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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Tip
19 Dec 2024
Network design principles for effective architectures
It's important for network architects to consider several factors for an effective network design. Top principles include flexibility and scalability, redundancy and security. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2024
The business case for AI-driven network orchestration
Organizations that are considering AI-driven network orchestration will find it has many business cases -- chief among them are reduced Opex and efficient resource use. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2006
LAN connectivity problem: Blame DNS, NIC or firewall?
ITKnowledge Exchange member "BinooDas1234" had connectivity issues with a troublesome LAN, and fellow techies jumped in to help out. But does the answer lie in the DNS configuration, the NIC drivers or elsewhere? Here is a portion of the conversation. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Jan 2006
home server
A home server is a computer that functions as a server in a client-server home network. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2006
IP network design, part 2: The IP addressing plan
The IP addressing plan is the foundation upon which a successful logical design is built. Part two of this tip explains how to formulate a scalable IP addressing plan that can support the network as it grows. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jan 2006
IP network design, part 1: Fundamental principles
A competent network design is the foundation upon which all successful network implementations are built. This is the first of four articles that focus on the design of IP-based networks, due to the prevalence of IP as the de-facto standard desktop protocol. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Jan 2006
802.11 Learning Guide
802.11 is perhaps the fastest-changing network protocol around. We've gathered a wealth of information to get you up-to-speed quickly on the various specifications. Learn about all the 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) specifications in this learning guide. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Dec 2005
Making sense of Windows routing tables
When routing packets across a network, things do occasionally go wrong. In these situations, it is helpful to be familiar with the Windows routing tables. Routing tables dictate the flow of packets from the machine in question. This tip will show you how to view the Windows routing tables and how to make sense of the data that is contained within it. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Nov 2005
Router numbers
Many of the routing protocols implemented in Cisco's IOS require a number to follow the command that enables the routing protocol in question. If you're new to routing, these numbers can be a little confusing, as they mean something different to each protocol. This tip presents a quick explanation and general guidelines for understanding router numbers. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2005
Wireless LAN security: 802.11i
What is 802.11i, and is it really practical for you to implement in your organization? Robbie Harrell explores how the new wireless standard can improve security -- and reasons why you may want to switch to 802.11i or stick with WPA. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2005
Router Expert: Building VLAN interfaces in Linux and IOS
Segmenting a wireless LAN with VLANs can increase security. Find out from our router expert how to support VLAN interfaces in Linux and Cisco IOS. Continue Reading
- Answer 07 Nov 2005
- Answer 26 Oct 2005
- Answer 14 Oct 2005
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Quiz
13 Oct 2005
Wireless LAN quiz
Take our wireless LAN quiz to find out how much you know about WLAN technologies. Continue Reading
- Quiz 13 Oct 2005
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Tip
13 Oct 2005
Router Expert: Building 802.11Q VLANs
Network segmentation can be a great way to increase security. This article covers segmenting with VLANs and the 802.1Q standard. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2005
Analysts: 3Com trying to woo enterprises with new ad campaign
Following strategic missteps and profitability woes, 3Com hopes a new ad campaign will remind enterprises that Cisco and HP ProCurve aren't the only vendors in town. Continue Reading
- Answer 04 Oct 2005
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Tip
27 Sep 2005
The network administrator's guide to forensic first response
The time between discovery of an incident and the handover of digital evidence is critical for the possibility of successful evidence retrieval. Mishandled evidence, whether to be used in court or solely in house, can damage the integrity of the investigation. The most critical concern, then, is to create the most conducive environment possible for the forensic examiner. This tip will discuss vital considerations for the administrator acting in a first responder's role to maintain the integrity of evidence and accountability. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Sep 2005
connection
In telecommunication and computing in general, a connection is the successful completion of necessary arrangements so that two or more parties (for example, people or programs) can communicate at a long distance. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Sep 2005
well-known port numbers
The well-known port numbers are the port numbers that are reserved for assignment by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for use by the application end points that communicate using the Internet's Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Sep 2005
Placement of the firewall
In this expert response, Puneet Mehta tells us where the placement of the firewall should be architecturally. Continue Reading
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Answer
28 Aug 2005
Security of each level of the OSI model
What kind of security is associated with each level of the OSI model? Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2005
Router Expert: Standard interface configuration for a WLAN proxy server
Our router expert continues his series on building a secure WLAN with a Linux base. This article covers standard interface configuration of the http proxy server. Continue Reading
- Answer 03 Aug 2005
- Answer 20 Jul 2005
- Answer 19 Jul 2005
- Answer 11 Jul 2005
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Tip
27 Jun 2005
Wireless LAN deployment and federal regulations
A look at the bare minimum requirements to keep your WLAN compliant with federal regulations. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jun 2005
Router and firewall configuration
ITKnowledge Exchange member "stephang" had a question about the balance between blocking packets and enabling NAT on his router and on his firewall. Fellow forum members chipped in with their advice; check out what they had to say. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2005
Secure WLAN best practices and topology
Expert Michael Martin provides a list of wireless security "dos and don'ts" and a sample topology for a secure WLAN. Continue Reading
- Answer 31 May 2005
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- Answer 06 May 2005
- Answer 19 Apr 2005
- Answer 28 Mar 2005
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Tip
18 Mar 2005
Router Expert: Filtering with MAC addresses
This month our router expert discuss some strategies for controlling host network access using MAC address filtering. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Mar 2005
Focus Windows port scanning with the netscan command
How to use the netscan command to focus Windows port scanning. Continue Reading
- Answer 17 Mar 2005
- Answer 24 Feb 2005
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- Answer 01 Feb 2005
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Answer
19 Jan 2005
What are the advantages of 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
Learn about the advantages of using 10 Gigabit Ethernet for your corporate network, in this Ask the Expert response. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Jan 2005
Can you assign an IP address ending in .0 or .255?
Learn how to assign an IP address ending in .0 or .255 from networking fundamentals expert Chris Partsenidis in this Q&A. Continue Reading
- Answer 11 Jan 2005
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Tip
03 Jan 2005
Minimizing Layer 2 problems
Understanding the fundamentals of Spanning Tree Protocol. Continue Reading
- Tip 16 Dec 2004
- Answer 22 Nov 2004
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Answer
22 Nov 2004
How do I connect to the console and AUX port of my router?
How do I connect to the console and AUX port of my router? Continue Reading
- Answer 09 Nov 2004
- Answer 09 Nov 2004
- Answer 01 Nov 2004
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Tutorial
14 Oct 2004
Routing First-Step: Classless Internet addressing
Routing and Internet addressing are two important concepts involved in networking. Routing First-Step covers the basics of routing in clear, easy-to-understand language. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Oct 2004
Protocols, Lesson 5: Introduction to subnetting
We explain subnetting as simply as possible. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Oct 2004
Protocols, Lesson 6: IP subnetting - The basic concepts
Learn the basics of IP subnetting. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2004
Protocols, Lesson 7: Subnet masks and their effect
Understand the different effects a subnet mask can have. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Oct 2004
Protocols, Lesson 9: Subnet routing and communications
Lesson 9 in our protocol series covers the communications side of subnetting. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Oct 2004
Routing First-Step: IP header format
Routing and Internet addressing are two important concepts involved in networking. Routing First-Step covers the basics of routing in clear, easy-to-understand language. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2004
MPLS - Preparing an RFP (Dos and Don'ts)
A look at the things to include in an RFP, a request for proposal for VPN service. Continue Reading
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Answer
27 Sep 2004
Connecting two hosts with the same IP address but different subnet masks
Is it possible to communicate two hosts with the same IP address but different subnet mask without adding a router? Continue Reading
- Answer 27 Sep 2004
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Tip
24 Sep 2004
Preventing Layer 2 security threats
Layer 2 switched environments, typically found in enterprise customer wiring closets, can be easy targets for network security attacks. Continue Reading
- Answer 21 Sep 2004
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- Answer 21 Sep 2004
- Answer 09 Sep 2004
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Answer
09 Aug 2004
Can you please explain how a DHCP server allocates IP addresses dynamically?
Learn how DHCP works in this Ask the Expert response from our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis. Continue Reading
- Tip 06 Aug 2004
- Answer 04 Aug 2004
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Answer
04 Aug 2004
Where to connect a switch -- Patch panel versus ports around the office
Is it possible to connect my switch directly to my patch panel rather than connecting the switch to the various ports around my office? Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2004
Top 10 things to know about network administration
A list of the most important things network administrators should know. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2004
Router Expert: Understanding reverse telnet and IOS terminal lines
Learn how users interact with the terminal server and its connected devices through the use of reverse telnet, line and group rotaries, and terminal line interfaces. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Jul 2004
Five critical planning steps for wireless LANs, Step 5: Manageability -- Switching to WLAN switches
This article explains how WLAN switches will help to alleviate manageability issues. Continue Reading
- Answer 20 Jul 2004
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Tip
09 Jul 2004
Deploying both a private and public WLAN
Lisa Phifer answers a reader's request for information about planning and deploying a wireless LAN -- one private and one public. Continue Reading
- Answer 06 Jul 2004
- Answer 30 Jun 2004
- Answer 25 Jun 2004
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Tip
17 Jun 2004
WLAN implementation tutorial -- Capacity planning: Step 1
For WLAN implementation, make sure you have Step 1 down -- capacity planning, not just coverage. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2004
Router Expert: Implementing router interface redundancy
While redundancy is simple as a concept, it becomes quite problematic in practice. This tip offers the basic options for router interface redundancy. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2004
OSPF configuration
Nuances of OSPF configuration could impact your network more than you expect. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2004
Learning Guide: Voice over IP basics
This guide contains all the VoIP basics and essentials you will need when implementing an IP telephony network. Continue Reading
- Answer 30 Apr 2004
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Tip
23 Apr 2004
Router Expert: Cisco asynchronous serial support
Cisco IOS-based routers support three asynchronous serial interface types: Console, Auxiliary, and asynchronous port modules. This tip compares them. Continue Reading
- Answer 23 Apr 2004
- Answer 23 Apr 2004
- Answer 23 Apr 2004
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Tip
23 Apr 2004
Tips on working with VLSM
Variable Length Subnet Masks (VLSM) can require some serious number crunching but there are many ways to help make the process simpler. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
19 Apr 2004
Networking hardware, Lesson 2: Switches and bridges
Explanation of how switches and bridges work. Continue Reading
- Answer 14 Apr 2004
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- Answer 17 Mar 2004
- Answer 24 Feb 2004
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- Answer 23 Feb 2004
- Answer 24 Oct 2003
- Answer 08 Oct 2003
- Answer 06 Oct 2003