Network Design

Quiz: Test your knowledge on how SD-WAN works

With SD-WAN deployment on the rise, take the time to test your knowledge about how SD-WAN works. This quiz covers SD-WAN technology basics, benefits of SD-WAN and common myths. Continue Reading

5G architecture plus NFV, SDN offers performance gains

The intersection of 5G architecture and virtualization technologies like NFV and SDN could result in better network performance, but it will take time to get there. Continue Reading

How do IoT sensors intersect with SD-WAN?

Most traditional WANs can't handle the increasing number of IoT sensors -- and the data they collect. But SD-WAN can help improve IoT performance and analysis. Continue Reading

Operators invest billions, hope in 5G wireless technology

A new 5G wireless technology report breaks its development into three phases, and network operators hope their investments lead to revenue down the line. Continue Reading

SD-WAN vs. MPLS: The quality-of-service comparison

Quality of service is often top of mind for IT leaders when debating SD-WAN vs. MPLS -- especially when it comes to using internet links for SD-WAN connectivity. Continue Reading

Enterprises choose managed SD-WAN over DIY SD-WAN deployment

Enterprises prefer purchasing managed SD-WAN services, rather than taking the DIY SD-WAN deployment approach, according to recent research from Frost & Sullivan. Continue Reading

Three-step network strategy sells big changes as more doable

A three-pronged network strategy takes an evolutionary approach to selling revolutionary technology changes internally, with a bigger chance of success. Continue Reading

Consider the Ethernet option for primary SD-WAN connectivity

SD-WAN connectivity offers the ability to use a variety of links. While most enterprises opt to use cable or DSL as the primary link, Ethernet could be the better option. Continue Reading

SD-branch network concept as next stage of WAN connectivity

SD-branch uses SD-WAN technology to simplify the branch network. It integrates multiple network functions now housed in separate components into software that runs in a single box. Continue Reading

Existing branch routers could be replaced as SD-WAN matures

Enterprises are moving away from traditional branch routers, as SD-WAN capabilities mature and offer consolidated network functionality on a single device. Continue Reading

How networking can prepare for 5G mobile technology

An 'average Joe' engineer discusses the impact 5G mobile technology may bring to his operation as developments around the standard heat up. Continue Reading

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

What's automation's role in network provisioning resources?

IT is embracing network automation, but complications with integration disrupt the process. Using automation for provisioning resources can improve efficiency, but reduce the need for IT personnel. Continue Reading

What is happening with AI in cybersecurity?

This week, bloggers focus on the growing role of AI in cybersecurity, achieving simple, stable networks and running EVPN in a single data center fabric. 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

Fog computing architecture posing challenges for IT

Fog computing architecture designs are gaining traction, as users demand accessibility to apps and services. But the approach can cause challenges for IT. Continue Reading

Selecting network configuration software for automation

This week, bloggers look into choosing the right network configuration software for an automation project, endpoint security and the future of SD-WAN as a stand-alone service. Continue Reading

Take network configuration management tools to the next level

Script management systems and intent-based networking are driving the future of network configuration management tools, shifting the paradigm of how networking systems are managed. Continue Reading

Cisco, Hyundai to add software-defined platform to vehicles

Cisco and Hyundai will release jointly developed software-defined vehicles in 2019. These connected cars will boast a Cisco-built software-defined platform and 1 Gbps Ethernet. Continue Reading

Campus network architecture strategies to blossom in 2018

This week, bloggers focus on the growing relevancy of campus network architecture planning, BGP route selection and the next generation of cloud-vendor partnerships. Continue Reading

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

Automated networks mean clearing some key hurdles first

Obstacles facing IT adoption of automation in the network including training and trust. Now's the time to clear these hurdles and reap the benefits of an automated future. Continue Reading

Hyper-convergence gives new choice in network system management

Hyper-convergence is driving network evolution, but engineers need to consider the flexibility of network system management software and performance to ensure best results. Continue Reading

Getting to know serverless computing architecture

Bloggers explore the dynamics of serverless computing architecture, efficacy and efficiency with endpoint security and use cases for bidirectional forwarding detection Continue Reading

To buy or build IT infrastructure focus of ONUG 2017 panel

During ONUG's fall conference, panelists debated whether to buy or build IT infrastructure. Company IT execs say the final decision depends on a company's culture and talent. Continue Reading

Why open network systems are so difficult to find

Bloggers explore open network systems, look into the development of unified security operations and analytics, and recommend how to tweak an Ansible playbook. Continue Reading

Network validation a first step to intent-based architecture

Network validation is an important first step for enterprises evaluating intent-based networking. Unless you know how things really work, you won't succeed. Continue Reading

Cybersecurity evolution brings shifts for network security

Bloggers explore cybersecurity evolution and its impact on network security, new network fabrics from Extreme and take a deep dive on routing protocols, such as BFD. 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

Aruba launches 360 Secure Fabric user behavioral analytics system

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are key components of the newly launched Aruba 360 Secure Fabric user behavioral analytics security software. Continue Reading

MEF looks to SD-WAN standards with open APIs, orchestration framework

MEF has made the move to establish consistent SD-WAN standards for its service provider members through a set of open APIs and a lifecycle service orchestration framework. Continue Reading

SN blogs: Can cloud-based routing do the trick?

This week, bloggers assess how Volta Networks is shifting to cloud-based routing, device identification, and IPv6 and VLAN interfaces. Continue Reading

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

Open source network software matures, but needs incentives for use

Open source network software is maturing, but the networking industry needs to create compelling economic incentives for large suppliers and buyers to contribute, as well. Continue Reading

Comcast Business beta trials managed SD-WAN with Versa Networks

Comcast Business chooses Versa Networks as its managed SD-WAN partner, while Sprint turns to VeloCloud. Also, NEC and Dell EMC announce the availability of their SD-LAN service. 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

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

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

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

How types of noise in data communication systems affect the network

Learn about the different types of noise in data communication -- including thermal, intermodulation, cross-talk, impulse and shot noise -- and how they can affect your network. Continue Reading

Versa Networks' SD-WAN platform now supports IPv6

In SDN news, Versa Networks announces SD-WAN that supports IPv6, and ONUG releases the speaker lineup for its upcoming spring conference, hosted in San Francisco on April 25-26. Continue Reading

Riverbed bolsters SteelHead WAN optimization appliance with SD-WAN

Riverbed cloaks its SteelHead SD-WAN optimization appliance with SteelConnect features to provide security and application acceleration. 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

HPE focuses on hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation

This week, bloggers assess hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation after HPE's buy, Cumulus Networks' new switch hardware and why companies accept poor cybersecurity. Continue Reading

Cisco software strategy worries network operators

Cisco's push into SDN concerns network operators who see the Cisco software strategy as de-emphasizing traditional hardware. Continue Reading

Mobile edge computing promises wide variety of uses

Mobile edge computing can bring applications and data closer to the end user, resulting in lower latency and better data analytics for network virtualization and IoT. Continue Reading

Cisco earnings show service providers are not buying

The latest Cisco earnings show a drop in overall revenue, as service providers spend less. Cisco blames lower sales on macroeconomics. Continue Reading

XMPP: IoT protocol winner, or second place to MQTT?

XMPP has come a long way from its beginnings as Jabber, but is the lightweight XMPP-IoT specification ready for the spotlight? Continue Reading

Mist introduces new analytics capabilities for wireless

ICYMI: Mist premieres new analytics capabilities on its Wi-Fi platform, while Broadcom targets large data centers with its new switches and IDC sees more security spending. Continue Reading

Digital infrastructure technology is the 'glue' of cohesion

This week, bloggers look into digital infrastructure technology, threat fatigue and virtual appliance optimization for data centers. Continue Reading

Masergy, Interoute to offer Silver Peak managed SD-WAN services

Silver Peak has joined a growing list of WAN vendors partnering with service providers to roll out managed SD-WAN services for enterprise customers. Continue Reading

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

IP subnetting: How to calculate subnet masks

Check out IP subnetting shortcuts on how to do subnet mask calculations and break down IP address classes to route traffic within your network. 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

Avaya VSP NOS targets network disaggregation

This week, bloggers explore Avaya VSP updates, the federal Software Assurance Marketplace and packet loss with TCP. 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

Martin Casado predicts infrastructure evolution at Interop 2016

Speaking at Interop 2016, Martin Casado laid out his vision for infrastructure evolution instead of a future that predicts its demise. Continue Reading

Veriflow aims to prevent network outages

This week, networking bloggers discuss a new way to eliminate network outages, OpenStack networking and whether SDN is novel or just natural. 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

U.S. hosts 72% of compromised DNS domains

This week, networking bloggers examine why the United States has so many compromised DNS domains, architecting for things and Brocade's acquisition plans. Continue Reading

Microsoft open tech promises switch hardware independence

The latest Microsoft open tech takes the brains of data center networking out of proprietary switches and places it in hardware-agnostic software. Continue Reading

Mulling the network impact of the Internet of Things

This week, bloggers examine the network impact of IoT, tackle RSA Conference priorities and how to use MS Visio for network diagramming. Continue Reading

You never know where you'll find a network deployment

A network deployment can be a good reminder that IT isn’t always a desk job. Network engineers often go into cramped, dirty or unsafe places to install equipment. Continue Reading

The 'sad state' of enterprise network architecture

This week, bloggers explore enterprise network architecture challenges, the increasing danger of exploit kits and how best to oversee private cloud management. Continue Reading

Recent trends in IT networking: One observer's view

In this week's SN blog roundup, analysts explore recent trends in IT, the Juniper breach and next-generation firewalls. Continue Reading

Taking a look at network automation tools to ease oversight

This week, bloggers explore network automation tools, how vendors must promote disaggregated switching and if it's time for a networking version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. 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

Riverbed jumping into SD-WAN market in 2016

Riverbed plans a suite of SD-WAN services and products underpinned by new SteelHead OS. 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

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

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

NIA: Saisei's FlowCommand SDN appliance secures network flows

Saisei, our latest Network Innovation Award winner, uses its FlowCommand virtual SDN appliance to control network flows and prevent individual users from hogging bandwidth. Continue Reading

Analysts: SDN wouldn't have prevented United Airlines network outage

Some speculate that SDN could prevent a network outage like the one that brought United Airlines to a screeching halt. Others, however, say the industry needs an SDN reality check. 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

What is Ethernet-dedicated Internet?

Ethernet-dedicated Internet is a continuous, high-bandwidth way for enterprises to connect their LANs to the public Internet and to streamline the performance of their WAN. 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

Will we ever need 400 Gigabit Ethernet enterprise networks?

With 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet so new, what could possibly drive the need for 400 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise? Hint: It’s not just the WAN. Continue Reading

Coping with BYOD

From virtual desktop infrastructure to NAC, network engineers are testing a host of technologies to handle mobility. Continue Reading

Difference between circuit-switching and packet-switching in examples

What is the difference between a circuit switching and packet switching? Our networking fundamentals expert gives examples of packet switching and circuit switching in this response. 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 reader for the analysis process. Continue Reading

IP addressing and subnetting: Calculate a subnet mask using the subnet's formula

IP addressing and subnetting are an important part of networks. Learn how the subnet's formula works and why it's important to know how to calculate the subnet mask "longhand." Continue Reading

Duplex mismatch

What is duplex, and what is the difference between half and full duplex? What is a duplex mismatch? How can autonegotiation help or hurt your network? How can you resolve duplex conflicts? In this tip, David Davis helps networking engineers and newcomers understand the issues behind one of the most troublesome problems plaguing today's networks. Continue Reading

IP network design, part 4: LAN design

This final section of the IP network design series relates to the issues encountered with campus LAN design. The benefits of Ethernet switching over a traditional hub environment are first explained. The motivation behind the deployment of virtual LANs (VLANs) is explored along with the issues faced when planning and configuring VLANs. This article also discusses techniques for ensuring a scalable and resilient campus network design. The Spanning Tree Protocol is also addressed and how it can be optimized on a large switched network. Finally, the design issues associated with an IP telephony rollout are covered in the conclusion of this article. Continue Reading

IP network design, part 3: Designing the WAN

The wide area network (WAN) is the single biggest contributor to a corporate network's cost of ownership. Therefore, this is the area where the cost-versus-performance tradeoff is most pronounced and most critical. This article explores the various alternatives that must be evaluated when choosing and designing a WAN infrastructure. The different topological and technological options are discussed in terms of how they relate to the fundamental WAN design goals. Traditional technological alternatives that include synchronous serial lines, frame relay and ATM will be discussed along with more state-of-the-art options such as DSL and MPLS. Continue Reading

IP network design, part 2: The IP addressing plan

The IP addressing plan is the foundation upon which a successful logical design is built. Part two of this tip explains how to formulate a scalable IP addressing plan that can support the network as it grows. Continue Reading

IP network design, part 1: Fundamental principles

A competent network design is the foundation upon which all successful network implementations are built. This is the first of four articles that focus on the design of IP-based networks, due to the prevalence of IP as the de-facto standard desktop protocol. Continue Reading

Placement of the firewall

In this expert response, Puneet Mehta tells us where the placement of the firewall should be architecturally. Continue Reading

What costs I can expect when designing A LAN? How can I keep costs to a minimum?

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What is a network segment? Is a network segment the same as an Ethernet segment?

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Can CAT 6 be used to connect two switches at a distance of 550 meters?

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What is the difference between an IPsec tunnel and a normal tunnel, and what is the bandwidth of eac

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WAN technology quiz

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

Integrating Voice and Data Networks: Initial Network Planning and Design

For the IT manager tasked with choosing and implementing a converged communications system, this chapter of Integrating Voice and Data Networks will be a must-read. Author Scott Keagy presents practical steps to follow before you start purchasing and installing equipment. These include: gathering requirements and expectations for voice services, planning trunk and bandwidth requirements, selecting hardware platforms, and reviewing your proposed selections from a quality-of-service standpoint. Read on for more. Continue Reading

Advanced MPLS Design and Implementation; Chapter 7

Advanced MPLS Design and Implementation

Interested in the design, configuration, and implementation of MPLS networks? Advanced MPLS Design and Implementation from Cisco Press covers detailed MPLS theory, design, and implementation as well as MPLS VPN architecture. In this excerpt, Vivek Alwayn, CCIE, explores how MPLS can be used for traffic engineering in large networks. Continue Reading

The importance of the subnet mask

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