Network strategy and planning
Network architects must consider various factors when designing, updating or expanding their organizations' networks. Discover tips and best practices about network design and planning, topology considerations and technology strategies.
Top Stories
-
Tip
05 Feb 2026
AI-driven self-healing networks bring new capabilities
Self-healing networks use AI to continuously monitor, diagnose and fix issues autonomously, shifting IT from reactive troubleshooting to proactive management. Continue Reading
By- Damon Garn, Cogspinner Coaction
-
Tip
04 Feb 2026
Why network modernization is crucial for business continuity
Network modernization is a business continuity imperative, reducing risks from legacy systems while boosting performance, security and operational resilience. Continue Reading
By- Damon Garn, Cogspinner Coaction
-
Tip
24 Oct 2022
Best practices for data center network optimization
Data center network optimization can improve business impact and promote long-term equipment health. Look to pilot new equipment, consolidate servers and improve energy efficiency. Continue Reading
By- Julia Borgini, Spacebarpress Media
-
Tip
14 Oct 2022
Best practices for network documentation and auditing
Network documentation helps enterprises resolve problems more quickly and create more reliable networks. But documentation needs to include various components to be effective. Continue Reading
By -
Tip
04 Oct 2022
What to include in a network disaster recovery plan checklist
A network disaster recovery plan should include components like documentation, emergency contacts, step-by-step procedures, provider and vendor details, backup info and more. Continue Reading
By -
Tip
03 Oct 2022
4 tips for network capacity planning and provisioning
To avoid network overprovisioning, teams should review baselines and roadmaps, assess limitations and consider business strategy changes when focusing on network capacity planning. Continue Reading
By- Andrew Froehlich, West Gate Networks
-
News
15 Sep 2022
Valmont Industries tests network as a service to improve WAN
Valmont Industries wants an agile WAN that the company can modify in days instead of months. The global manufacturer is testing network-as-a-service provider Graphiant. Continue Reading
By- Antone Gonsalves, Editor at Large
-
Feature
31 Aug 2022
Techniques to get started with green networking
'Emerging Green Technologies' details how technology is a flexible tool organizations can use to make business operations more sustainable. Here's how to make your network green. Continue Reading
By- Deanna Darah, Taylor & Francis
-
Feature
31 Aug 2022
How energy-efficient networking supports sustainability
In this Q&A, 'Emerging Green Technologies' author Matthew N. O. Sadiku discusses the importance of going green and how to make networks energy-efficient to achieve this goal. Continue Reading
By- Deanna Darah, Site Editor
-
Tip
26 Aug 2022
New data center demands reshape enterprise app delivery
Discover how modern application delivery controllers and web application firewalls can improve network provisioning processes and help secure distributed workloads. Continue Reading
By- Andrew Froehlich, West Gate Networks
-
Feature
25 Aug 2022
Network bandwidth vs. throughput: What's the difference?
Bandwidth and throughput both indicate network performance. The terms are often used together, but bandwidth refers to capacity, while throughput details how much data actually transmits. Continue Reading
By- Deanna Darah, Site Editor
-
Tip
19 Aug 2022
How does SD-access work?
SD-access is a combination of two elements: SDN and the access edge. The result is a network with a centralized management system and improved security policies. Continue Reading
By- John Burke, Nemertes Research
-
News
09 Aug 2022
IT pros weigh COVID-19 risks, safety at tech conferences
Companies preparing to send employees to tech conferences should have a COVID-19 safety plan and prepare for the possibility that some workers will bring the virus back to the office. Continue Reading
By- Antone Gonsalves, Editor at Large
-
Feature
28 Jul 2022
How vendors support sustainable networking initiatives
Organizations are focusing on sustainability in all business divisions, including network operations. These tools could help organizations make their enterprise networks green. Continue Reading
By- Deanna Darah, Site Editor
-
Feature
29 Oct 2018
Edge computing in IoT: Increasing network efficiency to ease traffic
Edge computing in IoT is tied to IoT's growth in a number of vertical markets due to the benefits of processing data close to the data source, which relieves network overload. Continue Reading
By- Steve Zurier, ZFeatures
-
News
09 May 2018
New Arista campus switches aim to simplify designs
The Arista campus switches are an effort by the company to target enterprises with the same set of features used by large data centers and carriers. Continue Reading
By- Chuck Moozakis, Editor at Large
-
Video
23 Feb 2009
Must-haves for wireless network security: WLAN switches, intrusion detection and more
Joel Snyder of Opus One reviews the WLAN switch technology and explains why intrusion detection systems and firewalls need to also be carefully added to a "defense in depth" network configuration. Continue Reading
- Answer 03 Mar 2005