As networks have grown more complex, the need for network automation tools has become more necessary. On one side, the need for advanced network management and security skills has increased the IT budget, at the same time as management has exerted downward pressure on budgets. One option is outsourcing, which has the benefit of fixing […]

Preventing unauthorised access to corporate networks is a major priority for most network managers. A firewall is an essential brick in the wall against hackers, and network managers need to pay close attention to it.  Changes in network organisation, updates to existing systems and introduction of new applications can all change the optimal configuration of […]

A key element of the management environment in any IT Networking scenario is the ability to manage and monitor network activity. It is usually split into two main areas, network security and network performance management. To be sure there are areas where requirements will overlap, and information from one may trigger activity in the other.  […]

A Content Delivery Network (“CDN”) is a network of proxy servers and data centres, specifically designed to provide high availability and performance for delivery of Internet content.  Initially mainly confined to media content delivery, their scope has expanded to other types of Internet content. They are frequently used by e-commerce vendors and media companies, who […]

Recently, WiFi has moved from large corporate environments to implementation of home networks for home and small business offices, domestic internet connections and other IP based applications such as home security and CCTV. Network designers need to keep some practical issues in mind when designing WiFi implementations. There are no real shortcuts to a good […]

At the heart of every network is a router.  It’s a bit like a traffic policeman, making sure that inbound and outbound traffic ends up on the correct network and regulating the traffic flow so it conforms with Quality of Service and maximises traffic flow. An incorrectly configured router can seriously affect network performance and, […]

Organisations are now so reliant on the Internet for the conduct of their business that it is no longer a question of “Do we need an Internet Connection” to “What is the best connection for us”.  Loss of an Internet Connection can have a serious effect on business performance, and in the case of online […]

Application security policies have been receiving a lot of attention recently as part of an overall corporate security environment. They are required to cover both the applications development process to ensure that security aspects are properly considered in the design and development phases and that the operational environment is also secure. As you can see, […]

The evolution of IT network silos mirrors the development of IT networks over the last thirty years or so. Back in the day, networks were constructed on a hub and spoke model. The data centre providing IT advice and support lay at the centre, and a well-defined network edge was where the business units operating […]

Fibre optic networks are becoming the transmission medium of choice in today’s networks. The traditional copper-based cabling is on the way to not supporting the high-bandwidth requirements of multi-media sites. Coupled with its life span of about 10 to 15 years, many copper-based UTP installations are needing to be replaced or upgraded. A further motivator […]