WAN performance and optimisation

Comms-platform-as-a-service revenues outpace unified-comms-as-a-service

Communications-platform-as-a-service uptake is benefiting from its ability to quickly add new functionality, the ease with which it can be customised and the flexibility of its pay-as-you-go service model Continue Reading

SD-WAN vs. load balancing: How are they different?

SD-WAN can use load balancing for WAN connections, but it doesn't require load balancing to work. Compare some of the similarities and differences between the two. Continue Reading

Cisco bolsters low-latency networking with Exablaze acquisition

Networking giant makes strategic acquisition of Australian provider of ultra-low latency devices and FPGA-based applications Continue Reading

Ofcom eases broadband switch process and outlaws locked mobiles

Regulator plans to make it easier for UK broadband customers to transition between different networks, or a full-fibre service on the same network Continue Reading

SD-WAN vs. DMVPN vs. IPsec tunnels: How do I choose?

Software-defined WAN, DMVPN and IPsec tunnels each have a place among enterprises. Our network expert compares each one and explains where they can be most beneficial. Continue Reading

Nokia inks TIM Brazil IoT contract and supplies Deutsche Bahn 5G automated rail operation

Finnish tech provider gains Wings in the IoT arena with Brazilian telco TIM, as well as providing 5G-based network for automated rail operations in Germany Continue Reading

Smart speakers gain volume as VoLTE set for 140% growth over next five years

Research shows products such as Amazon Echo and Google Nest will drive voice over LTE market growth Continue Reading

Cisco unveils plans for internet of the future

Online technology giant Cisco introduces platform for the internet of the future based on $5bn of investment in areas covering silicon, optics and software, bringing the ability to support massively scaled enterprise networks and 5G networks Continue Reading

Test your knowledge of SD-WAN deployments and testing

As SD-WAN becomes more mainstream, organizations must learn what to expect during all phases of deployment. Try your knowledge of SD-WAN testing, deployments and troubleshooting. Continue Reading

European Investment Bank offers financial support for Orange fibre network

Orange aims to accelerate French fibre momentum following €700m loan from European Investment Bank to develop non-metro French high-speed broadband Continue Reading

Wells to become UK’s next gigabit city

Medieval Somerset city hopes to encourage business growth and attract new employers by going gigabit Continue Reading

Huawei mounts legal challenge to US subsidy programme ban

Chinese tech giant fights back against FCC ban on carriers in the rural US from using the Universal Service Fund to buy its equipment and designation as threat to US national security Continue Reading

CERN increases network capacity for cutting edge of research

Aiming to boldly go even further where physics hasn’t gone before, CERN increases capacity of its technical network to support breakthrough research in fundamental physics Continue Reading

‘Poor’ comms and collaboration tools cost UK plc over £7,500 per employee per year

Survey reveals workplace productivity is deeply impacted by an organisation’s communications and collaboration practices and technology Continue Reading

OPPO joins Ericsson 5G spectrum sharing project

Chinese smartphone manufacturer deploys Ericsson dynamic spectrum-sharing technology in data call on Telstra and Swisscom 5G networks Continue Reading

Orange taps Ericsson to bring machine learning, AI to networks ops

Telco extends service contract with Ericsson in five European countries to bring artificial intelligence network operations, field support, and maintenance, as well as service management for fixed-line access, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G Continue Reading

Taking business transformation and disruption to the Extreme

Supporting business transformation and disruption seem to be on every supplier’s lips these days, but not many can say they are where they are today precisely because of their own business transformation and disruption. Extreme Networks can Continue Reading

Gauge some of the top SD-WAN pros and cons

This video explains some of the major SD-WAN pros and cons, including improved application performance, security and troubleshooting. Continue Reading

State backs Norway’s fibre cable capacity building

Norway is increasing investment on communications infrastructure in an effort to reduce reliance on Swedish and Danish networks Continue Reading

Juniper claims longest 400GbE deployment

As pressure grows to support bandwidth demands from advanced high-performance computing uses cases, Juniper Networks announces success in 1,300-mile 400GbE network test Continue Reading

Tata, Fortinet to offer managed services for Microsoft Azure virtual WAN

Firms launch one of the first industry offerings of native hybrid SD-WAN coupled with traffic steering and security protection for the Azure cloud Continue Reading

Vodafone calls up Google Cloud for digital transformation platform

Vodafone is using Google Cloud to create products and services based on deeper customer insight to engage customers with better, more personalised support Continue Reading

Ryanair checks in Vodafone for business-class infrastructure

Budget airline gets upgrade in Vodafone Business communication technology infrastructure to support 300 sites and 153 million passengers across 40 countries Continue Reading

Trade associations dial down anger on Labour’s broadband plans

Anger at the Labour Party’s proposals on full-fibre broadband have persisted, but more nuanced views have emerged from fibre associations Continue Reading

Aryaka aims to disrupt traditional SD-WAN and legacy service provider models

SD-WAN provider Aryaka claims to have unyoked enterprises from what it calls carriers’ burdens and ‘rigid, limited’ offerings with new regional WAN models Continue Reading

APAC has one of highest variations in cloud performance

The network performance of public cloud services in the Asia-Pacific region has greater variability than elsewhere, new study finds Continue Reading

Investec Bank cashes in on WAN acceleration

Investec Bank turns to WAN acceleration to cut down distributed database response times and ensure that more traders can go online and earn more money Continue Reading

Nextgenaccess gains 20-year rights to run full fibre alongside HS1 track

Broadband infrastructure provider will deploy high-capacity 432 Fibre System between Stratford in London and Eurotunnel in Folkestone Continue Reading

SD-WAN explained in 15 key terms and phrases

This SD-WAN glossary delves into the various capabilities, technologies and components that encompass SD-WAN, explained with 15 concise definitions. Continue Reading

Google Cloud introduces holistic cloud network monitoring

Spotting a gap in holistic network management in today’s multicloud business environments, Google Cloud introduces its Network Intelligence Centre Continue Reading

Cord-cutting driving global broadband usage to surpass 500GB of data per month

Exodus from traditional video services to online spurs surge in average broadband data usage, presenting untapped opportunities for service providers Continue Reading

Synchronoss joins US big four operators in cross-carrier messaging initiative

Joint venture aims to deliver advanced mobile messaging experience across suppliers’ mobile networks Continue Reading

Mist gets into gear with first self-driving network for the enterprise

Mist Systems has launched what it claims as the world’s first AI-driven self-driving network for the enterprise, allowing business users to streamline IT operations, simplify troubleshooting across wired/wireless domains and deliver optimised experiences Continue Reading

How realistic are compact SD-WAN appliances compared to VPNs?

The battle between VPN vs. SD-WAN returns. In this clash, see how realistic SD-WAN appliances are for remote and mobile workers compared to VPN connections. Continue Reading

Vodafone inks network deal with Openreach to expand FTTP in UK

First phase of network expansion aims to give users download speeds of up to 900Mbps in 15 UK towns and cities Continue Reading

Executive interview: Towards the internet and beyond

Fifty years ago, a computer at UCLA communicated with another at SRI International, laying the first stepping stone towards the global internet Continue Reading

Nokia and Microsoft announce tech partnership

IT behemoth Microsoft and comms technology provider Nokia forge first joint solutions, to enable communications service providers and enterprises to accelerate digital transformation Continue Reading

Virgin disconnects BT for Vodafone for future mobile services

From 2021, Virgin Media will have full access to all of Vodafone’s current services and future technologies, such as its 5G network, after ending supply deal with BT Continue Reading

EU digital sovereignty at risk if global tech giants can’t respect IP rights

MEP warns that digital sovereignty will remain a mirage if European digital champions do not have the same rights to enter foreign markets as those attempting to enter the EU Continue Reading

Enterprise WLAN industry makes tracks

IDC research finds wireless connectivity remains a top priority for global business as bandwidth demands continue to increase and near real-time business applications require lower latencies Continue Reading

UK government demands Ofcom boosts broadband development

In a UK legal and regulatory first, UK government constructs priorities for telecoms regulator Ofcom, principally regarding the roll-out nationwide of gigabit-speed broadband Continue Reading

Arpanet: 50 years of internetworking

50 years ago, researchers at Darpa, connected a group of computers together over a packet-switching network called Arpanet Continue Reading

Cisco connects Canary Wharf for Wi-Fi 6 ‘seamless’ roaming

OpenRoaming will allow devices to connect automatically to Wi-Fi and seamlessly roam from one hotspot to another Continue Reading

3 SD-WAN best practices before deployment

When planning an SD-WAN deployment, some best practices include evaluating your business model, testing the product and establishing vendor support guidelines. Continue Reading

More From The Gherkin

More Gherkin And IT As A Business Strategy - Back at the Gherkin event, two of the primary vendors who were present for the discussions actually substantiated the previous blog comments about ... Continue Reading

Nordic governments open to Huawei’s ‘no spy’ offer

Chinese tech giant seeks to reassure Nordic governments over security concerns in 5G contracts Continue Reading

Huawei: Fresh mindset needed to speed up 5G development

It may already enjoy pricing and technological advantages, but Huawei is calling on 5G industry to collaborate more, especially with regard to regulatory policy Continue Reading

UK and Middle East PR firm ditches NetApp for Nutanix and Talon Fast

Four Communications needed better connectivity for collaboration between the UK and its gulf sites, so dumped server/storage for hyper-converged and a distributed file system Continue Reading

Looking in little places for the value in the internet of things

Delivering business value from the promise of highly networked sensor devices is harder than it first appears – and lessons can be learned in unexpected places Continue Reading

The pros and cons of SD-WAN vs. MPLS

This video discusses the differences between SD-WAN and MPLS and explains why a hybrid WAN architecture -- that uses both technologies -- might be the best fit. Continue Reading

Universities tempting targets for cyber criminals, warns NCSC

As hundreds of thousands of students prepare for the new academic year, universities have been warned that they are at high risk of cyber attack Continue Reading

Getting A Foot In The Door In Europe

Had some very interesting conversations in the past few weeks with a number of US-based vendors across primarily the security and optimisation sectors, with one commonality - established in the ... Continue Reading

Buyers think SD-WAN is too expensive and complicated

Building and maintaining an SD-WAN is perceived as a complicated endeavour, and the industry’s messages are not getting through, says a new report Continue Reading

What to expect with SD-WAN management, intent and usability

Users can expect advancements in SD-WAN intent, usability and management, as vendors seek to improve their developer ecosystems, integration and multi-tenancy capabilities. Continue Reading

SD-WAN market sees continued growth, room for mobile support

The SD-WAN market is growing, thanks to financial firms with distributed deployments. VMware and Cisco continue to lead the vendor pack, with Aryaka and Silver Peak close behind. Continue Reading

SD-WAN in play: How software-defined solves core business challenges

For foodservice business HMSHost International and chemical products firm Element Solutions, both customers of networking supplier Aryaka, software-defined wide area networking technology is proving its mettle when it comes to solving core business challenges. Find out how. Continue Reading

There’s no free lunch in SD-WAN, says Tata Communications

Software-defined wide-area networks may help to lower connectivity costs and prioritise network traffic, but enterprises must still invest in bandwidth to reap the benefits of the technology Continue Reading

Implementing IoT – overcoming barriers to commercial adoption

Tim Wright from the Institute of Telecoms Professionals reports from a recent seminar exploring questions around the barriers to commercial, at-scale adoption of the internet of things, and how to overcome them Continue Reading

European and UK space agencies start CAV connectivity project

Academia and telecoms operators partner to investigate 5G and satellite systems for connected and autonomous vehicles, with proofs of concept expected for 2020 Continue Reading

Cisco shows off AI-driven network analysis at customer event

New tools to help IT departments better understand network behaviour and predict potential problems were among a series of announcements made on the opening day of Cisco Live in the US Continue Reading

Managed SD-WAN is a developing part of WAN transformation

Despite SD-WAN's benefits for WAN transformation, enterprises can't avoid the shortcomings. Find out how many organizations address those challenges with managed SD-WAN. Continue Reading

Socks And IoT – What Do They Have In Common?

So – another year and another Netevents; lots of old faces (not least mine!) and a few new ones. And it’s kind of the same with topics – understandably – as there’s only so much you can talk about ... Continue Reading

A glossary for the terms and types of WAN technologies

This introduction to WAN technologies defines several different terms -- such as VPN and SD-WAN -- that are essential in anybody's networking vocabulary. Continue Reading

Private 5G networks will be a ‘big trend’

With private 5G networks, enterprises can expect a wireless local area network type architecture that addresses the limitations of Wi-Fi, says top Commscope executive Continue Reading

ASEAN datacentre providers must up their game

Digital transformation trends are changing the ASEAN datacentre landscape and those that wish to succeed must transform themselves, says Frost & Sullivan Continue Reading

Ahead of FTTP and 5G, BT picks Nokia to enhance core capacity

With the national full-fibre broadband roll-out in full swing and 5G expected to launch, BT is deploying new Nokia hardware at its network core to boost capacity for data-hungry services Continue Reading

EDF awards Hinkley Point C comms services contract to Telent

Network services company will run communications and IT infrastructure at new nuclear power plant Continue Reading

A review of SD-branch and its progression from SD-WAN

The goal of software-defined branch is to merge network functions and management into a single platform, but the branch architecture still lacks maturity, despite some early deployments. Continue Reading

What is the purpose of an SD-WAN gateway?

Software-defined WAN architecture has adapted with the growth of cloud services, resulting in a cloud-based model that uses SD-WAN gateways to handle traffic and control. Continue Reading

The 3 pillars of SD-WAN QoS and questions to ask your providers

Traffic shaping, path control and forward error correction are three core components of SD-WAN QoS. Here are some crucial questions to ask your vendors regarding those areas. Continue Reading

How modern WAN edge services can benefit your network

Modern services could replace legacy routers at the network edge. And while individual WANs have different edge requirements, common needs include flexibility and reliability. Continue Reading

VMware-VeloCloud sees the future of SD-WAN with 5G, hybrid cloud

A glimpse into one software-defined WAN vendor's vision shows a heavy interest in SD-WAN's integration with the network edge, 5G and hybrid cloud. Continue Reading

IT Priorities 2019: ANZ organisations focus on fundamentals

Organisations in Australia and New Zealand will spend more on modernising legacy applications and breaking down data silos this year Continue Reading

IT Priorities 2019: Security concerns top agenda for network buyers again

The ability to gain visibility into what is happening on enterprise networks has once again topped the agenda for network managers and buyers, according to the latest Computer Weekly/TechTarget IT Priorities survey Continue Reading

SD-WAN cost savings hinge on underlying WAN technologies

SD-WAN marketing almost always mentions the benefit of cost savings. Cut through the hype and discover how SD-WAN works with MPLS and internet connectivity to drive savings. Continue Reading

What are the SD-WAN requirements for a multicloud environment?

SD-WAN is becoming an important option for businesses migrating branch and other edge communications to the cloud. But what makes a successful deployment? Continue Reading

How digital indoor systems can bolster ASEAN’s 5G networks

Digital indoor systems, already being used at airports and subway systems, will help telcos monetise new digital services on 5G networks Continue Reading

Digital Catapult explores LPWAN and IoT for industry

A Connected Factory Demonstrator managed by the Digital Catapult is seeking input from LPWAN and internet of things specialists Continue Reading

Dutch pharma firm Centrient switches out MPLS for Cato SD-WAN

Centrient Pharmaceuticals, a Netherlands-based drug company, has switched out its global MPLS service in favour of a high-performance software-defined WAN from Cato Networks Continue Reading

Fife Council upgrades WAN to offer ultrafast broadband services

Public sector sites across Fife in Scotland are to receive a transformational upgrade to their broadband speeds Continue Reading

SD-WAN features lacking, but offer differentiation opportunity

Most available SD-WAN products focus on a few main features, which risks making SD-WAN a commodity offering. But vendors are starting to combat that with feature differentiation. Continue Reading

SMEs urged to get on board with Network Services 2 framework

Suppliers have until the end of January 2019 to sign up to the new government network services purchasing framework Continue Reading

Top 10 network stories of 2018

2018 was the year when software-defined networking, and more specifically software-defined WANs, took centre stage. We look back at a transformative year for the world of the network manager Continue Reading

Shock Headline: IT Saves $$$$ (again)!

Two and a bit years ago – I should remember, it was on my birthday! – I was presenting a panel debate on the latest Cybersecurity deterrents. With four vendors and two consultants on the panel, it ... Continue Reading

Manchester’s evolution from rag trade to digital hub

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we visit Manchester to examine the city’s expanding digital and e-commerce industry and find out the key to tech sector growth in the former home of the UK rag trade. We look at the challenges of IT security in the quantum computing age. And we talk to Bloomberg’s CTO about tech innovation, machine learning and blockchain. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Tackling legacy systems by making IT evergreen

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we assess strategies for continuous IT improvement to help evergreen IT replace the difficulties caused by legacy tech. Our new buyer’s guide examines next-generation networking technologies such as SD-WAN. And we hear about digital transformation in the charity sector in an interview with the IT leader at Parkinson’s UK. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Bright future for OTT video – if the network can support it

The emergence of over the top video services is having a massive impact on underlying network technology, according to the ITP Continue Reading

Securing the SD-WAN: The next network challenge

Every time an enterprise weighs up whether or not to try SD-WAN, security is an essential part of the picture Continue Reading

APAC firms warm up to SD-WAN to solve networking woes

A third of enterprises in the APAC region have already deployed SD-WAN at most of their sites, while 55% are in the process of doing so, a study shows Continue Reading

Will SDN replace MPLS? Not so fast

This is a guest blog post by Tony Judd, MD UKI and Benelux at Verizon With the popularity of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT)  and ... Continue Reading

No Cloud Over VDI!

Unsurprisingly, whatever the IT genre and whatever the weather, cloud is always on the horizon right now. One of several top meetings I had last week within IP Expo's confines was with Morteza ... Continue Reading

AVIn A Well Balanced Time...

Me and Load-Balancers (the artist wot became known as the Application Delivery Controller at some point in its life, even though it always did this anyway) go back a long way; 20 years basically, ... Continue Reading

Network growth brings management challenges

As enterprise networks grow, so do the challenges of managing them effectively, says a report compiled by Oracle’s communications unit Continue Reading

At the new Cisco, culture is as important as innovation

Cisco’s newly appointed SVP of Emear, Wendy Mars, shares her thoughts on the state of network innovation within the industry, and explains why cultural change is just as important an element of a digital strategy Continue Reading

Intelligent automation and the WAN: Is SD-WAN moving mainstream?

Take-up of software-defined networking in corporates is slower than expected. Where have we reached on the journey to software-controlled networks – and SD-WAN in particular – becoming the norm? Continue Reading

Indigo subsea cable lands in Perth

Cable system will utilise new spectrum sharing technology, so each consortium member can take advantage of technology advancements to support growing demand for bandwidth Continue Reading

What are the current SD-WAN options for enterprises?

Software-defined wide area networking is well on its way to being a multi-billion dollar market. We assess the current state of the market and look at some of the options for enterprise CIOs and network managers Continue Reading

When networks collide: how M&A brings infrastructure together

Enterprise IT runs on networking, so fixing up the network should be a priority issue during mergers and acquisitions – but that’s not always the case. Find out how the pros manage it Continue Reading

Riverbed plots to take the network from IT blocker to IT enabler

The move towards automation and next-gen networking will help the network deliver more value to the enterprise than ever before, argues Riverbed’s new CEO, Paul Mountford Continue Reading

Fibre cable break takes Gatwick flight information screens offline

A broken fibre-optic cable has taken Gatwick Airport’s flight information screens offline, with airport staff forced to use whiteboards to provide information to passengers Continue Reading