Network users need consistency.  A network where response times vary from lightning-fast to “go get a coffee while the screen loads” is one guaranteed to bring complaints.  Networks are at the core of most business operations. Slow, unresponsive networks can reduce business efficiencies and prevent them from attaining an edge over their competition. Networks are […]

Most major network suppliers including Cisco and HP have taken up the concept of the Software-Defined Network (“SDN”), intending to move to a full-blown Intent-Based Network (“IBN”) in the future. Simply put, an SDN reduces the capital and operational costs of network infrastructure by automating the basic configuration and management of the network. This moves […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

There is a new concept coming through IT Networking.  Software Defined (“SD-WAN”) networks provide a self-configuring self-healing environment.  The design is such that SD-WAN will lead ultimately to Intent Based networks, where the network will add self-learning to the mix where the network will define its own architecture and redefine it as usage changes and […]

Like most new professions, ICT has undergone a process of growing maturity.  At the outset, it was possible to know virtually all things ICT, and experience and a willingness to learn were the major employment criteria.  Certifications in various disciplines became available as the profession split into areas of specialism and they gradually became accepted […]

Copper-based network cabling has been with us since day one.   The first networks used TV style coax cabling and connectors because it already existed and was known to work. In many cases, manufacturers had already used that style of cabling to connect terminals to mainframes.    Some manufacturers, particularly IBM, developed their own cabling styles, but […]