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SDN and other network strategies

Build up your knowledge of leaf-spine network technology

As organizations deal with challenges of single tree path networks, many admins are considering leaf-spine architectures. Learn the ways its topology helps latency and data flow. Continue Reading
4 steps for a smooth SDN installation

Software-defined infrastructure can be tricky to implement. Automation, vendor-supported hardware and skilled developers are essential for smooth updates. Continue Reading
infrastructure (IT infrastructure)

Infrastructure is the foundation or framework that supports a system or organization. Continue Reading
Software-based networking brings new automation perks, challenges

More data center teams have moved to software-defined networks. And while the technology brings new benefits around automation, it also brings a host of implementation challenges. Continue Reading
Test yourself on modern data center networking architecture

Evolving business needs demand a new approach to data center networking. Keep yourself updated on SDN, VXLAN and other technologies with this quiz. Continue Reading
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Full SDDC architecture adoption remains in the distant future

Why are most organizations not adopting full SDDCs yet? Find out what's blocking their road to an SDDC architecture and how some companies are overcoming those challenges.Continue Reading
Cutting edge: IT's guide to edge data centers

As organizations look to support a growing workforce, or enable IoT, edge computing is gaining traction in the enterprise -- but it also presents challenges for data center managers.Continue Reading
SD-WAN benefits create serious competition for MPLS

SD-WAN architecture offers features that reduce operational costs and simplify deployment models. Learn how to take advantage of SD-WAN benefits and navigate its potential downfalls.Continue Reading
Get in the know about data center Ethernet

Bring yourself up to speed on what's happening in the realm of data center Ethernet with this quick guide covering advances in standards, speeds and cabling.Continue Reading
leaf-spine (leaf-spine architecture)

Leaf-spine is a two-layer network topology composed of leaf switches and spine switches. Leaf-spine is a two-layer data center network topology that's useful for data centers that experience more east-west network traffic than north-south traffic.Continue Reading
Software-defined applications and infrastructure explained

The inner mechanics of today's software-defined applications and infrastructure reveal an interconnected web of isolated components and scalable resources, supervised by automated management.Continue Reading
Read this before attempting network microsegmentation

Microsegmentation makes network security more flexible with software-defined policies rather than manual configuration work, if implemented with forethought and the right tools.Continue Reading
Allocate IT resources for big data and IoT-based projects

Companies embarking on new big data and IoT-based projects would do well to critically examine the necessary processing power, memory, storage and networking resources involved, and how to best make use of the required capacity.Continue Reading
software-defined everything (SDE)

Software-defined everything (SDE) is an umbrella term that describes how virtualization and abstracting workloads from the underlying hardware can be used to make information technology (IT) infrastructures more flexible and agile.Continue Reading
The best server hardware to maximize IT performance

Get the latest tips on compute, networking and storage to choose the best server hardware to tackle IT workloads.Continue Reading
Data center experts predict 2016 IT trends

Software-defined everything, security, IoT, APIs and other technologies top our experts' predictions for 2016 data center trends.Continue Reading
Enterprise server architectures headed for a shake up

After a few humdrum years, server architectures are in for big changes to close out the decade.Continue Reading
A clear vision of the future data center in 2020

By 2020, what will the future data center look like? Take a peek at how networking, servers and storage will evolve in the next five years.Continue Reading
Automated infrastructure management untangles cabling

Cable management typically requires cumbersome manual approaches. As the pace of data center operations accelerates, automation must infiltrate the cable infrastructure.Continue Reading
Iceland's data center opportunities and challenges

Data centers in Iceland access a stable power grid and free cooling. But questions still loom about Iceland's available capital and global connectivity.Continue Reading
Small updates meet big data center requirements

Not all IT infrastructure projects require a large budget and lengthy schedule. These relatively inexpensive updates boost performance and reliability.Continue Reading
How to tell if OpenStack infrastructure is right for you

Your data center may -- or may not -- need a flexible open-source cloud. Is your facility ready to handle the infrastructure overhaul of storage and hardware?Continue Reading
Resolve a network bottleneck with these techniques

Data center network performance problems will disappear with fixes from a simple reorganization through a strategic overhaul.Continue Reading
Words to go: Data center design standards bodies

Need a handy reference sheet of the various data center standards organizations? Keep this list by your desk as a reference.Continue Reading
moves, adds and changes (MAC)

Moves, adds and changes (MAC) keep computing equipment in line with user needs and up-to-date, with disciplined process management.Continue Reading
Pair up NFV and SDN with physical networking for standardization

For an adaptable, modern network, combine SDN and NFV to tackle traditional flaws. Together, they fully integrate network components.Continue Reading
Vulnerability scanner tools in the data center

If you're wondering whether to use a software- or hardware-based network vulnerability scanner, take a look at your budget and network deployment.Continue Reading
Leaf-spine networks take the lead

Leaf-spine networks are replacing traditional three-layer designs. Get the basics explained here.Continue Reading
What's the best data center network topology?

You need to know these most common data center network topologies, and check out a host of alternative topologies waiting in the wings.Continue Reading
It's time for a software-defined networking architecture

How do you prepare IT personnel and infrastructure for network virtualization? How do you ensure implementing SDN will pay off in saved time and effort? Start today.Continue Reading
access layer

The access layer is where host computers and end users connect to the network.Continue Reading
Net-SNMP (Net Simple Network Management Protocol)

Net-SNMP is a set of tools and libraries for implementing the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) on enterprise networks.Continue Reading
Creating a reliable and fast SAN network design with iSCSI

There are three tenets of designing an iSCSI network correctly. Proper iSCSI deployment yields affordable and reliable network access for the SAN.Continue Reading
Building blocks of converged infrastructures

The unifying theme of unified computing is vendor lock-in: one vendor for all or most components. But what are those pieces and what are your options?Continue Reading
Data center network design moves from tree to leaf

Leaf-spine designs are pushing out the hierarchical tree data center networking model, thanks to the popularity of Ethernet fabric networks.Continue Reading
open data center

An open data center is an IT facility that employs a clearly defined and standardized set of hardware and software products designed to make the data center interoperable with other IT facilities.Continue Reading
Categories of twisted pair cabling systems

ANSI/EIA (American National Standards Institute/Electronic Industries Association) Standard 568 is one of several standards that specify "categories" (the singular is commonly referred to as "CAT") of twisted pair cabling systems, such as wires, ...Continue Reading
liquid-tight strain-relief connector

A liquid-tight strain-relief connector is a special electrical connector or jacket used in cabling for electronic and computer systems where water or contaminant intrusion is a concern... (Continued)Continue Reading
raceway

A raceway is an enclosed conduit that forms a physical pathway for electrical wiring... (Continued)Continue Reading
limited combustible cable (LCC)

Limited combustible cable (LCC), also called CMP-50 cable, is fire-resistant cable with insulation made of a synthetic material called fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP).Continue Reading
alien crosstalk (AXT)

Alien crosstalk (AXT) is electromagnetic noise that can occur in a cable that runs alongside one or more other signal-carrying cables.Continue Reading
twisted pair

Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. (Continued...)Continue Reading
Andrew

Andrew was a joint project between Carnegie-Mellon University and IBM to set up a distributed computing environment on the CMU campus.Continue Reading

SDN and other network strategies

Definitions to Get Started