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Network Design

Most Common Types of Network Devices You’ll Need

Network devices, also known as networking hardware, are physical devices that are essential for communication and interaction between various devices on a network. These devices manage data traffic and provide network resources and services to connected computers and devices. They include devices such as routers, switches, hubs, bridges, repeaters, firewalls, network interface cards (NICs), and access points. These hardware components can function as servers, client devices, or both. They aid in data transmission, provide network connection, enhance network performance, offer network security, and simplify network setup and administration.

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Network Security

What Is IEEE 802.1X for Zero Trust Access?

Today’s networks are vulnerable to excessive attacks. The principles of zero trust are the gold standard organizations use to protect apps and data. A key element of zero trust access is “trust no one, authenticate everyone”. However, current application-specific or client-specific Zero Trust Access controls do not provide an adequate level of protection for all devices on the network. In order to extend zero trust into the campus network, every wired and wireless connection must be authenticated and authorized using at least one mechanism such as IEEE 802.1X, MAB, Behavioral MAB and Single Sign On. Here, we explore how IEEE 802.1X helps in accomplishing zero trust access for the enterprise campus network. IEEE 802.1X provides the authentication framework for user devices before granting access to the Local Area Network (LAN).

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Network Security

What is Zero Trust Isolation and Why It’s Needed?

It is virtually impossible to predict ransomware attacks. Malicious actors use security holes in corporate IT networks to find vulnerable devices, gain unauthorized access to them, and then use this access to spread malware and ransomware to other devices on the network. These attacks can originate from a variety of sources, including phishing emails, which are phony emails that hackers use to access a person’s computer. Attackers have even been known to enter workplaces while posing as visitors or employees in order to connect to the networks and gain access.

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Network Security

What is MACsec?

The goal of IEEE 802.1AE1 MACsec is to establish secure a secure link from one Ethernet device to another. This protects Ethernet frames from attacks such as sniffing, snooping, spoofing, and Man-in-the-Middle (MitM), which represent 35%2 of all exploits. MACsec is an encryption standard operating at Layer 2 within the OSI model that provides a secure bi-directional communication link. Protecting against growing threats, the use of MACsec ensures the confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity of Ethernet traffic, protecting data from being tampered with or eavesdropped on without permission. As MACsec operates at Layer 2, it offers enhanced security protection in a high-bandwidth environment without affecting network or CPU performance.

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Network Security

What Are WIDS and WIPS?

WIDS stands for wireless intrusion detection system. It is a technology designed to protect wireless networks from unauthorized access. It does this by monitoring traffic on the network to identify any suspicious activity that may indicate a security breach. WIPS stands for wireless intrusion prevention system. WIPS uses a combination of techniques to detect and prevent intrusions in real time. It not only monitors but also takes action to prevent rogue access points, man in the middle attacks, denial-of-service attacks, and other threats to the wireless network.

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Network as a Service

What is Network TCO?

Network TCO includes costs associated with Day 0 to Day N operations, such as hardware, software, and personnel. Return on Investment (ROI) is a superset of TCO that includes the cost of benefits realized from an efficient TCO. By calculating ROI and TCO, businesses can better understand the cost-benefit analysis of their network infrastructure.

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Network Design

What is DHCP ?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a standard and fundamental network protocol that greatly simplifies network connectivity at home and at work. It achieves this by automatically providing unique IP addresses and essential network settings to connected mobile and IoT devices. For DHCP to work, there are three components needed:

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Network Design

What Is Guest Wi-Fi?

Enterprise networks see a variety of users and devices that need to connect to the wireless network. Visitors to any enterprise environment–short-term contractors, vendors, partners, and others–arrive in the enterprise environment expecting internet connectivity with a minimum of hassle. Guest Wi-Fi for the enterprise is a means of providing this connectivity for guest users. Guest Wi-Fi can also be a way to keep guest traffic off of the enterprise network, isolating guests from internal resources and each other, which improves network security. A system for guest access is an extension of other security measures that support a zero trust security strategy.

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Network Design

What Is Network Hardware? What You’ll Need for a New Network

Network hardware, also known as networking hardware or network equipment, refers to physical devices that are required for communication and interaction between devices on a computer network. Nile Access Service integrates over traditionally separately consumed 10 different product and service components for wired and wireless networks into a single solution. These components include access/distribution switching, Wi-Fi APs, Wi-Fi sensors, zero trust isolation of connected users and devices, dynamic segmentation, IoT profiling, performance analytics, orchestration, guest authentication, and DHCP services in the cloud, among others.

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Network Design

What Is Network Planning, and How Can You Plan For New Networks?

Network planning is the process of strategically organizing and arranging the operations of a network to ensure smooth and efficient communication and data transfer. This involves drafting the physical layout of the network, deciding the network topology, selecting appropriate hardware and software, and considering factors like location, network size, number of users, and future growth. Network planning also involves managing network capacity to handle traffic and usage load while ensuring optimal performance and security measures. This process is vital for organizations to ensure their network resources are used effectively and scale as per organizational needs.

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Network Design

What Is Network Infrastructure? Components You’ll Need

Network infrastructure refers to the hardware and software resources of an entire network that enable network connectivity, communication, operations, and management of an enterprise network. It provides the communication path and services between users, processes, applications, services and external networks or the internet. The network infrastructure of a company comprises a broad range of equipment, software, and services. This includes routers, switches, servers, wireless devices, data centers, software, firewalls, operating systems, and security applications.

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Network Design

What Is Network Architecture? A Guide For Your Next-Gen Enterprise Network

Network architecture is the design of a computer network. It is a framework that specifies the structure, physical components, functional organization, operational procedures, software, and data formats for constructing and managing a computer network. Network architecture can be used to provide a detailed picture of the communication, network protocols, and infrastructure used in the network. It includes hardware, transmission media, and network protocols that function together to provide network services to users. Types of network architecture include Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).