What is your definition of SDN?
Software-defined networking took center stage at this year’s Interop conference but many IT professionals are still having difficulty with the basic definition before they consider implementation. So that got us thinking: What is your definition of SDN?

Answer Question   |  June 4, 2013  1:32 PM
Interop, SDN, software defined networking

Is SDN more than OpenFlow? What about overlay networking?
As techniques like OpenFlow gain a foothold in the physical and virtual infrastructure layers and the multi-tenancy models mature, should OpenFlow conversations be taking place between the provider-controlled layer and the application-controlled layer? How do we – vendors, users, and industry pros – differentiate between SDN layer products? Is is OpenFlow vs. non-OpenFlow? Or layer2-3 [...]

Answer Question   |  May 13, 2013  6:06 PM
application layer, application SDN, Layer 2, Layer 7, openflow, overlay SDN, SDN, software defined networking, Switches

Hub and Spoke Network
Can you keep patient data completely separate with a Hub and Spoke Network if two different companies want to go into a joint venture with each other? Thank you.

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  5:04 PM
Networking, Networking hardware, SDN

Do you think Cisco’s new software business strategy will work?
During a recent meeting with the media, Cisco executives said they are looking to double their software business over the next five years through acquisitions and emerging technology (especially software-defined networking). Do you think this new strategy will work for Cisco? Could it backfire on the company?

Answer Question   |  February 25, 2013  8:25 PM
Cisco, Networking, SDN

What do you see happening in the networking industry in 2013?
Network security, data center networks, campus LANs, software-defined networking…these are just some of the major topics that are making waves in the networking industry. The SearchNetworking team recently asked several industry analysts for their networking predictions for 2013. How about you? What do you see happening in the industry in 2013?

Answer Question   |  February 25, 2013  5:36 PM
Networking, Networking security, Networking services, SDN

Open IT Forum: What to expect in network overhauls
Whether because of horrific wiring sprawls or hardware upgrades, we’d love to hear about your reasons for network overhauls, the obstacles you faced, and the lessons you learned. Pass on the knowledge and earn 50 knowledge points toward our current contest where you could win $100!

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  7:40 PM
Knowledge Point Bounty, Network design, Networking, Networking Equipment, Networking hardware, networking standards, Open IT Forum, SDN

Pros and cons of storage virtualization
Can anyone share pros and cons of storage virtualization that they know of or have experienced? What other options are just as worthy of consideration to cut costs and increase storage efficiency?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  3:48 PM
SDN, Storage, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software

Suggestions for storage virtualization software?
We’d love to hear suggestions for storage virtualization software you’ve used or anticipate using. Specs, reqs, and experience details would be greatly appreciated. Especially helpful discussions will receive 50 knowledge points.

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  3:45 PM
Knowledge Point Bounty, SDN, Storage, Storage devices, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software

Recommendations for storage virtualization appliances
I’d appreciate any recommendations for storage virtualization appliances and strategies. Thanks!

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  5:18 PM
SDN, Storage, Storage devices, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

How does virtualization change my storage needs?
We’ve been considering server virtualization over the past year, but I’m wondering what sort of planning and preparations we’ll have to make for storage, since virtualized servers use up significantly more storage space. Any advice or resources for further research?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  7:58 PM
SDN, Server virtualization, Server Virtualization Implementation, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization

Configuring layer-3 switch to be a router
How to configure L3 switch to act as router? How error frames are generated, detected, cleared in a switch?

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  10:47 AM
L3 Switches, Networking hardware, Routers, SDN, Switch configuration

Would you or do you buy hardware off eBay?
I’ve seen mailing lists where people will hock used or “pre-owned” or even new networking equipment, for example, on eBay, and I’m curious if members here have any personal experience? Is it playing a dangerous game or if a user has a good reputation, is it a way to save a few bucks?

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  5:57 PM
Networking Equipment, Networking hardware, Networking in 2010, SDN

Router
How many management, aux and console ports are there in a router?

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  5:47 AM
Networking Equipment, Networking hardware, Routers, SDN

Routing
Which is the best routing method for medium scale network?

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  4:31 AM
Network Configuration, Networking hardware, Routers, SDN

One or multiple service providers for the WAN?
Do you use one or more service providers to provide connectivity to your WAN? Is it worth the extra cost to have redundancy from multiple partners, or is this just throwing money down the drain?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  6:54 PM
SDN, service provider networks, WAN technologies, WAN Telecom services

Where can I find network diagrams of Layers 1-7?
Where can one find Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, etc. network diagrams? It seems that different companies have different ideas of what should be displayed in each diagram. Is there a uniform book with clear samples that one can follow?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  1:32 PM
Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4, Layer 5, Layer 6, Layer 7, Network Diagrams, Networking, Networking design, SDN

What types of Layer 4 (L4) or transport layer switch exist?
How many kinds of Layer 4 switches are there?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  8:47 PM
Layer 4, Layer 4 Switches, Networking, OSI, SDN, Switches, Transport Layer Switches

Hub, router and switch
What is the difference? How do you know which one to use? Thanks.

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  1:02 PM
Hubs, Networking hardware, Routers, SDN, Switches

When not to use a Layer 3 switch over a router
If a Layer 3 switch is faster than a router, why can’t we use an L3 in place of a router?

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  3:57 PM
L3 Switches, Layer 3 switches, Networking Equipment, Networking hardware, Routers, SDN, Switches

Why use Layer 3 switches and how do they differ from Layer 2 switches?
Why do we use Layer 3 (L3) switches, and how are they different from Layer 2 (L2) switches?

Answer Question   |  February 26, 2013  10:06 PM
L3 Switches, Layer 2 switches, Layer 3 switches, Layer switching, Networking, Networking Equipment, Networking hardware, SDN