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Category Archives for "Networking"

Basic Configuration of OSPF Over non-Broadcast Networks ( NBMA)

Today I will talk about the basic set of configurations of OSPF NBMA network type over the non Broadcast networks. Many of you guys already aware of the NBMA network type in the OSPF network. 

Before we start with the OSFP NBMA configuration part, I would like to tell you guys that we have our own youtube channel for various network videos that can further help you guys to study further. I will going to add many more videos soon on the channel, Please subscribe to the channel for the study network related videos


Subscribe us on Youtube: http://y2u.be/0c4lMYVp9go

Lets have a Basic OSPF Network diagram for you guys, then we will come up with the diagram showing the routers connected in the OSPF via Frame-Relay network which will act as a NBMA OSPF network type.


Fig 1.1- OSPF Network Connected to other Campus Via NBMA Networks- Frame Relay

NBMA stands for Non-Broadcast Multiple Access where the network types X.25 and Frame Relay has no capability to support Broadcast traffic. Here in our example we will take Frame-Relay as a NBMA network which is connected via two routers 1 and 2. I defined these routers as Continue reading

BrandPost: MPLS, SD-WAN Not an Either/Or Scenario

Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology is providing enterprises with greater flexibility and agility over WAN connectivity, but is being used to supplement rather than replace existing implementations of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) WAN circuits.That may be a surprise to many who are wowed by the fast pace of SD-WAN adoption. “In the classic engineer’s formulation, ‘You can have it cheaper, faster, or better…pick two,’” writes John Burke, CIO and Principal Research Analyst - Nemertes Research. “From time to time new technology comes along and, by changing the basic assumptions underlying existing solutions, manages to be cheaper and faster and better all at once. SD-WAN promises to hit the trifecta.”To read this article in full, please click here

Why Does It Take So Long to Upgrade Network Devices?

One of my readers sent me a question about his favorite annoyance:

During my long practice, I’ve never seen an Enterprise successfully managing the network device software upgrade/patching cycles. It seems like nothing changed in the last 20 years - despite technical progress, in still takes years (not months) to refresh software in your network.

There are two aspects to this:

Read more ...

Network Automation Engineer Persona: Proof-of-concepts

If you’ve chosen to do a proof-of-concept (PoC), you should already know what the challenge or requirement is, what your satisfactory results look like and what the product or tool set is that will deliver on your commitment. A proof-of-concept is a recipe that should give you a well baked set of results.

Approaching a PoC

Approaching a PoC is a conscious decision to trial an idea that if successful, your business will put in to daily production to satisfy one or more business requirements.

So why aren’t the results more apparent in our day to day lives? Why do we not see these decision points more transparently?

Some people approach PoCs as a tyre kicking exercise, or a means to get a vendor to commit to them and then use as leverage against cost. If you’re just playing, you’re wasting time. If you’re tyre kicking then be prepared for lack of commitment or interest in the future from individuals or organisations. Genuine PoCs and evaluations are a normal and acceptable part of business, so the responses are different from those assisting with PoCs.

Approach a PoC with clear intent and understanding of the challenge that faces you. You must Continue reading

5 ways to design your container network

There’s been a lot of talk about container networking in the industry lately (heck, we can’t even stop talking about it). And it’s for a good reason. Containers offer a fantastic way to develop and manage microservices and distributed applications easily and efficiently. In fact, that’s one of the reasons we launched Host Pack — to make container networking even simpler. Between Host Pack and NetQ, you can get fabric-wide connectivity and visibility from server to switch.

There are a variety of ways you can deploy a container network using Host Pack and Cumulus Linux, and we have documented some of them in several Validated Design Guides discussed below. Wondering which deployment method is right for your business? This blog post is for you.

Docker Swarm with Host Pack

Overview: The Docker Swarm with Host pack solution uses the connectivity module within Host Pack, Free Range Routing (FRR) in a container. The FRR container runs on the servers and uses BGP unnumbered for Layer 3 connectivity, enabling the hosts to participate in the routing fabric. We use Docker Swarm as the container orchestration tool for simplicity.

Choose this deployment if:

Cisco Wireless Solution : Local Mode Vs Flex Connect

Today I will talk about the Wireless deployment modes and will discuss which and why to use that deployment mode in the your wireless network. 


Wireless Deployment :Local Mode
In local mode, an AP creates two CAPWAP tunnels to the WLC.  One is for management, the other is data traffic.  This behaviour is known as "centrally switched" because the data traffic is switched(bridged) from the AP to the controller where it is then routed by some routing device.
Locally switched means the traffic is terminated at the local switch adjacent to the access point. 

Fig 1.1- Local Mode behind Mesh Network

Its a good idea if you have traffic that the client is sending to the local site rather than it going via the controller and travelling over the WAN link twice say for file or print services

Wireless Deployment : Flex Mode
Flex Connect also known as HREAP by the old timers, allows data traffic to be switched locally and not go back to the controller.  It basically causes the AP to behave like an autonomous AP, but be managed by the WLC.  In this mode, the AP can still function even Continue reading

Software Defined Networking : Introduction to VeloCloud SD-WAN Solution

Today I am going to talk about the another article on the Software defined networking and that is SD-WAN. SD-WAN stands for the software defined WAN. Earlier i talk about the SD-WAN solution from the Viptela which is now acquired by Cisco systems.

As I earlier talked about the SD-WAN architecture and the main focus on the control, Data and management plane. The intent is to separate the Data and control plane from the devices. Data plane as usual will be there at the box level (Routers, switches) while separated the control plane to centralised management systems where all decisions will be taken care.

For Viptela SD-WAN solution, please go through the below link for further study

Viptela SD-WAN Solution - Cisco Systems Company

I would like to tell you guys that we have our own youtube channel for various network videos that can further help you guys to study further. I will going to add many more videos soon on the channel, Please subscribe to the channel for the study network related videos

Subscribe us on Youtube: http://y2u.be/0c4lMYVp9go

VeloCloud SD-WAN Solution
Let's talk about the VeloCloud SD-WAN solution, as similar to the other vendors, Velocloud uses the same Continue reading

Predictions As A Service

It’s getting close to the end of the year and it’s time once again for the yearly December flood of posts that will be predicting what’s coming in 2018. Long time readers of my blog know that I don’t do these kinds of posts. My New Year’s Day posts are almost always introspective in nature and forward looking from my own personal perspective. But I also get asked quite a bit to contribute to other posts about the future. And I wanted to tell you why I think the prediction business is a house of cards built on quicksand.

The Layups

It’s far too tempting in the prediction business to play it safe. Absent a ton of research, it’s just easier to play it safe with some not-so-bold predictions. For instance, here’s what I could say about 2018 right now:

  • Whitebox switching will grow in revenue.
  • Software will continue to transform networking.
  • Cisco is going to buy companies.

Those are 100% true. Even without having spent one day in 2018. They’re also things I didn’t need to tell you at all. You already knew them. They’re almost common sense at this point. If I needed to point out that Cisco Continue reading

What do John Chambers and crickets have in common? The IoT

Earlier this year, Cisco announced the man who turned it from a small router company into the world’s dominant network vendor, John Chambers, was exiting his post as executive chairman of the board and it turned the mothership fully over to Chuck Robbins. This raised the question: What has Chambers been up to? Retired?Also on Network World: IoT catches on in New England fishing town Hardly. I met with Chambers near the end of his tenure as CEO, and he most emphatically stated he was not retiring. There are many things I admire about Chambers, but two of his more notable attributes are that he has a knack of catching market transitions and he has a burning desire to change the world. In fact, under Chambers, Cisco put together perhaps the best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in the industry, and that legacy has carried over in the Chuck Robbins era.To read this article in full, please click here