Tips

Tips

• How to build a private 5G business case

  As you build a private 5G business case, be sure to include private 5G's benefits and challenges, as well as how to prove its ROI. Here's everything you need to know.  Continue Reading

• 7 steps for a network and IT security foundation

  Enterprises should make it a habit to review their IT security systems, following steps that include network segmentation, multifactor authentication and security education.  Continue Reading

• A work-from-home reimbursement policy for network tech

  A work-from-home reimbursement plan should drive better network and internet connectivity rates for remote workers and not just offset employees' existing bills.  Continue Reading

• How to secure remote access for WFH employees in 4 steps

  The global pandemic caused mayhem on network security environments. Enterprises need to bring rigor back to their systems and tighten security for remote workers.  Continue Reading

• Top tips to provide IT support for remote workers

  To support employees working from home, network teams should carefully monitor VPN traffic, review firewall rules and rely on remote access support software.  Continue Reading

• Weighing the advantages of private 5G vs. carrier 5G

  Considering private 5G vs. carrier 5G for your interior networking? No single option fits all, but here are some factors you should consider.  Continue Reading

• SASE hype includes SD-WAN, but does it need to?

  Much of the hype around Secure Access Service Edge features the importance of SD-WAN with SASE, but do the two need each other to thrive? Research says probably not.  Continue Reading

• Long-term remote work empowers SD-WAN for home offices

  Organizations have long relied on VPNs to connect remote workers with company resources. But SD-WAN could also be a viable option for certain employees working from home.  Continue Reading

• How to monitor home network traffic for added security

  When addressing home network monitoring, track all connected devices, and take advantage of open source tools, like packet capture, to sniff out malicious traffic.  Continue Reading

• The tradeoffs and cost of network redundancy

  Network redundancy costs vary depending on enterprise use cases, but the determining tradeoff usually depends on how long a company can sustain network downtime.  Continue Reading

• How the SolarWinds vulnerability affects networking

  The SolarWinds attack resulted in a bevy of network vulnerabilities, like masked traffic and backdoor access. Network teams should take the time to review their security strategies.  Continue Reading

• 10 network security tips in response to the SolarWinds hack

  From perimeter protection to persistent patching, enterprises should regularly review, update and test their network security plans, especially in response to the SolarWinds hack.  Continue Reading

• Considerations for SASE management and troubleshooting

  SASE opens new territory for network and security management and troubleshooting. Ultimately, teams should look for system usability and visibility into traffic flows and policies.  Continue Reading

• SASE challenges include network security roles, product choice

  Secure Access Service Edge blends network and security functions. While this integration has its benefits, enterprises still need to address some SASE challenges.  Continue Reading

• Myths and realities of a Wi-Fi 6 upgrade

  Despite the promise of high data rates, longer client battery life and more efficient radio techniques, enterprises need to weigh Wi-Fi 6's limitations.  Continue Reading

• How to calculate SASE return on investment and costs

  SASE return on investment will vary for each organization, depending on use cases and architecture requirements. But the metrics used to determine ROI and cost factors are the same.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 SASE use cases balance network connectivity, security

  Secure Access Service Edge can enhance network performance and security controls for remote sites. Discover some of the other top SASE use cases and deployment options.  Continue Reading

• Setting up and using a home VLAN to segment network traffic

  Virtual LANs can help homeowners segment their network traffic for enhanced control and security. Network analyst John Fruehe takes you inside his home VLANs.  Continue Reading

• How SASE convergence affects network and security roles

  Most enterprises have siloed departments, but SASE's convergence of network and security functions could disrupt those constructs and drive more communication between teams.  Continue Reading

• Software-defined home offerings drive remote productivity

  Say hello to software-defined home, a 'branch of one' package that combines professional-grade Wi-Fi, security, SD-WAN and centralized management for remote workers.  Continue Reading

• How to calculate a subnet mask from hosts and subnets

  IP addressing and subnetting are important and basic elements of networks. In this article, learn how to calculate a subnet mask based on the required number of subnets and hosts.  Continue Reading

• With SASE, security and networking tech come together

  SD-WAN, SASE or some combination of the two -- which approach will deliver the best and most secure network connectivity in your organization going forward?  Continue Reading

• Cloud automation use cases for managing and troubleshooting

  Cloud automation use cases highlight the benefits these tools can provide to companies evaluating how best to manage and troubleshoot their cloud connections.  Continue Reading

• Implementing an SDP architecture for added network security

  A key component of a software-defined perimeter requires client authentication before connection, while also making a network's internals invisible to outsiders.  Continue Reading

• What network managers need to know about SaaS optimization

  When strategizing SaaS optimization tactics, network management teams should consider their traffic steering preferences and geographically dispersed access points.  Continue Reading

• How service mesh enables microservices networking

  As microservices applications grow more popular, IT teams need to enable reliable networking between them for proper communication. That's where service mesh comes in.  Continue Reading

• How to use ChatOps to automate network tasks

  Integrating team collaboration chat systems with network automation results in the ability to automate tedious workflows, enabling faster problem resolution and streamlined operations.  Continue Reading

• Why networks should apply security by design principles

  Security by design incorporates security and risk management directly into network architecture, using segmentation and Agile infrastructure design.  Continue Reading

• How and why to implement Wi-Fi QoS

  Quality of service, as network pros know, prioritizes apps as they cross the network. But Wi-Fi QoS needs to be considered, too, in relation to the overall network.  Continue Reading

• How COVID-19 will reshape 2021 enterprise network spending

  COVID-19 has shifted enterprise network spending. Campus LAN traffic may never be the same, but companies are earmarking funds to better support the remote workforce.  Continue Reading

• How to ensure a scalable SASE architecture

  Don't assume all SASE architecture is the same, especially when it comes to scalability. Enterprises should consider distance to vendor PoPs, office locations and agent onboarding.  Continue Reading

• Compare low-power Wi-Fi protocols and their roles in IoT

  Wi-Fi means more than faster speeds. Low-power Wi-Fi will help companies improve the efficiency of their IoT deployments, thanks to longer signal range and power consumption features.  Continue Reading

• How to build a resilient network design

  Everything fails eventually, even in networking. Enterprises can prepare for network failure by building resilience and redundancy into their network infrastructure design.  Continue Reading

• Global company weighs 5G for manufacturing, IoT analytics

  Global manufacturer Sanmina is studying the benefits of deploying 5G on its manufacturing floor to improve the speed of IoT and analytics data exchanges to the cloud.  Continue Reading

• 5G network security concerns and how to prepare for them

  Enterprises looking forward to deploying 5G must first assess their security concerns upfront and review their policies and procedures, despite 5G's security improvements.  Continue Reading

• What's involved in VPN maintenance and management?

  Before an organization's VPN is up and running, IT teams must address four important aspects of VPN maintenance and management to keep abreast of transforming security concerns.  Continue Reading

• How and when to establish enterprise 5G partnerships

  Enterprises that buy 5G public services, procure network slices or build their own private 5G networks need to establish the right partnerships for mobile services, equipment and software.  Continue Reading

• Home SD-WAN will redefine next-generation WAN

  The need for home-office SD-WAN won't end when the pandemic does. Learn how best to provide this essential tech to your organization's at-home employees.  Continue Reading

• Best practices to maintain VPN security

  Enterprises looking to maintain VPN security should focus on proper endpoint security and authentication, VPN server security and documentation for security policies.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of intent-based networking for modern networks

  Intent-based networking can benefit network teams working remotely with increased workloads due to COVID-19. Benefits include reduced human error and automated manual tasks.  Continue Reading

• 3 SD-WAN cloud connectivity options to explore

  Enterprises can connect their SD-WAN infrastructure to cloud providers' platforms using three methods: back-to-back access, private PoP connections and internet VPN.  Continue Reading

• 3 DDoS mitigation strategies for enterprise networks

  Enterprises can choose from three major approaches to mitigate DDoS attacks on their networks: Buy from an ISP, do it themselves or use a CDN service.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of building a network automation lab

  Network teams can build network automation labs to create a safe environment to test and validate automation tasks before running them in production networks.  Continue Reading

• How to select and set up SD-WAN and DIA

  When evaluating different options for SD-WAN and direct internet access, IT teams can't forget to consider application performance, network uptime and support for each option.  Continue Reading

• How to secure a home network for remote workforces

  Remote workers rarely achieve the same network security at home that offices provide. Yet, with the right tools, remote workers can efficiently learn how to secure a home network.  Continue Reading

• How to set up a new business network

  Building a new network can be complicated, but IT teams can ease the design process and future management by choosing the right architecture and documenting each decision.  Continue Reading

• Gain SD-branch benefits through automation, orchestration

  SD-branch technology is evolving, but don't put off learning about what this tool can do now and the advantages it will deliver in the near future.  Continue Reading

• What to know about VPN termination

  Network teams make several decisions when designing a secure VPN. One of those is where in the network, logically, they will terminate the VPN tunnels.  Continue Reading

• Network traffic pattern shifts reflect COVID-19 changes

  The novel coronavirus pandemic spurred initial changes in network traffic patterns, but other trends are playing important roles in perpetuating permanent traffic shifts.  Continue Reading

• How to build a network monitoring business case

  As network teams construct a business case for a new network monitoring tool, they should include a cost comparison of alternative tools and a strong defense for the selected tool.  Continue Reading

• Network engineer career advice amid the COVID-19 pandemic

  As COVID-19 dramatically affects the global economy, people may ask, 'What's next for my career?' No one is sure, but these tips can help network engineers feel and stay secure.  Continue Reading

• A guide on how to learn network automation

  Being a network professional means being a lifelong learner. So learn what network automation skills are essential and how best to acquire them quickly.  Continue Reading

• Pair programming pros and cons for network automation

  Pair programming is an Agile software development technique that reduces bugs and produces better software. Can pair programming work between networking experts and programmers?  Continue Reading

• Remote access best practices emphasize security, ease of use

  COVID-19 has forced companies to determine the best way to keep remote employees supported. Not sure which way to proceed? Consider these remote access best practices.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of SD-WAN and remote access

  SD-WAN could be a compelling option for enterprises that require remote access for mission-critical jobs. But IT teams should be aware of cost, training and implementation barriers.  Continue Reading

• Remote work infrastructure requires on-prem network changes

  Demilitarized zone, network access control and VPN termination points are some of the on-premises components that need to be addressed in a remote work infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• 5 needed product features to fix network management issues

  Virtualization and public cloud monitoring are among five top network management issues facing companies as they assess tools designed to oversee increasingly complex networks.  Continue Reading

• How ISPs and operators ensure network quality in a pandemic

  COVID-19 has caused a spike in remote workers, increased internet usage and traffic surges. Here's how ISPs and telecom operators plan for continuity and quality during the pandemic.  Continue Reading

• Tips to improve network visibility and security

  Network visibility and security can be tricky, especially with the range of products available. These tips help teams pinpoint potential vulnerabilities and gauge the tools they need.  Continue Reading

• Why configuration management is important for networks

  Configuration management is essential to keep accurate network configuration records and to help organizations avoid potential challenges or problems within their networks.  Continue Reading

• Evolution of cellular 5G backhaul architecture faces challenges

  Backhaul has become trendy again and for good reason. 5G backhaul architecture means network architects will have to reconsider how their networks can handle 1 Gbps speeds.  Continue Reading

• How Wi-Fi experts can help during times of crisis management

  When faced with disaster response, wireless network professionals can volunteer their Wi-Fi skills and advise friends and family about home network security.  Continue Reading

• Overview of network management tasks and best practices

  Network management encompasses a range of tasks and processes. Explore 10 crucial tasks and accompanying best practices to ensure a resilient and functional network.  Continue Reading

• How SASE architecture integrates with network infrastructure

  SASE architecture offers a compelling value proposition, as it converges networking and security services onto a single cloud platform. Explore how it works with existing infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Software-based routing on its way to become the new normal

  SD-WAN took the networking world by storm, and software-based routing aims to do the same in the router market. Here's what to expect from the move to software.  Continue Reading

• Why SASE adoption requires a paradigm shift

  Enterprises preparing to adopt Secure Access Service Edge should understand how the architecture presents organizational and architectural challenges for network and security teams.  Continue Reading

• How to manage the surge in remote video internet traffic

  As more people work from home and create more internet traffic, enterprise network managers should adjust bandwidth levels and consider connectivity upgrades.  Continue Reading

• 802.3cg standard extends single-pair Ethernet range and speed

  IEEE 802.3cg is a single-pair Ethernet standard that aims to support speeds up to 10 Mbps, extend Ethernet range up to 1,000 meters and offer multidrop capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How supporting a remote workforce stresses the network

  Make sure your network can support a remote workforce by analyzing 12 potential issues that can cause stress on your network, including VPN concentrator capacity and traffic routing.  Continue Reading

• Before deploying SD-WAN, assess your underlay network components

  If enterprises are to reap the benefits of SD-WAN, they better pay attention to the SD-WAN underlay network. Learn what you should take into consideration.  Continue Reading

• How to handle vendor code bugs in enterprise Wi-Fi networking

  Too many features in Wi-Fi devices can breed some serious code bugs. One coping mechanism is to seek help from fellow customers and network integrators.  Continue Reading

• The convergence of networking and security at the edge

  Networking and security are converging with offerings like SD-WAN and SD-branch. But enterprises and vendors must overcome IT silos that delay innovation and decision-making.  Continue Reading

• Plan a VPN and remote access strategy for pandemic, disaster

  Disasters and pandemics occur unexpectedly, affecting companies, workers and networks alike. Plan a remote access strategy that covers VPN requirements, bandwidth demands and licenses.  Continue Reading

• Ansible limitations for network automation

  Ansible can be a powerful tool for network automation, but users should be aware of its limitations with debugging, performance, complex data structures and control flow.  Continue Reading

• What do 2G and 3G sunset dates mean for business customers?

  A 2G and 3G shutdown probably won't affect businesses much, but embedded IoT devices may see some problems as these two older cellular technologies fade away.  Continue Reading

• An introduction to network automation with Ansible

  Ansible is one of the most popular open source network automation tools. Network pros can use it to perform basic network automation tasks, like collecting ARP table data.  Continue Reading

• Watch for these 6 wireless networking trends in 2020

  No doubt you've heard about 5G and Wi-Fi 6. But don't forget other wireless trends emerging in 2020, such as CBRS, dynamic spectrum sharing and Open RAN.  Continue Reading

• When assessing SD-WAN benefits, don't ignore SD-WAN costs

  SD-WAN offers several benefits, but companies also need to understand SD-WAN costs. Organizations need to consider some critical areas -- and not all of them are obvious.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN requirements for a multi-cloud world

  With the emergence of a multi-cloud world, SD-WAN vendors must upgrade their platforms to ensure secure and reliable SD-WAN connectivity to cloud services.  Continue Reading

• Understand business value to advance your networking career

  Network pros can use the CAR mindset -- challenge, action and result -- to better match their networking initiatives with business goals and advance their career opportunities.  Continue Reading

• What to include in a network services agreement

  Network teams that create MSP contracts for their managed network services should cover delivery lead times, network performance, adds and changes, network uptime and escalation.  Continue Reading

• How SD-WAN changes the network security perimeter

  The advent of SD-WAN has changed the network security model by pushing more security and control to the edge -- and businesses need to adjust to this new reality.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways to improve WAN performance with SD-WAN

  SD-WAN can improve WAN performance in three ways: It adds a secondary transport for network traffic, while also taking advantage of broadband Ethernet and application acceleration.  Continue Reading

• Network device discovery best practices -- other than ping sweeps

  Traditionally, ping sweeps are the go-to method for network device discovery. But, by creating a network script, you can discover networked devices more efficiently.  Continue Reading

• How to monitor network traffic in 7 steps

  Effective network monitoring is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance by IT groups. This step-by-step plan can fine-tune network monitoring strategies.  Continue Reading

• When to consider managed SD-WAN services for your business

  SD-WAN offers promising benefits, like the ability to use multiple ISP links, but managing those links can prove challenging. Managed SD-WAN services can help.  Continue Reading

• Compare Paramiko, Netmiko and NAPALM network automation

  Python is a useful language, but it can't do everything. Explore some basic network automation scripts that use Python with three automation libraries: Paramiko, Netmiko and NAPALM.  Continue Reading

• Plan for simplicity when approaching HCI networking

  HCI networking isn't as easy as plugging cables in and hoping the HCI system works. IT teams need to strategize around capacity and resiliency to achieve true simplification.  Continue Reading

• 12 network automation ideas to incorporate in your network

  What's your path to network automation? Here are 12 automation ideas that span different levels of expertise to help your network team get comfortable with network automation.  Continue Reading

• 7 key SD-branch trends to expect in 2020

  New year, new developments. See what's new with SD-branch in 2020, including security advancements and how technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and 5G will affect branch offices.  Continue Reading

• SD-WAN drives managed network services trends for 2020

  As network operators offer more SD-WAN managed services in 2020, the managed services market will see some major changes regarding price, feature sets and management.  Continue Reading

• How to benchmark 25 GbE NICs in converged networks

  Network teams can use an array of tools to benchmark the performance and efficiency of 25 GbE network adapters that support converged networks and HCI environments.  Continue Reading

• The top network security trends, threats and strategies in 2020

  Ransomware and attacks against cloud providers reflect key network security trends in 2020. To combat these threats preemptively, assess your specific network needs.  Continue Reading

• Assess the Wi-Fi 6 features available in Wave 1 and Wave 2

  Catch up on the different features available with the first wave of Wi-Fi 6, including OFDMA and Target Wake Time, and find out which capabilities Wave 2 will bring.  Continue Reading

• Network security design best practices and principles: Keep it simple

  Comprehensive network security design means understanding the components that constitute your network and how and when everything is managed.  Continue Reading

• What SD-WAN devices do I need in an SD-WAN deployment?

  Despite the software-centric nature of software-defined WAN, certain SD-WAN devices are still required to help transport traffic and complete network connections.  Continue Reading

• Why Secure Access Service Edge is the future of SD-WAN

  Secure Access Service Edge -- or SASE -- architecture transitions from network designs that revolve around the data center to a model based on identity and user context.  Continue Reading

• The top 10 network security best practices to implement today

  Even as security techniques improve, attackers are becoming more adept. Learn about 10 network security best practices and how they can keep your network secure.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of network automation software ease challenges for IT

  Network automation software comes with a compelling list of benefits, but IT teams should confirm which processes are automated and how the software integrates with existing tools.  Continue Reading

• After a data breach occurs, follow this network security checklist

  Before a network breach occurs, you should already have a response plan in place. To make sure you're taking a proactive approach, follow this network security checklist.  Continue Reading