Network Security Best Practices and Products

Top Stories

Answer 13 Jul 2021
The differences between PAP and CHAP

PAP uses a two-way handshake to authenticate client sessions, while CHAP uses a three-way handshake. Both authentication processes are common, but one is more secure. Continue Reading
Answer 02 Oct 2020
What does a VPN concentrator do?

As more employees work remotely and VPN use rises, VPN concentrators have become trendy. But what does a VPN concentrator do exactly, and how do you deploy one? Continue Reading

News 30 Sep 2016

DirecTV Now on target to become AT&T's main video platform

AT&T plans to test wireless broadband traveling near power lines; AT&T pushes its online-streaming platform, DirecTV Now; and Yahoo and Verizon weigh the effects of the largest recorded company hack on its deal. Continue Reading
News 27 Sep 2016

SD-WAN vendors seek larger market slice through partnerships, services

Silver Peak, Versa Networks and Viptela are the latest SD-WAN vendors to launch partnerships and services in a market expected to top $6 billion by 2020. Continue Reading
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
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
News 22 Sep 2016

ONF Project Boulder continues working toward SDN interoperability

SDN market-watchers discussed Project Boulder's SDN interoperability trial, nine good reasons to buy white box switches and Riverbed's latest SD-WAN strategy. Continue Reading
Tip 20 Sep 2016

The white box switching market gets a closer look

Following years of development, is the potential of the white box switching market finally being realized? Continue Reading
News 19 Sep 2016

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
News 16 Sep 2016

ExtraHop 6.0 adds new packet search to IT analytics platform

ExtraHop introduces a new IT analytics appliance that lets IT search and download packets associated with a particular transaction. Continue Reading
News 14 Sep 2016

NFV, SD-WAN and vCPE shift scope of managed WAN services

This week, a networking analyst examines the future of managed WAN services, while another one remembers his time at EMC in the wake of last week's Dell-EMC merger. Continue Reading
News 14 Sep 2016

Riverbed SD-WAN upgrade means tighter integration for SteelConnect

The Riverbed SD-WAN refresh means companies can swap out existing routers; UNH opens a testing lab for 25 GbE; and Gartner warns NAC policies need tightening. Continue Reading
News 13 Sep 2016

Mushroom adds new WAN tools with VNF library

With its new VNF Design Studio, Mushroom Networks says it is providing customers with a whole new set of WAN tools to improve performance. Continue Reading
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
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
Opinion 06 Sep 2016

Automation key element in network monitoring best practices

The fundamentals underpinning network monitoring might be simple, but it doesn't mean keeping tabs on your network is easy. What can you do to improve your monitoring tool framework? Continue Reading
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
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
Tip 29 Aug 2016

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
News 25 Aug 2016

SDN, open source nexus to accelerate service creation

What's new in the SDN blog world? One expert says SDN advancements will be accelerated, thanks to SDN and open source convergence, while another points out the influence SDN has in the cloud industry. Continue Reading
News 24 Aug 2016

IT professionals aim to operationalize threat intel in the enterprise

This week, networking bloggers look into operationalizing threat intel, Google Fiber's deployment and home lab spending. Continue Reading
News 18 Aug 2016

Cisco layoffs a response to industry shift to software, cloud services

The latest Cisco layoffs are a result of customers moving to networking software and the cloud instead of the company's proprietary hardware. Continue Reading
Answer 18 Aug 2016

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
News 12 Aug 2016

New Huawei Enterprise chief handicapped by politics, not products

David He, newly appointed president at Huawei Enterprise U.S., is ready to turn over 100% of sales to partners. He is optimistic despite cloud of Chinese cyber spying. Continue Reading
News 12 Aug 2016

Agencies urged to speed up Next-Generation 911 transition

Municipalities are being urged toward Next-Generation 911 as phone companies complete fiber optic cable transition, and Google Fiber's Webpass acquisition will make wireless broadband connections possible. Continue Reading
News 10 Aug 2016

Wi-Fi Alliance blasted for 'bias' in test for carrier LTE-U on Wi-Fi

A wireless carrier group has accused the Wi-Fi Alliance of kowtowing to cable operators as it nears completion of a test for LTE-U on Wi-Fi. Continue Reading
Opinion 04 Aug 2016

Infinite options tempt, but cutting proprietary management even better

Are the bad old days of control interface proliferation back again? Patrick Hubbard says it's time for network administrators to put their foot down. Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2016

Software WAN reaches peak of hype cycle

This week, networking industry analysts assess the networking hype cycle, Black Hat 2016 and networking in the 1980s. Continue Reading
Tip 01 Aug 2016

Comparing cable types: Fiber vs. copper twisted pair

What's the difference in fiber vs. copper cables? Key differences include cost, speed and more when it comes to fiber optic and copper twisted-pair cabling options. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Aug 2016

ScienceLogic EM7: Network performance monitor overview

ScienceLogic EM7 is still a newcomer to the network performance monitoring market, but it offers flexible deployment options, including VMs and software-as-a-service installations. Continue Reading
News 29 Jul 2016

Verizon launches virtualized services for enterprises

ICYMI: Verizon launches VNF service to enterprises; Ethernet organizations plan 2.5, 5 GbE plugfest for fall and Riverbed beefs up SteelCentral. Continue Reading
News 28 Jul 2016

Cisco DNA means goodbye to CLI?

This week, bloggers look at Cisco's shift from CLI, Savvius' packet capture appliance and cybersecurity as a vertical industry. Continue Reading
News 27 Jul 2016

A10 buys Appcito to bolster cloud-based ADC services

A10 has acquired Appcito to improve its portfolio of ADC services for enterprises adopting cloud computing. Continue Reading
News 25 Jul 2016

Cisco vCenter plug-in bridges physical, virtual data center networks

Cisco has launched a vCenter plug-in for connecting the VMware management tool to applications running on non-virtualized servers. Continue Reading
News 20 Jul 2016

New AT&T Network on Demand service provides Cisco virtual router, more

The latest AT&T Network on Demand service provides virtualized versions of Cisco or Juniper routers, Fortinet firewalls or Riverbed WAN optimization technology. Continue Reading
News 14 Jul 2016

CEO Robbins wants more Cisco applications, cloud services

CEO Robbins said at the Live conference customers should expect a much higher percentage of future products to be delivered as Cisco applications or cloud services. Continue Reading
News 13 Jul 2016

Cloud falling short as mobile management tool?

ICYMI: CenturyLink debuts a managed mobile analytics service in concert with Meraki; Xirrus rounds out its high-speed Wave 2 access point portfolio. Continue Reading
News 11 Jul 2016

Cisco lifts branch security with latest software release

Cisco introduced at its Live conference branch security software for the ISR router. The networking company also improved malware protection in the Meraki MX appliance. Continue Reading
News 11 Jul 2016

Glue provides SD automation for more network appliances

Glue Networks has added support for more than a dozen network products in its orchestration engine. The Gluware engine provides greater SD automation. Continue Reading
News 30 Jun 2016

CloudLock to make Cisco security portfolio better at cloud security

Cisco spends $293 million on technology that secures mobile users' access to the cloud. It's the latest addition to the Cisco security portfolio. Continue Reading
News 29 Jun 2016

Mist spreads new idea for cloud-managed Wi-Fi

Startup Mist rolls out a wireless service that blends artificial intelligence, virtual Bluetooth Low Energy beacons and unprecedented visibility into network performance. Continue Reading
News 29 Jun 2016

Using microsegmentation to create a secure communication channel

This week, bloggers look at a startup using microsegmentation to create a secure communication channel, FireEye and customized managed network services. Continue Reading
Answer 29 Jun 2016

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
News 29 Jun 2016

Juniper simplifies branch network deployment with SD technology

Juniper has introduced SD technology for enterprises that the vendor says will simplify the deployment of branch networks. Continue Reading
News 23 Jun 2016

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
News 21 Jun 2016

Pica8 open switching OS supports 25/50/100 GbE

Pica8 introduces open switching OS for 25/50/100 GbE. The use of higher throughput switching is growing in mega data centers. Continue Reading
News 16 Jun 2016

Netronome offers P4 support on server adapters

This week, networking industry bloggers examine Symantec's decision to buy Blue Coat and whether cloud-native applications have merit. Continue Reading
News 14 Jun 2016

VMware's Arkin acquisition to bolster NSX microsegmentation

VMware says it will acquire startup Arkin to provide analytics that help customers broaden the use of NSX microsegmentation. Continue Reading
News 14 Jun 2016

Barefoot Networks debuts high-speed programmable chip for switches

Barefoot Networks emerges from stealth mode with a high-speed switch chip that makes packet processing programmable. Continue Reading
Tip 09 Jun 2016

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
News 08 Jun 2016

Latest Lenovo networking offerings include NOS, Juniper switches

The latest Lenovo networking products reflect the vendor's shift to technologies outside of the shrinking PC market. Continue Reading
News 08 Jun 2016

Avi software ADC gets Innovation Award

Avi Networks' software ADC brought new features and capabilities to the load balancing and application delivery market. Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2016

Corsa boosts its programmable switch system offerings

This week, bloggers assess Corsa's programmable switch offerings, Verizon DBIR, and how to create a marketing and technology 'lingua franca.' Continue Reading
News 06 Jun 2016

Talari Networks seeks market edge with SD-WAN partnership program

Talari has rolled out a new strategic alliance program, indicating the vendor's interest in supporting third-party products that complement its own SD-WAN technology. Continue Reading
News 03 Jun 2016

Managed OpenStack services may have appeal over public cloud

Managed OpenStack services may appeal to enterprises wary of private cloud platform's complexity, but want to use its APIs and security, rather than public cloud. Continue Reading
News 02 Jun 2016

SS8 takes new approach to cyberthreat intelligence

SS8 launches BreachDetect, a Layer 7 'time machine' for breach detection in enterprises and a new addition to the cyberthreat intelligence marketplace. Continue Reading
News 01 Jun 2016

IT professionals consider network uptime

This week, bloggers weigh network uptime, workloads in the public cloud and Dell OS10. Continue Reading
Opinion 25 May 2016

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
News 25 May 2016

Should IT be looking at a Cisco alternative?

This week, bloggers debate whether it would be better if the industry found a Cisco alternative and reveal what one survey indicated will be the top IT priorities in 2016. Continue Reading
Opinion 24 May 2016

Wireless management in the cloud heralds transformation

Placing wireless management in the cloud is gaining traction among enterprises as companies examine more efficient ways to oversee their networks. It's part of a shift that's affecting network infrastructure. Continue Reading
Tip 23 May 2016

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
News 20 May 2016

Cisco sales down in switching; up in software, services

Cisco sales last quarter revealed weakness in its switching and router business, as revenue from software subscriptions and cloud-based services increased. Continue Reading
News 19 May 2016

What's going on with Broadcom Tomahawk?

In this week's roundup, a blogger expresses frustration with Broadcom, and analysts assess the next generation of endpoint security market and monitoring. Continue Reading
News 18 May 2016

U.S. lab considers SDN for growing ESnet research network

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has turned to SDN and Corsa data-plane appliances in tackling soaring demand on ESnet research network. Continue Reading
News 17 May 2016

New SteelCentral probes deeper into application behavior

Riverbed upgrades SteelCentral with support for public cloud, containers and Skype for Business. Continue Reading
News 06 May 2016

Networks may appear to disappear in data center evolution

Data center evolution will drive the illusion that the network has disappeared, Google networking lead tells networking crowd at Interop 2016. Continue Reading
News 05 May 2016

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
News 02 May 2016

Verizon NFV infrastructure offers interchangeable parts

This week, networking analysts explore Verizon NFV, SD-WAN as intent-based networking and automation costs. Continue Reading
Feature 02 May 2016

Network refresh: Look at your needs, not the name on the box

In this Q&A, one networking pro shares why he and his team broke from their existing vendors during a network refresh and went with a new roster for their routers and switches. Continue Reading
News 02 May 2016

New Verizon data centers support businesses, jar suppliers

New Verizon data centers are part of a two-pronged strategy of helping customers and taming suppliers through open technology. Continue Reading
News 29 Apr 2016

Networking panels at Interop conference cover gamut

Interop networking track chair Tom Hollingsworth talks about the topics he believes are most important to today's networking engineers. Continue Reading
News 28 Apr 2016

Dell, Aerohive partner in WLAN infrastructure management

Partners Dell and Aerohive have collaborated on software for managing WLAN infrastructure hardware, including switches and access points. Continue Reading
News 27 Apr 2016

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
News 26 Apr 2016

Juniper provides container firewall to banks, cloud

Juniper Networks has added a container firewall to its SRX portfolio. The latest product provides container protection for banks, carriers and cloud providers. Continue Reading
News 26 Apr 2016

Riverbed SD-WAN design goes beyond optimization

The Riverbed SD-WAN strategy blends optimization, orchestration, management and other services in a single platform, called SteelConnect. Continue Reading
News 19 Apr 2016

Carrier shift to NFV driving virtual CPE deployments

Carrier adoption of software-based network functions will lead to better virtual CPE for enterprise branch networks. Continue Reading
Answer 19 Apr 2016

How can my company reap the advantages of SDN if its culture is risk-averse?

SDN expert Will Murrell discusses how the advantages of SDN will speak to cautious companies only when network engineers can make a case for SDN's lower cost and high functionality. Continue Reading
News 18 Apr 2016

Nyansa rethinks network performance monitor space

Cloud-based analytics, real-time DPI and an easy-to-digest console anchor Nyansa's network performance monitor for wired and wireless networks. Continue Reading
Opinion 13 Apr 2016

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
News 06 Apr 2016

Cancer Center gets help from AT&T Network on Demand

Austin, Texas, Cancer Center uses AT&T's Network on Demand to get tumor diagnoses to patients faster. Continue Reading
News 06 Apr 2016

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
Podcast 06 Apr 2016

Managing apps requires holistic, reactive approach

Managing apps' performance must be planned holistically with an eye to reactive management and proactive management. Continue Reading
News 05 Apr 2016

Brocade's Ruckus buy betters chances in campus WLAN market

Brocade's acquisition of Ruckus Wireless would counter the stronger portfolios of Cisco and HPE for the campus WLAN. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Apr 2016

Network automation scripts: Separating myth from reality

Network automation can make work easier, but be careful which processes you automate. Done wrong, automation can break more things than it fixes. Continue Reading
News 01 Apr 2016

Arista spine hardware aimed at largest data centers

Arista has introduced the 7500R series -- a suite of third-generation spine hardware that has a maximum capacity of 115 Tbps. Continue Reading
Opinion 01 Apr 2016

Internet of Things use cases that do more than lock doors

The Internet of Things isn't only about locking doors. It's also about having a network that knows who to let in and who to keep out, without any human intervention. Continue Reading
News 30 Mar 2016

Users find harmony in Cisco, VMware SDN software

Baystate Health and Sugar Creek Packing give Cisco and VMware SDN software separate chores in data center networks. Continue Reading
Blog Post 25 Mar 2016

Group begins work on 400 Gbps QSFP interfaces

Thirteen networking and electronics industry suppliers said they would work together to develop a new generation of double-density quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) interfaces that would ... Continue Reading
News 23 Mar 2016

100 Gigabit switch sales soar

100 Gigabit Ethernet switch sales pace growth of market in '15, Comcast Business partners with AWS, and Nomadix deploys Deep Packet Inspection platform. Continue Reading
Tip 23 Mar 2016

Business is 'destroying' the application delivery process

Business has changed, and so must the application delivery process. It's time for IT to go from being provider of services to a broker between clouds and end users. Here's how. Continue Reading
News 22 Mar 2016

Managing Internet of Things risks

This week, bloggers explore management for Internet of Things risks, layered protocol stacks and TELoIP's SD-WAN offering. Continue Reading
News 17 Mar 2016

AT&T reveals details of ECOMP SDN platform

AT&T is seeking developer input in deciding whether to open source its ECOMP SDN platform for self-service networking. Continue Reading
Tip 17 Mar 2016

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
News 16 Mar 2016

AWS ushers in new era of cloud-native applications

This week, bloggers explore the arrival of cloud-native applications and platforms, as well as recap the 2016 RSA Conference and assess a new SD-WAN security offering that says no to MPLS. Continue Reading
News 15 Mar 2016

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
News 09 Mar 2016

Survey shows how early adopters define SDN

In this week's blog roundup, a survey of early adopters offers insights into the evolving definition of SDN, and several service providers join an SDN alliance. Continue Reading
News 08 Mar 2016

Enterprise software agreements shape SaaS use

This week bloggers address enterprise software agreements and SaaS, the case of SD-WAN and HPE's expected entry into the hyper-converged infrastructure market. Continue Reading
News 04 Mar 2016

ONUG hosts SDN hackathon to jump-start network automation

The Open Networking User Group is hosting the first ONUG Grand Challenge Hackathon, with the goal of encouraging the development of new automation applications. Continue Reading
News 04 Mar 2016

Serro unveils new open source SDN framework, AuSM

Serro releases its new open source SDN framework, AuSM, to link up network and monitoring tools via API. Continue Reading
Blog Post 02 Mar 2016

Cisco buys semiconductor firm Leaba

Cisco Wednesday said it would purchase Israeli-based Leaba Semiconductor to beef up its chip research and development efforts. Cisco said the acquisition--for $320 million in cash--will lay the ... Continue Reading
News 02 Mar 2016

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
News 02 Mar 2016

Cisco NFV platform could become a 'game changer' for customers

The new Cisco NFV software stack will eventually run on any Intel-based x86 server. Continue Reading