Network infrastructure

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

By

• Kate Gerwig, Editorial Director

Ruckus SmartZone to get IoT module

Ruckus plans to release a suite of technology for companies that want to support IoT devices on the WLAN. The suite includes an IoT module for the Ruckus SmartZone controller. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Considerations for buying an application delivery controller

Before you buy an ADC device, learn which features you should look for and what questions you should ask prospective application delivery controller vendors. Continue Reading

By

• Kevin Tolly, The Tolly Group

DNS functions remain vital, but must adapt as demands shift

The domain name system's tasks are simple, but essential, and the service faces challenges with the proliferation of devices that operate within IPv6 networks. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Froehlich, West Gate Networks

How IPv6 networks create DNS configuration problems

DNS data is among the most basic and crucial information required for network connectivity, but configuring DNS recursive servers in IPv6-only networks can pose challenges. Continue Reading

By

• Fernando Gont, SI6 Networks

OK of 400 Gigabit Ethernet adds horsepower to data centers

Final approval of the 400 Gigabit Ethernet standard will provide data centers and cloud providers with the extra capacity they need to meet ever-rising data demands. Continue Reading

By

• David Jacobs, The Jacobs Group

Verizon kicks off managed SD-WLAN service with Mist

Verizon is using technology from Mist to anchor a managed SD-WLAN service in an effort to extend its service footprint to customers' WLANs. Continue Reading

By

• Chuck Moozakis, Editor at Large

Three-step network strategy sells big changes as more doable

A three-pronged network strategy takes an evolutionary approach to selling revolutionary technology changes internally, with a bigger chance of success. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Wide area Ethernet can fuel digital network transformation

Wide area Ethernet might be just what the doctor ordered to help enterprises propel their digital network transformation efforts. Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, ZK Research

Enterprises won't reap benefits of 5G until 2020s

The first commercial 5G deployments are scheduled for later this year. One report's 5G timeline predicts many enterprises won't reap the benefits of 5G until the mid-2020s. Continue Reading

By

• Jonathan Dame

Wireless vendors count on 5G equipment sales for rescue

Wireless 5G equipment sales could take off in the next two years, possibly saving wireless vendors. AT&T increases the use of bots in its business, and Verizon expands owned fiber. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Gerwig and David Harbeck

New 5G wireless technology trials spark enterprise interest

 Continue Reading

The sky's the limit with 5G wireless communication

 Continue Reading

Interest in 5G wireless networks ramps up

The ability for businesses to use 5G wireless networks is closer to becoming a reality as carriers continue to deploy 5G trials across cities in the U.S. and globally. While the technology that promises faster broadband speeds and enhanced data capacity is still in precommercial stages, 5G wireless networks are expected to transform how business is conducted around the world.

In this issue of Network Evolution, find out how enterprises are exploring of the possibilities of 5G wireless networks and how they can prepare for them.

Beyond 5G wireless networks, this issue looks at software-defined networking, and network managers share their reasons for choosing smaller SDN vendors instead of major providers like Cisco or VMware. A variety of software-based networking options are attracting enterprises that want to start their SDN evolution.

In addition, the ongoing availability of new business collaboration tools and features offers end users multiple options to choose from, which can lead to overlapping features. Enterprises are faced with similar applications for things like email, messaging, video or conferencing, and IT managers have begun exploring options to consolidate these tools into a single platform. Here we look at best practices to develop a plan to help deploy unified communications (UC) tools and improve collaboration across the enterprise.

Finally, in this month's Subnet, see how Durham County, N.C., is using network automation to create an efficient, seamless network experience for IT managers and users.

 Continue Reading

Small SDN providers' cost, flexibility appeal to enterprises

VMware's NSX and Cisco's ACI are the main SDN providers on the stage, but smaller vendors can offer enterprises flexibility and cost savings. Continue Reading

By

• Steve Zurier, ZFeatures

New 5G wireless technology trials spark enterprise interest

New 5G wireless technology promises super-fast network speeds and massive capacity. Businesses that require low latency and high throughput could see the advantages first. Continue Reading

By

• Jean DerGurahian, Features and E-Zine Editor

Fog computing architecture posing challenges for IT

Fog computing architecture designs are gaining traction, as users demand accessibility to apps and services. But the approach can cause challenges for IT. Continue Reading

By

• Russ White

Big content providers influence undersea cable price drops

The undersea cable market has become increasingly competitive, as large content providers build new routes and wavelength prices drop, leaving telecom operators concerned. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Gerwig, Editorial Director

Open source networking projects unite under Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation created an umbrella platform, the LF Networking Fund, to promote cross-project collaboration among open source networking projects under its wing. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Application delivery controllers evolve to meet new demands

ADC devices have evolved to deliver a wide range of functionality, including web application firewall, denial-of-service protection, SSL offload and scalable performance. Continue Reading

By

• Kevin Tolly, The Tolly Group

5G networks advance in U.S. with expanded trials

Operators' 5G networks move forward with expanded trials; wireless WPA3 standard will help secure public Wi-Fi; and Verizon acquires threat detection startup that uses machine learning. Continue Reading

By

• David Harbeck and Kate Gerwig

5G wireless technology influences telecommunication's future

The capabilities of 5G wireless technology and event-driven networking hold the promise for telecommunication's future, but solving the remaining challenges will determine the outcome. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

ExtremeLocation latest addition to Extreme wireless portfolio

Extreme Networks is targeting retailers with a new set of services, called ExtremeLocation. The latest technology adds location-based customer-tracking services to the Extreme wireless portfolio. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

NFV disaggregates firewall appliance to increase scalability

A traditional firewall appliance can incorporate many services, but NFV can virtualize firewalls to offer individual services that scale for application requirements. Continue Reading

By

• Russ White

Cisco, Hyundai to add software-defined platform to vehicles

Cisco and Hyundai will release jointly developed software-defined vehicles in 2019. These connected cars will boast a Cisco-built software-defined platform and 1 Gbps Ethernet. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Campus network architecture strategies to blossom in 2018

This week, bloggers focus on the growing relevancy of campus network architecture planning, BGP route selection and the next generation of cloud-vendor partnerships. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Four telecom infrastructure trends driving network of the future

Four telecom infrastructure trends -- SDN, NFV, IoT and 5G -- are driving the network of the future, but telecom networks are more likely to transform in 2020, not 2018. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Automated networks mean clearing some key hurdles first

Obstacles facing IT adoption of automation in the network including training and trust. Now's the time to clear these hurdles and reap the benefits of an automated future. Continue Reading

By

• John Burke, Nemertes Research

The future of networking technology is playing out right now

To prepare for the future of networking technology, IT managers must understand evolving concepts like hyper-convergence, SD-WAN and intent-based networking. Continue Reading

By

• Jean DerGurahian, Features and E-Zine Editor

ONUG conference: SD-WAN and automation continue to grow

The 2017 ONUG conference focused on new uses for SD-WAN, the development of standards and offered a sneak peek into emerging technologies, like containerization and automation. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Ethernet switch market trends show 40 GbE losing share

The global Ethernet switch market grows, according to IHS Markit, while ThousandEyes focuses on device health and network visibility. Riverbed and Teneo team up on new service. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Getting to know serverless computing architecture

Bloggers explore the dynamics of serverless computing architecture, efficacy and efficiency with endpoint security and use cases for bidirectional forwarding detection Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

To buy or build IT infrastructure focus of ONUG 2017 panel

During ONUG's fall conference, panelists debated whether to buy or build IT infrastructure. Company IT execs say the final decision depends on a company's culture and talent. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Why open network systems are so difficult to find

Bloggers explore open network systems, look into the development of unified security operations and analytics, and recommend how to tweak an Ansible playbook. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

ETSI industry group publishes six NFV specifications

The ETSI Industry Specification Group for NFV is living up to its name with the publishing of six new NFV specifications. Also, NSS Labs puts SD-WAN products to the test. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Carrier cloud could create bigger roles in future for SDN and NFV

Increasing carrier cloud deployment could be the key that drives SDN and NFV technologies forward in the future of virtual networking -- not the other way around. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Cloud-based infrastructure meets networking at ONUG fall conference

Cloud-based infrastructure is reshaping the networking industry -- an issue ONUG has seen within its user community and will address at its upcoming fall conference in New York City. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Comparison of popular technical SD-WAN service models

Two main SD-WAN service model options exist for users to choose from, but more could be on the way due to regulatory and industry development efforts. Find out what works for you in this comparison. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

The story of SDN: Control planes, OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation

When discussing SDN, control planes and programmability are often lumped into the conversation -- along with a dose of OpenFlow protocol and disaggregation. Continue Reading

By

• Russ White

Open source network tools compete with shrinking vendor equipment

Vendor equipment consolidation could limit network operator service automation efforts, but new open source network tools offer options and prevent lock-in. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Does Mojo have the mojo to change WLAN architecture?

Bloggers explore Mojo Networks' efforts to disrupt the delivery of WLAN architecture, DevTest in clouds and new directions in network management. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

New options for managed network service providers benefit enterprises

SDN, NFV and SD-WAN are creating a new set of software-based offerings that managed network service providers can roll out to enterprises faster and at lower cost. Continue Reading

By

• John Burke, Nemertes Research

Ericsson-Cisco partnership activity expected to slow until 2020

The Ericsson-Cisco partnership is likely to produce little in the way of sales or technology, as carriers wait to rearchitect networks for 5G broadband. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

MEF looks to SD-WAN standards with open APIs, orchestration framework

MEF has made the move to establish consistent SD-WAN standards for its service provider members through a set of open APIs and a lifecycle service orchestration framework. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Extreme to unify wired, wireless campus with Avaya fabric software

Extreme Networks plans to embed Avaya fabric technology in switches and management software to enable centralized control of large wired and wireless campus networks. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

SN blogs: Can cloud-based routing do the trick?

This week, bloggers assess how Volta Networks is shifting to cloud-based routing, device identification, and IPv6 and VLAN interfaces. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

New Catalyst switches, Cisco DNA force rethinking of campus network

Cisco has launched a Catalyst switching line that provides a redesigned platform for the campus network. The Cisco DNA software console provides the policy-based management layer. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Telecom vendors feel the pressure of operator transformation plans

Changes in network operators' buying trends have rocked the status quo for telecom vendors, with pricing pressure, software and chants of 'no more lock-in' driving it home. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Open source network software matures, but needs incentives for use

Open source network software is maturing, but the networking industry needs to create compelling economic incentives for large suppliers and buyers to contribute, as well. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Comcast Business beta trials managed SD-WAN with Versa Networks

Comcast Business chooses Versa Networks as its managed SD-WAN partner, while Sprint turns to VeloCloud. Also, NEC and Dell EMC announce the availability of their SD-LAN service. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

SNAS open source networking project captures BGP telemetry

This week, bloggers look into the open source networking option SNAS, SIEM for enterprises and automating device configurations. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

What is the future of networking for enterprises?

What will be the future of networking at enterprises and organizations operating in 2025? Continue Reading

By

• Craig Mathias

Why SDN, DevOps don't share automated network missions

SDN and DevOps may both have a role in automated network device management, but compared to SDN, DevOps has a completely different mission, our expert explains. Continue Reading

By

• Russ White

Latest Verizon CPE aimed at simplifying deployment of network services

Verizon's latest customer premise equipment is meant to simplify deployment of virtual network functions. The new Verizon CPE was introduced this week at the OpenStack Summit. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Software-based networks ease staff manual labor, increase efficiency

Find out how three enterprises are experiencing the benefits of software-based networks as their staffs are freed up from manually tweaking network components. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Gerwig, Editorial Director

Managing wireless networks: How to address the key challenges

One challenge in managing wireless networks is that the tools and tech are changing rapidly. Here’s what network pros need to know now. Continue Reading

By

• Alan R. Earls

Xirrus wireless LAN makes Riverbed WAN portfolio stronger for the branch

The acquisition of wireless LAN provider Xirrus makes the Riverbed WAN portfolio more appealing to companies with branch offices. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Avaya unveils platform for virtualized network functions in the campus

Avaya has introduced a platform for taking virtualized network functions to campus networks. New products include an operating system and orchestration engine. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Vive la revolution! New wide area network technologies usher in change

In today's wide area network, emerging technologies disrupt the status quo ... and that's a good thing. Enterprises now have more options than ever when it comes to WAN design. Continue Reading

By

• Alissa Irei, Senior Site Editor

Market trends will push Cisco to make an open NOS

Cisco remains committed to selling a network operating system tightly integrated with hardware. But market trends will likely force the vendor to release an open NOS soon. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Google Espresso to boost delivery of cloud-based application services

Google Espresso, unveiled at the Open Networking Summit, is a peering architecture that improves the delivery of application services from Google Cloud. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Layer 3 switches explained

Layer 3 switches are important in enterprise networks -- particularly in designs with many subnets and virtual LANs. What is a Layer 3 switch, what can it do for you, and how does it differ from a regular switch or router? Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Froehlich, West Gate Networks

Session stickiness in the race for load-balancer performance

This week, bloggers look into load-balancer performance, congressional changes to ISP rules and software-defined perimeters. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

How will virtual router software benefit the networking industry?

Although virtual router software has been around for more than a decade, 2017 could be the year vRouting experiences greater adoption due to its available use cases. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Status report 2017: NFV deployments grow; standards issues remain

Large service providers are continuing their NFV deployments, which will enable 5G wireless and IoT. But management, orchestration and standards questions remain. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Barefoot Networks' Ethernet switch chip wins Network Innovation Award

Tofino, a high-speed programmable chip that brings software-defined networking capabilities to the forwarding plane, aims to revolutionize the network. Continue Reading

By

• Alissa Irei, Senior Site Editor

Users of Avaya networking products could benefit from Extreme purchase

Users of Avaya networking products would be in a strong negotiating position if Extreme Networks bought the portfolio. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Cisco adds cloud management to hyper-converged integrated systems

Cisco has added cloud-based management to its HyperFlex hyper-converged integrated systems. The vendor also released a HyperFlex model with a much larger network interconnect. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

SDN service for sale ... from a healthcare provider?

Early NSX adopter BayState Health is weighing the possibility of a future as an SDN service provider -- using multi-tenancy to run other organizations' networks parallel to its own. Continue Reading

By

• Alissa Irei, Senior Site Editor

Managed enterprise network services gain traction

As network demands become increasingly complex, many enterprises are turning to managed network services, outsourcing maintenance to third-party providers. Continue Reading

By

• Paul Korzeniowski

New Cisco VNF hardware designed for data centers, branch offices

Cisco has introduced hardware that contains all the components for running virtual network functions. The new gear delivers Cisco VNFs in the data center and branch office. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

ExtraHop intros Addy, machine learning as a service

ExtraHop integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence with Addy, its new machine-learning-as-a-service offering. Continue Reading

By

• Chuck Moozakis, Editor at Large

Software networking supports wide range of deployment use cases

Software networking includes elements of SDN, NFV and network virtualization, which have taken the industry by storm; it also supports advances like 5G wireless and hybrid cloud. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

An Avaya networking sale may prove challenging

This week, bloggers look into challenges facing an Avaya networking sale, ZeroStack's launch of automated infrastructure, and discuss the hot topics of this year's RSA Conference. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

New telecom transformation goals require service automation

Restarting a telecom transformation means putting business goals first and technology choices second, and making the service process more efficient through automation. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Aerohive eyes small firms with APs, cloud-based management software

Aerohive shifts gears with Wi-Fi for small businesses that feature cloud-based management software, Cisco considers the true cost of a data breach and Arista beefs up visibility. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Open source network software promises major industry shifts

Let the disruption commence! Observers say it's high time the networking sector accepts and sorts out open source, arguing it's not a question of if enterprises use it, but how. Continue Reading

By

• Steve Zurier, ZFeatures

HPE focuses on hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation

This week, bloggers assess hyper-converged infrastructure consolidation after HPE's buy, Cumulus Networks' new switch hardware and why companies accept poor cybersecurity. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

IT infrastructure market jumps by 8% as Ethernet sales grow

The IT infrastructure market grows by 8%, while HPE acquires SimpliVity and Barefoot Networks strikes a chip deal with vendors. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Enterprises finding high value in 25 GbE, 100 GbE switches

Research finds shipments of 25 GbE and 100 GbE switches are outpacing 10/40 GbE hardware, as companies find more value in the higher-bandwidth gear. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Seeking truth in network device configuration

This week, bloggers look into network device configuration, the tools the next generation of network engineers will require and security scalability. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Cisco market share report shows big lead for the vendor

This week, a report shows a big lead in Cisco market share in multiple segments; Ericsson extends its Cisco partnership; and Extreme targets retailers with new products. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Will NFV standards address orchestration in the near future?

NFV standards for orchestration are affected by the number of standards groups and service providers' individual approaches, says SDN expert Lee Doyle. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Looking back at the biggest 2016 tech trends in networking

In 2016 tech trends in networking, the industry witnessed the growth of analytics, Cisco's embrace of software and services and new Ethernet standards. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Cisco software strategy worries network operators

Cisco's push into SDN concerns network operators who see the Cisco software strategy as de-emphasizing traditional hardware. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

2016 SDN trends: The year of the software-defined WAN

As 2016 draws to a close, SD-WAN paced SDN trends as it permeated the SDN world; Cisco and VMware dominated SDN deployments; and concerns remain about training. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Networking decides between modern Ethernet standards

This week, bloggers discuss the debate between modern Ethernet standards, compare network management to landlords and examine 2017 cybersecurity threats. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Ethernet switch market up 2%: IDC

The worldwide Ethernet switch market grew 2%, racking up revenues of $6.29 billion in the third quarter, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch Tracker and Worldwide Quarterly ... Continue Reading

By

• Chuck Moozakis, Editor at Large

HPE Aruba networks readied for mobile, IoT

HPE Aruba networks are getting the access switch and software needed to support mobile and IoT devices, such as surveillance cameras and medical gear. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Mobile edge computing promises wide variety of uses

Mobile edge computing can bring applications and data closer to the end user, resulting in lower latency and better data analytics for network virtualization and IoT. Continue Reading

By

• Lee Doyle, Doyle Research

Cisco patent infringement avoided, new Arista OSes OK to import

Federal officials have cleared Arista's newer switches for importation to the U.S. after trade officials found older Arista products in violation of three Cisco patents. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Republican leaders recommend postponing FCC regulations

Following the presidential election, Republican leaders suggest the FCC take a pause in voting on any new FCC regulations. Plus, Facebook turns its attention to telecom. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Cisco earnings show service providers are not buying

The latest Cisco earnings show a drop in overall revenue, as service providers spend less. Cisco blames lower sales on macroeconomics. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

Broadcom Brocade deal leaves questions

This week, bloggers weigh the possible outcomes of the Broadcom Brocade deal and discuss cybersecurity lessons fueled by the 2016 U.S. election. Continue Reading

By

• Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget

Dell EMC code contributions restructure OpenSwitch architecture

In this blog roundup, networking bloggers discuss changes in OpenSwitch architecture, SD-WAN's advantages and disadvantages, and the latest container security project. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Three advances making NFV deployments better for the business

NFV deployments made progress this year, thanks to three significant developments, but will they be enough to make NFV's business case more compelling among other industry changes? Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Broadcom buys Brocade in $5.9B deal

Broadcom Ltd. Nov. 2 said it would acquire storage and networking supplier Brocade Communications Systems Inc. in a deal valued at $5.9 billion. Chip-maker Broadcom said it will keep Brocade's ... Continue Reading

By

• Chuck Moozakis, Editor at Large

Yahoo, Verizon execs: Prepare your networking team for SDN and DevOps

Enterprises need to prepare networking team members for SDN and DevOps, as the industry continues to change, Verizon and Yahoo said at the ONUG fall conference. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor

Wi-Fi AP vendors getting creative to stand out in the market

Vendors Extreme Networks and Mist are promoting Wi-Fi APs that include services delivered today by other devices on the wireless network. The new products are unique in the market, but experts expect that to change. Continue Reading

By

• Antone Gonsalves, News Director

FCC proposal seeks to reduce price cap on TDM business data services

FCC chairman proposes reducing price caps on TDM business data services. Google Fiber and Verizon propose expansion in wireless testing locations and high-frequency spectrum, respectively. Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer English, Executive Editor