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• client-server

  Client-server is a relationship in which one program, the client, requests a service or resource from another program, the server. Continue Reading

• voice over LTE (VoLTE)

  Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a digital packet technology that uses 4G LTE networks to route voice traffic and transmit data. Continue Reading

• ONOS (Open Network Operating System)

  Open Network Operating System (ONOS) is an OS designed to help network service providers build carrier-grade software-defined networks architected for high scalability, availability and performance. Continue Reading

• How to build an SD-WAN RFP to evaluate vendors

  There are key questions that belong in your SD-WAN request for proposal. Use them to better assess vendor features and capabilities, architecture, cost savings and PoCs. Continue Reading

• How network perimeters secure enterprise networks

  Network perimeters serve as essential network security to block unwanted traffic. Find out how they differ from the network edge and how they help secure enterprise networks. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • Telnet
  • big-endian and little-endian
  • Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
  • single-user multiple input, multiple output (SU-MIMO)

  • ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM)
  • 5G standalone (5G SA)
  • Cisco IOS (Cisco Internetwork Operating System)
  • What is 6G? Overview of 6G networks & technology

  View All Definitions

• telematics

  Telematics is a term that combines the words telecommunications and informatics to describe the use of communications and IT to transmit, store and receive information from devices to remote objects over a network.Continue Reading

• Configure NIC teaming in Windows Server

  NIC teaming maximizes network bandwidth and provides redundancy benefits. These steps guide users through NIC teaming configuration in Windows Server with GUI and PowerShell.Continue Reading

• packet filtering

  Packet filtering is the process of passing or blocking data packets at a network interface by a firewall based on source and destination addresses, ports or protocols.Continue Reading

• WAN (wide area network)

  A wide area network (WAN) is a geographically distributed private telecommunications network that interconnects multiple local area networks (LANs).Continue Reading

• White box networking use cases and how to get started

  Rising cloud costs have prompted organizations to consider white box switches to lower costs and simplify network management. Here's what to know about white box networking.Continue Reading

• SD-branch

  SD-branch is a single, automated, centrally managed software-centric platform that replaces or supplements an existing branch network architecture.Continue Reading

• network operating system (NOS)

  A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system (OS) that's designed primarily to support workstations, PCs and, in some instances, older terminals that are connected on a local area network (LAN).Continue Reading

• network protocol

  A network protocol is a set of established rules that specify how to format, send and receive data so that computer network endpoints, including computers, servers, routers and virtual machines, can communicate despite differences in their ...Continue Reading

• physical layer

  The physical layer is the first and lowest layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model.Continue Reading

• virtual server

  A virtual server, also known as a virtual machine (VM), is a partitioned space inside a real server and is transparent to users, replicating the functionality of a dedicated physical server.Continue Reading

• network switch

  A network switch connects devices in a network to each other, enabling them to talk by exchanging data packets. Switches can be hardware devices that manage physical networks or software-based virtual devices.Continue Reading

• 9 practice questions on twisted-pair network cables

  Take this practice quiz on twisted-pair cables, sampled from 'Networking Essentials: A CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Textbook,' to test your understanding for the certification exam.Continue Reading

• An introduction to twisted-pair cable wiring

  This excerpt from 'Networking Essentials: A CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Textbook' provides an overview of twisted-pair network cables and acts as a study tool for the exam.Continue Reading

• coaxial cable

  Coaxial cable is a type of copper cable specially built with a metal shield and other components engineered to block signal interference.Continue Reading

• megahertz (MHz)

  Megahertz (MHz) is a unit multiplier that represents one million hertz (106 Hz). Hertz is the standard unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI).Continue Reading

• IEEE 802 wireless standards

  IEEE 802 is a collection of networking standards that cover the physical and data link layer specifications for technologies such as Ethernet and wireless.Continue Reading

• gigabit (Gb)

  In data communications, a gigabit (Gb) is 1 billion bits, or 1,000,000,000 (that is, 10^9) bits. It's commonly used for measuring the amount of data that is transferred in a second between two telecommunication points.Continue Reading

• ingress filtering

  Ingress filtering is a method used by enterprises and internet service providers to prevent suspicious traffic from entering a network.Continue Reading

• multi-user MIMO

  Multi-user MIMO, or MU-MIMO, is a wireless communication technology that uses multiple antennas to improve communication by creating multiple connections to the same device at the same time.Continue Reading

• bogon

  A bogon is an illegitimate Internet Protocol address that falls into a set of IP addresses that have not been officially assigned to an entity by an internet registration institute, such as the IANA.Continue Reading

• network management system

  A network management system, or NMS, is an application or set of applications that lets network engineers manage a network's independent components inside a bigger network management framework and performs several key functions.Continue Reading

• host (in computing)

  A host is a computer or other device that communicates with other hosts on a network.Continue Reading

• Network as a Service (NaaS)

  Network as a service, or NaaS, is a business model for delivering enterprise WAN services virtually on a subscription basis.Continue Reading

• network configuration management (NCM)

  Network configuration management is the process of organizing and maintaining information about all of the components in a computer network.Continue Reading

• presentation layer

  The presentation layer resides at Layer 6 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model and ensures that communications that pass through it are in the appropriate form for the recipient application.Continue Reading

• campus network

  A campus network is a proprietary local area network (LAN) or set of interconnected LANs serving a corporation, government agency, university or similar organization.Continue Reading

• point-of-presence (POP)

  A point-of-presence (POP) is a point or physical location where two or more networks or communication devices build a connection from one place to the rest of the internet.Continue Reading

• green networking

  Green networking is the practice of selecting energy-efficient networking technologies and products and minimizing resource use whenever possible.Continue Reading

• attenuation

  Attenuation is a general term that refers to any reduction in the strength of a signal.Continue Reading

• cloud radio access network (C-RAN)

  Cloud radio access network (C-RAN) is a centralized, cloud computing-based architecture for radio access networks.Continue Reading

• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

  DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol used to dynamically assign an IP address to any device, or node, on a network so it can communicate using IP.Continue Reading

• load balancing

  Load balancing is a technique used to distribute network traffic across a pool of servers known as a server farm.Continue Reading

• data center interconnect (DCI)

  Data center interconnect (DCI) technology links two or more data centers together to share resources.Continue Reading

• Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

  Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a distance vector protocol that uses hop count as its primary metric.Continue Reading

• NOC vs. data center: What's the difference?

  Network operations centers and data centers are two facilities organizations use to store IT devices and manage operations. But they differ significantly in terms of purpose and operations.Continue Reading

• network availability

  Network availability is the amount of uptime in a network system over a specific time interval.Continue Reading

• How to use Nmap to scan a network for documentation

  Nmap might be more common for security tasks, but it's also useful for network documentation and inventory. Follow these best practices to make the most of Nmap scan results.Continue Reading

• NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration)

  NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration), also called MANO, is an architectural framework for managing and orchestrating virtualized network functions (VNFs) and other software components.Continue Reading

• How to set up a business Wi-Fi network

  A Wi-Fi network is a business necessity, but setting it up takes skill and effective troubleshooting. Learn how to make Wi-Fi work and keep it running smoothly.Continue Reading

• Wireless security: WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 differences

  As wireless networks have evolved, so have the protocols for securing them. Get an overview of WLAN security standards, and learn the differences among WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3.Continue Reading

• network traffic

  Network traffic is the amount of data that moves across a network during any given time.Continue Reading

• dynamic and static

  In general, dynamic means 'energetic, capable of action and/or change, or forceful,' while static means 'stationary or fixed.'Continue Reading

• MAC address (media access control address)

  A MAC address (media access control address) is a 12-digit hexadecimal number assigned to each device connected to the network.Continue Reading

• routing table

  A routing table is a set of rules, often viewed in table format, that's used to determine where data packets traveling over an Internet Protocol (IP) network will be directed.Continue Reading

• CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing or supernetting)

  CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing or supernetting) is a method of assigning IP addresses that improves the efficiency of address distribution and replaces the previous system based on Class A, Class B and Class C networks.Continue Reading

• traffic shaping

  Traffic shaping, also known as packet shaping, is a congestion management method that regulates network data transfer by delaying the flow of less important or less desired packets.Continue Reading

• throughput

  Throughput is a measure of how many units of information a system can process in a given amount of time.Continue Reading

• How to set up backup internet connections for home offices

  Reliable connectivity and secure access are must-haves for employees working from home. Here are ideas to consider when designing backup internet connections for home offices.Continue Reading

• open networking

  Open networking describes a network that uses open standards and commodity hardware.Continue Reading

• managed network services

  Managed network services are networking applications, functions and services that enterprises outsource to be remotely operated, monitored and maintained by a managed service provider (MSP).Continue Reading

• control plane (CP)

  The control plane is the part of a network that carries signaling traffic and is responsible for network routing.Continue Reading

• 3 types of wireless site surveys and how to conduct them

  Network teams can avoid signal coverage issues by performing different wireless site surveys as they evaluate new spaces, set up sites and operate the network.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between WLAN and Wi-Fi?

  Although the terms WLAN and Wi-Fi are used interchangeably, the two wireless technologies differ. Wireless LAN uses radio technology to connect nodes, while Wi-Fi is a type of WLAN.Continue Reading

• IPv4 vs. IPv6: What's the difference?

  IPv4 and IPv6 are two forms of IP addresses, but they differ in length and style. Compare the two, and find out why organizations might implement one over the other.Continue Reading

• east-west traffic

  East-west traffic, in a networking context, is the transfer of data packets from server to server within a data center.Continue Reading

• CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service)

  Citizens Broadband Radio Service, or CBRS, is the set of operational rules given to a slice of the shared wireless spectrum and the technologies used in that spectrum.Continue Reading

• private 5G

  Private 5G is wireless network technology that delivers cellular connectivity for private network use cases, such as private businesses, third-party providers and municipalities.Continue Reading

• Cloud networking vs. cloud computing: What's the difference?

  Organizations might sometimes consider cloud computing and cloud networking as interchangeable due to their similarities. But the two strategies have different goals and processes.Continue Reading

• Wireless access point vs. router: What's the difference?

  The choice of a wireless access point vs. a router for wireless network connectivity depends on the physical size of the network, needs of the organization and the number of users.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between 802.11ac vs. 802.11ax?

  The difference between 802.11ac and 802.11ax is significant. The two wireless standards differ notably in features such as AP capacity, spatial streams and data rates.Continue Reading

• wireless mesh network (WMN)

  A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a mesh network created through the connection of wireless access point (WAP) nodes installed at each network user's locale.Continue Reading

• CBRS vs. Wi-Fi: What's the difference?

  Citizens Broadband Radio Service enables private LTE networks and supports enterprise WAN deployments. But that doesn't mean Wi-Fi is going away anytime soon.Continue Reading

• VPN vs. zero trust vs. SDP: What's the difference?

  For strong network security, many vendors say VPNs don't cut it anymore. Enter the zero-trust security model and SDPs.Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi 7

  Wi-Fi 7 is the pending 802.11be standard under development by IEEE.Continue Reading

• What is zero-trust network access? ZTNA basics explained

  Zero-trust network access is touted as the solution to replace the VPN. As the potential future of network security, learn more about ZTNA, including its benefits and challenges.Continue Reading

• network security

  Network security encompasses all the steps taken to protect the integrity of a computer network and the data within it.Continue Reading

• How to build a zero-trust network in 4 steps

  While network teams are responsible for deploying the elements of a zero-trust network, security teams should also be involved in developing the overall zero-trust framework.Continue Reading

• cloud-native network function (CNF)

  A cloud-native network function (CNF) is a service that performs network duties in software, as opposed to purpose-built hardware.Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi 6E

  Wi-Fi 6E is one variant of the 802.11ax standard.Continue Reading

• microsegmentation

  Microsegmentation is a security technique that splits a network into definable zones and uses policies to dictate how data and applications within those zones can be accessed and controlled.Continue Reading

• Tips to prepare for a network disaster recovery audit

  Enterprises can audit their network disaster recovery plans to ensure thorough protection and preparation. Consider factors like documentation, management support and audit type.Continue Reading

• Network bandwidth vs. throughput: What's the difference?

  Bandwidth and throughput both indicate network performance. The terms are often used together, but bandwidth refers to capacity, while throughput details how much data actually transmits.Continue Reading

• How does SD-access work?

  SD-access is a combination of two elements: SDN and the access edge. The result is a network with a centralized management system and improved security policies.Continue Reading

• VXLAN vs. VLAN: What's the difference?

  VLANs offer security and traffic management benefits but have limitations in routing and scale. VXLANs address those challenges by creating a Layer 3 network overlay.Continue Reading

• Understanding the FTP PORT command

  FTP uses control and data channels, each using a separate TCP port. Port 21 is for the control channel, and port 20 is for the data channel. Learn how these two channels are used.Continue Reading

• What an AI-driven network looks like

  Log analysis and wireless management are common AI use cases in networking. Future applications could include chatbot alerts, digital experience monitoring and traffic engineering.Continue Reading

• Best practices for DIY network automation

  Many network pros write their own automation scripts. These best practices help teams implement coding and tool set standardization, proper change management and immutability.Continue Reading

• network packet

  A network packet is a basic unit of data that's grouped together and transferred over a computer network, typically a packet-switched network, such as the internet.Continue Reading

• BGP vs. EIGRP: What's the difference?

  BGP is an exterior gateway protocol optimized for routing between large networks. EIGRP is an interior gateway protocol that is well suited for routing within smaller networks.Continue Reading

• A guide to distributed network architectures

  Distributed network architectures have become popular because of their adaptability, reliability and scalability. But every new technology also has its challenges.Continue Reading

• The role of name resolution in networking

  Name resolution is essential in converting hostnames and IP addresses for network communications. Here's how the process resolves hostnames, queries servers and finds IP addresses.Continue Reading

• An introduction to neutral host networks using private 5G

  Enterprises often use signal boosters and distributed antenna systems to improve carrier signal strength. Neutral host networks over private 5G could disrupt those methods.Continue Reading

• How to convert binary to decimal

  It's helpful for network admins to know how to convert binary to decimal, and vice versa, for IPv4 addressing, subnet masks, default gateways and network IDs.Continue Reading

• virtual network functions (VNFs)

  Virtual network functions (VNFs) are virtualized tasks formerly carried out by proprietary, dedicated hardware.Continue Reading

• network functions virtualization (NFV)

  Network functions virtualization (NFV) is a network architecture model designed to virtualize network services that have traditionally run on proprietary, dedicated network appliances.Continue Reading

• overlay network

  An overlay network is a virtual or logical network that is created on top of an existing physical network.Continue Reading

• VLAN (virtual LAN)

  A virtual LAN (VLAN) is a logical overlay network that groups together a subset of devices that share a physical LAN, isolating the traffic for each group.Continue Reading

• virtual networking

  Virtual networking is the abstraction of network resources from the underlying physical network infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Understand the basics of 5G wireless networks

  To build a 5G network, the deployment mode, spectrum band and services are all important factors to understand and consider. Here's what you should know about the basics of 5G.Continue Reading

• protocol data unit (PDU)

  In networking, a protocol data unit is the basic unit of exchange between entities that communicate using a specified networking protocol.Continue Reading

• Ethernet vs. Carrier Ethernet: How do they differ?

  Connectivity over longer distances and higher data rates are some of the major differences that separate Carrier Ethernet from traditional wired Ethernet.Continue Reading

• software-defined networking (SDN)

  Software-defined networking (SDN) is an architecture that abstracts different, distinguishable layers of a network to make networks agile and flexible.Continue Reading

• How network virtualization works

  Network virtualization uses abstraction to isolate applications and resources from the physical infrastructure. Benefits include faster provisioning, agility and operational efficiency.Continue Reading

• 6 types of network topologies

  Network topology is essential to network configuration, as it determines the arrangement of a network and defines how nodes connect. Here are six common types of network topologies.Continue Reading

• 5 basic network commands for Linux and Windows

  Linux and Windows use different network commands to run tasks that are common in both environments, such as network connectivity testing. But the commands often share similarities.Continue Reading