Authenticating to wireless networks should be fast and easy. In order to make that work, you need to build out the infrastructure to make it happen. Tom Hollingsworth takes a quick look at how Cisco is using their OpenRoaming technology to do just that.
Does the Apple Airport Extreme Use VLANs?
How would you segment your guest wireless traffic? Ever wonder how Apple does it with their Airport Extreme? Wonder no longer! Joel Crane has you covered with some PCAP analysis in this great post.
Predicting Data Patterns with Cradlepoint
5G is going to change the branch as we know it. But what happens when your branch office is sending more data than it should? How can you deal with the bill for overages? Tom Hollingsworth looks at Cradlepoint’s NetCloud platform and how it can help you manage your data usage with the help of machine learning.
How Do RFC3161 Timestamps Work?
What time is it? Pretty easy question, right? But what if you need to know exactly what time something was sent or received? And you needed to trust someone else to give you that information. RFC3161 covers this in detail, but how does it really work? Chris Marget tells you all about Trusted Time Protocol in this great post.
Testing the Whole System with NetAlly EtherScope nXG
Does your troubleshooting toolkit have a lot of unitasking devices? What if you could replace them with something that does all the work you could want? And what if that device was green? Tom Hollingsworth takes a look at NetAlly’s EtherScope nXG to see how it can help fix your wired and wireless network in one shiny new package.
Stupid Network Tricks
BYOD is a blessing and a curse. There are a multitude of ways that you can work with your own device, just as long as you follow the draconian rules set forth by security. Eric Ableson has some tips to keep your sanity when you’re trying to figure out how to get Dropbox working in a BYOD situation.
There Is No Layer-2 in Public Cloud
Layer 2 is the great equalizer. It’s where all data goes before it heads out on the wire. Well, except in the public cloud. Ivan Pepelnjak has a great reminder that what we know of as Layer 2 doesn’t exist in the public cloud. And that’s for the best.
Assuring Your Service Level with Ixia IxProbe
Are you getting what you’re paying for? If it’s a car wash or a movie it’s easy to figure out. But what if it’s your ISP connection? Do you even know where to find that answer? Tom Hollingsworth takes a look at the new IxProbe from Ixia to see how it can help you figure out if you’re getting your money’s worth out of your SLA.
Wi-Fi and the Netflix Effect
Is Netflix going to ruin your network? Maybe you should limit the ability of your guest wireless users to pull down HD movies in the waiting room? Jim Palmer has other ideas though. He’s got a great post (with lots of graphs) about why rate limiting Netflix and other streaming services is doing you a disservice.
Figure Out What Problem You’re Trying to Solve
You’ve got your solution and you’re ready to implement it. Now, stop and ask yourself what you’re actually trying to accomplish. Ivan Pepelnjak takes a look at the reasons why you really want to make sure that you’re actually trying to solve the right problem with the solution in your hands.