Network management and monitoring
Network management and monitoring are vital components of modern IT operations that help businesses run effectively and efficiently. Network observability also provides added visibility into the end-user experience. Find out how innovations such as AI, machine learning, network analytics and network automation are shaping the future of network management and monitoring.
Top Stories
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Answer
22 Nov 2024
How to test packet loss on Windows, macOS and Linux
Network admins should know how to identify and test for packet loss. Diagnosing this issue doesn't require specialized tools or expensive software, but these four tools can help. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Nov 2024
Compare network management vs. network monitoring
Network monitoring is a vital part of network management. Both are essential to help network operations teams streamline operations and address potential issues. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Sep 2023
Cisco makes big splash with Splunk
The integration of Cisco and Splunk could result in a full-stack offering that provides comprehensive visibility across enterprise locations and AI-driven insights. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Sep 2023
remote infrastructure management
Remote infrastructure management, or RIM, is a comprehensive approach to handling and overseeing an organization's IT infrastructure, systems and services from a remote location. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Sep 2023
How to use NAPALM for efficient network management
NAPALM is a flexible Python library that can integrate with Ansible modules, support multivendor environments, and ease network management and automation strategies. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Sep 2023
Use Angry IP Scanner to audit the network
Angry IP Scanner provides a network scanner alternative to Nmap that is simple, user-friendly and versatile across OSes. Scan types include ping scans, UDP scans and TCP scans. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Aug 2023
SD-WAN consumption to change as NaaS market matures
NaaS is a cloud model that could provide a compelling way for enterprises to consume SD-WAN and other network services. Despite its potential, though, growth projections are slow. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2023
VMware revamps cloud software for edge management
VMware's new Edge Cloud Orchestrator, formerly VMware SASE Orchestrator, manages VMware's edge compute and SD-WAN systems. Carmaker Audi plans to use the product in its factories. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Aug 2023
AI, automation promise bright future for network operations
A closed-loop system can help network operations teams build trust with AI and automation tools that identify network problems, send alerts and recommend repairs. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
16 Aug 2023
How to capture and analyze traffic with tcpdump
Network administrators use tcpdump to analyze traffic in Linux systems. Learn how to install and use tcpdump, as well as examine the results of captured traffic. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2023
5 trends for SD-WAN managed services
Enterprises interested in managed SD-WAN must evaluate essential considerations. Top trends include hybrid operations, vendor consolidation and AI-driven networking. Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2023
Cisco acquisitions target mostly ThousandEyes, Cloud Security
Cisco has made nine acquisitions this year, with all but two focused on improving internet monitor ThousandEyes as well as security manager and policy administrator Security Cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Aug 2023
Types of Nmap scans and best practices
Nmap scanning helps network teams with network reconnaissance and vulnerability discovery. Common types of scans include TCP SYN, OS detection, vulnerability and version detection. Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2023
SDI swaps Cisco wired, wireless LAN for Nile NaaS
Supply chain software maker SDI claims it cut LAN costs by a third with Nile. But Gartner says NaaS is unlikely to become a dominant option for on-premises networking. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Aug 2023
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a standard that lets network devices automatically find, communicate with and control each other. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jul 2023
Reasons to build and buy network automation tools
Most enterprises are building and buying network automation tools, and the reasons for both approaches are abundant. Find out why your organization might want to do the same. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2023
An introduction to Git for network engineers
Git can be a useful tool for network engineers who manage complex infrastructure, especially as networking increasingly overlaps with software, automation and DevOps. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jul 2023
5 techniques to debug network issues in Linux and Windows
Debugging a network issue should start with basic troubleshooting. If that doesn't fix it, admins should check, verify and configure connections to the client, server and network. Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Jul 2023
Cisco's vision for Networking Cloud becomes clear
Cisco is focused on simplifying, securing and delivering better experiences across networking, security, collaboration and apps in alignment with its vision to connect anything. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Jul 2023
3 ways to troubleshoot using Wireshark and tcpdump
Protocol analyzer tools, such as Wireshark and tcpdump, can help network administrators identify protocols in the network, analyze network performance and discover network devices. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2023
Prosimo offers free multi-cloud connectivity
The new MCN Foundation can find and connect to public clouds and provide visibility. The company's full-stack product powers the limited free version. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2023
Cisco to add SamKnows broadband visibility to ThousandEyes
SamKnows data in ThousandEyes will let enterprises monitor the broadband connections of employees working from home. The information can help companies troubleshoot problems. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2023
Cisco acquires Accedian for Network Assurance portfolio
Cisco expects Accedian to bolster its Network Assurance portfolio for service providers. The product line provides network troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and remediation. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jun 2023
New Cisco tools aim to enable green networks, data centers
At Cisco Live 2023, Cisco unveiled new products and updates to its portfolio to help organizations create sustainable data center networks as they modernize their infrastructures. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2023
NetworkGPT, ChatGPT plugins show promise for NetOps
NetworkGPT, a ChatGPT plugin revealed at Cisco Live 2023, shows the potential of how generative AI can integrate with and support network operations. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2023
Cisco releases plans for Networking Cloud
Cisco's introduction of Networking Cloud lacked technical details and delivery dates for the high-level console for accessing all the company's network management platforms. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Jun 2023
uploading
Uploading is the transmission of data from a local device to a remote device. Typically, the remote device is a larger server. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jun 2023
network performance monitoring (NPM)
Network performance monitoring (NPM) is the process of measuring and monitoring the quality of service of a network. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2023
How to interact with network APIs using cURL, Postman tools
Network engineers can use cURL and Postman tools to work with network APIs. Use cases include getting interface information and manipulating device configuration data. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 May 2023
flow control
Flow control is a technique used to regulate data transfer between computers or other nodes in a network. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2023
MLB simplifies operations with network automation platform
Network automation enables Major League Baseball to monitor its networks across dozens of stadiums and locations, automate mundane tasks, schedule upgrades and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 May 2023
AI in network management poses challenges for network pros
Research shows that, while AI helps increase business success, network pros struggle to use it more than their peers. Find out how organizations can encourage network pros to use AI. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 May 2023
data streaming
Data streaming is the continuous transfer of data from one or more sources at a steady, high speed for processing into specific outputs. Continue Reading
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Answer
15 May 2023
5 common network services and their functions
DHCP, DNS, NTP, 802.1x, and CDP and LLDP are some of the most common services network administrators use to secure, troubleshoot and manage enterprise networks. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 May 2023
operational support system (OSS)
An operational support system (OSS) is a set of programs that helps a communications service provider monitor, control, analyze and manage a telephone or computer network. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2023
Python interpreter vs. IDE: What network engineers should know
When using Python for network automation, network engineers often work with interpreters and integrated development environment tools to test modules and debug code. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 May 2023
What are the advantages and disadvantages of CLI and GUI?
An old-fashioned command-line interface still has some advantages over its counterpart, the graphical user interface, when managing network devices. See how CLI and GUI stack up. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2023
7 factors to consider in network redundancy design
Network pros should consider multiple factors when adding redundancy to network design, including network equipment, protocols, backup, processing and subnet connections. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 May 2023
differentiated services (DiffServ or DS)
Differentiated services, often shortened to DiffServ or DS, is a class of service (CoS) model to specify and control IP network traffic by class. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2023
Baptist Health leaves Cisco for Arista
Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Fla., expects Arista's single wired, wireless and data center network operating system to eliminate partial outages during infrastructure upgrades. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 May 2023
Tips to use the Cockpit web consoles
Admins that use Cockpit to manage Linux servers can use the web consoles to add users, build firewalls and perform other tasks. Use these web consoles to oversee your servers. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 May 2023
fault management
Fault management is the component of network management that detects, isolates and fixes problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 May 2023
7 characteristics of next-generation networking
Network modernization has become important for many organizations. Discover which technologies -- such as SASE, AI, automation and more -- can help build next-generation networks. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Apr 2023
IT monitoring
IT monitoring is a process that gathers metrics on the operations of an IT environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2023
How ChatGPT can assist with network management
Network professionals can use ChatGPT as a tool to automate mundane processes, write code, design networks and perform other tasks related to network management. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Apr 2023
The benefits of digital twin networks
Digital twin networks use historical and real-time data to simulate a network. That data results in benefits around network visibility, training, security and compliance. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2023
collision in networking
In a half-duplex Ethernet network, a collision is the result of two devices on the same Ethernet network attempting to transmit data at the same time. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Apr 2023
traceroute
Traceroute is a command-line utility that returns information about the communication route between two nodes on an Internet Protocol (IP) network. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Apr 2023
HAProxy
HAProxy is a high-performance, open source load balancer and reverse proxy for TCP and HTTP applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2023
Use cases of digital twins for networks
Network engineers can use digital twins for design, testing, security and maintenance. But limitations with vendor specificity and a lack of standards hinder wider adoption for now. Continue Reading
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Answer
03 Apr 2023
What's the difference between network reliability and availability?
Network reliability is how long infrastructure works without disruption. Network availability is the percentage of time infrastructure operates in a given time frame. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2023
Self-healing networks goals, benefits and how they work
With help from automation and AI, self-healing networks promise to detect, remediate and even predict network problems. But can these systems be trusted? Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Mar 2023
computer network
A computer network is a group of interconnected nodes or computing devices that exchange data and resources with each other. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2023
How network perimeters secure enterprise networks
Network perimeters serve as essential network security to block unwanted traffic. Find out how they differ from the network edge and how they help secure enterprise networks. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2023
5 steps to migrate from MPLS to SD-WAN
To migrate from MPLS to SD-WAN, you need a plan. Use these five steps as a guideline to avoid MPLS contract disasters, unexpected costs and delayed installation. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2023
Configure NIC teaming in Windows Server
NIC teaming maximizes network bandwidth and provides redundancy benefits. These steps guide users through NIC teaming configuration in Windows Server with GUI and PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Mar 2023
NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification)
Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) is a Microsoft Windows specification for how communication protocol programs (such as TCP/IP) and network device drivers should communicate with each other. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2023
White box networking use cases and how to get started
Rising cloud costs have prompted organizations to consider white box switches to lower costs and simplify network management. Here's what to know about white box networking. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Mar 2023
AWS Network Load Balancer (NLB)
AWS Network Load Balancer (NLB) is an Amazon Web Services tool that distributes high-performance traffic across multiple cloud instances and provides automatic scaling of resources to ensure low latency and high throughput for applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Feb 2023
Unify NetOps and DevOps to improve load-balancing strategy
Research showed that many enterprises struggle with their load-balancing strategies. Unifying NetOps and DevOps teams might help simplify some of this complexity. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Feb 2023
bogon
A bogon is an illegitimate Internet Protocol address that falls into a set of IP addresses that have not been officially assigned to an entity by an internet registration institute, such as the IANA. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Feb 2023
polling (computing)
In computer science, polling or a polled operation denotes the process of repeatedly sampling the status of external devices by a client program. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2023
Cisco Viptela SD-WAN integrates with SASE for better security
Cisco Viptela SD-WAN integration with Cisco+ Secure Connect brings cloud-based security to remote workers and easier collaboration between IT security and networking teams. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2023
Extreme Networks extends network fabric to the edge
Extreme Networks extends its SD-WAN network fabric to the edge to unify wired, wireless and WAN networking for simpler network control and more application performance monitoring. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2023
4 ways to reduce network power consumption
A heavy reliance on the network can increase energy use across businesses. Here are some best practices network teams can follow to reduce power consumption. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2023
8 top Web 3.0 use cases and examples
Smart contracts, automated content creation, targeted advertising, community building and metaverse-like experiences are some of the benefits from anticipated Web 3.0 applications. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Feb 2023
10 core features of Web 3.0 technology
Web 3.0 promises to provide what Web 2.0 can't: autonomy for content creators to monetize their own data through blockchain, decentralization, user data ownership and private keys. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
07 Feb 2023
CIOs must support multi-cloud training for network engineers
Many enterprises are shifting to multi-cloud environments, but they must enable proper training. Here's how they can be proactive and support multi-cloud network training. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2023
4 steps to troubleshoot Windows 11 network issues
When IT administrators encounter problems with a Windows 11 network connection, they have plenty of options to fix the issue. Learn the steps to troubleshoot these issues. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Jan 2023
network management system
A network management system, or NMS, is an application or set of applications that lets network engineers manage a network's independent components inside a bigger network management framework and performs several key functions. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2023
5 ways Web 3.0 will impact digital marketing
If Web 3.0 can provide greater privacy, more marketing reach and better targeting, the World Wide Web's latest iteration could ease the online customer personalization problem. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2023
The features of multi-cloud networking architecture
Enterprises are looking for multi-cloud networking features that include programmability, security integration and end-to-end visibility in a consumption-based model. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jan 2023
Network as a Service (NaaS)
Network as a service, or NaaS, is a business model for delivering enterprise WAN services virtually on a subscription basis. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2023
network configuration management (NCM)
Network configuration management is the process of organizing and maintaining information about all of the components in a computer network. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jan 2023
How cloud-managed Wi-Fi simplifies policy and AP controls
Cloud-managed Wi-Fi provides IT groups with several benefits, including policy enforcement, network management and consistent AP configuration across multiple sites. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jan 2023
Enterprises consider NaaS adoption for business agility
As enterprises accelerate toward digitization of their complete IT stack, NaaS -- which can lower costs, increase QoS and improve business agility -- has become a viable option. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2023
decimal
Decimal is a numbering system that uses a base-10 representation for numeric values. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jan 2023
surge suppressor (surge protector)
A surge suppressor, sometimes optimistically called a surge protector, is a device inserted in the alternating current (AC) utility line and/or telephone line to prevent damage to electronic equipment from voltage spikes, or transients. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Jan 2023
Five networking trends teams should focus on in 2023
Distributed IT and hybrid work create network complexity, which is driving adoption of AIOps, network and security convergence, multi-cloud, private 5G and digital twins in 2023. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Jan 2023
streaming network telemetry
Streaming network telemetry is a real-time data collection service in which network devices, such as routers, switches and firewalls, continuously push data related to the network's health to a centralized location. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2023
Multi-cloud networking trends to watch in 2023
As multi-cloud networking becomes an industry standard, enterprises increasingly seek tools to wrangle data, services and security in a sprawling network that can span countries. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jan 2023
load balancing
Load balancing is a technique used to distribute network traffic across a pool of servers known as a server farm. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Dec 2022
persistent connection
A persistent connection, also known as an HTTP persistent connection, refers to a network communication channel that remains open for further HTTP requests and responses instead of closing after a single exchange. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Dec 2022
Wireless network capacity planning and requirements
When planning wireless network capacity needs, tally your total endpoints, monitor application bandwidth usage and consider future growth. Continue Reading
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Answer
20 Dec 2022
NOC vs. data center: What's the difference?
Network operations centers and data centers are two facilities organizations use to store IT devices and manage operations. But they differ significantly in terms of purpose and operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Dec 2022
network availability
Network availability is the amount of uptime in a network system over a specific time interval. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Dec 2022
How to use Nmap to scan a network for documentation
Nmap might be more common for security tasks, but it's also useful for network documentation and inventory. Follow these best practices to make the most of Nmap scan results. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Dec 2022
NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration)
NFV MANO (network functions virtualization management and orchestration), also called MANO, is an architectural framework for managing and orchestrating virtualized network functions (VNFs) and other software components. Continue Reading
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News
09 Dec 2022
Juniper's CN2 supports Kubernetes networking on AWS
Juniper simplifies Kubernetes networking on Amazon's Elastic Kubernetes Service by adding virtual networks and multi-dimensional segmentation in the hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Dec 2022
How to use Wireshark OUI lookup for network security
Wireshark OUI lookup helps cyber defenders, pen testers and red teams identify and target network endpoints -- and it can be accessed from any browser. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Dec 2022
telemetry
Telemetry is the automatic measurement and wireless transmission of data from remote sources. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Nov 2022
How to check an IP address in Linux
In a Linux system, IP addresses correspond with a public or private network. This tutorial outlines how to find public and private IP addresses with Linux commands. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Nov 2022
traffic shaping
Traffic shaping, also known as packet shaping, is a congestion management method that regulates network data transfer by delaying the flow of less important or less desired packets. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Nov 2022
open networking
Open networking describes a network that uses open standards and commodity hardware. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Nov 2022
3 types of wireless site surveys and how to conduct them
Network teams can avoid signal coverage issues by performing different wireless site surveys as they evaluate new spaces, set up sites and operate the network. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Nov 2022
leaky bucket algorithm
The leaky bucket algorithm is a "traffic shaping" algorithm to reduce the load the transport layer places on the network layer and reduce congestion in the network. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Nov 2022
nibble
In computing and digital technology, a nibble is four consecutive binary digits or half of an 8-bit byte. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Nov 2022
CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service)
Citizens Broadband Radio Service, or CBRS, is the set of operational rules given to a slice of the shared wireless spectrum and the technologies used in that spectrum. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2022
OSU medical center uses automation for digital transformation
Most people think automation will take jobs away. For OSU Wexner Medical Center, network automation helps improve security, simplify tasks for staff and save lives. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2022
16 PowerShell commands for network troubleshooting
These 16 Windows PowerShell cmdlets, including Get-NetIPAddress and Test-Connection, help network administrators troubleshoot their network environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Oct 2022
Network monitoring tools must offer more insights upfront
Vendors' network monitoring tools can require complex customization after purchase. New EMA research points to the need for tools to deliver more out of the box. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2022
How to perform VLAN troubleshooting
Common VLAN issues include physical connectivity problems, duplex mismatches, forwarding loops, unicast flooding and Layer 3 configuration errors. These troubleshooting steps can help. Continue Reading