Cloud and data center networking
Data center networks are responsible for traffic routing, switching, resource hosting and more. While on-premises data center networking remains essential, enterprises are also turning to cloud networking, which enables them to host services in cloud environments. Discover various strategies for data center network architecture, hybrid cloud and cloud networking services.
Top Stories
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Tip
07 May 2025
Explore edge computing services in the cloud
Discover the powerful advantages of edge computing over cloud computing, delivering faster performance and significantly lowering data transfer costs. Dive into the essential services provided by leading industry players. Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2025
HPE Aruba deepens network security and OpsRamp visibility
A new 'digital circuit breaker' capability for HPE Private Clouds, increased visibility of third-party hardware with OpsRamp and new SASE capabilities arrive for HPE Aruba. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2018
The Arista 400 GbE 7060X4 takes on Cisco, Juniper
Arista has joined rivals Cisco and Juniper in the 400 GbE switching market. The company introduced this week the Arista 400 GbE 7060X4 Series for hyperscale data centers. Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2018
VMware faces strong challengers in cloud systems management
VMware topped IDC's latest vendor ranking in the cloud systems management market. But the analyst firm said the market is too young to declare any vendor a winner. Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2018
Riverbed tailors SteelCentral AppResponse for the cloud
Riverbed has launched SteelCentral AppResponse Cloud. The latest version of the application monitor troubleshoots problems found in business applications running on the AWS cloud. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2018
CenturyLink service offers self-serve connection to AWS
CenturyLink has introduced a service that lets companies create a temporary virtual connection to AWS. The pay-as-you-go CenturyLink service is called Cloud Connect Dynamic Connections. Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2018
Trump tariffs on China could spark Cisco, Juniper price increase
Enterprises will pay more for networking gear as a result of President Donald Trump's tariffs on China. Vendors planning to pass on added costs to customers include Cisco and Juniper. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2018
AT&T Spark highlights big changes in networking market
The AT&T Spark event showed more than the service provider's latest 5G technology. It also revealed how AT&T is redefining the role of networking vendors in its data centers. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2018
Cisco ASR 9000 router gets usage-based pricing
Cisco has changed licensing for the ASR 9000 router to let service providers pay only for the throughput they use. The new pricing arrives as service providers prepare for 5G. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Sep 2018
What's VMware's goal with its Virtual Cloud Network release?
Attendees saw a noteworthy turnabout at VMworld 2018. With its Virtual Cloud Network announcement, VMware signaled its new vision of cloud, and the network is the center of its strategy. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Sep 2018
Does software networking fit modern data center requirements?
Software networking can support modern data center requirements, private clouds and accompanying applications. But IT teams need to wade through components and suppliers to get there. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2018
Arista CloudVision gets multi-cloud, NSX security features
Arista CloudVision will soon be able to distribute security policies across Amazon, Google and Microsoft public clouds. Other upcoming features include VMware NSX integration. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2018
Cisco revenues up, customers warming to new products
Cisco revenues in the last quarter rose 6% as businesses took advantage of a strong economy to refresh networks and deploy new products. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2018
New Dell EMC 100 GbE switch tailored for east-west traffic
The latest Dell EMC 100 GbE switch is an open system aimed at service providers and large enterprises. The Z9264F is a 2RU system, with 64 100 GbE ports. Pricing starts at $45,000. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Aug 2018
Active-active data centers key to high-availability application resilience
Enterprises dependent upon a high-availability application should investigate active-active data center designs to ensure reliability and resiliency. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Aug 2018
Software networking supports campus network convergence
Software networking, along with intent-based capabilities, can help improve campus network visibility and authentication, while also supporting Ethernet and Wi-Fi convergence. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2018
Arista, Cisco agree to stop patent suits for five years
The Arista-Cisco agreement includes Arista paying $400 million to end their patent infringement dispute. The companies also agreed to a lawsuit moratorium on existing products. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Aug 2018
How micro modular data centers simplify complex network routes
The deployment of prefabricated micro modular data centers could ease network traffic to customer premises and multiple clouds by processing data locally at the network edge. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Aug 2018
Network performance metrics pose data center challenges
Currently, network performance metrics are not fully formed and offer just a generic view of the network. Plus, metrics produce reams of data that are difficult to digest. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2018
Juniper multi-cloud strategy aimed at enterprise data centers
The Juniper multi-cloud strategy is aimed at expanding the vendor's reach beyond carriers and the largest enterprises. Key to the game plan is Contrail Enterprise Multicloud. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2018
Avi load balancer gets tighter with Cisco products
The Avi load balancer is more tightly integrated with Cisco ACI in the latest Avi Vantage Platform upgrade. Vantage 18.1 also sends more data to Cisco AppDynamics and Tetration. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2018
Juniper preps 400 GbE across PTX, MX and QFX hardware
Juniper will ship 400 GbE in PTX, MX and QFX routers and switches over the next 12 months. Cisco and Arista are expected to follow with their 400 GbE products as demand from service providers rises. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jul 2018
Options for DNS in networking address growing challenges
A need for modern DNS in networking has grown out of increased cloud use and distributed applications. Now, vendors are offering these services for internal enterprise use. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Startup Arrcus aims NOS at Cisco, Juniper in the data center
Startup Arrcus has launched a scalable network operating system aimed at all switching tasks in the leaf-spine network. The new ArcOS is a NOS alternative to Cisco and Juniper. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2018
Experts skeptical an AWS switch is coming
An AWS switch -- reportedly possible in the next 18 months -- would not benefit the cloud provider's customers, experts said. Instead, AWS needs to offer better connectivity. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2018
IT spending shows cloud-focused data center architectures
Corporate IT spending shows companies are revamping data center architectures in preparation for a multi-cloud future. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Jul 2018
Hybrid cloud strategies should be reimagined as multi-cloud
The tech industry needs to change the way it defines hybrid cloud. A multi-cloud environment is often a more accurate description and worthwhile goal. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2018
ThousandEyes launches cloud performance monitoring tools
ThousandEyes has launched cloud performance monitoring tools. The latest offering provides critical metrics for software running in multi-cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2018
Options for dedicated cloud interconnects and their benefits
There are clear benefits to replacing existing VPN tunnels now. Discover the advantages to dedicating cloud interconnects to improve your enterprise traffic flows. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2018
Three goals of multiple cloud management and how to reach them
Attaining the benefits of the cloud is getting ever more complex. Learn ways to enable efficient and effective management of hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2018
Apstra adds EVPN configuration to AOS
The newly released version of Apstra AOS includes EVPN configuration. The latest feature in the intent-based OS reduces the manual labor behind network segmentation. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2018
VMware is redesigning NSX networking for the cloud
A VMware researcher says the company is preparing a new version of NSX networking for public clouds and expects the technology to be available in about a year. Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2018
AT&T NetBond for Cloud connects Google to enterprises
AT&T NetBond for Cloud is the latest member of Google's Partner Interconnect. The AT&T service provides midsize enterprises with private connections of up to 10 Gbps to Google Cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 May 2018
Optical interconnect DCI frameworks need more flexibility to keep pace
An optical interconnect framework can support high-speed DCI deployments. But it's important that optical networks become programmable to ensure reliability. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2018
ADC, the networking management tool, acquires new abilities
Networking pros should take a new look at what application delivery controllers now offer. ADCs now have some cutting-edge features making the networking workhorse exciting. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2018
Q3 Cisco financials show another uptick in sales, services
Cisco financials show a 4% boost in sales as Cisco records its second consecutive quarter of revenue growth and continues to embrace software services. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2018
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
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News
15 May 2018
HPE to acquire hyper-converged networking company Plexxi
Plexxi bolstered its hyper-converged networking fabric to further support VMware vSAN and NSX amid the news of HPE's acquisition intent. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2018
Network disaggregation key topic at Dell event
Analysts focus on Dell's embrace of network disaggregation, how Google is narrowing the gap between human and machine and whether virtual appliances are ready for prime time. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2018
Telefonica uses Nuage Networks to software-define data centers
Following Telefonica's existing Nuage Networks' SD-WAN deployment, the service provider announced it's in the process of using Nuage to deploy software-defined data centers. Continue Reading
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Guide
08 May 2018
Cloud network management begins with the basics
Learn the essentials of how to manage cloud networks, from network architecture to how to store and transmit data to security. Includes a segment on cloud trends, too. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2018
Big Switch offers analytics, recording with packet broker
Big Switch has added value to its network packet broker with the introduction of analytics and recording nodes. The new products are sold as add-ons to Big Monitoring Fabric. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
Juniper battles Cisco, VMware with Contrail cloud tools
Juniper plans to release the first iteration of its Contrail cloud tools in June. Contrail Enterprise Multicloud will compete in cloud networking with Cisco ACI and VMware NSX. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2018
How data center interconnect technologies shape WAN performance
Latency, congestion and sluggish TCP stacks can plague application performance, but understanding data center interconnect technologies is key. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
Meta Networks NaaS offers SD-WAN, VPN, cloud connectivity
Startup Meta Networks has debuted its network as a service. The company's first offering delivers SD-WAN, security, VPNs and multi-cloud connectivity in an internet-based WAN. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2018
New Arista switches offer 25/100 GbE for large data centers
The latest Arista switches are 25/100 GbE hardware designed to provide a smooth migration from systems with less bandwidth. The new gear is for companies with large data centers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Cisco network disaggregation for carriers, enterprises
Cisco has embraced network disaggregation for data centers and carriers. The company is providing the option of running its network operating systems on third-party switches. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Mar 2018
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
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Feature
20 Mar 2018
A comparison of leading application delivery controllers
You can simplify the process of buying an ADC device by examining how leading vendors address key considerations, including platform options, security and server load balancing. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
Ethernet bandwidth costs fall to a six-year low
Ethernet bandwidth costs in data center switches fell to a six-year low in 2017. Crehan Research reported cloud provider demand for speed was behind the drop. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2018
How to plan for network disaggregation with APIs
Network disaggregation is a lot of work for engineers, and it's fraught with potential hurdles posed by sourcing hardware, a control plane, network operating system and how you manage necessary APIs. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Feb 2018
Considerations for buying an application delivery controller
Before you buy an ADC device, learn which features you should look for and what questions you should ask prospective application delivery controller vendors. Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2018
Cisco revenue turns positive, as software, security sales up
Cisco revenue grew last quarter for the first time in more than two years, due, in part, to rising software sales. But analysts cautioned Cisco could still fall back into a slump. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2018
Latest Juniper switches up throughput for cloud applications
The latest Juniper switches target companies that want a network infrastructure with the throughput and management software to run apps in the data center and public clouds. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2018
Multi-cloud connectivity behind Citrix acquisition of Cedexis
Citrix's acquisition of Cedexis marks its entry into the business of connecting multiple cloud data centers. Citrix is expected to combine NetScaler with Cedexis technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Feb 2018
As 2018 IT budgets rise, network upgrades become priority
A new TechTarget survey reveals network upgrades in 2018 are an amalgam of legacy and emerging technologies, as Wi-Fi fever spikes and network automation efforts grow. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
Cisco: Cloud computing workloads to skyrocket by 2021
By 2021, Cisco says, cloud computing workloads will make up the lion's share of data center traffic as enterprises expand security, IoT and other activities in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2018
How to make machine learning systems work in the network
Machine learning systems in networks are gaining acceptance, but our expert cautions that humans and APIs are still needed to keep complexity at bay. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2018
Gartner: Networking innovation in the cloud tops vendors
A Gartner report says enterprises waiting on vendors for networking innovation are missing out on the better technology coming from cloud providers. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Cryptomining, ransomware are top malware in 2017
Check Point issues new top malware research that finds cryptomining, mobile attacks and ransomware growth in second half of 2017. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jan 2018
How can cloud management apps organize data across clouds?
If you need to pull together different data sets, cloud management apps can track information workloads across multiple clouds and present the data in a simplified way. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
Cisco HyperFlex system upgrade targets hybrid cloud
The Cisco HyperFlex system is now available with AppDynamics, CloudCenter and other software for managing hybrid cloud applications. The new all-in-one system scales to 64 nodes. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2018
Application delivery controllers evolve to meet new demands
ADC devices have evolved to deliver a wide range of functionality, including web application firewall, denial-of-service protection, SSL offload and scalable performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jan 2018
Looking ahead to the biggest 2018 tech trends in networking
The year ahead will force IT professionals to break out of their comfort zones and embrace 2018 tech trends that are reshaping the enterprise networking field. Continue Reading
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News
26 Dec 2017
Recapping 2017's biggest trends in networking technology
In 2017 trends in networking technology, network management software got more intelligent, switches more versatile and vendor consolidation accelerated. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2017
Barefoot Tofino chip tapped for Deep Insight network monitor
Barefoot Networks has introduced packet-based monitoring software, called Deep Insight. The new product uses data processed on switches powered by the Barefoot Tofino chip. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2017
Dell open networking gets more 25 GbE switches, SD-WAN appliances
An expanded Dell open networking portfolio includes a high-performing switch for connecting data centers and a 25 GbE model with a new OS for managing network fabrics. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Oct 2017
Users want hybrid cloud networking to be simple
As more services move to the cloud and become more mobile, if the network is invisible and performs well, IT pros are doing their jobs in users' eyes. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2017
Huawei wants to grow public cloud market share
Bloggers explore Huawei's efforts to grow its public cloud market share, workload performance in containers and Cisco's new emphasis on LISP. Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2017
Switch used as container platform in software-based networking
Developers are building open technology on Linux to turn a top-of-rack white box switch into a services platform for software-based networking. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2017
Trends in VMware business model anticipated for VMworld 2017
Analysts explore trends in the VMware business model, what makes an enterprise-class security vendor, and the costs of hardware and disaggregation. Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2017
Cisco revenues fall, likely to go lower
Top-line Cisco revenues fell in the July quarter, as the company's legacy switching business continued to weaken. Cisco could soon reach two straight years of revenue declines. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2017
Big Switch-HPE partnership opens chances for enterprise SDN
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is partnering with SDN vendor Big Switch. The HPE partnership is expected to take advantage of Big Switch's limited success in the enterprise market. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2017
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
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News
14 Jul 2017
Microsoft Azure Stack has leg up on VMware Cloud on AWS
Microsoft's Azure Stack will likely be more successful in the hybrid cloud market than VMware Cloud on AWS, according to analysts. Both products are set to ship by September. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2017
Cisco DNA Center headed for central enterprise network management
The new Cisco DNA Center policy software may become the central enterprise management console for data center and campus networks, integrating Cisco's APIC controller. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2017
Console's cloud interconnect lets users link multiple providers
Console unveils a cloud interconnect service that offers a more secure and stable connection between multiple cloud providers. Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 May 2017
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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News
05 May 2017
Cisco-Viptela deal first step of segment consolidation?
This week, bloggers look into the Cisco-Viptela acquisition, barriers to hybrid cloud adoption and improving cloud analytics for midmarket groups. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2017
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
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News
23 Feb 2017
Higher spending on public cloud service providers bad news for Cisco
Enterprise spending on public cloud service providers will increase almost 22% annually through 2020, depressing sales of data center switches from Cisco and other suppliers. Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2017
Arista Networks' revenue rises, while rival Cisco stumbles
Arista Networks' revenue rose more than 33% on strong sales of switches and routers. Arista released results a day after Cisco reported a decline in sales of networking gear. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2017
Cisco joins Microsoft in providing Azure Stack services in UCS server
Cisco and Microsoft have worked together in delivering Azure Stack services through Cisco's UCS server. The new product ships in the third quarter. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jan 2017
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
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News
15 Dec 2016
Cisco closing Intercloud Fabric in cloud strategy shift
Cisco is in the process of moving customers off the Intercloud Fabric as the company prepares to close the infrastructure-as-a-service offering. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2016
AWS device cited as stepping stone to Amazon foray into HCI
This week, bloggers assess what Amazon's Snowball Edge really means when it comes to HCI, as well as discuss some of the new features of Arista's new leaf and spine switch. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2016
County government redesigns data center around Cisco ACI fabric
Durham County, N.C., had a traditional data center. But it also had forward-thinking employees looking at Cisco ACI fabric to lay the groundwork for tech innovation. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2016
Arista, Brocade intro better spine, leaf switches for the data center
Arista and Brocade have introduced spine and leaf switches. Arista has focused on performance; Brocade has added network automation and visibility. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2016
F5 pushing application delivery platform to the Equinix hybrid cloud
Data center provider Equinix has agreed to provide customers with the option of using the F5 application delivery platform in hybrid cloud environments. Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2016
Facebook's new switching platform completes 100 Gb data center pod
Facebook has completed its open source 100 Gb data center pod. The technology for hyperscale data centers includes a second-generation modular switching platform called Backpack. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2016
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
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Tip
09 Nov 2016
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
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Feature
01 Nov 2016
Networked cloud emerges to meet evolving infrastructure needs
Some enterprise network managers are beginning to move networking out to the cloud, as they sort out how to best meet their organizations' evolving infrastructure needs. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2016
Facebook Wedge switch still a curiosity in the enterprise
The latest version of the Facebook Wedge switch raises the hardware's throughput to 100 Gbps. But the networking gear remains a non-enterprise technology. Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2016
VMware hybrid cloud announcement gets reality check
Analysts examine how the VMware hybrid cloud announcement pits the vendor against OpenStack and Azure, and they discuss must-have features in an automation RFP. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2016
CloudPhysics details virtual machine cost in the cloud
This week, bloggers look into virtual machine cost in the cloud, incident response automation and untangling Mac OS X PPTP connections. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2016
Data-center-to-cloud, direct-connection platform wins innovation award
The Console networking platform bypasses the public internet to offer subscribers on-demand, one-to-one connections with cloud providers and other partners. Continue Reading
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News
23 Sep 2016
New Cisco professional services aimed at hybrid clouds
The latest Cisco professional services are aimed at helping companies build and manage hybrid clouds. The offering reflects a shift in Cisco's cloud strategy. Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2016
The new Dell talks up cloud, convergence, but networking plans vague
The new Dell Technologies is bullish on hybrid cloud, convergence and cloud-native applications for enterprises, but Dell networking plans weren't in the spotlight. Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2016
Network pricing may not matter very much to enterprises
This week, networking analysts discuss network pricing in enterprise decision making, Huawei's entry into the SD-WAN market and the message of VMworld 2016. Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2016
Enterprise public and private cloud workloads rise
ICYMI: Enterprise cloud workloads grow, Check Point tracks ransomware as a service and Cisco continues to dominate in the routing and switching market. Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2016
Cisco ContainerX buy a step toward readying ACI for the cloud
Cisco's acquisition of startup ContainerX provides the networking company with technology to help ready ACI for container orchestration in the cloud. Continue Reading