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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

• SDN controller (software-defined networking controller)

  An SDN controller is an application in a software-defined networking (SDN) architecture that manages flow control for improved network management and application performance.

• 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.

Highlights

• How cloud network services affect transformation and security
• ARM upgrades network visibility tool cARMa and adds Guru
• Kaloom introduces real-time INT for data center visibility

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

• domain name system (DNS)

  The domain name system (DNS) is a naming database in which internet domain names are located and translated into internet protocol (IP) addresses.

• 5G

  Fifth-generation wireless (5G) is the latest iteration of cellular technology, engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks.

• attenuation

  Attenuation is a general term that refers to any reduction in the strength of a signal.

Highlights

• What does stateful vs. stateless mean in a networking context?
• Cisco's acquisition of Acacia bolsters service provider offerings
• How cloud network services affect transformation and security

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

• 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 network health data and interface measurements to a centralized collector.

• network configuration management (NCM)

  Network configuration management is the process of organizing and maintaining information about all of the components in a computer network.

• intent-based networking (IBN)

  Intent-based networking (IBN) is a form of network administration that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), network orchestration and machine learning (ML) to automate administrative tasks across a network.

Highlights

• Can you integrate legacy network monitoring and analytics?
• Discover 3 real-world network automation use cases
• How to improve network visibility and regain control

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.

Highlights

• What does stateful vs. stateless mean in a networking context?
• A glossary of 10 essential network security terms
• How to improve network visibility and regain control

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

• Why networking certifications no longer matter
• What roles are included in a network engineer job description?
• Will 5G networks require new network engineer skills?

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

• segment routing

  Segment routing is a computer networking process used by networking and traffic engineering professionals that organizes collections of information, or packets, to follow a linear set of instructions.

• 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.

• SDN controller (software-defined networking controller)

  An SDN controller is an application in a software-defined networking (SDN) architecture that manages flow control for improved network management and application performance.

Highlights

• How to improve network visibility and regain control
• Pica8 PicOS upgrade enhances network security
• Fortinet TCO low, Silver Peak high in NSS Labs SD-WAN report

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

• Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)

  Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) is a standard for synchronous data transmission on optical fibers.

• PSTN (public switched telephone network)

  PSTN (public switched telephone network) is the world’s collection of interconnected voice-oriented public telephone networks.

• carrier cloud

  A carrier cloud is a cloud computing system, or network of servers that store data in a way that it is easily accessible from multiple locations, that is owned and operated by a traditional telecommunications service provider.

Highlights

• BGP tutorial: How the routing protocol works
• Cisco's acquisition of Acacia bolsters service provider offerings
• CEO Robbins: Cisco won't use Huawei ban in sales pitch

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

• Cisco's acquisition of Acacia bolsters service provider offerings
• 5G deployment will accelerate SD-WAN growth
• What does open source SD-WAN look like, and do we need it?

More WAN Topics

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