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Data Center

Learn about data center networking considerations, including evolving data center network architectures and components, emerging data center network protocols and standards, and converged data center and storage networks.

Recent Definitions

• load balancing

  Load balancing is a technique used to distribute workloads uniformly across servers or other compute resources to optimize network efficiency, reliability and capacity.

• data center interconnect (DCI)

  Data center interconnect (DCI) is a segment of the networking market that focuses on the technology used to link two or more data centers so the facilities can share resources. There are many options for DCI connectivity and selecting the right one depends upon a wide range of variables, including the location of the data centers, the distance between data centers, bandwidth and availability requirements, the capabilities of local service providers and security concerns.

• network orchestration

  Network orchestration is a policy-driven approach to network automation that coordinates the hardware and software components a software application or service requires to run.

Highlights

• Arista EOS containers integrated with Red Hat, Tigera products
• VMware service mesh aims to help DevOps with microservices
• Packet broker added to Big Switch cloud fabric on AWS

More Data Center Topics

• Cloud Networking
• Data center interconnect
• Network application performance

Infrastructure

Advancements in enterprise hardware and network protocols are allowing network pros to take advantage of new technologies to design and implement logical and physical LANs that contribute to business success. In our network infrastructure section, find out what you need to know to design your enterprise local area network infrastructure, including 10/100/100 Ethernet and switching technology, green networking initiatives, PoE, VLANs, and information on IP addressing, subnetting, TCP/IP and network routing protocols.

Recent Definitions

• Enterprise DNS

  Enterprise DNS is an enterprise-class implementation of the domain name system (DNS) that resolves external and internal queries for large organizations in a centrally managed, scalable, automatable and secure way.

• Network protocol

  A network protocol is a set of established rules that dictates how to format, transmit and receive data so computer network devices -- from servers and routers to endpoints -- can communicate regardless of the differences in their underlying infrastructures, designs or standards.

• NetOps

  NetOps, also referred to as NetOps 2.0, is a networking approach that encompasses the use of DevOps tools, methods and techniques to create an agile, scalable and programmable infrastructure capable of delivering business-critical applications and services rapidly and efficiently.

Highlights

• 10 metrics to drive a NetOps 2.0 culture shift
• Cumulus Linux, NetQ available for Lenovo RackSwitch
• Providers widen telecom cloud services for the enterprise

More Infrastructure Topics

• Content delivery networks (CDNs)
• Edge computing
• Mobile and wireless network technology
• Network protocols and standards
• Network services
• Network virtualization technology
• Open source networking

Network management

Enterprises must be able to accurately track network performance to ensure users can access the applications they need. Find out about the latest trends shaping network monitoring software and tools, including expert advice about the steps companies should take to best manage their networks.

Recent Definitions

• NetOps

  NetOps, also referred to as NetOps 2.0, is a networking approach that encompasses the use of DevOps tools, methods and techniques to create an agile, scalable and programmable infrastructure capable of delivering business-critical applications and services rapidly and efficiently.

• load balancing

  Load balancing is a technique used to distribute workloads uniformly across servers or other compute resources to optimize network efficiency, reliability and capacity.

• optical network (photonic network)

  An optical (photonic) network transmits information as optical rather than electronic signals: It uses light, not electrical currents, to convey data.

Highlights

• 10 metrics to drive a NetOps 2.0 culture shift
• How can organizations improve their network change management?
• SolarWinds adds SDN monitoring to network management tools

More Network management Topics

• Network automation and intent-based networking
• Network management software and network analytics

Network Security

Here you'll find network security resources for selecting and implementing security devices and maintaining secure networks. Find out how to design a secure network perimeter, where to locate a firewall and whether you need network access control.

Recent Definitions

• Payload (computing)

  The term payload, when used in the context of networking or telecommunications, is the data carried inside of a packet (or other network protocol data units like frames or segments).

Highlights

• Site-to-site VPN vs. remote-access VPNs: What's the difference?
• Juniper ATP appliance gets broader device support
• What are the differences between network security vs. cybersecurity?

Networking careers

Learn about networking certification and career resources to help engineers, managers, and architects and specialists hone their networking skills. Read about the most popular certifications, including Cisco's CCNA, CCNP, CCIE certifications, and learn how SDN, automation and other technologies are changing the way networking pros design and manage today's networks.

Recent Definitions

• NetOps

  NetOps, also referred to as NetOps 2.0, is a networking approach that encompasses the use of DevOps tools, methods and techniques to create an agile, scalable and programmable infrastructure capable of delivering business-critical applications and services rapidly and efficiently.

• network engineer

  A network engineer is a technology professional who has the necessary skills to plan, implement and oversee the computer networks that support in-house voice, data, video and wireless network services.

• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification)

  Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE certification) is a series of technical certifications for senior networking professionals who design, build, implement, maintain and troubleshoot complex enterprise networking infrastructures.

Highlights

• 10 metrics to drive a NetOps 2.0 culture shift
• What it takes to be a steward of your SDN career
• The growing ties between networking roles and automation

SDN

Software-defined networking architecture offers a new way to oversee network control, cloud connectivity and application performance. Explore SDN's benefits and disadvantages and catch up on the latest news and trends while learning about SDN's part in the networking industry's broader move to software-based networking.

Recent Definitions

• SD-branch

  SD-branch is a single, automated, centrally managed hardware platform and framework that supports SD-WAN, routing, integrated security and LAN/Wi-Fi functions.

• software-defined networking (SDN)

  Software-defined networking (SDN) is a network architecture that aims to make data center networks agile and flexible.

• programmable network (PN)

  A programmable network is one in which the behavior of network devices and flow control is handled by software that operates independently from network hardware.

Highlights

• Cumulus Linux, NetQ available for Lenovo RackSwitch
• What are the top 3 benefits of NFV technology?
• Packet broker added to Big Switch cloud fabric on AWS

Telecom networks

Learn about traditional and emerging telecommunications networking technology, including core, access and metro network infrastructure for global, national and regional wired and wireless service provider networks. Beyond network infrastructure, find expert advice on telecom business issues and network operations.

Recent Definitions

• radio access network (RAN)

  A radio access network (RAN) is the part of a telecommunications system that connects individual devices to other parts of a network through radio connections.

• small cell

  Small cell is an overarching term for wireless network base stations with a low radio frequency power output, footprint and range.

• dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)

  Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is a technology that puts together -- multiplexes -- data signals from different sources so they can share a single optical fiber pair while maintaining complete separation of the data streams.

Highlights

• Providers widen telecom cloud services for the enterprise
• Colorado believes autonomous vehicles technology can save lives
• How NFV and SDN could shape the future of telecom

WAN

Wide area network connections allow companies to access and share corporate resources among distributed sites. Discover more about available WAN technologies and services and how organizations can use them to aptly meet business requirements. Learn about factors such as the number of company sites, location, security and bandwidth needs when assessing WAN requirements.

Recent Definitions

• load balancing

  Load balancing is a technique used to distribute workloads uniformly across servers or other compute resources to optimize network efficiency, reliability and capacity.

• Network as a Service (NaaS)

  Network as a service (NaaS) is a business model for delivering enterprise-wide area network services virtually on a subscription basis.

• hybrid WAN

  A hybrid WAN is a wide area network that sends traffic over two or more connection types. Hybrid WANs permit dynamic traffic engineering across both private and public domains, using a variety of connectivity options to make the best use of network resources.

Highlights

• 'Best-of-breed' SD-WAN option supersedes big boxes, expert says
• The future of SD-WAN moves away from stand-alone product
• Gauge your platform purchasing options before SD-WAN deployment

More WAN Topics

• Branch office network design
• Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN)
• WAN optimization and performance