Network Computing

Upcoming Events

In most data centers, DCIM rests on a shaky foundation of manual record keeping and scattered documentation. OpManager replaces data center documentation with a single repository for data, QRCodes for asset tracking, accurate 3D mapping of asset locations, and a configuration management database (CMDB). In this webcast, sponsored by ManageEngine, you will see how a real-world datacenter mapping stored in racktables gets imported into OpManager, which then provides a 3D visualization of where assets actually are. You'll also see how the QR Code generator helps you make the link between real assets and the monitoring world, and how the layered CMDB provides a single point of view for all your configuration data.

Register Now!

A Network Computing Webinar:
SDN First Steps

Thursday, August 8, 2013
11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET

This webinar will help attendees understand the overall concept of SDN and its benefits, describe the different conceptual approaches to SDN, and examine the various technologies, both proprietary and open source, that are emerging. It will also help users decide whether SDN makes sense in their environment, and outline the first steps IT can take for testing SDN technologies.

Register Now!

Next Gen NetworkTech Center

Your company has always made demands on the network, but in the last ten years, the biggest demand has been for more bandwidth. While increasing bandwidth is still important, supporting the diverse set of applications now coming onto the scene is going to impact how you design and manage your network from edge-to-core. Our Next Generation Network Tech Center delivers best practices, emerging trends, new products and strategies to help you prepare for the next generation network.

News and Analysis

10 Ways Software-Defined Networking Will Change IT

When networking professionals converge upon New York for Interop this week, software-defined networking (SDN) stands to establish itself as a major theme throughout session talks and informal conversations. As the industry watches the results of early adopter case studies and hears pundits advocate for this new means of controlling the network fabric, consensus is building for the potential that SDN could be an IT game-changer. Here's how, in the words of experts from around the industry.

Cisco NCS Tackles Internet of Things

NCS routers target service providers; Oracle debuts backup appliance; LogRhythm provides network anomaly detection; KEMP unveils ADC for Windows Azure.

More Stories

Blogs

A Plug For Plugfests

August 15, 2013 12:41 PM

Posted by

Standards are great, but there can be significant differences in vendor implementations. The University of New Hampshire's InterOperability Lab provides a neutral venue for testing and analysis.

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Tags: plugfest, University of New Hampshire’s InterOperability Lab, TRILL, UNH-IOL, interoperability testing, networking products, Extreme Networks, HP

Channel: Next Gen Network, , Data Center

IPv6 Adoption On The Rise

August 14, 2013 01:06 PM

Posted by Tom Hollingsworth

Several reports indicate that both service providers and enterprises are making the switch to IPv6, negating the need for LISP or tunnel services to help with the transition.

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Tags: IPv6 adoption, IPv6 transition, Cisco LISP, Fred Baker, Carrier Grade NAT

Channel: IPv6, Next Gen Network, Networking & Mgmt

Mobile App Development Skills: Buy, Rent or Build

August 09, 2013 02:16 PM

Posted by Kurt Marko

Companies getting into mobile app development can buy or rent outside talent, but the best bet may be creating your own team. Here's why.

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Tags: Appcelerator, PhoneGap, Corona, RhoMobile, Xamarin, Javascrip, iOS, Android

Channel: Wireless, Cloud Computing, Next Gen Network,

IPv6 Transition: Cisco LISP Vs. Tunnel Services

August 08, 2013 11:56 AM

Posted by Tom Hollingsworth

Cisco says its LISP protocol is an ideal transition tool for IPv6, but tunnel broker services require less configuration and can be easily removed once native IPv6 support is in place.

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Tags: IPv6, IPv4, ARIN, Hurricane Electric, SixXS, tunnels

Channel: Data Center, , WAN & App Acceleration, Cloud Computing, Next Gen Network, Networking & Mgmt, IPv6

SDN Is Not a Technology, It's A Use Case

August 07, 2013 12:55 PM

Posted by Greg Ferro

Software defined networking is not a discrete technology, but rather a set of use cases that require a variety of technologies to meet customer needs.

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Tags: Cisco, VMware, Nuage Networks, Big Switch Networks, OpenDaylight, Juniper, OpenFlow

Channel: Virtualization, , Data Center, Next Gen Network, Networking & Mgmt

802.11ac: Preparing to Troubleshoot

August 05, 2013 05:30 PM

Posted by Lee H. Badman

As 802.11ac ratification approaches, make sure your WLAN management and troubleshooting tools will be ready for the change.

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Tags: packet capture, packet sniffing, APs, IEEE, WildPackets, OmniPeek

Channel: Networking & Mgmt, , Next Gen Network, Data Center, Wireless

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Next Gen Network Reports

Data Center Interconnects: An Overview

It's common for organizations of a certain size to have two data centers as part of a disaster recovery or business continuity plan. A data center interconnect extends an Ethernet network between two physically separate data centers. While the idea is simple, Ethernet wasn't designed to run across a WAN. Thus, a DCI implementation requires a variety of technological fixes to work around Ethernet's limitations. This report outlines the issues that complicate DCIs, and examines the variety of options companies have to connect two or more data centers, -including dark fiber, MPLS services and MLAG, as well as vendor-specific options such as Cisco OTV and HP EVI.

Is Hosted VoIP Right for You? 6 Must-Ask Questions

We outline six questions you must ask when deciding whether to move your telephony system to a hosted VoIP provider, including questions about reliability, branch survivability, E911 capability and whether you�re looking for additional collaboration services. We also outline how to price a hosted VoIP option.

Understanding Flat Networks

A flat network or fabric provides more paths through the network and can maximize bandwidth and better support a highly virtualized data center. We'll look at standards-based approaches to designing a flat network, including TRILL and SPB, as well as proprietary implementations. We'll also discuss the implications of moving to a flat network and provide guidance to help you decide if this approach is right for your data center.

3 Paths To Network Convergence

Separate data and storage networks might have been necessary when Fast Ethernet was pitted against speedy, special-purpose Fibre Channel, but Ethernet's evolution has obviated most of the performance differences. We'll examine the trends behind network convergence, share exclusive research, and outline three deployment scenarios for those who want to merge data and storage networks.

Networking In A Virtualized World

Virtualization is rapidly evolving into a core element of next-generation data centers. This expanded role places new strains on the network. This report explore the technical issues exposed by virtualized infrastructure and looks at standards, technologies and best practices that can make your network ready to support virtualization.

Research and Reports