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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

• open networking

  Open networking describes a network that uses open standards and commodity hardware.

• 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.

• bandwidth

  Network bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually, one second.

Highlights

• Small vendors that stand out in network automation
• Cisco says IT spending uptick possible despite pandemic
• Enterprises struggle to learn Microsoft Sonic networking

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

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

  TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a standard that defines how to establish and maintain a network conversation through which application programs can exchange data.

• wavelength

  Wavelength is the distance between identical points (adjacent crests) in the adjacent cycles of a waveform signal propagated in space or along a wire.

• UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

  UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a communications protocol that is primarily used for establishing low-latency and loss-tolerating connections between applications on the internet.

Highlights

• Wi-Fi vendors pitch people tracking for COVID-19 safety
• 5 things to know about MU-MIMO technology in Wi-Fi networks
• Enterprises struggle to learn Microsoft Sonic networking

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

• real-time monitoring

  Real-time (data) monitoring is the delivery of continuously updated information streaming at zero or low latency.

• 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.

• latency

  Latency is the delay from the input into a system to a desired outcome. In telecommunications, low latency is associated with a positive user experience (UX) while high latency is associated with poor UX.

Highlights

• Cisco acquisition of ThousandEyes has many user benefits
• 5 principles of the network change management process
• Small vendors that stand out in network automation

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

• bogon

  A bogon is an illegitimate IP 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 Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA).

• payload (computing)

  In computing, a payload is the carrying capacity of a packet or other transmission data unit. The term has its roots in the military and is often associated with the capacity of executable malicious code  to do damage. Technically, the payload of a specific packet or other protocol data unit (PDU) is the actual transmitted data sent by communicating endpoints.

• Snort

  Snort is an open source network intrusion detection system (NIDS) created by Martin Roesch.

Highlights

• Top 5 VPN myths and misconceptions for IT organizations
• NetOps-SecOps collaboration has its benefits and challenges
• Learn about SecOps: Cybersecurity basics for NetOps teams

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.

• system administrator (sysadmin)

  In information technology (IT), a system administrator (sysadmin) is a person who supports a multi-user computing environment and ensures continuous, optimal performance of IT services and support systems.

Highlights

• Network engineer career advice amid the COVID-19 pandemic
• Pair programming pros and cons for network automation
• 5 basic network management interview questions and answers

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 software-centric platform that replaces or supplements an existing branch network architecture.

• SD-WAN (Software-defined WAN)

  Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is technology that uses software-defined networking (SDN) concepts to distribute network traffic across a wide area network (WAN).

• software-defined networking (SDN)

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

Highlights

• Cisco acquisition of ThousandEyes has many user benefits
• Nvidia acquisitions open up AI opportunities
• Dental group slashes downtime by 99% with Meraki SD-WAN

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

• CenturyLink

  CenturyLink is an integrated telecommunications company that provides a wide variety of products and services to clients across the globe, including networking, cloud service and security solutions.

• Asynchronous

  In general, asynchronous -- pronounced ay-SIHN-kro-nuhs, from Greek asyn-, meaning "not with," and chronos, meaning "time" -- is an adjective describing objects or events that are not coordinated in time.

• dynamic spectrum access (dynamic spectrum management)

  Dynamic spectrum access (DSA), also referred to as dynamic spectrum management (DSM), is a set of spectrum utilization techniques that adjusts frequency in real time based on fluctuating circumstances.

Highlights

• ISPs rely on capacity for COVID-19 internet traffic spikes
• How ISPs and operators ensure network quality in a pandemic
• Short-depth Supermicro SuperServer targets 5G telecoms

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

• WAN optimization (WAN acceleration)

  WAN optimization -- also known as WAN acceleration -- is the category of technologies and techniques used to maximize the efficiency of data's flow across a wide area network (WAN), between organizations' centralized data centers and their remote locations.

• SD-WAN (Software-defined WAN)

  Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) is technology that uses software-defined networking (SDN) concepts to distribute network traffic across a wide area network (WAN).

• WAN (Wide Area Network)

  A wide area network (WAN) is a geographically distributed telecommunications network that interconnects multiple local area networks (LANs).

Highlights

• COVID-19 speeds SD-WAN evolution to elastic infrastructure
• The pros and cons of SD-WAN and remote access
• Open Systems' SASE tech wins TechTarget innovation award

More WAN Topics

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