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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

• Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

  Secure Access Service Edge, also known as SASE -- pronounced 'sassy' -- is a cloud architecture that bundles network and security solutions together and delivers them as a unified cloud service.

• 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.

Highlights

• How to ensure a scalable SASE architecture
• VMware unveils rearchitected vSphere as Project Monterey
• Global company weighs 5G for manufacturing, IoT analytics

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

• What is edge computing? Everything you need to know

  Edge computing is a distributed information technology (IT) architecture in which client data is processed at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.

• edge device

  An edge device is any piece of hardware that controls data flow at the boundary between two networks.

• IEEE 802 wireless standards

  The IEEE 802 standard is a collection of networking standards that cover the physical and data-link layer specifications for technologies such as Ethernet and wireless.

Highlights

• Enterprise 5G: Guide to planning, architecture and benefits
• A work-from-home reimbursement policy for network tech
• How to set up backup internet connections for home offices

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

• edge device

  An edge device is any piece of hardware that controls data flow at the boundary between two networks.

• proxy server

  A proxy server is a dedicated computer or a software system running on a computer that acts as an intermediary between an endpoint device, such as a computer, and another server from which a user or client is requesting a service.

• real-time monitoring

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

Highlights

• What network automation certification options are available?
• Cisco to acquire container security specialist Portshift
• VMware updates vRealize Network Insight, NSX-T

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

• The basics of zero-trust network access explained
• How to ensure a scalable SASE architecture
• What are some VPN alternatives for remote access?

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

• The power and plights of female network engineers
• What network automation certification options are available?
• The future of networking jobs in the new normal

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

• Palo Alto SD-WAN gets analytics, Prisma security
• Is the SD-WAN home office here to stay?
• Home SD-WAN will redefine next-generation 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

• telecommunications (telecom)

  Telecommunications, also known as telecom, is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means and refers to all types of voice, data and video transmission.

• millimeter wave (MM wave)

  Millimeter wave (MM wave), also known as millimeter band, is the band of spectrum with wavelengths between 10 millimeters (30 GHz) and 1 millimeter (300 GHz).

• 5G new radio (NR)

  5G new radio, or 5G NR, is a set of standards that replace the LTE network 4G wireless communications standard.

Highlights

• US-China 5G competition hinges on enterprise apps, services
• 7 top 5G enterprise use cases and business opportunities
• Telecommunications book highlights spectrum, fiber cabling

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

• network slicing

  Network slicing overlays multiple virtual networks on top of a shared network.

• Cisco Performance Routing (PfR)

  Cisco Performance Routing (PfR) is a way of sending network packets based on intelligent path control.

• 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.

Highlights

• Bye-bye ISR, hello Catalyst 8000 for Cisco SD-WAN
• Juniper's 128 acquisition needed to improve SD-WAN
• Cisco ordered to pay $1.9B in Centripetal security patent suit

More WAN Topics

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