Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Evaluate
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Carrier cloud could create bigger roles in future for SDN and NFV
Increasing carrier cloud deployment could be the key that drives SDN and NFV technologies forward in the future of virtual networking -- not the other way around. Continue Reading
Comparison of popular technical SD-WAN service models
Two main SD-WAN service model options exist for users to choose from, but more could be on the way due to regulatory and industry development efforts. Find out what works for you in this comparison. Continue Reading
Visions of software-defined branch begin to take hold
Software-based technologies can apply to the vision of a software-defined branch that converges network elements and centralizes management. But getting there will take time. Continue Reading
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The story of SDN: Control planes, OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation
When discussing SDN, control planes and programmability are often lumped into the conversation -- along with a dose of OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation. Continue Reading
How should IT manage connected devices?
As IT teams become tasked to manage connected devices more often, what steps need to be taken to avoid performance and security-related problems? Continue Reading
Open source network tools compete with shrinking vendor equipment
Vendor equipment consolidation could limit network operator service automation efforts, but new open source network tools offer options and prevent lock-in.Continue Reading
How to move to a network hybrid cloud architecture
Learn how to avoid network hybrid cloud architecture problems before a migration, and why uniformity and consistent performance are essential for success.Continue Reading
Telecom vendors feel the pressure of operator transformation plans
Changes in network operators' buying trends have rocked the status quo for telecom vendors, with pricing pressure, software and chants of 'no more lock-in' driving it home.Continue Reading
What is the future of networking for enterprises?
What will be the future of networking at enterprises and organizations operating in 2025?Continue Reading
A10's Harmony brings app delivery services to a multicloud deployment
As use of cloud services explodes, A10 Networks is working to add application delivery services to the multicloud deployment process.Continue Reading
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Why SDN, DevOps don't share automated network missions
SDN and DevOps may both have a role in automated network device management, but compared to SDN, DevOps has a completely different mission, our expert explains.Continue Reading
EarthLink SD-WAN helps Dunn-Edwards Paints connect with customers
When Dunn-Edwards Paints decided to explore software-defined WAN, they looked to their service provider, EarthLink. The latter's new managed SD-WAN service was a hit.Continue Reading
Software-based networks ease staff manual labor, increase efficiency
Find out how three enterprises are experiencing the benefits of software-based networks as their staffs are freed up from manually tweaking network components.Continue Reading
Vive la revolution! New wide area network technologies usher in change
In today's wide area network, emerging technologies disrupt the status quo ... and that's a good thing. Enterprises now have more options than ever when it comes to WAN design.Continue Reading
Market trends will push Cisco to make an open NOS
Cisco remains committed to selling a network operating system tightly integrated with hardware. But market trends will likely force the vendor to release an open NOS soon.Continue Reading
Cloud visibility goal of Ixia CloudLens software update
Ixia takes aim at cloud visibility with its new CloudLens Public for tracking cloud performance.Continue Reading
Layer 3 switches explained
Layer 3 switches are important in enterprise networks -- particularly in designs with many subnets and virtual LANs. What is a Layer 3 switch, what can it do for you, and how does it differ from a regular switch or router?Continue Reading
How will virtual router software benefit the networking industry?
Although virtual router software has been around for more than a decade, 2017 could be the year vRouting experiences greater adoption due to its available use cases.Continue Reading
Managing apps essential in realizing their business value
Apps have taken center stage, but in order to exploit their value, enterprises have to find a way of managing apps that works best for them.Continue Reading
Status report 2017: NFV deployments grow; standards issues remain
Large service providers are continuing their NFV deployments, which will enable 5G wireless and IoT. But management, orchestration and standards questions remain.Continue Reading
Customer-focused strategy more key than digital transformation hype
The tech industry's chatter about digital transformation and disruption are scare tactics that shouldn't distract companies from making purchases based on a customer-focused strategy.Continue Reading
SDN service for sale ... from a healthcare provider?
Early NSX adopter BayState Health is weighing the possibility of a future as an SDN service provider -- using multi-tenancy to run other organizations' networks parallel to its own.Continue Reading
Managed enterprise network services gain traction
As network demands become increasingly complex, many enterprises are turning to managed network services, outsourcing maintenance to third-party providers.Continue Reading
Software networking supports wide range of deployment use cases
Software networking includes elements of SDN, NFV and network virtualization, which have taken the industry by storm; it also supports advances like 5G wireless and hybrid cloud.Continue Reading
Open source network software promises major industry shifts
Let the disruption commence! Observers say it's high time the networking sector accepts and sorts out open source, arguing it's not a question of if enterprises use it, but how.Continue Reading
SD-WAN vendors enjoy rave reviews from happy users
Compared to data center SDN companies, SD-WAN vendors seem to have it easy, with a relative slew of satisfied customers eager to share their deployment stories.Continue Reading
API growth forcing vendors to take notice or risk losing out
The API is fast becoming a must-have in modern networking. But API growth is forcing vendors to rethink how they want their devices to be configured and managed.Continue Reading
Will NFV standards address orchestration in the near future?
NFV standards for orchestration are affected by the number of standards groups and service providers' individual approaches, says SDN expert Lee Doyle.Continue Reading
Identifying the IT operations analytics product your enterprise needs
This guide to IT operations analytics tools explains how ITOA works so networking pros can determine the most important features and assess vendor offerings.Continue Reading
Juniper launches hybrid cloud network services on Amazon
Juniper Networks is offering its MX router and SRX firewall on the Amazon cloud. Hybrid cloud network services are available on the Amazon Marketplace.Continue Reading
Four top products leading the way in multicloud management
In this multicloud review, see the top multicloud management products. How do they approach different cloud environments, and what separates them from each other?Continue Reading
Three advances making NFV deployments better for the business
NFV deployments made progress this year, thanks to three significant developments, but will they be enough to make NFV's business case more compelling among other industry changes?Continue Reading
WAN access options multiply when buying network services
A new menu of WAN access options means companies have a wide variety of means to reach cloud and network services. But more choice also means more potential pitfalls.Continue Reading
CN Tower climbs heights with mobile engagement platform
The CN Tower, Canada's tallest building, implements an Aruba mobile engagement platform to connect with customers.Continue Reading
The white box switching market gets a closer look
Following years of development, is the potential of the white box switching market finally being realized?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
ScienceLogic EM7: Network performance monitor overview
ScienceLogic EM7 is still a newcomer to the network performance monitoring market, but it offers flexible deployment options, including VMs and software-as-a-service installations.Continue Reading
What is the difference between bit rate and baud rate?
Learn how to understand the difference between bit rate and baud rate in this expert answer.Continue Reading
Physical network infrastructure to decrease in SDN virtual evolution
Ethernet switches, Wi-Fi APs and routers may be the only physical network infrastructure you need in a virtual-, SDN- and cloud-based future, according to networking expert Craig Mathias.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
Network refresh: Look at your needs, not the name on the box
In this Q&A, one networking pro shares why he and his team broke from their existing vendors during a network refresh and went with a new roster for their routers and switches.Continue Reading
Analyzing big data in the cloud to boost business
Google's GCP Next event highlights the growing trend of analyzing big data in the cloud to boost business.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
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
EMC-Dell merger good for open SDN?
The EMC-Dell merger has plenty of people wondering what will become of VMware NSX. But could the deal, counterintuitively, actually be good for open SDN?Continue Reading
My MPLS service contract expires soon -- should I renew?
The rise of SD-WAN has many asking: Do we really need MPLS connectivity? Expert John Burke explains what factors to consider before renewing your existing contract.Continue Reading
Network security basics: A Buyer's Guide
Getting network security basics right is critical. This SearchNetworking Buyer's Guide helps you purchase the best products for your enterprise.Continue Reading
NIA awards: A look back at innovative technology products
As 2015 draws to a close, we look at the innovative technology products that garnered a SearchNetworking Network Innovation Award.Continue Reading
Opportunity for SDN deployments in developing IT economies
The relatively young IT systems found in developing economies could prove the perfect stage for SDN growth, with major opportunities for forward-thinking network engineers.Continue Reading
Blue Coat ProxySG: Secure Web gateway overview
With features like authentication and Web filtering, the Blue Coat ProxySG secure Web gateway can be deployed as a physical appliance, a virtual machine or a cloud-based service.Continue Reading
Open Networking User Group debate: The pro-hardware transcript
Check out the pro-hardware side of the Open Networking User Group debate at its Fall 2015 conference where hardware squared off against software.Continue Reading
ONUG 'Great Debate': The pro-software transcript
Check out the pro-software side of ONUG's debate at its Fall 2015 conference in a hardware versus software faceoff.Continue Reading
Palo Alto WildFire: Malware sandbox product overview
Tightly integrated with existing Palo Alto next-generation firewalls, the Palo Alto WildFire cloud-based malware sandbox service supports both public and private cloud deployments.Continue Reading
Wireless LAN technology: A buyer's guide
This SearchNetworking buyer's guide explores wireless LAN technology to help you buy the right wireless LAN equipment for your enterprise.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
How will software-defined WANs impact the enterprise?
SD-WAN has a lot of potential for enterprises, especially as developers cobble together custom services and capabilities.Continue Reading
SDN monitoring means new transitions for engineers
SDN network management means tools are transforming from listening mode to active mode.Continue Reading
What are data center-class switches?
Choosing the right switch for your data center can be a difficult task. This article looks at how data center-class switches are evolving in the enterprise to offer flexibility and speed for new traffic flows.Continue Reading
Three ways to measure wireless network performance
Trying to find ways to assess your wireless network performance? Here are some tools that can help.Continue Reading
Umpqua Bank employs NSX, micro-segmentation for enterprise security
Umpqua Bank's Sam Guidice tells how the organization deployed VMware's NSX as part of its effort to utilize micro-segmentation for enterprise security.Continue Reading
How Apple iOS MAC address spoofing affects location-based services
Apple iOS 8 will add a MAC address spoofing feature to iPhones and iPads for wireless privacy. It could interfere with Wi-Fi location-based services used by many consumer-facing businesses.Continue Reading
Arista switch pioneers 100 GbE uplinks in top-of-rack
Arista announced top-of-rack 7280E with 100 GbE uplinks. It also released an optic that allows a migration from 10 to 40 GbE without a fiber upgrade.Continue Reading
Will MPLS traffic engineering technology help you?
MPLS traffic engineering can improve VPN performance to ensure data travels the most efficient path.Continue Reading
GENEVE primer: The answer to network virtualization interoperability?
The GENEVE network encapsulation protocol is more flexible than VXLAN and NVGRE. Will it bring interoperability to network virtualization overlays?Continue Reading
How to buy: Assessing next-gen firewalls
Is there a next-gen firewall in your future? Our How to Buy guide offers advice you need to ensure you purchase the best platform to meet your needs.Continue Reading
Don't ignore this great wireless training resource
Online wireless support communities are a great resource for IT professionals who need their questions answered quickly.Continue Reading
RSA security conference still relevant in today's landscape?
The RSA conference convenes in San Francisco this week. But, asks Michele Chubirka, is the meeting really focusing on the critical issues?Continue Reading
Hyper-V networking: The three virtual switches that fuel connectivity
In this Hyper-V networking primer, learn about the three virtual switches behind Microsoft virtualization connectivity.Continue Reading
Your next job may be 'network programmer': What you'll need to know
SDN brings flexibility to networking, but this will require engineers to gain new skills in order to fill the emerging role of network programmer.Continue Reading
software-defined networking monitoring application (SDN monitoring application)
An SDN monitoring application is a software program that oversees the traffic in a software-defined network (SDN) as a component of network management.Continue Reading
Centralized vs. decentralized SDN architecture: Which works for you?
Two SDN architecture models -- centralized and decentralized -- have much in common, but key differences center on the use of the OpenFlow protocol.Continue Reading
How do I disable VPN passthrough? What are the pros and cons to disabling it?
In this Ask the Expert response, Rainer Enders explains how to disable VPN passthrough and what the benefits and drawbacks are.Continue Reading
Networking vendors aim to improve server virtualization security
Server virtualization security is no longer guaranteed by creating physical security zones for different classes of virtual machines on host servers. Networking and network security vendors are introducing virtual security products that apply ...Continue Reading
Wi-Fi vulnerability assessment checklist
Vulnerability assessments can help you find and fix WLAN weaknesses before attackers take advantage of them. But where do you start? What should you look for? Have you covered all the bases? This checklist will help to answer these questions.Continue Reading
The network administrator's survival guide
This piece from contributor Douglas Chick presents a humorous look at surviving in your role as a network administrator.Continue Reading
I need a very basic VPN solution to connect two offices to allow two servers to talk to one another.
Most popular viruses and hacking tools
Here are 2004's most popular hacker tools, viruses, remote tools, adware, spyware, Trojans and worms.Continue Reading
How do I evaluate the performance of a LAN setup?
What are the top five companies that are providing enterprise level WLAN products and solutions?