Tutorials

Tutorials

• An introduction to the types of firewalls and how they work

  In this introduction to firewall technology, learn about the types of firewalls and how they work to keep private networks safe from hackers and other security threats.  Continue Reading

• NetOps vs. DevOps vs. NetSecOps: What's the difference?

  DevOps, NetOps and NetSecOps ... oh my! These IT concepts have their differences, but at the end of the day, they're family. Here's how they relate.  Continue Reading

• What is CDN technology, and who are the current CDN providers?

  This tutorial on content delivery networks offers an overview of CDN technology, provides information on finding CDN providers and looks at CDNs' role in enterprise networking.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN explained: Getting your questions answered

  Our SearchSDN networking experts aim for SD-WAN explained in this Q&A compilation, with topics ranging from vertical markets it can benefit to the merits of WAN optimization vs. SD-WAN.  Continue Reading

• Essential network cabling tips for your infrastructure

  Network cabling may seem basic, but it's integral to your network infrastructure. This series of 10 lessons for networking pros explains how common types of network cables work.  Continue Reading

• USB cable connection and connector types explained

  The USB cable connection remains popular -- particularly with home users -- in part, because of its easy setup. Take a closer look at standard USB and related connection types.  Continue Reading

• A parallel cable connection for computers can still be useful

  Parallel cable connections that allow data to be transferred between computers require a slightly complicated setup. But the speeds achieved are worth it.  Continue Reading

• How to set up a serial cable connection in your network

  Serial direct cable connection is examined in this cable networking lesson, which defines the term and explains how it works, as well as the technology required to set one up.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to Windows direct cable connection

  Methods of direct cable connection have evolved. This tip explains how, as well as what each method -- including UTP crossovers and straight-through cabling -- requires.  Continue Reading

• Learn about fiber optic cable types and why smaller is better

  Learn about fiber optic cable types, how the most widely used one -- 62.5/125-micron loose tube -- is constructed, and why smaller is better when it comes to fiber optics.  Continue Reading

• 100Base-TX cable, or Fast Ethernet, explained

  This tip reviews 100Base-TX cable fundamentals, including a breakdown of the term's meaning, how it works and related cable types that network pros need to know.  Continue Reading

• How the 10Base-T cable evolved and its use today

  This tip reviews how 10Base-T cable developed and what the elements of the term mean. It also reviews the variations of this cabling type and how they are used now.  Continue Reading

• How to set up a CAT5 UTP crossover cable

  Learn all about UTP crossover CAT5 cables in this cabling series tip, which both explains the purpose of this common cable type and how to set one up.  Continue Reading

• Types of network cables: An introduction to network cabling

  Different types of networking cables are the backbone of a network's infrastructure. Selecting the right type is critical, as enterprise network admins deploy new technologies.  Continue Reading

• Straight-through cable: Learn about UTP wiring and color coding

  Straight-through UTP cables and CAT5 networks are discussed in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Overview of the Gigabit Ethernet standard

  This lesson from our network cabling series reviews the Gigabit Ethernet standard, also known as 1000BASE, as well as variations of 10BASE Ethernet.  Continue Reading

• Software as a Service challenges: Building your roadmap to success

  This FAQ guide with expert Henry Svendblad lays out the most common Software as a Service challenges for management and how to overcome them.  Continue Reading

• Assuaging concerns about public cloud services

  In this helpful guide, cloud networking expert Amy Larsen DeCarlo delves into some of the most common concerns about public cloud services and the best ways to address them.  Continue Reading

• Application performance management advice for your network

  This guide explores how network-based application performance management can help you prevent performance problems before they harm your business.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization basics for cloud providers

  This chapter download covers the basics of virtualization, including server virtualization and network virtualization, and their role in cloud.  Continue Reading

• GRE IPsec tunnel and transport mode overhead

  Understand how much packet overhead is used in GRE IPsec tunnel vs. transport mode in this technical tip.  Continue Reading

• Implementing IPsec to protect your VPN data

  While implementing IPsec can be done a variety of ways, this article discusses how to configure IP security to protect your VPN data.  Continue Reading

• IPsec transport mode: How it works

  This article explains what virtual private network (VPN) IPsec transport mode is and how it works, using diagrams, illustrations and easy-to-understand language.  Continue Reading

• IPsec tunnel mode: How it works

  Learn what IPsec tunnel mode is and how it works across your virtual private network (VPN).  Continue Reading

• IPsec modes: Understanding transport vs. tunnel modes for VPN security

  Did you know that there are two types of IPsec modes? This article series walks you through examples, behaviors and implementation of both.  Continue Reading

• Cloud capacity planning not just about capex -- it's an SLA issue, too

  Do you know how to play Tetris? Good -- then you're halfway to understanding the rigors of cloud capacity planning. Learn the rest in this free chapter download.  Continue Reading

• Wireless wide area networks: A primer on WWAN technology and uses

  A wireless wide area network (WWAN) has several possibilities for uses and comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Learn about the WWAN in this primer.  Continue Reading

• Branch networking: Comparing branch office routers

  This comparison of branch office routers examines the features and functionality offered by leading branch networking vendors.  Continue Reading

• MPLS vs. VPN: Comparing ADSL MPLS VPNs with ADSL IP VPNs

  Expert Chris Partsenidis hashes out the MPLS vs. VPN debate to determine whether cheaper ADSL IP VPN alternatives are better than ISP-supported ADSL MPLS VPNs for your WAN.  Continue Reading

• Mobile broadband/SSL VPN solution keeps police officers in the field

  An Alabama police department mobilized its officers by creating a mobile broadband and SSL VPN solution, forgoing a costly private network installation.  Continue Reading

• ADSL VPN primer

  This ADSL VPN primer explains what an Asymmetic Digital Subscriber Line IP VPN is and introduces IT professionals to ADSL VPN security, services and backup.  Continue Reading

• DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages

  While many enterprises are moving from T1 to MPLS IP VPN connections, others are moving to DSL VPNs. Learn why and assess the DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages for yourself.  Continue Reading

• Understanding MPLS IP VPN encryption

  Does MPLS IP VPN encryption make your enterprise WAN secure? Read this explanation to understand MPLS virtual private network security basics.  Continue Reading

• 4G wireless network planning: A guide for network operators

  This 4G wireless network planning guide helps network operators determine what moving to 4G means for network design and traffic handling practices, and how to adapt as necessary.  Continue Reading

• MPLS VPN tutorial

  What are MPLS networks? How do they work and how are MPLS VPNs used in enterprise wide area networks (WANs)? This MPLS VPN tutorial will help you understand MPLS VPN basics.  Continue Reading

• Knowing when you have outgrown your SSL VPN appliance

  Scaling an SSL VPN appliance takes careful planning and out-of-the-box thinking to ensure secure remote access to users across the globe.  Continue Reading

• Virtual WAN optimization appliance roundup

  Get a rundown of use cases and vendor options for a virtual WAN optimization appliance, which can go places hardware can’t and creates opportunities for focused traffic management.  Continue Reading

• Optical-electrical network convergence primer

  Optical-electrical network convergence will collapse network layers, lower capex and opex, and cut management complexity for next-generation IP services. Our primer has the basics.  Continue Reading

• Deep Packet Inspection primer

  This deep packet inspection primer looks at how network operators use DPI for traffic management and analysis, and how net neutrality principles have made its use controversial.  Continue Reading

• Evolved Packet Core primer

  Learn about the Evolved Packet Core for 4G LTE networks that converges voice and data to run as packet-switched services with Quality of Service, session and policy management.  Continue Reading

• Mobile backhaul network primer

  Wireless broadband traffic growth has made mobile backhaul network infrastructure key. Our primer looks at moving to IP- and Ethernet-based transport to handle 4G LTE and WiMAX.  Continue Reading

• T1 circuit or MPLS network: How to choose

  The venerable T1 circuit is making way for the high-speed, easy to manage MPLS network. While the carriers are not ripping out T1 connections, they are pressuring WAN managers to abandon them.  Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization network and storage best practices

  A desktop virtualization network and storage strategy that optimizes bandwidth and limits lag time is key to enterprise uptake of virtual desktop infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• A cloud provider's guide to building multiservice cloud platforms

  This cloud platform guide walks cloud providers through creating one flexible platform for multiple services, internal and external cloud uses and the necessary database analysis.  Continue Reading

• A WAN manager’s guide to data center interconnect

  Virtualization is changing the role of the WAN for data center interconnect. WAN managers need to understand and prepare for the new requirements for data center links.  Continue Reading

• Network disaster recovery planning guide: Best practices

  This network disaster recovery planning guide provides essentials for protecting a network in the event of a disaster and offers knowledge necessary to execute a successful plan.  Continue Reading

• Telecom tutorials

  SearchTelecom.com's tutorials offer expert insight, technical tips and best practices on core and access networks, IPTV, fixed mobile convergence, VoIP, WiFi/WiMax, wireless and mobile devices, MPLS, service areas, network operations and more.  Continue Reading

• Networking tutorials

  SearchNetworking.com’s tutorials are a great resource for technical tips and valuable best practices on routing, switching, network security, network/systems management, convergence/VoIP and wireless LANs, so that IT professionals can keep their ...  Continue Reading

• Enterprise WAN tutorials

  SearchEnterpriseWAN.com’s tutorials provide IT professionals with the latest information on WAN optimization and application acceleration, capacity planning, secure remote access, network disaster recovery, WAN performance management, remote ...  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud deployment

  This cloud computing tutorial defines what a hybrid cloud deployment is and helps network managers understand the associated pros and cons in deploying mix of both private and public clouds. We examine how the network is affected by a hybrid cloud ...  Continue Reading

• Public cloud deployment: Planning for the network impact

  Learn about the impact public clouds can have on an organization’s network and how network managers can plan for increased bandwidth needs, mitigate the security risks, and modify network architecture to support a public cloud model.  Continue Reading

• Layer 3 VPN architectures

  This guide serves as an introduction to Layer 3 VPN architectures. As you consider different virtual private network types for your enterprise WAN, such as MPLS, IPsec, SSL and remote, be mindful of the traffic you want to transmit (data, voice, etc...  Continue Reading

• Optimizing 802.11n for voice over wireless LAN

  Understand the impacts that 802.11n can have on voice applications and discover techniques to deliver toll-quality voice over wireless LAN, including WMM prioritization, call admission and fast roaming. You’ll gain insight into why a well-designed ...  Continue Reading

• Deploying 802.11n for improved wireless LAN performance

  This series examines how deploying 802.11n can improve your enterprise’s wireless LAN performance enabling mobility services that make workforces informed and productive. With 802.11n you can extend your network to deliver multimedia over wireless ...  Continue Reading

• 802.11n WLAN design best practices

  Discover best practices for designing and deploying an 802.11n wireless LAN, from RF design and band/channel selection to access point placement for coverage and capacity. After reading this section, you will understand where to start when adding ...  Continue Reading

• 802.11n migration: Supporting legacy devices

  Lisa Phifer explains how your 802.11n migration provides support for legacy client devices that are already used for best-effort data applications like Internet access and email, identifying best practices for migration. After reading this section, ...  Continue Reading

• Delivering video over your 802.11n wireless LAN

  Learn about delivering video over your 802.11n wireless LAN. Discover the features that affect video streaming, and identify benefits and limitations related to techniques like multicast and airtime fairness that must be considered in order to ...  Continue Reading

• VPN types: Protocols and network topologies of IPsec VPNs

  IPsec VPNs use a number of different security protocols. Learn these VPN types, their network topologies, and the services they provide.  Continue Reading

• VPN tutorial: Understand the basics of IPsec and SSL VPNs

  Understand the basics of protecting corporate data in this VPN tutorial. Learn the difference between IPsec and SSL VPNs and how to use them correctly.  Continue Reading

• Which VPN should your business network implement?

  Discover which VPN would be the best to implement into your enterprise wide area network (WAN). See examples of different VPN scenarios.  Continue Reading

• The benefits and different types of SSL VPNs

  SSL VPNs communicate differently than other VPN types. Discover the difference between portal and tunnel SSL VPNs and learn the benefits of each.  Continue Reading

• Selecting reliable file transfer solutions: Seven essential requirements

  In Selecting a File Transfer Solution: Seven Essential Requirements, Chapter 3 of ‘The Shortcut Guide to Eliminating Insecure and Unreliable File Transfer Methods,' author Dan Sullivan explains how to find the most reliable file transfer methods for...  Continue Reading

• Deploying telepresence, video conferencing in the WAN to save companies money

  The current tight economic times mean businesses must be more productive. Telepresence video conferencing is a proven productivity and creativity enhancer. Read part four of the e-Book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control of the WAN,’ to learn ...  Continue Reading

• Wide area network security architecture must change for consolidation

  Wide area network security architecture needs to take into account that not all traffic is destined for the data center. In part six of the e-Book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control of the WAN,' learn how to update network security architecture...  Continue Reading

• How to accelerate encrypted traffic using WAN optimization

  WAN optimization controllers (WOCs) solve branch office server consolidation problems, but not all those around encrypted traffic. Learn how certain wide area network optimization techniques can handle data and the CIFS protocol, in this section of ...  Continue Reading

• Wide area network optimization: WAN service providers vs. in-house deployments

  To outsource your wide area network optimization or keep it in-house is a complex decision. Learn the benefits and drawbacks of both to help make your decision, in this last section of the e-Book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control of the WAN.'  Continue Reading

• Using WAN optimization for bandwidth management and monitoring

  Discover why bandwidth management and comprehensive monitoring are critical to ensure your WAN is functioning optimally and to its fullest capacity, in part five of the e-Book 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control of the WAN.'  Continue Reading

• Get WAN cost savings with your branch office server consolidation

  Many of today’s cost-saving IT projects are placing excessive pressure on the WAN. Learn how to overcome these challenges with WAN optimization technology and server consolidation, in this e-Book chapter from 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control ...  Continue Reading

• Virtual desktop infrastructure problems solved with WAN optimization

  WAN optimization solves the problems associated with implementing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Web-based applications. Find out how in part three of the e-Book, 'The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Control of the WAN.'  Continue Reading

• Classes of MPLS services: Find the best MPLS/VPN service for your WAN

  Despite the many names given to MPLS/VPNs by marketers, there are only three classes of MPLS-based VPN services with very distinct characteristics. If you’re able to map their service descriptions into one of these classes, you’ll immediately ...  Continue Reading

• WAN emulator technology primer: What to know about network emulators

  This WAN emulator technology primer details what wide area network engineers and architects should know about network emulators. Learn the basics of network traffic simulation, and find out how it is used in enterprise IT.  Continue Reading

• Network automation overview

  Network automation in its many forms is fast becoming a requirement for ever-more complex enterprise networks. Automatically processing configuration changes in a consistent manner will take the load off the network administrator, reduce downtime ...  Continue Reading

• I/O Virtualization and Converged I/O: Understanding the basics

  I/O virtualization and converged I/O are crucial to enabling converged data center networks and avoiding the bottlenecking that arises in virtualized environments. In this primer, learn about I/O virtualization appliances and software, as well as ...  Continue Reading

• CoS/QoS basics: Understanding class and quality of service for WANs

  This technology primer aids wide area network (WAN) engineers in understanding CoS/QoS basics. Learn what quality of service is and isn't, along with how it compares with class of service. To transform your basic IP network into a robust one that ...  Continue Reading

• Virtualization networking guide: Managing virtualization

  Networking professionals must understand how server virtualization affects the network. This virtualization networking guide examines capacity planning for virtual server networking, managing virtual networks through distributed virtual switching, ...  Continue Reading

• Data center interconnect using VPLS

  Virtual private LAN services offer an alternative to traditional WAN links and solve enterprise data center interconnect problems. VPLS also opens the door to new data center network management strategies.  Continue Reading

• MPLS VPN basics

  In this review of MPLS VPN basics, discover the differences between MPLS VPN and traditional virtual private networks, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this newer service provider offering.  Continue Reading

• Metro Ethernet tutorial

  This metro Ethernet tutorial explains what kind of carrier Ethernet the service is, when the technology should be used, and what wide area network (WAN) managers need to know about it.  Continue Reading

• A cloud computing tutorial for WAN managers

  If your company is considering cloud services, check out this cloud computing tutorial that will walk you through what wide area network (WAN) managers need to know about cloud computing technology, which cloud types work for the enterprise, the ...  Continue Reading

• What's the value of ITIL foundation certification?

  The ITIL foundation certification sets the baseline for understanding the move to an IT service management model. Whether it is required by your organization, for personal resume enhancement, or even to move into another type of IT role, an ITIL ...  Continue Reading

• Enterprise energy management networks

  Enterprises are implementing IP-based energy management networks that can monitor and manage energy use across building facilities and IT resources alike. Network admins must learn enterprise energy management systems quickly.  Continue Reading

• Primer: Multi-tenant network for the private cloud

  The push for private cloud computing networks is creating new security and management challenges for network managers. The first step is to build a multi-tenant network to isolate applications and data; next come application-aware networks.  Continue Reading

• WAN bandwidth optimization tools and techniques

  WAN bandwidth optimization tools and techniques are explained in this primer on getting the most out of your business wide area network links. This introduction to WAN technologies discusses methods and products that accelerate traffic so that your ...  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing adoption requires WAN optimization controllers to improve application traffic

  Cloud computing adoption creates additional application traffic across the wide area network (WAN).  Continue Reading

• Wireshark filter tutorial: A Wireshark guide from Laura Chappell

  This Wireshark guide from Laura Chappell examines the open source network monitoring tool and its many uses. Use this Wireshark filter tutorial to find out what the network analyzer can do for your network.  Continue Reading

• Using LAN edge switch security features for network defense-in-depth

  Enterprises are turning their focus to the largely unused LAN edge switch security features that can enable the use of ACLs and VLANs for port management and traffic monitoring. LAN edge switches also support network access authentication and can be...  Continue Reading

• Cloud computing network primer

  Cloud computing network architecture is moving toward a flat, leaf-spine topology, enabling reduced latency and balancing bandwidth, providing any-to-any connectivity within and between servers. Learn more in this primer.  Continue Reading

• VLAN guide for networking professionals

  Virtual LANs (VLANs) are LANs with definitions that map workstations based on anything except for geographic location. In this VLAN guide, you will learn about VLANs as they relate to server virtualization and WLANs and find VLAN configuration tips ...  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Ipanema Technologies' WAN optimization

  Ipanema Technologies provides WAN optimization to system integrators, VARs, and service providers. It offers extensive performance management in addition to acceleration and optimization technology.  Continue Reading

• WAN optimization vendors: Comparison methodology and snapshot

  We polled the major WAN optimization vendors for product information and compiled it to help you make a vendor comparison. Here we list the main differences between WOC providers, in brief.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Riverbed Steelhead WAN optimization

  Riverbed Steelhead appliances for WAN optimization are focused on specific enterprise applications -- such as rich media, thin clients, Web apps and disaster recovery -- scalability and ease of installation.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Citrix Branch Repeater for WAN optimization

  Citrix's product for WAN optimization is the Citrix Branch Repeater. This family of products integrates network optimization with application, desktop and server virtualization.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Blue Coat Systems' WAN optimization

  Blue Coat Systems distinguishes itself as a WAN optimization vendor with strengths in security and application visibility. Learn important facts about Blue Coat's ProxySG and PacketShaper products.  Continue Reading

• Questions to ask WAN optimization controller vendors

  To find the right WAN optimization controllers, you need to narrow down the field. This list of questions will help you identify the differences in WAN optimization products.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Expand Networks accelerators for WAN optimization

  Expand Networks' accelerators help WAN optimization by supporting branch office server consolidation, server-based computing and virtualization technologies, as well as low-bandwidth, high-latency links.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Cisco WAAS WAN optimization

  Cisco WAAS is a family of WAN optimization products that integrate well into the network environment and offers broad application support through Cisco's partnerships.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Silver Peak Systems for WAN optimization

  Silver Peak Systems' WAN optimization product line addresses problems typically seen in the data center, including accelerating data backup, server and storage centralization, and real-time collaboration and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).  Continue Reading

• WAN optimization vendors and application delivery: F5, Streamcore and Ecessa

  WAN optimization vendors and products can be difficult to categorize. Here we cover F5, known for application delivery; Streamcore, which focuses on performance; and Ecessa, which makes WAN link controllers.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Juniper application acceleration

  Juniper application acceleration products include the WXC Series of WAN optimization controllers, which has hardware and software models, a Windows client, and a router-based branch office controller.  Continue Reading

• Evaluating Certeon's aCelera virtual appliance

  Certeon is the only WAN optimization vendor to provide a full virtual solution, the aCelera virtual appliance, which interoperates with the market's leading virtual hypervisors and management systems.  Continue Reading