, vendor professional services requirements and CIO/CTO ...  Continue Reading

• Service delivery platforms enable service differentiators

  Deploying software-based service delivery platforms (SDPs) can allow network operators speedy service deployment and validation and offer differentiated services that increase revenue and customer value.  Continue Reading

• Deep packet inspection: Controversial but valuable traffic management tool

  Deep packet inspection (DPI) may be controversial from a customer privacy and net neutrality standpoint, but the technology has valuable Internet traffic management capabilities to help service providers prioritize and deliver types of traffic, and ...  Continue Reading

• New managed network services can increase service providers' revenue

  Thanks to their economies of scale and changes in enterprise networking needs, telecom service providers have an enormous opportunity to grow their managed services revenue with new cloud-based, WAN, IT and security services at effective price ...  Continue Reading

• Self-organizing networks could be next-gen OSS model

  The concept of self-organizing networks emerging from LTE and IMS technology may offer service providers a new telecom OSS model for broad service operations management that automates processes and enables lower operations costs for high-volume, ...  Continue Reading

• Windows Server 2008 IP routing configuration: Static and dynamic RIPv2

  With the removal of OSPF in Microsoft Windows Server 2008, your IP routing options are static routing or dynamic routing with RIPv2. In this tip, learn whether you should use static or dynamic routing, and see the IP routing configuration of each.  Continue Reading

• Remote, branch office VPN access with DSL

  Connecting multiple branch or remote offices to the main office can be done easily over DSL with a typical IPsec VPN solution; explore the options, including using a Cisco router.  Continue Reading

• VPN, remote access security best practices

  Keeping workers connected to the corporate network increasingly requires greater reliance on virtual private networks. Find out more about site-to-site VPN and connecting mobile and remote workers, as well as what protocols are used.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Computing System vs. VMware vSphere 4

  In the Cisco Unified Computing System vs. VMware vSphere 4 battle, find out which company is more likely to be the first to bring private clouds to data centers.  Continue Reading

• IT networking certifications and career paths for aspiring professionals

  Here you'll find network career training and Cisco certification guidance for the aspiring IT professional. Find a career path for you before and after earning your degree, with these expert responses.  Continue Reading

• Determining IPsec tunneling, bandwidth capacity

  VPN router tunnels, including IPsec tunnels, are demystified in this tip as well as bandwidth management and determining bandwidth capacity for router tunnels.  Continue Reading

• Reduce TCP congestion, packet loss on the WAN with SACK and FACK

  TCP robustness and packet loss can be reduced with the use of the SACK and FACK algorithms on the WAN. Find out how these algorithms can help reduce congestion on the network.  Continue Reading

• GRE tunnel vs. IPsec tunnel: What is the difference?

  Encapsulating a packet for secure transportation on the network can be done using either GRE or IPsec protocols. This tip explains under what circumstances each protocol works best.  Continue Reading

• Interpreting bandwidth utilization graphs

  Network bandwidth utilization graphs can help determine if an enterprise has the right amount of bandwidth. Find out more about interpreting the graphs and finding the solution the fits the best.  Continue Reading

• Router virtualization: Developing effective networking strategies

  As new router and network virtualization technologies become a reality, telecom carriers need to weigh lower capital costs against realistic operations costs to see whether it's worth replacing parallel networks.  Continue Reading

• VPLS: A secure LAN cloud solution for some, not all

  VPLS can be the right solution for enterprise customers using non-IP protocols and for disaster recovery scenarios, as long as service providers and customers understand the security implications and don't get swept away with the hype.  Continue Reading

• Satisfying the need for WAN speed

  Improving the performance and throughput of a WAN usually starts with a basic understanding of speed limitations and capacity. While the common view is faster is better, in the land of WANs and other areas of networking, it is all about distance, ...  Continue Reading

• Converged Enhanced Ethernet: New protocols enhance data center Ethernet

  10 Gigabit Ethernet performance in the data center is improving. Network traffic and packet loss issues are being solved with new, more efficient protocols.  Continue Reading

• Carrier Ethernet: Big picture issues for carrier deployment

  Carrier Ethernet standards were designed to address Ethernet technology's shortcomings in access and core networks and in site-to-site transport to bring Ethernet to carrier grade. This tip addresses additional telecom service provider issues in ...  Continue Reading

• Three 4G business models emerge for LTE and WiMAX

  4G evolution talk is all the rage, but the best business models for wireless broadband technologies aren't in sharp focus yet. Wireless operators have to decide whether to deploy WiMAX or LTE for their 4G networks, and knowing their customers' ...  Continue Reading

• WAN design: What to consider

  WAN design includes taking many factors into consideration. Network managers must start with business goals and technology requirements, then use techniques including discovery, network analysis, and simulation to determine the network architecture ...  Continue Reading

• Questions to ask to determine WAN bandwidth requirements

  When addressing bandwidth management, business and technical issues cannot be overlooked. This means that as a network manager you must identify all the key factors that affect bandwidth usage and requirements. This article walks through collecting ...  Continue Reading

• WAN capacity planning: Building a methodology

  Successful WAN capacity planning depends on many factors and how they work together. This article provides network managers with a starting point for understanding how to measure and predict network capacity and provides a 10-step methodology to ...  Continue Reading

• FTTx: Three considerations for deployment planning

  Fiber may be the most effective way to deliver high-speed bandwidth, but three main FTTx deployment considerations for service delivery will affect each provider's cost/benefit analysis. Find out what network operators need to consider in selecting ...  Continue Reading

• 802.11n's impact on WLAN security

  802.11n wireless LANs offer many benefits over 802.11a/b/g for not only performance but also network security. However, 802.11n can also bring new security threats. As businesses move full steam ahead toward bigger, faster WLANs, many factors must ...  Continue Reading

• Choosing customer MPLS VPN routing protocols

  Providing customers with MPLS VPNs puts the issue of which IP protocols to use in the network front and center. Telecom service providers prefer BGP, but enterprise customers often prefer other options. This expert article looks at a range of ...  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

• 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

• 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

• 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