Looking at the OSI 7 Layer Reference Model
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a 7 layer reference model for how applications can communicate over a network. Don't confuse The OSI model with TCP/IP Protocol which has 4 layers and is the actual architecture used for networking. More ...
VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol)
A VLAN (Virtual LAN) allows a network administrator to partition a LAN to conform to the business functions of the organization without physically modifying the network. VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) is a Cisco proprietary protocol that allows an administrator to configure VLANs on a single VTP server, easing the administration of a network. More ...
14 Common Network Ports You Should Know
Ports are virtual software-based and are managed by a computer's operating system. Different types of data flow to and from a computer over the same network connection. The use of ports informs computers what to do with the data they receive. Each port is assigned a number, and each is associated with a specific process or service. Port numbers are standardized, most reserved for certain protocols, for example, all HTTP messages go to port 80. More ...
Free eBook: IPv6 Addressing
All the IPv4 addresses are quickly being used up. The conversion to IPv6 is now underway. In this free eBook, Aaron Balchunas describes IPv6 and how to configure it to work along side IPv4. Learn which protocols will need to be updated to work with IPv6. Learn how to configure IPv6. More ...
TCP/IP Features
In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, using this book's straightforward, step-by-step approach, you'll discover how to implement, monitor, and manage a TCP/IP network?even the latest cloud-based and IPv6 networks. More ...
NTP Server Systems - The Network Time Protocol
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is utilized by NTP Server systems to distribute accurate time information to network time clients. The NTP protocol is widely used throughout the Internet to provide synchronization of computers and processes. This article discusses how NTP server systems utilize the Network Time Protocol to provide networks with an accurate reference of time. More ...
Network Switches
A bridge or router may be referred to as a switch because it uses information in the data packet to choose a path from one network segment to another. A bridge may be referred to as a layer 2 switch because it uses information from layer 2, the Data Link layer of the OSI model. More ...
IPv6 Address Types and Scopes
An IPv6 addresses have a size of 128 bits have three types, unicast, multicast, and anycast. Unicast addresses are for a one-to-one communication. Multicast addresses are for a one-to-many communication. Anycast addresses are for one node to nearest node of multiple nodes communication. More ...
Network Routing Protocols - IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, ISIS, BGP
The purpose of routing protocols is to learn of available routes on the network and make routing decisions. There are two primary routing protocol types; link state and distance vector. Some of the most common routing protocols include RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS and BGP. More ...
IPv6 Unicast Addresses
The 3 categories of IPv6 addresses are:Unicast identifies a single interface. A packet sent to a unicast address is delivered to the interface identified by that address. Multicast identifies a group of interfaces. A packet sent to a multicast address is delivered to all interfaces identified by that address. Anycast identifies a group of interfaces. A packet sent to an anycast address is delivered to the closest member of a group. More ...
Link Aggregation
If all ports on a switch are operating at the same speed, the ports most likely to experience congestion are ports connecting to another switch or router. To help alleviate congested links between switches, you can logically combine multiple physical connections into a single logical connection. More ...
The OSI Physical Layer
The Physical layer (OSI layer 1) deals with the mechanical and electrical specifications of the network hardware. Layer 1 specifications define connectors, pin-outs, signal voltages, and related software. More ...
Evolution of the Microsoft NOS (Active Directory)
A Network operating system (NOS0) is a networked environment in which resources, such as users, groups, and computers are stored in a central repository. Microsoft's first integrated NOS environment became available in 1990 with the release of Windows NT 3.0. More ...
Session Border Controllers - More Than Just a Voice Firewall
The migration from Time-Division Multiplexing to the more flexible IP based SIP networks brought an unexpected security challenge. Session Border Controllers focused primarily on SIP and H.323 session security. More ...
Pv6 Myths
There are several misperceptions or myths regarding IPv6. IPv6 has been around quite some time, initially introduced in 1995 with RFC 1883 and later obsoleted with RFC 2460 in 1998. Over the years, as IPv6 evolved and as people discussed the merits of the new protocol, certain misconceptions ensued. More ...
