WAN technologies and services
Wide area networks enable companies to access and share corporate resources among distributed sites. Discover more about WAN technologies and service options -- such as SD-WAN, edge computing, network as a service (NaaS) and software-defined branch (SD-branch) -- and how organizations use them to meet business requirements.
Top Stories
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Tip
25 Sep 2023
How low Earth orbit satellite networks improve internet access
Compared to traditional satellite setups, LEO satellite internet provides several benefits, such as low latency, reduced costs and better support for remote sites. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2023
VMware revamps cloud software for edge management
VMware's new Edge Cloud Orchestrator, formerly VMware SASE Orchestrator, manages VMware's edge compute and SD-WAN systems. Carmaker Audi plans to use the product in its factories. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2017
Hughes' managed SD-WAN supports range of broadband access options
Hughes now offers managed SD-WAN, which supports wireless, fiber and satellite connectivity. Also, an IHS Markit survey reveals 2016 SDN expectations didn't meet the actual numbers. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2016
Liquor distributor turns to SD-WAN to support digital operation
Liquor distributor Republic National Distributing Co. chose the less expensive Silver Peak SD-WAN to raise the reliability of its new digital operation. Continue Reading
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Tip
04 Sep 2015
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
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Feature
28 Aug 2015
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
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Opinion
04 Aug 2015
Classic optimization takes back seat as WAN technologies evolve
The growth of cloud apps and the increased use of Internet over traditional WAN technologies has forced WAN optimization to evolve. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
06 Jan 2012
Top 5 wide area network (WAN) trends of 2012
Cloud computing, mobility and video are some driving forces affecting enterprise networks. See the top five wide area network (WAN) trends of 2012. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Jul 2011
ADSL IP VPN advantages and disadvantages
Find out the ADSL IP VPN advantages and disadvantages before upgrading your enterprise wide area network (WAN) link to this telecom service. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2006
VPN client alternatives: Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) over IPsec
This month, Lisa Phifer discusses a robust VPN client alternative: Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) over IPsec. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2006
IPSec and NAT incompatibility
Learn why Authentication Header (AH) doesn't work with Network Address Translation (NAT) or Port Address Translation (PAT) and that Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) is also incompatible with PAT. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2006
T1 vs. VoIP for branch office connectivity
Learn how to decide between a T1, fractional T1 and VoIP for connecting branch offices. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jul 2006
WAN optimization and bottlenecks: Is the WAN really the weakest link?
"How much traffic" is no longer a good enough measure of WAN bandwidth. In this tip, Carrie Higbie looks at how today's ever-increasing expectations for data transfer rates require increased attention to WAN optimization, and suggests how applications-level traffic monitoring can lead to better WAN optimization strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 May 2006
VPNs: Fundamentals and basics
VPNs are discussed in this introductory tip on the fundamentals of virtual private networks. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2006
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
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Feature
12 Dec 2005
Subnetting to increase performance
There comes a time when a network becomes too big and performance begins to suffer as a result of too much traffic. When that happens, one of the ways that you can solve the problem is by breaking the network into smaller pieces using subnets. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Dec 2005
VRFs and routing
Doug Downer continues his series about VPN routing and forwarding instances focused on the task of configuring and verifying a VRF scenario with a requirement for separate customers on a shared device. In this tip, he shows how to configure a method for communication between each customer outside of the shared interfaces and how to ensure that all customer routes are being advertised correctly. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2005
Keeping it all separate with VRFs
A Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instance can deliver separation across both a shared infrastructure and shared devices, ultimately simplifying management. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2005
Can I connect two computers through Ethernet on a WAN?
Can I connect two computers through Ethernet on a WAN? Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2004
VPLS, a new Layer 2 MPLS VPN technology
A new Layer 2 MPLS VPN technology that provides similar reliablity and QoS as MPLS VPN, but in a more simplified way. But beware, it does have it's limitations. Continue Reading
- Answer 05 Aug 2004
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Tip
31 Jul 2004
MPLS - Label Switched Paths
A look at some of the details of working with Label Switched Paths (LSPs). Continue Reading
- Answer 15 Jul 2004
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Tip
13 Apr 2004
MPLS Versus IPSEC VPNs: Which one is right for you
An examination of the similarities and differences between IPSEC and MPLS and some insight as to when one should be used over the other. Continue Reading
- Answer 03 Jul 2003
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Tip
10 Dec 2002
The VPN Expert: VPN client alternatives, part 4 -- IPsec
Here's a list of IPsec clients that run on many systems. See what they have to offer and what they are often missing. Continue Reading
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Quiz
27 May 2002
WAN technology quiz
Test your knowledge of WAN design quiz with our Networking Know IT All quiz. Continue Reading
