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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

• Google Cloud, HPE team up for new hybrid cloud platforms
• Public cloud networking basics: How to navigate to AWS, Azure
• Improve data center efficiency with these 3 steps

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

• packet

  A packet is the unit of data that is routed between an origin and a destination on the Internet or any other packet-switched network.

• client-server model (client-server architecture)

  Client-server is a relationship in which one program (the client) requests a service or resource from another program (the server). At the turn of the last century, the label client-server was used to distinguish distributed computing by personal computers (PCs) from the monolithic, centralized computing model used by mainframes.

• OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection)

  OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a reference model for how applications communicate over a network.

Highlights

• What is a programmable data plane and where does P4 fit in?
• What do you know about the history of mobile networks?
• What you need to know about edge computing architecture

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

• Review the benefits of network performance monitoring strategies
• IoT device monitoring added to Nyansa Voyance
• What is Cisco Smart Licensing and how might it benefit my business?

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)

  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 tools can reinforce network edge security?
• What does a zero-trust model mean for network security?
• NetOps vs. DevOps vs. NetSecOps: What's the difference?

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

• How to improve your networking career path in 3 steps
• 10 metrics to drive a NetOps 2.0 culture shift
• What it takes to be a steward of your SDN career

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

• IT directors share SD-WAN advantages and advice
• What is a programmable data plane and where does P4 fit in?
• Juniper SD-WAN as a service linked to wired, wireless LAN

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

• baseband unit (BBU)

  A baseband unit (BBU) is a device that interprets baseband frequencies in telecom systems including computer networks, the internet, phone networks and radio broadcasting systems.

• Robert Metcalfe

  Robert Melancton Metcalfe is a United States engineer and inventor born April 7, 1946 who has credits in co-creating the internet, Ethernet, 3Com, and the self-named Metcalfe’s law.

• team collaboration

  Team collaboration is a communication and project management approach that emphasizes teamwork, innovative thinking and equal participation to achieve objectives.

Highlights

• What do you know about the history of mobile networks?
• Examine the requirements for 5G core networks
• How 5G can start a brand new era for the virtual RAN

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

• IT directors share SD-WAN advantages and advice
• Juniper SD-WAN as a service linked to wired, wireless LAN
• New ASIC bolsters Fortinet SD-WAN performance

More WAN Topics

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