Data Center Blog Section

SDN is still a long way from fulfilling its much-hyped promise, but that's not a bad thing. Art Cole explains why.

Cisco, Facebook, Avaya, and others open up to open source. What does this mean for network managers?

New releases from Brocade, HP, Dell, and 6connect look to fabric architectures to achieve truly dynamic network infrastructure.

New server interconnect technology will help enable big changes in the data center.

Can the telecom industry keep up with the increasing bandwidth demands of the cloud?

Major hardware vendors aim to cut themselves a slice of the SDN pie.

To support a cloud-based future, new developments in LAN and WAN technology aim to overcome the current limitations of network topologies.

New developments in network automation will help SDN fulfill its promise.

SDN, virtualization, and the cloud are changing the very infrastructure of enterprise networking.

Can emerging flash management technologies help server-side flash take on the SAN and NAS storage big boys?

Software defined networking may not be able to do everything its proponents say it can.

The traditional firewall method is becoming outdated; enterprises should focus on data protection instead.

As fast gets faster, organizations should reassess their needs.

Merging voice and video settles a number of issues, but new ones need to be addressed.

You can't monitor what you can't see, and more and more of the network infrastructure is beyond your direct control.

Cisco’s integrated, unified networking ASIC is a boon for companies with mobile workers.

Companies compete to redefine the data center.

How should the enterprise approach the tradeoff between speed and safety?

With software defined networking, does the underlying hardware matter?

Will SDN deliver the promised efficiency and cost savings?

Imagine if all cloud services could work seamlessly together.

The year ahead will be all about SDN, but how will it play out?

Networking may soon join the list of items, like servers and storage, that no longer require a hands-on approach to management and maintenance.

vLANs simply are not up to the level of functionality that network architects have in mind, but that doesn't mean they have no useful purpose.

Will the enterprise face disparate network environments even under SDN architectures?

The new order isn't likely to eliminate existing storage network architectures, but maybe tweak them a little in form and function

Software Defined Networking provides true network virtualization but there are key differences in the way each of the major platforms function.

Few people seem to realize that SDN isn't about networks or software, but applications

How can you keep track of network goings on when you don't actually own the network?

The growing legion of SDN products is allowing established providers to transition to more dynamic, federated infrastructure even as it gives small firms and start-ups a chance to break into markets that are currently ontrolled by the titans

vCider specializes in a unique form of virtual network overlay technology designed to enable enterprises to provision and maintain SDN architectures in the cloud

There are a lot of exciting things going on in networking, but they may require upgrades to core switching equipment to implement.

SDN is shaping up to be the next big thing.

Could it be that the enterprise is on the cusp of a radically re-imagined storage architecture that could kick both virtualization and the cloud into even higher gear?

It's likely that the handful of SDN application endeavors already will soon be joined by a plethora of commercial developers ready to get in on the action.

Actual products are starting to take shape, so the time is right to start handicapping.

InfiniBand could make a comeback in the enterprise, but a huge installed Ethernet base won't make it easy.

New devices promise lower power consumption for data center networks.

vLANs and SDN could be the answer to scalability challenges posed by virtualization and the cloud. But which standards will win out?

Interest in WAN optimization technology remains high as enterprises seek to improve cloud performance and maintain strong data connections to branch offices without the time and expense of major network upgrades.

Is SDN the answer?

Traffic loads and patterns will be in a constant state of flux as users become accustomed to wider varieties of increasingly complex applications and data sets.

Keeping pace with the needs for more flexible and responsive networks will continue to challenge organizations for years to come.

How will the enterprise to manage and monitor infrastructure that is beyond its direct control?

Software defined networking (SDN) has emerged as the latest buzzword in enterprise circles, but the question remains whether it represents the next big thing or merely the latest entry to the long list of good ideas that failed in the marketplace.