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

Components and cables to design/build a network
Hello there, I would like to design-build a network for a small company (about 80 employees). The company is divided in 3 sections which are: designers (30 employees), sales (30 employees) and administrator/marketing (15 employees). Also there are 3 managers and a CEO. What components do I need to build this network (router, switches, hubs) [...]

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2012  6:29 PM
Cables, Data transfer, Network, Network design, Routers, Switches

How many switches for a small network?
im designing a network for a small business. There are three departments in the business retail sales – 80 employees, sale support – 10 employees, accounts – 15 employees. I’ve decided to use star topology. It will have one router connecting to many switches. I was thinking of using multiple 48 port switches. Would it [...]

Answer Question   |  March 31, 2012  9:20 AM
Network Configuration, Network design, Port Switches, Switches

Converting a Layer 3 Switch to a Layer 2 Switch
How do I convert a layer 3 switch to a layer 2 switch? Can I just configure the layer 3 switch as if it were a layer 2 switch?

Answer Question   |  March 31, 2012  9:55 AM
L3L2, Layer 2 switches, Layer 3 switch, Switches

GRE Tunnel ARP entry never times out
Sulaiman Syed,  I would like to reproduce this with just 1 or 2 router/swirch, can you provide me the simplest configuration reproduce this issue. with connection details or small topology details. Thanks in advance Umesh    

Answer Question   |  March 31, 2012  1:36 PM
ARP and RARP, GRE, Routers, Switches

Using switches to extend my network
Can I use switches to extend my network? What is the limit of how far I can physically extend it? We are using Cat6 and gigabit.

Answer Question   |  April 11, 2012  1:37 PM
CAT6, Gigabit ethernet switches, Network administration, Switch configuration, Switches

Cisco vs HP
I have read a lot about the debate between Cisco and HP switches. In what use cases does going with the HP product make a lot of sense and how much of Cisco’s installed base is realistically at risk? What are the primary factors that sway decision makers one way or the other?

Answer Question   |  March 31, 2012  6:12 PM
Cisco, Cisco Routers and Cisco Switches, HP, HP switches, Networking, Open IT Forum, Routers, Switches

Switches, Router for Call center?
Helping a friend with a call center for an NGO in spare time. There would be 100 workstations & 100 VOIP phones. What switches and routers do I need to put this call centre together and run the phones with power over Ethernet? Any information about CRM/ACD etc would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Answer Question   |  August 16, 2011  9:56 PM
Call Center management, Call Centers, CRM, Routers, Switches, VoIP

Management software for HP 4000m switches
Does management software exist for HP 4000M switches? What can be controlled or viewed through it? Where can I find it?

Answer Question   |  June 13, 2011  2:43 PM
HP Software, HP Switch, HP switches, Management software, Switches

Preventing issues with PC/Mac integration
We are adding 10 new mac’s to our PC network we are adding a gigabit module to our 4000m switch. What else should we do to prevent issues with the pc/mac integration?

Answer Question   |  June 13, 2011  2:26 PM
Gigabit ethernet switches, Mac interoperability, Network design, Network hardware, Switches

Suggestions for replacing HP Procurve 4000m switches
We are replacing our hp procurve 4000m switches for some new technology. What would you recommend for a modern day version of these 4000Ms? They lasted 10+ years.

Answer Question   |  June 6, 2011  2:41 PM
HP ProCurve, HP switches, ProCurve Networking, ProCurve Switch 4000, Switches

Layer 3 switch or router ?
I am looking at having multiple networks created at the same premise. Each one will run a zone with work stations and servers. I am a bit confused between multiple routers and a layer 3 switch ? What do you guys suggest ?

Answer Question   |  June 6, 2011  8:23 AM
Layer 3 switches, Networking design, Networking Equipment, Routers, Switches

How to connect four FC brocade switches ?
Hi, i have Four FC brocade switches two internal in HP Blade server connected direct with blade servers and two FC brocade switches (DS-300B) connected direct to EMC SAN storage (CX4-120) , so my question now how i can connect four switches to be able to see all blade server HBA (WWN) throuh two switches [...]

Answer Question   |  May 22, 2011  12:22 PM
EMC CX4, FC, FC Switch, HP Blade Server, SAN storage, Switches

Connect console of 3com switch to PC Laptop through port 25 Up
Dear All, I have to connect console of 3com switch to a PC. Kindly Help Regards

Answer Question   |  May 3, 2011  4:36 AM
3Com, 3Com switches, Switch configuration, Switches

APC UPS for supporting multiple machines
We have an APC UPS that can shut down a server using USB or serial. Can we do this over ethernet to a switch? We want one device to support multiple machines.

Answer Question   |  April 21, 2011  7:42 PM
APC, Ethernet, Ethernet Switches, Switches, UPS, UPS managed shutdown, USB

Can’t Connect using 24 port Baylan Switch while working okay with an old baylan 08 port switch
Can’t Connect using 24 port Baylan Switch while working okay with an old baylan 08 port switch that has an Uplink additional port. When i connect using 24 port switch, it starrts dropping packets and ping response breaks continously. Can any one help on this. Please! My network structure is => Internet -> Cisco Router [...]

Answer Question   |  May 2, 2011  6:08 PM
Cisco, Cisco Routers, Networking design, Switches

Optimize Multicast with deployement ghost image (2960 connected 3750)
Hi, How methode to Optimize Multicast with deployement ghost image (2960 connected 3750). Because, since i have switch cisco the bandwith decrease for image deploy. The bandwith very slow ?. The igmp snooiping has activate. Best regards.

Answer Question   |  March 4, 2011  7:39 AM
Bandwidth management, Cisco switch configuration, Cisco switches, Switches

Preference of fiber channel over ethernet in FC switch?
To put it mildly, my experience with fiber channel switches is limited.  In actuality my only real experience is from a couple dozen google searches in trying to find the answer to these questions. Anyway, here’s a bit of background on what’s going on before I get to the questions:  My company has a McData [...]

Answer Question   |  March 4, 2011  3:38 PM
Ethernet, FC Switch, Fiber Channel, McData, McData switches, Switches, What's Up Gold

How do network hardware devices support IPv6?
I read that most routers and switches support IPv6, but how they support the protocol differs. The article said that specific network hardware devices have dedicated network processors while others have general purpose processors, which are worse because those forward packets at a slower rate. How can I tell whether the devices on my network [...]

Answer Question   |  June 8, 2011  9:38 PM
enterprise WAN, IPv4, IPv6, IPv6 compatibility, IPv6 transition, Network devices, Network hardware, Routers, Switches, WAN

Layer 3 Switches
Can Layer 3 switches connect direct to WAN with out a Router? If yes, Why choose Routers?

Answer Question   |  February 8, 2011  12:02 PM
Layer 3 switches, Layer 3 Switching, Routers, Switches