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• SN blogs: Is Arista making right move with campus switches?

  Bloggers discuss Arista's new strategy to market campus switches, examine container security risks and ask the question of whether networking is a commodity. Continue Reading

• Helping enterprises adapt to open source switching

  Enterprise adoption of open source switching hasn't kept pace with cloud providers and telcos. What are some of the barriers blocking the use of disaggregation? Continue Reading

• What is ONAP, and how does it tie into NFV architecture?

  Network expert Lee Doyle looks at ONAP, its role in NFV architecture and its progress in becoming the standard platform for NFV management and orchestration. Continue Reading

• Network infrastructure design for network-as-a-service

  When it comes to network as a service, network infrastructure design depends on if you want services delivered across the LAN, WAN or data center. Find out what you need to know. Continue Reading

• Software drives the promise of the interoperable network

  Interoperability in networks is essential now, a reality that vendors increasingly acknowledge. Learn how the networking industry is changing to accommodate the need for openness. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • CAPWAP (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points)
  • network performance monitoring (NPM)
  • infrared radiation (IR)
  • BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

  • CSU/DSU (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit)
  • data streaming
  • secure access service edge (SASE)
  • Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF)

  View All Definitions

• Software-driven network access ups enterprise agility

  Network access to service provider systems is becoming software-based. Learn more about how software-defined access works and the flexibility inherent in software.Continue Reading

• Test yourself on open networking, open source and SDN

  The open networking concept follows the likes of SDN and open source, but the lines separating them all are often blurred. This quiz can help you understand the differences.Continue Reading

• How to bridge the network engineering skills gap

  Training for new network engineering skills should emphasize basic concepts behind building a network, whether it's software-defined, intent-based or disaggregated.Continue Reading

• What cloud data center interconnect technologies can do

  Data center interconnect technologies and services now use cloud. Learn how CDCI improves traffic delivery and how to choose the right equipment and services.Continue Reading

• Meet network management goals with new tech and techniques

  Get up to speed on the new technological advances, improved products and advanced techniques that make enterprise network monitoring and management a bit less daunting.Continue Reading

• Network configuration tools: A primer

  Script management, intent-based systems and new strategies with network configuration tools are propelling a paradigm shift in the way that networks are managed.Continue Reading

• Software-defined branch networks: Why and how to do them

  Software networking virtualization has reached branch networks. Learn the whys and hows of creating the software-defined branch using the latest software networking technologies.Continue Reading

• NBASE-T Ethernet

  NBASE-T Ethernet is an IEEE standard and Ethernet-signaling technology that allows existing twisted-pair copper cabling to exceed the cable's specified limit of 1 Gbps for distances of up to 100 meters.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

• application delivery controller (ADC)

  An application delivery controller (ADC) is a network component that manages and optimizes how client machines connect to web and enterprise application servers.Continue Reading

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification)

  Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructures.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

• What do I need to do to create successful hybrid WANs?

  The market for hybrid network services is growing, and with it comes the challenge of successfully creating hybrid WANs.Continue Reading

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

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

• Discover three ways to get your WAN software defined

  There are three ways to get your WAN software defined: overlay, replace and as a service. Learn what these entail and how they can reduce costs and improve WAN performance.Continue Reading

• NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure)

  NFVi (network functions virtualization infrastructure) encompasses all of the networking hardware and software needed to support and connect virtual network functions in carrier networks.Continue Reading

• IPv6 connectivity: Ignore at your own peril

  Gathering knowledge on IPv6 connectivity and implementation is critical to success in modern IP networking.Continue Reading

• Five essential network security topics and trends to watch

  With a constant drumbeat of security and data breaches in 2015, it's no wonder networking pros have questions and concerns about network security topics. These five stats can get you started.Continue Reading

• Time to get your cloud network architecture ready

  Enterprises need to ensure their cloud network architecture is ready for the future. Here are some concepts network managers should think about.Continue Reading

• WAN optimization techniques pace IT investment

  TechTarget's most recent Networking Purchasing Intentions survey reveals IT's priority to invest in WAN optimization techniques in the next 12 months.Continue Reading

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

  The OSPF router protocol is used to find the best path for packets as they pass through a set of connected networks. OSPF is one of several Interior Gateway Protocols that replaces the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), an older routing protocol ...Continue Reading

• Network timing: Everything you need to know about NTP

  As more applications use IP networks, reliable distribution of authoritative timing information is becoming critical.Continue Reading

• Network programming skills from scripting to DevOps: What to learn

  Networking pros don't need to become code monkeys, but a little network programming can go a long way toward advancing their careers.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

• Subnet basics: Must you set up Wi-Fi subnets in a single building?

  Expert Mike Jude discusses the rationale of creating distinct Wi-Fi subnets in a single building.Continue Reading

• ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM)

  Ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) is a specialized type of high-speed memory that searches its entire contents in a single clock cycle, with the term “ternary” referring to its ability to store and query data using three different inputs: 0,...Continue Reading

• The evolution of network control

  The degree of network control IT pros possess is expanding with new tools and solutions. Learn the latest about network management and monitoring.Continue Reading

• jumbo frames

  A jumbo frame is an Ethernet frame with a payload greater than the standard maximum transmission unit (MTU) of 1,500 bytes. Continue Reading

• Are there alternatives to the OpenFlow protocol?

  Jason Edelman explains OpenFlow protocol alternatives and what's important in determining which southbound protocol will work for you.Continue Reading

• Primer: A new generation of programmable ASICs

  Programmable application-specific integrated circuits allow the data plane of switches to support new technologies, like software-defined networking.Continue Reading

• How to plan for a campus core switch refresh: Basic requirements

  Network architects and engineers discuss the features and functions they look for when planning a campus core upgrade.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

• network fabric

  Network fabric is an industry term that describes a network topology in which devices pass data to each other through interconnecting switches.Continue Reading

• data plane (DP)

  The data plane (sometimes known as the user plane, forwarding plane, carrier plane or bearer plane) is the part of a network that carries user traffic.Continue Reading

• Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)

  Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) is a simple protocol that encapsulates packets in order to route other protocols over IP networks, as defined by RFC 2784.Continue Reading

• loose coupling

  Loose coupling is a method of interconnecting the components in a system or network so that those components, also called elements, depend on each other to the least extent practicable... (Continued)Continue Reading

• Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

  Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is a flat architecture that provides a converged voice and data networking framework to connect users on a Long-Term Evolutio (LTE) network.Continue Reading

• fiber to the x (FTTx)

  Fiber to the x (FTTx) is a collective term for various optical fiber delivery topologies that are categorized according to where the fiber terminatesContinue 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

• logical network

  A logical network is one that appears to the user as a single, separate entity although it might in fact be either just a part of a larger network or an entity connecting multiple networks. A logical network is defined by its IP addressing scheme.Continue Reading

• Port Address Translation (PAT)

  Port Address Translation (PAT), is an extension to network address translation (NAT) that permits multiple devices on a local area network (LAN) to be mapped to a single public IP address. The goal of PAT is to conserve IP addresses.Continue Reading

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet tutorial: Connecting data centers, storage, LAN and beyond

  As IT teams build 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks, they'll have to choose the right 10 Gigabit Ethernet cabling and components in order to ensure data center optimization and prevent latency in the network. They''ll also need to be sure their networks ...Continue Reading

• NIS (Network Information System)

  NIS (Network Information System) is a network naming and administration system for smaller networks that was developed by Sun Microsystems.Continue Reading

• ROADM (reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer)

  An ROADM (reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer) is a device that can add, block, pass or redirect modulated infrared (IR) and visible light beams of various wavelengths in a fiber optic network. ... (Continued)Continue Reading

• tunneling or port forwarding

  Tunneling is the transmission of data intended for use only within a private, usually corporate network through a public network in such a way that the routing nodes in the public network are unaware that the transmission is part of a private ...Continue Reading

• baseboard management controller (BMC)

  A baseboard management controller (BMC) is a specialized service processor that monitors the physical state of a computer, network server or other hardware device using sensors and communicating with the system administrator through an independent ...Continue Reading

• Introduction -- Chapter 1 of 'Network Analysis, Architecture and Design'

  This chapter introduces the analysis, architecture, and design processes. Described are the fundamental concepts of the processes of network analysis, architecture, and design; systems and services; as well as their characteristics and prepares the ...Continue Reading

• CCNA exam preparation guide

  A learning guide for CCNA exam preparation with book chapters, expert advice and quiz.Continue Reading

• Nessus

  Nessus is an open-source network vulnerability scanner that uses the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures architecture for easy cross-linking between compliant security tools.Continue Reading

• maximum segment size (MSS)

  The maximum segment size (MSS) is the largest amount of data, specified in bytes, that a computer or communications device can handle in a single, unfragmented piece.Continue Reading

• Kbps (kilobits per second)

  In the U.S., Kbps stands for kilobits per second (thousands of bits per second) and is a measure of bandwidth (the amount of data that can flow in a given time) on a data transmission medium.Continue Reading

• Routing versus routed protocols and the CCNA

  Many networking professionals don't really know what a routing protocol is or does. There are those who also couldn't tell you the difference between a routing protocol and a routed protocol. If you are working as a network engineer or preparing to ...Continue Reading

• OpenNMS, an introduction: Affordable network management

  Open source expert Maria Winslow brings network managers up to speed about the free open source enterprise-grade network-management system OpenNMS.Continue Reading

• Wireless networking (CWNA)

  Do you think you know a lot about wireless networking? Are you interested in taking the Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) exam? Test your knowledge with our 13-question quiz on wireless networking!Continue Reading

• Content Delivery Networking: an introduction

  Doug Downer gives an overview of Content Delivery Network (CDN) technology and its components, which bring together the functionality of file access, caching, multimedia delivery and application processing.Continue Reading

• Securing your Layer 2 network: Don't overlook the basics

  Before dropping substantial cash on a fancy surveillance system, most sensible home owners would ensure that their doors and windows were locked. Similarly, there are simple security measures you can take to configure your systems for Layer 2 ...Continue Reading

• home server

  A home server is a computer that functions as a server in a client-server home network.Continue Reading

• 802.11 Learning Guide

  802.11 is perhaps the fastest-changing network protocol around. We've gathered a wealth of information to get you up-to-speed quickly on the various specifications. Learn about all the 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) specifications in this learning guide.Continue Reading

• Wireless LAN quiz

  Take our wireless LAN quiz to find out how much you know about WLAN technologies.Continue Reading

• Wireless LAN quiz answers

  Wireless LANs quiz answer key.Continue Reading

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

  Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is an intermediate-level certification in the Cisco certified professional program.Continue Reading

• connection

  In telecommunication and computing in general, a connection is the successful completion of necessary arrangements so that two or more parties (for example, people or programs) can communicate at a long distance.Continue Reading

• well-known port numbers

  The well-known port numbers are the port numbers that are reserved for assignment by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for use by the application end points that communicate using the Internet's Transmission Control ...Continue Reading

• Guide to network performance management

  This guide introduces you to network management best practices and pitfalls to avoid, and provides troubleshooting help and advice for monitoring and maintaining your network for best performance.Continue Reading

• What are the basic features of CIDR and what are its advantages and disadvantages compared to IPv6?

  Continue Reading

• I need a very basic VPN solution to connect two offices to allow two servers to talk to one another.

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• Which networking courses, such as MCSE, CCNA, etc., are best to learn the basics?

  Continue Reading

• Learning Guide: Voice over IP basics

  This guide contains all the VoIP basics and essentials you will need when implementing an IP telephony network.Continue Reading

• LearnIT: Virtual LANs

  What is a virtual LAN? This guide explains the basics in one easy to read format.Continue Reading

• Virtual LAN quiz

  This quiz corresponds with Learn IT: virtual LANContinue Reading

• WAN technology quiz

  Test your knowledge of WAN design quiz with our Networking Know IT All quiz.Continue Reading