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Common AS/400 FTP questions answered
WAN engineers may have questions regarding AS/400 FTP. In this FAQ, get answers on some of the most common questions, such as how to make your AS/400 visible to an FTP server. FAQ
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If unchecked, IPv6 extension headers may affect router performance
Pared down IPv6 packet headers were designed to help networking devices process data faster, but the presence of IPv6 extension headers may in fact harm router performance. Feature
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MPLS vs. VPN: Comparing ADSL MPLS VPNs with ADSL IP VPNs
Expert Chris Partsenidis hashes out the MPLS vs. VPN debate to determine whether cheaper ADSL IP VPN alternatives are better than ISP-supported ADSL MPLS VPNs for your WAN. Tutorial
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Mobile broadband/SSL VPN solution keeps police officers in the field
An Alabama police department mobilized its officers by creating a mobile broadband and SSL VPN solution, forgoing a costly private network installation. Feature
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DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages
While many enterprises are moving from T1 to MPLS IP VPN connections, others are moving to DSL VPNs. Learn why and assess the DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages for yourself. Tutorial
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MPLS VPN tutorial
What are MPLS networks? How do they work and how are MPLS VPNs used in enterprise wide area networks (WANs)? This MPLS VPN tutorial will help you understand MPLS VPN basics. Tutorial
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Selecting reliable file transfer solutions: Seven essential requirements
In Selecting a File Transfer Solution: Seven Essential Requirements, Chapter 3 of ‘The Shortcut Guide to Eliminating Insecure and Unreliable File Transfer Methods,' author Dan Sullivan explains how to find the most reliable file transfer methods for ... Book chapter download
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File transfer methods: How can WAN managers improve the process?
In the first part of this interview with Dan Sullivan, author of 'The Shortcut Guide to Eliminating Insecure and Unreliable File Transfer Methods,' WAN managers can find answers on how file transfer methods need to change and which parts of the proce... Q&A
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Classes of MPLS services: Find the best MPLS/VPN service for your WAN
Despite the many names given to MPLS/VPNs by marketers, there are only three classes of MPLS-based VPN services with very distinct characteristics. If you’re able to map their service descriptions into one of these classes, you’ll immediately underst... Technology Primer
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Packet loss could be the source of WAN performance problems
Packet loss statistics from WAN service providers may appear insignificant, but could have a serious impact on an organization’s utilization of their wide area network. When troubleshooting remote links, network engineers can determine the impact tha... Feature
- See More: Essential Knowledge on WAN protocols
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No fireworks on World IPv6 Day, but IPv6 migration challenges remain
No, nothing blew up on World IPv6 Day. But wide area network (WAN) managers still have plenty to worry about with their own IPv6 migration planning and preparation. News | 22 Jun 2011
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WAN managers share their IPv6 migration strategies on World IPv6 Day
SearchEnterpriseWAN.com asked WAN managers about where they stand today with their IPv6 migration strategies as well as their thoughts on World IPv6 Day. News | 08 Jun 2011
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Professional services emerge for IPv6 migration, perhaps a bit early
Service providers are angling to sell consulting services to aid the IPv6 migration process. Their usefulness will depend on the project's size and the level of in-house expertise. News | 09 Dec 2010
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Data center consolidation demands WAN upgrade and optimization
One law firm's data center consolidation project leads to an MPLS migration and the adoption of WAN optimization. Sidley Austin consolidated its seven U.S. data centers down to one primary data center and a backup and connected all of its locations w... Article | 09 Jun 2010
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10 GbE core, MPLS networking nullify routers and ease WAN management
Using MPLS networking and simplifying its design with more powerful hardware allowed one credit union to ease WAN management and save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Article | 03 Mar 2010
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MPLS' 'dirty little secret': Dropped packets that impact performance
Up to 90% of companies are now using or considering MPLS to improve network performance. However, packet losses and other things that go bump in transfers may impact network performance if the right tools aren't used to detect and correct the situati... Article | 19 Aug 2009
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Selecting an MPLS provider: Customer support should be a priority
When selecting a provider for a managed MPLS network, enterprises must focus on more than just how the provider designs and builds the network. They should also think about the support they will get from the provider once the network is up and runnin... Article | 19 Nov 2008
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Next-generation wide area network services on the rise
Next-generation wide area network (WAN) services are on the rise as companies begin to migrate away from frame relay and ATM to services like MPLS and Ethernet VPN, according to recent research by analyst firm In-Stat. Drivers include the convergence... Article | 19 Jun 2008
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Broadband bonding vendor offers SMBs affordable appliance
Broadband bounding vendor Mushroom Networks is offering SMBs affordable ways to get high-speed Internet connections. Mushroom Networks can bond T1 lines, DSL lines and cable lines to aggregate their collective speeds into one high-speed connection. S... Article | 04 Jun 2008
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Cisco's new ASR 1000 edge routers improve network integration
Cisco's new ASR 1000 router series brings multi-service capabilities and high performance to the edge in a compact but powerful form factor. Article | 05 Mar 2008
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Troubleshooting MPLS WAN services: VPLS, pseudowires, and Layer-3 VPNs
Troubleshooting MPLS WAN services, like pseudowires, virtual private LAN services (VPLS) and Layer-3 VPNs (virtual private networks), can be trickier than traditional provider offerings. Learn how to fix Multiprotocol Label Switching wide area networ... Tip
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How to prepare enterprise WANs for MPLS/VPN integration
How should IT professionals prepare their enterprise WANs (wide area networks) for an MPLS VPN integration? Find out using the steps described in this tip. Tip
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When should companies consider building MPLS networks into their WANs?
Learn when corporations should consider building Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks into their enterprise wide area networks (WANs) in this tip. Tip
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How is MPLS different from SONET and ATM networks?
WAN managers face an array of technology possibilities, like SONET, ATM and MPLS, being pitched to them by every service provider. Making sense of these terms, and the differences between the technologies, will enable organizations to make an informe... Tip
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Reduce TCP congestion, packet loss on the WAN with SACK and FACK
TCP robustness and packet loss can be reduced with the use of the SACK and FACK algorithms on the WAN. Find out how these algorithms can help reduce congestion on the network. Tip
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Configure WAN interfaces on a Layer 3 switch
Is it possible to configure WAN protocols on Layer 3 (L3) switches? Learn about L3 switching and how it reacts in a WAN environment in this tip by expert Puneet Mehta and Dr. David Hughes. Tip
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Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Introduction
Learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-611 -- Implementing Cisco MPLS Exam. Tip
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Label imposition -- Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Lesson 4
Label imposition, the process by which labels are assigned to packets, is examined in the fourth tip in a series that will help you learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-61... Tip
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Distribution of labels -- Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Lesson 3
Distribution of labels with MPLS is covered in the third tip in a series that will help you learn skills required for the MPLS portion of the Cisco CCIP certification. These skills are tested in the CCIP 642-611 -- Implementing Cisco MPLS Exam. Tip
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Configuring MPLS and VRF -- Cisco CCIP MPLS certification: Lesson 6
Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) is a key component of Layer 3 MPLS VPNs. It enables PE routers to appear to be many routers to the customer edge (CE) routers. The provider edge (PE) router will maintain separate and distinct routing tables for e... Tip
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Do Layer-3 MPLS VPNs need to have BGP-4 support?
In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders explains why BGP-4 support is necessary when configuring a router for a Layer-3 MPLS VPN. Answer
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Are ADSL VPNs a type of MPLS VPN?
In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders explains the key differences between ADSL VPNs and MPLS VPNs. Answer
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Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)
Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) is a simple protocol that encapsulates packets in order to route other protocols over IP networks, as defined by RFC 2784. Definition
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Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
Multiprotocol Label Switching Definition
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OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a router protocol used within larger autonomous system networks in preference to the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), an older routing protocol that is installed in many of today's corporate networks. Definition
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File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard Internet protocol for transmitting files between computers on the Internet. Definition
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ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a set of CCITT/ITU standards for digital transmission over ordinary telephone copper wire as well as over other media. Definition
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Do Layer-3 MPLS VPNs need to have BGP-4 support?
In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders explains why BGP-4 support is necessary when configuring a router for a Layer-3 MPLS VPN. Answer
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Are ADSL VPNs a type of MPLS VPN?
In this Ask the Expert response, VPN expert Rainer Enders explains the key differences between ADSL VPNs and MPLS VPNs. Answer
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Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)
Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) is a simple protocol that encapsulates packets in order to route other protocols over IP networks, as defined by RFC 2784. Definition
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Common AS/400 FTP questions answered
WAN engineers may have questions regarding AS/400 FTP. In this FAQ, get answers on some of the most common questions, such as how to make your AS/400 visible to an FTP server. FAQ
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If unchecked, IPv6 extension headers may affect router performance
Pared down IPv6 packet headers were designed to help networking devices process data faster, but the presence of IPv6 extension headers may in fact harm router performance. Feature
-
MPLS vs. VPN: Comparing ADSL MPLS VPNs with ADSL IP VPNs
Expert Chris Partsenidis hashes out the MPLS vs. VPN debate to determine whether cheaper ADSL IP VPN alternatives are better than ISP-supported ADSL MPLS VPNs for your WAN. Tutorial
-
Mobile broadband/SSL VPN solution keeps police officers in the field
An Alabama police department mobilized its officers by creating a mobile broadband and SSL VPN solution, forgoing a costly private network installation. Feature
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DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages
While many enterprises are moving from T1 to MPLS IP VPN connections, others are moving to DSL VPNs. Learn why and assess the DSL VPN advantages and disadvantages for yourself. Tutorial
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MPLS VPN tutorial
What are MPLS networks? How do they work and how are MPLS VPNs used in enterprise wide area networks (WANs)? This MPLS VPN tutorial will help you understand MPLS VPN basics. Tutorial
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No fireworks on World IPv6 Day, but IPv6 migration challenges remain
No, nothing blew up on World IPv6 Day. But wide area network (WAN) managers still have plenty to worry about with their own IPv6 migration planning and preparation. News
- See More: All on WAN protocols
About WAN protocols
Working on a modern WAN means you need to know more than just IP and basic network protocols. Here you'll find resources on MPLS and internetworking protocols like BGP, OSPF and more.