Network infrastructure
Network hardware and physical appliances, such as routers, switches, gateways, hubs and bridges, serve as the vital foundation of network infrastructure. Common network protocols and more emergent network software also play major roles in any architecture. While networking has shifted to software-centric principles, see how traditional network infrastructure keeps pace.
Top Stories
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Feature
06 Nov 2024
AI skills for network professionals
Networking professionals must develop basic networking skills and AI to thrive in a complex landscape. Learn how AI's integration into network management will change the field. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2024
How AI in the NOC will transform network operations
AI can improve network operations through automation and troubleshooting. Experts at ONUG emphasized phased adoption and methods that enhance NOC monitoring and support. Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Sep 2018
Access networking layer ready for software-defined reboot
After years of stagnation, the access-layer network is in need of a makeover. Implementing software-defined configurations is perhaps a good place to start. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2018
Verizon 5G rollout could change broadband competition
Verizon launches Oct. 1 a 5G internet service in four U.S. cities. The Verizon 5G rollout could give the company an edge against cable companies in the high-speed internet market. Continue Reading
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Answer
13 Sep 2018
What is multi-access edge computing, and how has it evolved?
Multi-access edge computing provides the processing capacity needed to support the increase of 'things' at the network edge. But for all its promise, MEC has challenges to face. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2018
Network functions morph with SD-WAN deployment strategy
Companies are approaching network infrastructure upgrades with SD-WAN deployment, but a new survey shows they're weighing issues like service chaining and integrated functionality. Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2018
Juniper-Ericsson partnership aimed at 5G market
Juniper Networks has partnered with Ericsson to sell 5G gear and software to carriers. The Juniper-Ericsson alliance arrives as Cisco's partnership with Ericsson weakens. Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2018
VMware Project Dimension to deliver managed HCI, edge networking
VMware's lightweight hyper-converged infrastructure system, called Project Dimension, includes the vendor's SD-WAN. The HCI appliance is aimed at retailers and manufacturers. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2018
Ensuring P2P apps don't cause network performance issues with IPv6
Peer-to-peer applications can cause performance issues with IPv6 branch-office networks. Universal Plug and Play might be an effective way to overcome access issues. Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
Cisco adds LTE modem to Meraki MX security appliance
Cisco adds a built-in 4G wireless broadband modem to two Meraki MX security appliances. Cisco launched the Meraki MX67C and the MX68CW devices with an integrated CAT 6 LTE cellular modem. The company also introduced four faster MX models without LTE. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2018
Cambium Networks certified in Express Wi-Fi by Facebook program
In networking news, Cambium gets certified in Facebook's Express Wi-Fi program, Nyansa frees up network data worldwide and SevOne will support VMware NSX SD-WAN. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2018
Wireless-first networks verge on wireless-only, but concerns remain
A wireless-first strategy could spread among enterprises and proceed toward wireless-only. IT staff, however, should heed concerns around capacity, management and cost. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2018
How network operators can differentiate SD-WAN services
Providers' SD-WAN services currently compete largely on cost, but network operators hope to gain market share with network-based SD-WAN feature differentiation. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2018
What IPv6 features can be found in the latest specification?
The IPv6 specification is now becoming a full-fledged internet standard. New IPv6 features focus on enterprise reliability and operational and security considerations. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Aug 2018
How Cisco's Viptela buy affects branch routers, IT customers
Zeus Kerravala says Cisco's ISR isn't going anywhere and discusses what its use of Viptela's software-defined WAN means for the IT giant's future, its product line and its customers. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2018
Array bolsters throughput, security in NFV appliance
Array Networks has added support for 40 GbE interfaces in its NFV appliance. The AVX hardware also has higher throughput for encrypted traffic. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Aug 2018
Benefits of wireless networks extend to disaster recovery plans
In a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, IT resilience is key. Find out how the benefits of wireless networks can help keep businesses running. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2018
Kontron heeds carrier demand for software, buys Inocybe
Kontron has bought open source networking company Inocybe. The specialty hardware maker is adding SDN software to its portfolio as telco customers buy more commodity systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2018
Origin authentication a small step toward resolving BGP security issues
Although content verification, origin authentication and shared information can address aspects of BGP security, it's unlikely we'll be able to resolve the issues completely. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Aug 2018
Social concept points to an SDN model with two control planes
It might not seem like control planes and SDN models have a lot in common with a social concept, but together, they could highlight how business intent and operations inform network design. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2018
Compare leading on-premises and cloud-managed WLAN products
In order for your organization to select the WLAN architecture that will best meet its needs, you must compare product types, deployment options and capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2018
SR-IOV specification poses promise and pitfalls in virtualized networks
The SR-IOV specification gives network administrators another tool for workload optimization. While SR-IOV could offer many benefits, it does have its drawbacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jul 2018
Assessing performance bottlenecks in virtualized networking
Virtual or soft switches can add measurable overhead to network-intensive workloads, but implementing PCI devices offers one option to reduce excess overhead. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jul 2018
Midyear 2018 telecom trends: Operators broaden their focus
Midyear 2018 telecom trends show operators looking to increase profits on a number of fronts ranging from new investments, network automation and rethinking the 5G transition. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jul 2018
Does software-defined networking architecture need network overlays?
Network overlays and software-defined networking architecture share a history. But while overlays offer flexibility, they also bring extra overhead and troubleshooting complications. Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jul 2018
New details released on Huawei's intent-based network
ZK Research offers details on Huawei's new Intent-Driven Network and what its hardware and the software can do to smooth network glitches and even raise security. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2018
Big Switch taps AWS VPCs for hybrid cloud networking
Big Switch plans to roll out software for creating virtual networks in AWS and a private cloud. The hybrid cloud technology takes advantage of AWS VPCs. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Jul 2018
Can hyper-converged systems benefit from SDN architecture?
Hyper-convergence combined with software-defined networking architecture might seem like hyper-hype, but SDN offers many network capabilities required of hyper-converged systems. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2018
UNH InterOperability Lab expands IPv6 testing amid SDN growth
UNH-IOL updated its IPv6 testing program to comply with newly released regulations for network devices procured by government agencies, adding SDN and IoT support along the way. Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Jul 2018
MU-MIMO technology boosts system capacity for WLANs
MU-MIMO technology might not be magic, but it upgrades WLAN performance and system capacity so well that some network engineers might call it magical. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2018
HPE aims new SimpliVity HCI at edge computing
Hewlett Packard Enterprise has launched a 2U SimpliVity HCI product for virtual desktops. The condensed compute and storage system will later be offered for IoT applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jul 2018
Cradlepoint router boosts network flexibility for dance group
Connecting an audience to the motion and music of a dance production takes more than dance and musical skills. For one professor, it required network flexibility and the Cradlepoint AER2100 router. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2018
Vodafone puts Facebook Voyager through its paces
Vodafone said it has finished successfully testing the open source Facebook Voyager transponder on a live network in Spain. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Jun 2018
Transforming a legacy network through digital transformation
In a recent keynote speech, GE's CTO Chris Drumgoole outlines the transformation of a corporate giant's network from traditional and sluggish to limber and cloud-enhanced. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2018
Juniper adds core campus switch to EX series
Juniper has added to the EX series a core aggregation switch for companies that need less scale than the EX9000. The compact EX4650 campus switch supports the EVPN and VXLAN protocols Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2018
Vendors need to concentrate on wireless reliability, not hype
Wireless reliability should be the main goal of WLAN vendors and institutions, one engineer writes. Also, how come networking didn't evolve the same way compute did? Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2018
Options for dedicated cloud interconnects and their benefits
There are clear benefits to replacing existing VPN tunnels now. Discover the advantages to dedicating cloud interconnects to improve your enterprise traffic flows. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2018
Cisco acquires July Systems for its location, analytics services
Cisco buys July Systems to add its cloud-based location services to Cisco's enterprise Wi-Fi platform. Also, Extreme and Ruckus launch improvements to their wireless LANs. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2018
Three goals of multiple cloud management and how to reach them
Attaining the benefits of the cloud is getting ever more complex. Learn ways to enable efficient and effective management of hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2018
Carrier cloud needs 5G wireless networks, other drivers for success
While 5G wireless networks appear to be the biggest driver in building the necessary carrier cloud, two other short-term drivers can help complete the carrier network transformation. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2018
Cisco to merge Viptela, DNA Center for campus networking
Cisco plans to integrate its Viptela SD-WAN with DNA Center for campus networking in the next 18 months. At the same time, Cisco expects to release a cloud version of DNA Center. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2018
Cisco opens DNA to developers in campus networking push
Cisco wants to turn its DNA Center campus networking platform into a platform for software development. The goal is to work with the data the system collects. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jun 2018
Clarifying network disaggregation and related technologies
Trying to explain network disaggregation and related trends -- like SDN, NFV and white boxes -- can be complicated. Our expert pins the terms down and explains the tradeoffs. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2018
New Arista switches use Barefoot Tofino programmable chip
Arista has launched its first switches with the Barefoot Tofino programmable chip. The latest hardware is designed to replace some network appliances and routers. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jun 2018
Network edge switch upgrades hinge on WLAN deployments
Network edge switch upgrades depend on a variety of factors, but one of the most critical is taking a look at your future WLAN deployment strategies. Continue Reading
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- 01 Jun 2018
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E-Zine
01 Jun 2018
DevOps in networking begins to gain ground
Software development has benefited from a DevOps framework, which brings together software engineers and operating teams to collaborate in a continuous integration/continuous delivery model that helps automate and deploy code faster. DevOps in networking, however, is still an emerging concept. Many networks are still managed and updated using heavily manual processes.
In this issue of Network Evolution, find out how network virtualization and automation are leading enterprises to consider whether they can manage their networks through DevOps methodologies. As more network elements become software-driven, organizations will see a shift to DevOps in networking.
In addition to an emerging DevOps approach, the software-driven network brings with it a slew of new technologies and approaches to understand. From software-defined networking and software-defined WAN to network functions virtualization and virtual network functions, network professionals have to wade through options aimed at changing everything about how networks are built and managed. Read on as we sort out the subtle differences among these technologies.
And as virtualization enhances network design, it also makes the network a more attractive target for hackers. We also look at what security tools and services enterprises are investing in to boost network security in the cloud.
Finally, read how the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is using cloud-based network monitoring to keep its theater in the spotlight.
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Opinion
01 Jun 2018
Software-based networks lay foundation of networking's future
Software-based networks are evolving, reshaping how companies do business and blending into legacy networking. Enterprises will have to sort out which approaches work best. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jun 2018
Choosing the right software-driven network technology
The software-driven network can drive efficiency and flexibility, but network pros first need to identify the problems they're trying to fix to choose the right technology options. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jun 2018
DevOps for networking evolves with software
Enterprises have yet to fully integrate a collaborative approach to DevOps for networking, but that's changing as networks become more automated and software-driven. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2018
MEF targets multivendor interoperability for network services
Vendors participating in MEF's SD-WAN implementation project aim to develop better multivendor interoperability that can lend itself to improved automation. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2018
A refresher course on white box networking equipment
This white box networking review sheds some light on the variations, as it's all too easy to confuse the intricacies of white boxes, universal CPEs and brite boxes. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2018
ADC, the networking management tool, acquires new abilities
Networking pros should take a new look at what application delivery controllers now offer. ADCs now have some cutting-edge features making the networking workhorse exciting. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2018
New, micro-ADC features can aid enterprise security
The ADC is no hot, new networking tool, but it's evolved dramatically, adding some features in its latest iterations that promise to increase its already important role. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2018
Private CDN services fill specific needs for some businesses
In addition to shared CDN service options, private CDNs with dedicated edge servers are the obvious answer for businesses with specific content delivery needs. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2018
Pica8 wooing campus with white box network switch software
Pica8 is rolling out new white box network switch software aimed at campus and branch-office deployments in a bid to build a new market. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2018
Helping enterprises adapt to open source switching
Enterprise adoption of open source switching hasn't kept pace with cloud providers and telcos. What are some of the barriers blocking the use of disaggregation? Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2018
Nutanix combines SDN, microsegmentation in Nutanix Flow
With the availability of Nutanix Flow, the HCI vendor merges SDN and microsegmentation to incorporate networking capabilities in its hyper-converged infrastructure stack. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 May 2018
CDN providers comparison: Highlighting vendors' focus
Get to know the top content delivery networks with the help of this CDN providers comparison infographic, breaking down vendors' network capacity, services offered and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2018
Network infrastructure design for network-as-a-service
When it comes to network as a service, network infrastructure design depends on if you want services delivered across the LAN, WAN or data center. Find out what you need to know. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 May 2018
Growing CDN services market changes to meet cloud needs
Enterprises looking for greater network performance and scalability turn to traditional CDN services providers for nontraditional help to improve security and offer access to APIs. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2018
Protecting the DNS protocol: How DNSSEC can help
Securing the DNS protocol is no joke. Learn what the DNS Security Extensions are and the efforts the United States government is taking to push DNSSEC adoption. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2018
Ways to solve DNS security issues in your organization
Get up to speed fast on means and methods for reducing or eliminating security-related issues in DNS, an integral service upon which the internet depends. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2018
Verizon SDN used to manage legacy Cisco, Juniper routers
Verizon has built a software-defined networking controller for its legacy routers. The Verizon SDN technology is being used on Cisco and Juniper hardware delivering Ethernet services. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2018
Enterprises move from SD-WAN testing to deployment, IHS says
Enterprises are undergoing SD-WAN testing to gauge how the technology can offer better WAN control, IHS Markit says. Also, OPNFV releases Fraser to support cloud-native applications. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 May 2018
How do I choose between open source and commercial SDN?
Commercial SDN offers vendor-backed support, while open source platforms can be upgraded more quickly. Whether an enterprise chooses one over the other depends on its preferences. Continue Reading
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Buyer's Guide
01 May 2018
Navigating the network ADC buying process
Learn how to assess your organization's needs for an ADC device and to evaluate the different application delivery controllers in the market to find the right fit. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2018
Software-driven network access ups enterprise agility
Network access to service provider systems is becoming software-based. Learn more about how software-defined access works and the flexibility inherent in software. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2018
The role of SDN in 5G technology and the WAN: Can it scale?
Network operators have a narrow window to figure out if SDN in 5G technology can scale well enough to move it beyond the data center and into the WAN. Continue Reading
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Quiz
26 Apr 2018
Test yourself on open networking, open source and SDN
The open networking concept follows the likes of SDN and open source, but the lines separating them all are often blurred. This quiz can help you understand the differences. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2018
2018 ONUG conference to tackle IT disruption, building blocks
With the spring 2018 ONUG conference coming up on May 8 to 9, Nick Lippis, ONUG co-founder, discusses how IT teams are facing disruption from technologies like the cloud and SD-WAN. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Apr 2018
Top application delivery controllers offer range of options
The leading vendors in the application delivery controller market offer a broad range of physical and virtual appliances, with varying throughput levels and diverse function sets. Which product is right for you? Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Apr 2018
New CDN services give providers an edge in WAN marketplace
With enterprises moving workloads to public cloud, the CDN services market could see growth in security and performance services, as providers exploit their network-edge locations. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2018
Network-as-a-service market blossoms as demands grow
The network-as-a-service market is attracting more attention, as enterprises look for ways to outsource some of their infrastructure needs to providers. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2018
IDC: Steady growth for IT infrastructure products spending
IDC maps growth in IT infrastructure products spending, cPacket beefs up monitoring for 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps networks, and Dell agrees to resell Metaswitch's composables package. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Edge computing, cloud data centers drive decentralized IT
This week, bloggers explore the growth of decentralized IT, thanks to edge computing; Infoblox DNS security updates; and how machine learning is becoming a feature, rather than a product. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
KDDI Europe picks Silver Peak SD-WAN for managed service
KDDI Europe makes its move in managed SD-WAN, supported by Silver Peak SD-WAN; Lumina Networks updates its Flow Manager product to support service providers transitioning to SDN. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Apr 2018
Despite WLAN speed growth, do we really need mGig?
Networking vendors introduced mGig to support 802.11ac Wave 2 devices within enterprise networks. But do you really need to upgrade to accommodate the new WLAN speed? Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2018
IDC names four SDN providers to watch
An IDC report named Apstra, Big Switch Networks, Plexxi and Pluribus Networks as SDN providers to watch; Martello aims to validate Elfiq-based SD-WAN; and Aryaka extends to China. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2018
Networking elements of a digital transformation framework
Establishing a digital transformation framework includes adopting advanced technologies. Networking pros play a crucial role in managing this new wave of innovation. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2018
Wireless networking technology helps craft IT modernization
A long-term care business looks to wireless network technology and Active Directory to kick off its IT modernization plan and business growth. Continue Reading
- 03 Apr 2018
- 03 Apr 2018
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Tip
02 Apr 2018
Improvements and features of the new POE standard, IEEE 802.3bt
The new IEEE 802.3bt standard focuses on Power over Ethernet to improve efficiency and support the proliferation of edge devices, from lighting systems to point-of-sale. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2018
Examine CORD architecture's benefits and challenges
CORD architecture offers service providers a compelling way to combine open hardware and software in the central office, boost service delivery and enable NFV capabilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2018
The on-premises vs. cloud-managed WLAN architecture debate
Although on-premises WLANs and cloud WLANs both offer significant advantages, determining which approach will provide the best return depends on several factors. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2018
Survey: SD-WAN challenges include immaturity and complexity
Complexity and maturity concerns rank among top SD-WAN challenges, according to a survey from Cato Networks. Also, Juniper's OpenContrail is rebranded to Tungsten Fabric. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
Cloud-based Aruba NetInsight focuses on Wi-Fi performance
Aruba's latest cloud-based analytics compares user Wi-Fi performance to let companies see why theirs is underperforming. Aruba NetInsight pricing starts at $50 per managed device. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Mar 2018
Casemore: Cloud, as-a-service honing networking industry trends
Cloud and as-a-service delivery are bringing new urgency to networking. IDC analyst Brad Casemore cites the key networking industry trends worth watching in 2018. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2018
Open Compute Project hardware sales surpass $1B, sellers eye more markets
A study found Open Compute Project hardware sales topped $1 billion last year. The OCP-commissioned study also reports sellers are eyeing new markets for their open source products. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2018
5G service lifecycle automation may be key to business cases
Network operators need a 5G service lifecycle automation roadmap that leads to revenue-producing business cases to make the evolution to 5G worth the investment. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2018
Digital transformation process includes the network
The digital transformation process puts pressure on the network to support new technology. Network pros need to be transformative, too, adapting new skills to interact with business. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2018
The future of SDN in 2018 moves toward increased automation
Future SDN trends could show variations of the technology becoming more prominent among enterprises, as organizations look increasingly toward programmability and automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2018
A comparison of leading application delivery controllers
You can simplify the process of buying an ADC device by examining how leading vendors address key considerations, including platform options, security and server load balancing. Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
ONF puts focus on white box switches with Stratum project
The Open Networking Foundation formed Stratum, an open source networking project intended to create more interoperability among white box switches and network operating systems. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2018
Can cable be reused when upgrading 802.11ac wireless LAN?
Is it better to repurpose legacy cabling when planning an 802.11ac wireless LAN upgrade, or does it make sense to buy new? Like many things networking, it depends. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Mar 2018
SDN marketplace sows confusion on network infrastructure upgrades
The ever-evolving SDN marketplace continues to confuse IT departments as they determine what steps they should take with their network infrastructure upgrades. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Mar 2018
Millimeter wave spectrum has key role in 802.11ay wireless
IEEE 802.11ay Wi-Fi is getting closer to final ratification. The new standard relies on millimeter wave spectrum to deliver stronger and more robust services. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2018
5G architecture plus NFV, SDN offers performance gains
The intersection of 5G architecture and virtualization technologies like NFV and SDN could result in better network performance, but it will take time to get there. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2018
Narrowband IoT ups device support in Cisco Jasper Control Center
Cisco has made Narrowband IoT generally available in the Jasper Control Center. The technology standard significantly increases the number of devices supported in an IoT deployment. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
Operators invest billions, hope in 5G wireless technology
A new 5G wireless technology report breaks its development into three phases, and network operators hope their investments lead to revenue down the line. Continue Reading
