Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• 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

• COVID-19 speeds SD-WAN evolution to elastic infrastructure

  The next phase of SD-WAN requires elastic infrastructure and distributed edge access to better support remote workers. The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating that evolution. 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

• Open Systems' SASE tech wins TechTarget innovation award

  Open Systems' SASE platform helped tens of thousands of workers gain secure remote access during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about our new Network Innovation Award winner.Continue Reading

• Network automation book shares recipes for success

  In this network automation book excerpt, discover how automation frameworks NAPALM and Ansible can provide network teams with vendor-agnostic network management capabilities.Continue Reading

• Network pros need NAPALM, Ansible network automation skills

  Network pros need network automation skills in NAPALM and Ansible because the two modules together can enhance multivendor environments and streamline network management tasks.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN, 5G remote work technologies enable future networks

  In this roundup of networking blogs, learn how SD-WAN and 5G can benefit business continuity plans for network infrastructure and whether split tunneling is necessary -- or safe.Continue Reading

• National Instruments SD-WAN case study: Bandwidth up 1,500%

  In this SD-WAN case study, learn how Cisco Viptela technology transformed one enterprise WAN for the better -- from decreased costs to increased performance.Continue Reading

• What to include in an SD-WAN security checklist

  SD-WAN security encompasses more than integrated security functionality. Find out which capabilities enterprises should look for when evaluating SD-WAN and security.Continue Reading

• Can a SASE architecture deliver better network performance?

  Learn how the emerging technology called Secure Access Service Edge, or SASE, outperforms traditional architectures to deliver a more secure, better performing 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

• Take a look at 6 top VPN service providers for remote work

  The right VPN connection ensures workers can do their jobs with an efficient and secure connection. Explore the leading options and their pricing and protection details.Continue Reading

• DriveNets' disaggregated router tech wins innovation award

  Networking startup DriveNets is bringing cloud principles to carrier networks with disaggregated router technology that could change how providers manage their infrastructure.Continue Reading

• What's the latest on NFV and VNFs for enterprises?

  As virtualized network functions become more and more common, will that change NFV and VNF roles in businesses? Probably not, but other roadblocks may hinder further results.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

• 4 lasting effects of growing remote workforces on networks

  In this roundup of network blogs, explore expert advice on increasing remote workers' efficiency, potential lasting effects of COVID-19 on networks and the future of networking.Continue Reading

• What do the 6 GHz band and Wi-Fi 6E mean for wireless networking?

  The FCC is expected to approve the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, which should improve speed and capacity for wireless networks. But make sure your devices can use the 6 GHz band.Continue Reading

• AI, analytics, automation fuel the future of network management

  Advances in automation, AI and analytics should help IT administrators overcome new challenges in virtualized network environments, but some obstacles will surface.Continue Reading

• What are some of the weaknesses of SD-WAN?

  Cost, complexity and interoperability issues with existing network components are some of the weaknesses of SD-WAN that organizations need to consider.Continue Reading

• Can WPA2 be upgraded to WPA3?

  A migration from WPA2 to WPA3 is not simple. Organizations may need to update their hardware extensively to accommodate the newer Wi-Fi encryption standard.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

• A roundup of the Cisco certification changes in 2020

  The network industry is changing and so are required network engineer skills. Here's how Cisco redesigned its certification programs to keep up with industry goals.Continue Reading

• WAN transformation sparked by 5G, cloud and SD-WAN technologies

  In a modern world, legacy WAN architecture is rife with shortcomings. But 5G features and use cases could help jump-start a WAN transformation for many organizations.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

• Networking startup Arrcus wins TechTarget innovation award

  Networking startup Arrcus aims to disrupt the industry with its software-based routing technology. Here's how the young company plans to go toe-to-toe with industry giants.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

• How does DevOps in networking change network requirements?

  As more organizations embrace DevOps in networking, the approach can transform network requirements, such as visibility and security policies, which network teams should consider.Continue Reading

• IEEE reveals 802 standards process and the future of Wi-Fi

  The IEEE 802 Standards Committee looks years in advance to improve Wi-Fi and Ethernet technology. A sampling of the future: 802.11be, Wi-Fi sensing and increased Ethernet range.Continue Reading

• How Cisco certification changes alter CCNP and CCIE tracks

  Here's what to expect from the colossal Cisco certification changes to the CCNP and CCIE tracks that aim to increase material relevance and benefit network engineers' daily lives.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

• Explore the top Wi-Fi 6 technology benefits and providers

  Learn the basics around Wi-Fi 6 along with the security, battery and bandwidth improvements that come with the upgrade and the top companies to consider for buying options.Continue Reading

• What should I know about IP address management systems?

  As networks continuously gain more devices, outdated IP address management methods face new challenges. Despite this, IPAM is still crucial for any organization's network.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

• What's the difference between SD-branch vs. SD-WAN?

  As networking pros evaluate SD-branch vs. SD-WAN, they'll notice a key distinction between the two technologies, namely how network functions are managed and orchestrated.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

• 12 questions to ask about SD-WAN managed services

  When contemplating SD-WAN managed services, organizations should ask questions about network security, infrastructure compatibility and bandwidth requirements.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

• Gartner WAN edge Magic Quadrant offers buying advice

  How should businesses buy WAN edge technology? You probably shouldn't rely on vendor name recognition alone. Instead, consider some niche players in the SD-WAN market.Continue Reading

• Future of networking technology relies on 5G, edge computing

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts discuss the key trends they look forward to in 2020 and how these advancements could benefit networking's future.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

• Food manufacturer finds success with SD-WAN vendor CloudGenix

  Disappointed in a managed service from Verizon, food manufacturer Diamond Crystal Brands went looking for an SD-WAN vendor that could deliver. It found it in CloudGenix.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

• Aaron's deploys CloudGenix SD-WAN after issues with Meraki

  Before Aaron's could improve its real-time network visibility and VoIP performance with CloudGenix SD-WAN, the retailer had to transition from Cisco Meraki.Continue Reading

• Volta Networks wins NIA for cloud-based routing

  Better together? Not when it comes to routing software and hardware. Networking startup Volta Networks' disaggregated routing platform promises to increase flexibility and lowers costs.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

• Top networking trends in 2019 to resurface in 2020

  Recapping the top networking news stories of 2019 could provide a glimpse into the future and reveal some of the top networking technology trends of 2020.Continue Reading

• Why should I consider an AIOps platform for my network?

  AIOps can take various tasks -- such as data collection and analysis -- off the plates of network teams. This can provide organizations with better insight into network visibility.Continue Reading

• How do I choose the right network automation tools or platform?

  In your organization's search for the best network automation platform for business operations, compare the pros and cons of proprietary and open source tools.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

• Gauge some of the top SD-WAN pros and cons

  This video explains some of the major SD-WAN pros and cons, including improved application performance, security and troubleshooting.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

• 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

• How realistic are compact SD-WAN appliances compared to VPNs?

  The battle between VPN vs. SD-WAN returns. In this clash, see how realistic SD-WAN appliances are for remote and mobile workers compared to VPN connections.Continue Reading

• How to decide on the top and best SD-WAN offerings

  If you are currently considering initial investigation into SD-WAN procurement, you'll know how many moving parts are involved. In this article, I'll discuss 17 features and benefits together with ...Continue Reading

• It's not Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G -- it's Wi-Fi 6 and 5G

  Wi-Fi 6 and 5G have similarities and differences. Enterprises want to know how the two can work together. Vendors, for their part, will need an integration strategy.Continue Reading

• Itential's network automation software wins TechTarget award

  At the ONUG Fall 2019 conference in New York, one word was on everyone's lips: automation. Itential's infrastructure-as-code platform helps turn those four syllables into action.Continue Reading

• How to compare Cisco vs. HPE Aruba switches

  Organizations have much to consider when evaluating Cisco vs. HPE Aruba switches, such as device architecture, Opex, Capex and analytics capabilities.Continue Reading

• Edge computing use cases and drivers to watch

  Edge computing use cases span across multiple industry sectors, including manufacturing, retail and medical. The motives for adoption filter down to three main drivers.Continue Reading

• Network automation skills and training in demand, research finds

  Surprisingly, scripting, programming and software development are not exactly the top network automation skills desired by enterprises, according to recent research.Continue Reading

• After ransomware virus, Merck's medicine was network automation

  After a ransomware attack, Merck decided the best remedy was to deploy network automation tools designed to transform how it handled network configuration changes.Continue Reading

• How will BSS coloring boost Wi-Fi 6 performance?

  BSS coloring is a feature that will help accelerate Wi-Fi 6 performance. Find out how the new mechanism will help access points transmit more efficiently.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of SD-WAN vs. MPLS

  This video discusses the differences between SD-WAN and MPLS and explains why a hybrid WAN architecture -- that uses both technologies -- might be the best fit.Continue Reading

• 5G, edge computing and IoT poised to retool networking

  The combination of 5G and edge computing could introduce several changes for network operations. Find out why the network infrastructure -- along with fog computing -- is so important.Continue Reading

• Stateless offers software-defined interconnect platform

  The new platform, Luxon, provides software control that replaces customized hardware and offers more configuration possibilities with new switch technology.Continue Reading

• The evolution of SDN and its role in networking

  Has SDN run its course, or has the architecture simply evolved? In many current products, data centers and cloud environments, SDN may be closer than you think.Continue Reading

• Cisco author says new CCNA exam undergoes largest change ever

  Cisco said goodbye to most CCNA tracks, and hello to a consolidated exam. Here's what you need to know about the new CCNA, from the author of every official CCNA guidebook.Continue Reading

• F5 Networks updates NGINX Application Platform, other tools

  Updates include improved security and observability features, a new developer portal, API importing and improved analytics and configuration management.Continue Reading

• Legacy tools encumber modern network infrastructure monitoring

  Many IT teams still use older monitoring tools that provide limited visibility across multiple network environments. AI and machine learning can help, but they'll take some time.Continue Reading

• 5G frequency spectrum forces new look at coverage strategies

  New 5G frequency allocations will help make it an amazing technology, but it will also force a rethinking of how those signals are transmitted.Continue Reading

• How network standards and open source organizations differ

  Both open source and network standards organizations want to develop the next-generation network. Yet their methods differ, and they can benefit different types of organizations.Continue Reading

• How does 802.11ax security benefit from WPA3?

  Security methods like WPA3 and Opportunistic Wireless Encryption will give a boost to 802.11ax security, but securing the new wireless standard is still pretty complicated.Continue Reading

• 5G vs. LTE: Comparing speed, spectrum and latency

  The debate between 5G and LTE largely comes down to speed and spectrum. But latency and wired network implications are also important differentiators.Continue Reading

• How client VPN technologies will evolve with AI and automation

  With help from artificial intelligence and automation, client VPN technologies could innovate the way they handle data flows within hybrid cloud environments.Continue Reading

• Ciena's Blue Planet automation suite wins TechTarget award

  Ciena's Blue Planet software suite has won SearchNetworking's Network Innovation Award for enabling intelligent automation and network service orchestration across large, multivendor networks.Continue Reading

• Gartner report provides reality check on the 5G hype

  The next generation of cellular technology, 5G, is nearing peak hype status, according to a Gartner report. But real, widespread adoption is still several years away.Continue Reading

• Gartner Hype Cycle deems software-defined networking obsolete

  A Gartner report on enterprise networking has declared the definition of SDN and its architectural approach as deceased. Cause of death? Well, the hype didn't help.Continue Reading

• The top 5 capabilities your edge infrastructure should have

  The network edge plays a vital role in the future of networking and digital transformation. Make sure your infrastructure has these five components to help it on its way.Continue Reading

• Data center performance requirements spur 25 GbE upgrades

  Enterprises are upgrading their data centers with 25 GbE to achieve better throughput and support I/O-intensive applications. Here are some best practices for making the switch.Continue Reading

• What are the top 3 network analytics use cases?

  Network analytics use cases illustrate some of the benefits that companies are receiving from network analysis tools. Gauging network performance is just one key area.Continue Reading

• What effect will 400 GbE have on enterprise networks?

  400 Gigabit Ethernet is the next hurdle for Ethernet capabilities to surpass. But enterprises may not be prepared for this technology yet, due to its immaturity.Continue Reading

• Industry grapples with new Wi-Fi naming conventions

  What's in a name? As the industry gets accustomed to the WFA's new Wi-Fi naming conventions, networking pros discuss pros and cons -- and when to use Wi-Fi 6 vs. 802.11ax.Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of buying used networking equipment on eBay

  To buy or not to buy used networking equipment on eBay, that is the question. Here are the pros and cons, as well as best practices for making a gray market purchase.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between TCP/IP model vs. OSI model?

  Use this expert advice to learn the differences between the TCP/IP model vs. the OSI model, and explore how they relate to each other in network communications.Continue Reading

• Cloud exchange provider deploys Blue Planet orchestration

  In this case study, a Denver-based colocation and cloud exchange provider explains how Ciena's Blue Planet orchestration technology has helped make over its cloud exchange.Continue Reading

• What is network automation, and what can it do for you?

  This feature explores what network automation is and its influence on organizations. It also discusses assumptions about its effect on network engineers and similarities with SDN.Continue Reading

• Which SD-WAN features truly comprise SD-WAN technology?

  How do you protect your organization and network against SD-WAN washing? Here are four key SD-WAN features that your system must have in order to be called SD-WAN.Continue Reading

• How can network security analytics detect and thwart threats?

  Network security analytics gives organizations an additional level of protection against malicious attacks. It works closely with network analytics tools.Continue Reading

• Sizing up network edge switch offerings for a campus LAN

  Learn the difference between traditional and open network switches, how to assess your organization's need for edge switches and what features leading switches offer.Continue Reading

• SD-WAN market sees continued growth, room for mobile support

  The SD-WAN market is growing, thanks to financial firms with distributed deployments. VMware and Cisco continue to lead the vendor pack, with Aryaka and Silver Peak close behind.Continue Reading

• Why did operator NFV adoption lag so much?

  NFV adoption was hampered by high costs and deployment issues, according to one industry insider. Also, learn about the latest on network security and industry hype.Continue Reading

• Why streaming telemetry tops SNMP in tracking network performance

  SNMP isn't going away anytime soon, but streaming telemetry is a much more effective way to generate critical alerts and measure network performance.Continue Reading

• The 5 network security basics you need to know

  In this compilation, learn what network security is, as well as how it differs from cybersecurity, common -- and potentially confusing -- technologies, threats and more.Continue Reading

• BGP tutorial: How the routing protocol works

  Border Gateway Protocol is the complex routing protocol that literally makes the internet work. This tutorial walks you through how BGP functions and offers troubleshooting options.Continue Reading

• How cloud network services affect transformation and security

  In this roundup of networking blogs, experts dive into three facets of networking that cloud can affect: network transformation, planning and security.Continue Reading

• Why networking certifications no longer matter

  Networking certifications have consistently been an important milestone for network professionals. But diverse network infrastructure, automation and UI upgrades could change that.Continue Reading

• What does open source SD-WAN look like, and do we need it?

  Open source software has an openly available source code that users can adopt or modify. Open source combined with SD-WAN might be a perfect match or a too idealistic goal.Continue Reading