http://splicetelecom.com http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=181 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800
Many organizations are interested in exclusive, uninterrupted communications for mission-critical services. Private lines offer a practical solution for such purposes, according to a recent Telexplainer report.

According to the report, when a company leases a private line, they receive exclusive rights to use that line. This means that the line is never used for external traffic. If the organization is not currently utilizing the connection, the line will wait idly for the next traffic.

Many businesses require absolute reliability of telecommunications connectivity, at least for mission-critical tasks. Transmission of medical images to a hospital, video to a television transmitter, or important data from a company's headquarters to its branches, for example, are tasks for which companies cannot risk using lines whose reliability may be affected by external traffic.

Some companies choose to employ the services of a network solutions provider to ensure optimum performance, quality service, dependable support and reduce overall telecom spending.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=2 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:37:19 -0800
The phenomenon, known as "cramming," involves the practice of adding additional charges to clients' bills for telecommunications services. In large enterprise bills with many charges, these unauthorized additions often go unnoticed.

The forum will be held in Washington, D.C. on May 11.

While unauthorized charges and inaccurate bills can affect customers of all sizes, they may cause particularly time consuming - and expensive - problems for larger enterprises. Companies that utilize a broad range of telecommunications services on a wide scale often receive expansive, complex bills.

In order to ensure all charges are authorized, employees would need to shift their focus from business-related tasks to billing management. For companies utilizing the services of more than one carrier, the process of examining bills may be even more complicated.

Many companies choose to simplify the process of managing telecommunications billing by employing the services of a single network solutions provider. In addition to maintaining reliable billing processes, network solutions providers enable customers to receive consistent, expert customer service and help to deploy and manage cost-effective communications solutions. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=7 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:56:07 -0800
According to a recent Network World report, "carrier-cloud security" strategies offer several advantages in keeping enterprise networks secure. By positioning security measures outside of a company's network, security threats can be neutralized before they cause problems.

MPLS, with its support for full multi-site meshing, can serve as an ideal basis for carrier-cloud security strategies, according to the report. MPLS can be used to create security zones inside data centers and secure traffic from any site.

According to Network World, MPLS-based carrier-cloud security can also be used to rationalize existing "demilitarized zones," used as buffers between secure enterprise networks and other networks or the internet. By consolidating these buffers, a company can simplify and streamline its network infrastructure.

When determining the most efficient and secure network connectivity plan, many companies utilize the services of a network solutions provider. Several competing carriers offer MPLS service. A network solutions provider can help ensure successful deployment of a cost-effective, reliable connectivity solution.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=6 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:14:57 -0800
For businesses depending on Verizon's standard telecom services, the move to focus on the cloud could be a bit deflating, as it displays the company's interest in focusing on new services. According to the report, a variety of telecoms are moving to cloud services, potentially neglecting their telecom customers in the process.

Under the new ownership, Terremark will operate as a wholly owned subsidy operated by Verizon. Terremark currently operates 13 data centers throughout the globe.

An industry expert told the news source the growing trend by telecoms to invest in cloud computing could prove dangerous, after other such companies as AT&T, learned in the 1990's that entering young industries because they are inexpensive can prove quite risky.

With Verizon focusing more on cloud services, less attention could be turned to customer service and other areas that support their telecom offerings. As a result, businesses may want to consider turning to a network solutions provider to get the support they need, when they need it.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=4 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:23:29 -0800
New demands created by mobile broadband, cloud computing, 10, 40 and 100G products, prime spectrum band technology and growing industries in emerging markets - are all set to have a marked impact on telecoms in the next few years.

With myriad changes on the horizon, Ovum expects the telecom industry to face major hurdles when dealing with international tariffs and supply chain issues that could result from operating numerous new technologies without updating business processes accordingly.

The supply chain issues are especially prevalent in the 10, 40 and 100G product market, where new optical cabling installations combine with new 10, 40 and 100G devices to create more demand than telecoms are currently equipped to supply.

For businesses trying to navigate the tumultuous telecom market on the horizon, it may be wise to consider a network solutions provider. Network solutions providers can act as an intermediary between organizations and telecoms, ensuring the business gets the best technological solution and customer service possible. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=5 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:08:39 -0800
Previously, fiber-optic installations were slowed by a belief that fiber is too expensive and difficult to install. However, declining prices, new installation techniques and a widespread conception that copper cabling is becoming obsolete are leading to a new wave of fiber-to-the-premise and internal fiber-optic network installations, the report said.

The proliferation of new fiber-optic installations has led to new technological developments in the area of fiber-optic cable terminations. Such developments as MTP/MPO style connectors, fusion splicing, no epoxy/no polish and factory pre-termination are all making fiber-optic installations easier and more efficient, according to the report.

As more businesses invest in fiber-optic-based networking solutions, bandwidth speeds will rise, and network complexity is likely to increase. A recent report from Processor.com said fiber channel over Ethernet technology could simplify the hardware complexity associated with fiber-optic networks.

However, dealing with increased network complexity may not be as simple for a company to complete internally in terms of organization, customer service and technical support. Network solutions providers have become essential to serve as an intermediary between organizations and telecoms, offering improved customer service and specialized solutions.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=8 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:06:29 -0800
According to Bonnett, head of networking for HP in the United Kingdom, businesses typically consider networking equipment and architecture an afterthought. However, cloud computing and other new technologies are forcing businesses to realize they need networks capable of meeting growing demands for bandwidth, speed, reliability and security.

Bonnett told IT Pro businesses can address new demands set forth by such technologies as cloud computing by investing in a multi-faceted approach to network establishment. Simply installing a fiber-to-the-premise solution may not be enough to get the types of service, reliability and performance necessary to meet growing network demands, he said.

While Bonnett recommends a multi-faceted approach to networking that can handle a diverse range of needs, major telecoms, such as Verizon, continue to focus heavily on wireless technologies. Recently, CNN reported Verizon is planning a new service to improve voice quality and add video capabilities.

For businesses seeking efficient ways to upgrade their internal networking infrastructure, a network solutions provider can offer services that telecoms, who often focus on mobile technologies, can rarely match. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=9 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:08:38 -0800
The study found IT equipment spending growth reached $661 billion in 2010, 16 percent year-over-year growth. The rapidity of expansion in 2010 marks the most growth in the sector since 1996, the study found.

ICT spending also increased, as companies invested in various services related to telecoms and network solutions providers. Overall, the market grew 6 percent to nearly $3 trillion in spending.

"With business profits and stock markets back into a cycle of growth, many organizations took the opportunity to make up for lost time by upgrading mission critical systems and infrastructure over the course of the year," said Stephen Minton, vice president of IDC's IT markets and strategies group.

For businesses striving to upgrade their networking or telecommunications infrastructure, but struggling to discern the best ways to maximize their investment, network solutions providers could be an ideal solution. A network solutions provider can work directly with the organization to help make the most of a company's ICT infrastructure. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=10 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:56:30 -0800 network solutions provider to develop a strategy to make the switch a smooth one, MicroScope reports.

According to the report, it is critical for businesses to obtain dual-stack connection capabilities. This essentially means that their network is setup to handle both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. In order to accomplish this, companies need to start by obtaining IPv6-based IP addresses.

Beyond getting addresses, the report said preparing for IPv6 involves making many small changes to the network. In some cases, this could entail purchasing new equipment, replacing outdated infrastructure or simply switching all of the devices into a mode that can handle both IPv4 and IPv6 activities.

While the transition will likely be complex for most companies, businesses could consider simplifying the process by hiring a network solutions provider to manage the switch to IPv6.

According to a recent Sys-Con Media report, businesses need to upgrade their networking infrastructure, invest in new IP addresses and update their website and servers to handle incoming IPv6 addresses and engage in a deployment and maintenance plan for new IPv6-ready hardware.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=12 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:06:04 -0800
According to the report, this impact includes driving data transport needs to such a level that the WAN can barely keep up. As a result, businesses are already considering new ways to upgrade their networking infrastructure for WAN optimization.

However, the report said WAN optimization needs could grow even further in coming years. Expansion in the VDI industry could lead to the proliferation of VDI over multiple sites within a WAN, something that very few companies currently do.

The potential impact on WAN is even greater when VDI is used at multiple branches, the report said, and will require advanced protocols, such as deep packet inspection and deduplication, to counter.

For businesses considering a move to virtual desktop infrastructure, it could be worth investing in a network solutions provider to ensure the WAN is able to handle the complex needs associated with VDI technology.

According to a recent Aberdeen Group survey, 30 percent of respondents are already considering WAN optimization in response to growing application and API-related needs. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=11 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:11:54 -0800
This is leading to a number of advances that businesses can take advantage of, the report said. For example, this new telecom trend has led to the standardization of Ethernet tools. This allows companies to connect branches in E-LAN or E-Line networks.

These services essentially act as a WAN, powerfully connecting branches through a stable, wired Ethernet and fiber optic infrastructure. However, the report said the use of standardized Ethernet tools allows these lines to use basic LAN switching technology, simplifying the network.

According to a recent FierceTelecom report, advances in networking infrastructure are becoming critical because businesses are sending and receiving data at a staggering rate. Current network traffic trends show more than 30 percent annual growth during the next few years, the report said.

For businesses trying to keep up with new networking demands, turning to a network solutions provider will often make it easier to manage upgrades and service changes.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=13 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:59:32 -0800
According to the report, internet service providers are bound to run out of IPv4 addresses in the near future, making the switch to IPv6 inevitable. As a result, everything from cabling installations, routing, switching and other networking systems will have to change.

Dual stack technology is currently set to have the greatest impact on businesses getting ready for the IPv6 switch. The report said dual stack devices allow companies to operate both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols simultaneously. However, upgrading networking infrastructure to handle dual stack could be a complicated and challenging process.

A recent CNET report said Microsoft's Bing has joined the stable of services that will test their success at achieving the IPv6 transition during World IPv6 day on June 8.

During the event, companies will switch their IPv6 systems on for a 24-hour period to get an early glimpse at their networking infrastructure's ability to handle the new protocol. For businesses unsure of how to move forward toward IPv6, a network solutions provider can be beneficial to make the transition a smooth one. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=15 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:08:33 -0800
According to a recent survey performed by the Aberdeen Group, businesses making efforts to develop best-in-class networks are increasingly turning to WAN optimization and acceleration to make their networking goals a reality.

To achieve this, more businesses are turning to APIs and other advanced networking tools and applications, said Russ Klein, senior research analyst for the Aberdeen Group. Klein said more than 30 percent of respondents plan on using APIs to accelerate and optimize their WAN establishments.

"These steps will allow organizations to improve the effectiveness of their WAN acceleration solutions and also increase their ability to expand the benefits of optimization to emerging technology areas such as IP-based communications," said Klein.

A recent Research and Markets study found businesses are also turning to IP-based virtual private networks to improve their WAN performance.

For organizations trying to find the best WAN optimization solution that meets their specific needs, a network solutions provider can help by evaluating networking architecture and establishing systems to maximize the WAN.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=14 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:24:44 -0800
A recent report from iHotDesk said the organization currently supports more than 10,000 engineers and scientists working on various projects throughout the world. As a result, its networking infrastructure needs to support a vast array of equipment that can transmit large quantities of data quickly and securely.

Currently, CERN is focusing on preparing for the IPv6 protocol shift and is using the transition as an opportunity to improve overall networking performance.

"We needed a reliable, secure and proven network infrastructure that could support IPv6 for faster communications and multicast capabilities for new applications," Jean-Michel Jouanigot, group leader for communication systems at CERN's IT department, told the news source.

According to a recent Ars Technica report, companies preparing for the new IPv6 protocol should start the process by discussing options with network and service providers to make sure systems will be ready for the transition.

Alternately, companies can hire a network solutions provider to ease any networking upgrades and help ensure the company's infrastructure is ready for new networking needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=30 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:57:53 -0800
According to a recent report from InfoTech Spotlight, the networking upgrade comes at a time when the academic institution is changing rapidly and needs new technological infrastructure to keep up.

Mark Reynolds, interim director of information technology for UNM, told the news source the school currently has more than 32,000 students and 20,000 employees that are connected over 12 remote campus locations throughout New Mexico. Efforts to upgrade networking infrastructure are focused on handling the large base of remote learners.

Reynolds told InfoTech Spotlight upgrades to the university's networking technology are critical to its ability to serve the growing base of students and staff that depend on the internet for their daily activities.

For complex networking upgrades, similar to the one completed by UNM, companies may want to consider enlisting a network solutions provider. Network solutions providers can offer expertise on how to make the most of the network upgrade and develop a company's networking strategy to ensure optimization.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=29 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:49:50 -0800
The Dell'Oro Group found 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches and controllers experienced signficant revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2010. Overall, the market expanded by 57 percent, falling just short of $100 million in revenues.

In a somewhat surprising development, the report also found the 10 Gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel over Ethernet markets are not competing with one another, but instead forming a new consolidated sector.

Tam Dell'Oro, president of the Dell'Oro Group, said the growth in these sectors is just a taste of the industry's future, as the upgrades occurred despite running servers that are not optimized for the new Ethernet standards. When servers are upgraded, revenues should rise even higher.

In a recent report from the Hindu, industry expert Prakash Sripathy said many organizations are turning to advanced fiber channel over Ethernet technologies to support high-performance applications delivered through their networking infrastructure.

One way to ensure a business' network is able to handle these new technologies is investing in a network solutions provider, as they can work to optimize networks and make any necessary upgrades. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=17 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:54:22 -0800
According to a recent Frost & Sullivan report, the expansion of video in IP settings is creating an environment for growth in the network management industry, because more organizations are upgrading their networks to handle new demands associated with video transmissions.

Within the next five years, Frost & Sullivan anticipates 30 percent growth in the network management industry. This prediction deals with expansion pertaining to video-related upgrades only, meaning overall network management industry growth could be even higher.

Network management expansion will come, to a great extent, as companies install new tools to manage and monitor their networking infrastructure to meet their video-related needs, the report said.

One way businesses can optimize their network management solution is to hire a network solutions provider. Network solutions providers can analyze a current network, optimize devices and replace obsolete hardware to prepare the infrastructure for a business' changing needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=18 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:49:41 -0800
According to a recent Data Center Knowledge report, WAN optimization in these settings is proving somewhat difficult, as WAN connections between data centers need to be especially secure and capable of dispersing content anywhere within the network.

As a result, the report said older networking tools, such as WAN Optimization Controllers, are falling short of meeting new needs, forcing organizations to deploy new tools to optimize their WAN deployments.

Overall, the report said WAN Optimization Controllers fall short because they fail to work well with deduplication practices that are common in the data center and become cost-prohibitive.

Organizations struggling to optimize their WAN and other advanced networking infrastructure may want to consider investing in a network solutions provider.

According to a recent report from Frost & Sullivan, the network management industry is set to grow quickly in response to video traffic alone. This expansion is on the horizon because more businesses are transmitting high-quality video over IP networks, putting more demand on infrastructure and forcing upgrades, the report said.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=16 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:02:59 -0800 network solutions provider or through other means, is becoming more important.

According to a recent TMCnet report, companies still face significant downtime on an annual basis, and lose a substantial amount of money and productivity for each hour without the internet. The primary cause of this issue, the report said, is network complexity.

Managing the growing complexity of networks that have to provide voice, video and other collaboration services can be challenging for any business, and network management tools are becoming critical to keep the network afloat.

The report said important attributes for network management include the ability to monitor performance and report at specific thresholds, provide increased visibility over networking infrastructure and report actionable information.

Investing in a network solutions provider is one way businesses can deal with growing network complexity. A network solutions provider can install network management tools to help maintain a network, make any upgrades needed to optimize performance and maximize the network's productivity.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=25 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:20:48 -0800
According to a recent TMCnet report, this increased density is creating major problems for WAN establishments, and many businesses are being forced to upgrade and optimize their WANs to ensure performance and reliability when connecting branch offices to the data center.

Besides increasing the density of data sent through WANs by putting more servers in less space, data center consolidation also decreases the number of LANs connecting facilities directly to branch offices. As a result, the WAN if forced to pick up the added traffic, further complicating issues and forcing companies to invest in solutions to optimize and upgrade their WAN infrastructure, the report said.

The challenging networking environment created by data consolidation can be overcome by enlisting a network solutions provider. A network solutions provider can analyze a business' networking infrastructure and make the necessary upgrades.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=28 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:35:08 -0800
Video is impacting networking infrastructure on multiple levels. First, it is creating more traffic and driving bandwidth needs higher. The report's primary focus, however, is on how the new HTML5 standard is developing, creating new demands that could require network management changes. HTML5 provides an alternative to Flash, and gives users a powerful video platform.

The changes occurring in the IP address protocol are also primed to impact enterprise networking infrastructure, the report said. The new IPv6 standard is on the horizon, and businesses will need to upgrade equipment, cabling and other infrastructure to handle the change, according to the report.

To keep up with the volatile networking market, businesses may want to consider enlisting a network solutions provider that can manage their infrastructure and ensure network stability and optimization.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=27 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:16:20 -0800
The report said IP address management, especially within the sectors of such network services as dynamic host configuration protocol and domain name systems, is becoming more complex. This is making IP address management an important part of infrastructure, as poor DNS and DHCP configuration can drastically reduce network performance.

A number of disciplines within network management are affected by IP address management needs, the report said. Such core services as configuration, change control, monitoring and auditing are all dependent, to some extent, on IP address management, according to the report.

The complexity created by the needs of the various systems within an advanced networking infrastructure also creates critical links between IP, DNS and DHCP-based systems, adding to the importance of address management systems, the report said.

One way to ensure a business' network remains up-to-date and capable of handling the needs associated with IP address management is investing in a network solutions provider. A network solutions provider can serve a company by managing its networking infrastructure and keeping the system at optimal capacity.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=20 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:57:37 -0800
According to the report, storage area networks are among the advanced environments that many companies neglect to monitor properly to ensure efficient and optimized operation. As a result, many organizations excessively equip networks and spend too much to keep them running.

The report said this can be countered with advanced monitoring technologies that help a business identify its networking needs and purchase the right amount of fiber channel over Ethernet equipment to meet that demand. This would drastically reduce investments, the report said, and enable businesses to operate more effectively.

While the report acknowledged that most fiber channel over Ethernet deployments use 20-times more equipment than inherently necessary, it recommended businesses avoid reducing their deployments that drastically because they need to be prepared for networking traffic spikes.

Network solutions providers can help organizations identify how much equipment they really need, and provide advisory, installation and maintenance services to keep networks running at optimal performance without excess.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=26 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:14:14 -0800
According to Michael Howard, analyst for Infonetics Research, the 100G standard has been cost prohibitive, forcing many companies to add layers and equipment to their 10G Ethernet establishments. However, this solution is limited, and many companies are experiencing performance degradation because multiple 10G Ethernet arrays do not perform as well as a single 100G Ethernet deployment.

The Mayo Clinic is one company working to integrate the 100G standard, PC World reports. The healthcare company recently virtualized its servers and is experiencing so much latency with multiple 10G arrays that it is testing 100G instead.

Howard said many enterprises are beginning to follow the same pattern as the Mayo clinic, creating an environment for expansion in 100G products.

For businesses that want to reduce the complexity of network management, investing in a network solutions provider can help. Network solutions providers can evaluate networks and create a plan to optimize them within a company's budget.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=21 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:20:41 -0800
The report found a majority of respondents have some interest in upgrading their WAN establishments. Eighteen percent of respondents said they are working to upgrade their WAN, and 27 percent are planning an upgrade. Another 20 percent claimed they would be making a WAN upgrade, but budget restrictions have halted their efforts.

The future of WAN, according to the survey, is carrier Ethernet. Currently, most respondents are using either T1 or enterprise-class broadband. However, the survey found a significant trend toward T3 connections in the next year, and carrier Ethernet should double T3's growth.

One new technology set to impact WAN establishments in a disruptive way is the cloud. According to a recent Computerworld report, the cloud combines with WAN to create an incredibly intricate environment that businesses will need to address strategically.

To alleviate some of the pressure of planning for growing networking trends, businesses could consider enlisting a network solutions provider to manage most network-related concerns.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=19 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:27:52 -0800
According to a recent Science 2.0 report, a number of key principles have emerged in network management, one of which gives telecom providers the freedom to perform basic network management tasks to handle issues with rising traffic, growing broadband needs and security. The regulation also recognizes the important of tiered pricing models as a way to fuel high-speed network adoption.

The report said some telecom providers are responding by increasing transparency with customers to help them understand the various quality and service-related changes that could be made to help manage networks.

Overall, this transparency is a good thing, the report said, but it could leave some customers scrambling as the telecom currently has complete control, giving businesses little freedom to address any issues that impact their service levels.

One way businesses can fight the growing power of telecoms in this environment is using a network solutions provider. Providers are able to ensure network service levels are maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=24 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:18:48 -0800
According to John D'Ambrosia, researcher at Force 10 and chair of an IEEE study group, a new standard for terabit Ethernet would not be ready until 2015 if development began immediately. However, improvements to the 100 gigabit standard are currently higher on the IEEE's priority list.

Arlon Martin, a researcher with Kotura, said significant new technological developments would need to take place before the terabit Ethernet standard can even become a realistic option.

Industry expert Chris Cole said the terabit standard may be so challenging to reach that it is not even worth the effort. According to Cole, 1 terabit Ethernet will not provide enough of an advantage over 400G Ethernet to be worth the expense. As a result, he recommended focusing on advancing to 1.4 terabit and circumventing the 1 terabit standard.

Moving to terabit Ethernet could prove a major advance in the networking industry, but many businesses are still struggling to successfully implement 100G standards. Network solutions providers can help organizations manage their advanced networking challenges and ensure a company's infrastructure remains stable. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=22 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:07:42 -0800
SIP trunking is an essential networking technology that serves in a foundational role for advanced voice applications. According to Slaymaker, this makes it a critical technology because poor voice transmission has an adverse impact on every employee and customer.

Slaymaker also noted the importance of SIP trunking as a tool to facilitate financial gains resulting from advanced IP-based telephony systems. According to Slaymaker, businesses can reduce costs significantly by using IP-based voice, but limit their financial gains if the network cannot support the technology.

To support SIP trunking, Slaymaker said businesses need to ensure their WAN is up to the task of handling high-volume communication between branches and data centers.

Companies struggling to manage WAN infrastructure may want to consider the advisory services available through a network solutions provider, as these experts can develop networking systems to ensure optimization and stability.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=23 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:51:19 -0800
According to a recent ZDNet report, Ethernet has historically been a foundational element in advanced networks, and evolving Ethernet technologies are fueling improved architectures in a variety of enterprise and data center environments.

Enhanced Ethernet offers myriad advantages, including support for priority control technology. The report said traditional Ethernet is capable of pausing data transmission within a loop to free other parts of the network for critical tasks. With priority flow control, enhanced Ethernet establishments can split loops into eight channels, pausing each separately to manage network traffic.

Data center bridging is another critical aspect of enhanced Ethernet technologies, the report said, as it lets the network identify incompatible components and adjust protocols throughout the network to ensure everything runs smoothly.

These advanced technologies combine to make networks more efficient and, over time, less expensive. To optimize a business network to deploy advanced technologies and reduce operational expending, consider enlisting a network solutions provider to instill advanced technologies and manage networks.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=31 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:55:20 -0800
In a recent interview with Computing.co.uk, Henry Wasik, chief executive at Force10 Networks, said the IEEE is going to work quickly to develop 400G Ethernet because the standard will likely take years to develop and is already in high demand.

"IEEE 400Gbit/s is a lot of bandwidth for a single network connection, and the reason they want to get started now is because of the cycle times to get these standards approved," Wasik told the news source.

Wasik explained developing a new Ethernet standard is a multi-faceted project that requires input from a variety of networking equipment and cable vendors before it can be put in place.

Arpit Joshipura, chief marketing office at Force10 Networks, explained the 100G standard took between five and seven years to get ratified, but the IEE hopes to move more swiftly to develop 400G.

Balancing networking speed, bandwidth and stability needs with budget restrictions can be challenging for any businesses. However, companies that engage with a network solutions provider are able to ensure networking success without wasting resources.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=32 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:01:34 -0800
Instead, the report recommended companies focus their networking infrastructure investments on achieving the less glamorous 10G standard. While 10G may lack the blistering speeds of 40/100G, it has become a mature Ethernet standard that can be deployed in reasonable pricing models.

The report also emphasized 10G Ethernet's necessity. In the past, most companies considered 10G a somewhat marginal upgrade that was not inherently needed. Now, the report said, trends in virtualization, video and cloud computing have made 10G a necessity in enterprise settings.

While the report clearly establishes 10G as the critical technology of the moment, it does not neglect 40/100G Ethernet. The report predicts the technology will mature during the next few years to provide a critical networking upgrade. However, that maturation is dependent on engineering advances, according to the report.

To develop strategies that support a business' budgetary and technical needs while optimizing network performance, consider a network solutions provider to develop telecom services and maximize network architecture.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=33 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:41:21 -0700 private lines and multi-protocol label switching technologies can be somewhat challenging from an operational standpoint because both technologies were initially devised to manage traffic in a network. However, new technologies have modified that base purpose.

In the case of private lines, the primary purpose is connecting two locations directly through a dedicated networking line that only handles transmission between the two endpoints. As a result, any traffic is able to go to its destination without interruption or rerouting. Advanced private lines still feature advanced switching technology to customize the deployment, but the purpose of providing a direct connection to optimize transmission speed remains the same.

Initially, MPLS technology was designed solely to improve routing within a network. This was accomplished by giving each data packet its own label, letting the network analyze the label, and not the packet. This dramatically hastened data routing. Over time, MPLS has evolved into an ideal protocol for virtual private networks.

For businesses that need a networking solution that can directly link them to critical endpoints, the private line is ideal. For broader, virtual private networks, MPLS is a better solution. To identify which is right for their specific needs, many businesses employ a network solutions provider to establish telecom services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=43 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:06:50 -0700
According to a recent TeleGeography report, Ethernet over SDH/Sonet and Ethernet over MPLS are both becoming popular solutions.

The report said EoSDH/Sonet is, at a surface level, the ideal traffic protocol for Ethernet establishments for financial institutions. EoSDH/Sonet is particularly suited for these environments because of its ability to guarantee latency and restoration times while also offering specified routing and traffic paths.

However, the report said EoMPLS is often the better choice because it provides a more-than-adequate solution at a significantly lower cost. While EoMPLS lacks some of the advanced features of EoSDH/Sonet, it is still capable of meeting the needs of most financial institutions. In many cases, companies are willing to sacrifice features and use EoMPLS because EoSDH/Sonet can be twice as expensive in some instances, the report said.

Companies trying to balance performance and cost in the most efficient manner possible would do well to enlist a network solutions provider to manage telecom services and identify how the network can best serve the organization.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=34 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:20:34 -0700 MPLS was considered an ideal way to enhance routing and traffic management within a network. Over time, new technologies have come to negate that benefit, and MLPS has transformed into an ideal technology to support virtual private networks.

MPLS works by easing data packet transmission by assigning each packet its own label, or header, that hastens routing and overall transmission. Typically, a network has to identify all of the data within a packet and give it a priority that will dictate how it is sent through a network.

Using MPLS technology, a network simply has to identify information in the header, and can save the time required to process the data packet itself. This makes routing significantly faster and dramatically improves network performance.

New technologies have emerged that improve routing without depending on MPLS. However, these advances have not negated the technology's importance. Instead, MPLS has found a critical niche with virtual private networks because its traffic management capabilities are especially advantageous in these settings.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=42 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:34:04 -0700
The new standard has the potential to dramatically impact the data center, making it run more efficiently and subsequently provide businesses better access to information traveling throughout mulitple branches, DataCenter Dynamics reports.

According to the report, data centers depend on advanced network infrastructure includes storage area networks, fiber channel over Ethernet, RDMA over converged Ethernet and inter-processor communication.

With current 10G technology, data centers must establish multi-faceted networks that have extensive equipment and link aggregation to manage bandwidth. The report said the new 40/100G standard would offer fast enough data transmission to eliminate the need for link aggregation and converge Ethernet networks. This will not only improve performance in the data center, but ease transmissions to branch offices as well.

To identify if their networking establishment is ready for an upgrade to 40/100G, or if it needs more efficient 10G deployment, companies should consider employing a network solutions provider that will manage its telecom and networking needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=41 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 06:59:34 -0700 MPLS still offers enough advantages over network backbone technologies to be worth the cost.

Despite the potential of PBB-TE, a recent report from industry publication Electronics Design, Strategy, News said MPLS offers a few distinct advantages that PBB-TE cannot replicate. Both standards are uniquely suited for deployment in advanced virtual private networks, but MPLS is able to integrate with quality of service monitoring, giving it a distinct edge.

According to the report, MPLS uses label stacks with 3-bit traffic-class fields that can support QOS monitoring within the IEEE 802.1Qay. This helps the network identify traffic congestion and maximize performance by defining data packets and prioritizing transmission intelligently.

The PBB-TE standard, which will be ready in a year or two, the report said, cannot match the QOS capabilities offered by MPLS. Furthermore, PBB-TE tends to be less expensive, but MPLS costs can vary based on the number of ports needed, the report said.

Routing networking traffic to ensure fast data transmission in virtual private networks can be a major challenge for businesses, but network solutions providers can help by managing telecom services and identifying the right technologies to optimize infrastructure.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=40 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:47:45 -0700
These trends are creating significant challenges in WAN deployment to connect branch offices to data centers. To solve this problem, a recent report from Talari Networks recommends using WAN virtualization to expand the WAN's bandwidth capabilities.

Speaking to the Data Center Post, Andy Gottlieb, CEO of Talari Networks, said WAN virtualization specifically targets applications sent through the network. This dramatically reduces bandwidth needs and improves WAN performance.

"The particularly nice part about most WAN virtualization solutions for data center managers is that they can pay for themselves out of monthly multi-protocol label switching spending," Gottlieb told the news source.

Identifying a business' WAN requirements and maximizing both WAN and MPLS establishments to support operations can be easier when companies enlist network solutions providers to telecom services. Using a network solutions provider can help organizations optimize their networking infrastructure.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=39 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:49:48 -0700
IPv6, like IPv4, is a system that manages and routes data packets as they are sent between internet-connected devices.

IPv4 originated in the earliest days of the internet, and is a 32-bit protocol, meaning it can support two to the thirty-second power devices. At the time of its inception, it was difficult to imagine ever having more than 4 billion devices connected to the internet.

The IPv4 has run out of addresses, however, making IPv6 necessary. IPv6 is a 128-bit protocol, making the number of devices that can have an IP address almost unlimited. The problem is that IPv4 and IPv6 are not inherently compatible, and an IPv4 computer can therefore not connect to an IPv6 server.

To respond to the compatibility issue, many companies are moving to upgrade their network infrastructure to support both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. Businesses struggling to identify the best way to switch to IPv6 without leaving IPv4 customers out of the loop may want to consider enlisting a network solutions provider to manage telecom services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=38 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:56:11 -0700 private line or multiprotocol label switching environment, can supply more bandwidth and higher performance than most other networking protocols.

According to a recent Chip Design report, companies are increasingly discovering that wireless networks alone are not enough to get the job done, and are turning to fiber optic technologies and other wired solutions to support their advanced networking needs.

Fiber optic cabling offers significant advantages over wireless and other wired technologies, the report said. These advantages come in the form of its ability to transmit signal using visible light instead of radio frequency transmission. As a result, the report said fiber optic cabling is not affected by electromagnetic interference.

The report also cites the legal advantage as a key benefit of fiber optic cabling solutions. In wireless networks, the government monitors transmission channels. This legal procedure does not occur in fiber optic environments, according to the report.

To identify the best way to use fiber optic technology to upgrade a business with advanced networking technologies, many companies turn to network solutions providers, who can manage an organization's telecom services. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=37 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:05:20 -0700
Because VoIP uses the internet to make phone calls, all of the limitations of a traditional telephony service are removed. The primary benefit in this has to do with negating the limitations of a land line system.

Because the land line depends on cabling installed over geographical space, phone calls are charged based on the physical distance they cover. Using VoIP, this dependence on physical distance is removed, making every phone call the equivalent of a local call.

Negating the costs of long-distance phone communication makes VoIP ideally suited for companies with branches spread out over large distances. This is especially the case for international organizations, as VoIP not only overcomes distance, but also national borders.

To successfully deploy VoIP solutions, businesses may want to consider using a network solutions provider, as the network infrastructure needed to successfully ensure high-performance VoIP calling is complex, but capable of creating a significant return on investment when managed well.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=36 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:42:16 -0700
Infonetics Research recently released a study that found virtualization, consolidation and cloud computing have created demand for WAN optimization, advanced Ethernet and application delivery controllers in data center environments.

The increased demand for networking tools in data centers has led to a consequent growth in the industry. Infonetics found network equipment sales rose to $8 billion in 2010, marking 50 percent growth over 2009's lackluster results. Furthermore, the study anticipates significant growth in 2011 as well.

"For 2011, we expect tempering but still robust growth in sales, and the biggest opportunities for vendors is in helping companies grow their data center infrastructure sustainably," said Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst of enterprise networks and video for Infonetics Research.

Businesses working to transition their networking infrastructure to support a consolidated or virtualized data center are facing an especially challenging environment, as more data must be sent through the WAN in such circumstances. Businesses should consider investing in a network solutions provider to help ease telecom concerns associated with the data center.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=35 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:01:03 -0700
However, virtual desktops that depend on information stored in a central data center that delivers data to multiple branches can overwhelm a WAN. In a recent interview with CIOL magazine, industry expert Mark Urban explained a virtual desktop on a standard WAN can take as long as half-an-hour to deploy because so much information is transmitted from the data center to the office.

By deploying WAN optimization practices, companies can significantly reduce the data transmission times by improving routing, speeds and bandwidth capabilities. This can cut virtual desktop boot times to less than a minute, Urban told the news source, and have a drastic impact on productivity.

Businesses considering the installation of a virtual desktop infrastructure should closely consider how the technology will impact their WAN and optimize the network accordingly. To ensure success in this endeavor, businesses should consider consulting a network solutions provider to manage their telecom needs and optimize the WAN establishment.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=44 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:52:39 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, the data center Ethernet market is currently in a mild state of disarray because vendors are unclear as to which standard they should develop for data center Ethernet.

Both the IETF's transparent interconnection of lots of links, and the IEEE's shortest path bridging standards are gaining popularity, and the two organizations have been unable to unify the solutions into a single standard.

TRILL is designed to essentially replace the current spanning tree protocol, replacing it with a system that can handle more data and higher bandwidth. The SPB system upgrades STP, making it well-suited for current data centers. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and vendors are increasingly developing solutions for each separate system because neither is becoming dominant.

To identify whether TRILL or SPB will be better for a data center Ethernet establishment, many companies would do well to enlist a network solutions provider to ensure the new standard will meet their specific needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=64 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:49:57 -0700
According to a recent ZDNet report, Microsoft offered bankrupcy applicant Nortel approximately $7.5 million for fewer than 700,000 IPv4 addresses. The report said Microsoft's efforts are an indication of the general tendency businesses have to cling to IPv4.

The ZDNet report explains many companies are more prepared to overspend for IPv4 addresses than switch to IPv6. This could leave many companies in a difficult position when the inevitable change to IPv6 occurs.

This tendency could lead to a growing price point for IPv4 addresses, the report said. The skyrocketing prices for IPv4 addresses could create many challenges for businesses working to prepare for the new IPv6 protocol, according to the report.

According to IT World, many businesses already have the technology in place to support IPv6, but have not evaluated their infrastructure to identify which equipment will support both IPv4 and IPv6 protocol.

To help identify a network's readiness for IPv6, companies should consider the services of network solutions providers to handle a business' telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=63 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:52:01 -0700
A recent IT World report said companies need to make the change to IPv6, and explained the first step to making the transition is understanding the new protocol. Gaining a genuine understanding of the IPv6 protocol and its supporting technologies is critical to successfully adapting networking infrastructure to the new system, which is not inherently compatible with IPv4.

Once companies understand the new protocol, they need to work on identifying how their current infrastructure will operate within that protocol, the report said. To do that, businesses need to identify the capabilities of their equipment and see which programs are capable of supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 in a dual-stack configuration.

To sidestep these potentially grueling network management issues, businesses can consult a network solutions provider to manage their telecom services and ensure their infrastructure is ready to handle IPv6. Network solutions providers can evaluate a company's network architecture and optimize current systems while making any necessary upgrades to ensure optimal services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=62 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:53:46 -0700
According to a recent CloudTweaks report, the trends toward cloud computing and virtualization force these network upgrades because they simultaneously raise concerns about bandwidth and network optimization.

The high demands for network performance are such, the report said, that simply enacting a new service provider plan will not be enough. Furthermore, advanced technologies, such as MPLS, will only have a moderate, though useful, impact on the network's performance once the cloud is involved, the report said.

Instead of turning to MPLS establishments or high-speed service plans, the report recommended optimized WAN governance solutions as the key to equipping a company's network infrastructure for cloud computing solutions.

Network solutions providers can meet a company's cloud computing needs. They are also an ideal service to enlist for businesses trying to get their networks ready for the cloud. Network solutions providers can meet all telecom needs and optimize networking infrastructure. As a result, businesses can confidently deploy cloud services without having to worry about whether their network will be capable of handling the new bandwidth demands.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=45 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:07:40 -0700
According to a recent Enterprise Storage Forum report, FCoE is becoming especially popular in SAN establishments, and is able to reduce costs dramatically while also decreasing the amount of equipment necessary to support the network.

"When you take switches, cabling and adapters into account, FCoE is 33 percent cheaper to deploy than traditional networks and holds the promise of 50 percent savings on power and cooling," Bob Laliberte, an analyst with the Enterprise Strategy Group, told the news source.

Dennis Martin, an industry analyst with Demartek, told the news source FCoE's slow adoption rate can be attributed to industry tendencies to show reluctance toward adopting new technologies early in their lifecycle. As a result, Martin expect FCoE to continue slow growth during 2011 and said it will not really develop fast until next year, at the earliest.

Businesses trying to find the best way to equip their data center SANs and enterprise WANs to perform well and use the most efficient and cost-effective technologies can depend on network solutions providers to meet their various telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=61 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:59:38 -0700
According to a recent FreshBusinessThinking.com report, these advanced networking solutions are quickly becoming more popular, especially in small- to medium-sized businesses. First mile Ethernet is becoming especially popular in companies that have been disappointed by leased line programs and require multi-site connections or virtual private networks.

First mile Ethernet's rapid uptake since 2001 can be attributed to its ability to function without a physical upgrade, the report said. Most advanced networking technologies require new structure cabling and other infrastructural changes that can be expensive and complex. First mile Ethernet, on the other hand, can operate on current copper cabling lines, making them an easy solution for many businesses.

Maximizing a company's network infrastructure is often about combining physical infrastructure, equipment and service plans to optimize performance within a budget. To accomplish this, companies can consult a network solutions provider to handle their telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=60 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:39:35 -0700
According to a recent TMCnet report, the IPv4 protocol will run dry by the end of 2011, and businesses must work quickly to adapt their systems to handle the transition.

To accomplish the move to IPv6, the report recommended focusing on transitional technologies that may not offer a long-term solution to dual-stack internet systems or the IPv6 protocol, but can help businesses get by while the internet stabilizes.

Transitional technologies can provide a short-term solution to support both protocols until the IPv6 becomes more standard. Furthermore, the report said they can be deployed quickly to help businesses address the urgent nature of the IPv6 crisis.

Network solutions providers can help businesses make the transition to IPv6 by evaluating their networks, identifying which systems need upgrades and managing telecom service plans. This gives them an important edge over major telecom providers that often cannot provide the customer service needed to foster a smooth transition to IPv6.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=59 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:41:26 -0700
Speaking at the Retirement Communities World Australasia Conference, Bruce Coller, CIO for HammondCare, said many businesses are upgrading their technological infrastructure without subsequent networking upgrades.

Coller explained businesses need to focus beyond improving operations because networking and communication technologies need to expand a business' computing capacity to handle the current technological climate.

According to Coller, companies should focus on their long-term agenda when investing in networking technology, and not simply make changes that improve current performance. A long-term focus is critical because later upgrades will be expensive and difficult to perform, he said. As a result, businesses should invest in flexible solutions that can adapt to changing networking demands over time.

While Coller focused on scalability and long-term upgrades, he did cite an older technology when he said Ethernet-over-copper cabling may be better for many small business WAN establishments because it is more cost-effective than fiber-optic connections.

Consulting a network solutions provider is one way business can ensure their infrastructure remains up-to-date and capable of supporting their everyday needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=58 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:08:27 -0700
According to a recent BetaNews report, purchasing IP addresses from other companies used to be against the distribution center's policy. Instead, each organization had to buy their IP addresses from the regional distribution center.

However, the American Registry for Internet Numbers has adopted a new policy that lets companies purchase IP addresses from each other to help make IPv4 addresses last for as long as possible.

The report said the policy allowing private companies to trade addresses may have been present, but ARIN will not confirm its existence. The official policy said companies that will not use an IP address block must send it back to the distribution center, where they will be reallocated.

By allowing companies to take care of a loophole in this traditional procedure, ARIN could buy companies more time before they have to switch to the IPv6 protocol, the report said.

To take advantage of the extra time before IPv6 becomes necessary, businesses may want to use a network solutions provider to help manage their telecom needs and make sure their network is ready for the change. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=57 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:50:58 -0700 MPLS, but those efforts diminish when users begin to access the network through non-business devices.

According to a recent PC World report, a virtual private network is the best way to address security concerns that arise when users access company networks through non-business devices or a public internet connection.

A virtual private network essentially takes a business' internal network and extends it directly to the end user's device. This creates a private connection between the end user and business that is difficult to hack.

Advanced VPNs are capable of featuring firewalls, Layer 2 Tunneling Protocols, Secure Socket Layer technology and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocols to protect devices that are connecting to a company's network, regardless of which device they are using.

While VPNs are typically associated with wireless network access, they are typically built on a foundation of advanced networking infrastructure, such as an MPLS. To identify the best way to invest in MPLS to support a VPN, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to manage their telecom services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=56 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:52:44 -0700
According to a recent study from the D'Plata Group, major changes could be on the way in the data center as current fiber channel technologies, such as fiber channel over Ethernet, are struggling to take hold and will soon be overcome by more interoperable solutions that can simplify data center infrastructure.

The study predicts fiber channel over token ring technology will soon overtake fiber channel and FCoE, gaining a majority of the market share by 2020. Ten years after that, FCoTR will boast more than 99 percent of the data center market, the study said.

Stephano D'Plata chairman, CEO and analyst in chief of the D'Plata Group, said the FCoTR Alliance has been developing the standard to encourage interoperability between vendor solutions, easing tension and complexity that is currently stifling FCoE growth.

FCoE has struggled to take hold in the data center, despite its clear advantages, because the standard has become vendor-specific and forces data centers to deploy equipment from a single vendor to establish FCoE infrastructure, the Enterprise Storage Forum reports.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=55 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:56:33 -0700
A recent study from RAD Data Communications found carrier Ethernet is one of the fastest growing networking technologies on the market and could generate revenues of $162 billion between 2009 and 2014.

In many cases, businesses are embracing advanced Ethernet technologies because network providers are able to deliver contemporary services at a lower cost than legacy systems that may offer similar performance, the study found.

According to the study, technologies leading to carrier Ethernet deployment include cloud computing, video conferencing, telepresence, point-of-sale platforms and content distribution networks.

Carrier Ethernet is not the only Ethernet form growing fast. A recent Register report tracks the expansion of storage Ethernet from its inception as a network attached storage solution, through its days in iSCSI deployment and into its future as a facilitator for fiber channel SAN technologies.

To identify the best ways to deploy Ethernet technologies in enterprise settings, many businesses work with network solutions providers capable of managing all telecom services and maintaining optimized network establishments.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=54 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:09:16 -0700
According to a recent Register report, this hybrid model for cloud computing quickly revealed a dependence on advanced networking infrastructure.

Typical cloud computing deployments simply need more bandwidth. Hybrid clouds, the report explained, need infrastructure capable of identifying data packets from multiple network sources, prioritizing routing between virtual machines and delivering applications quickly to end users.

This complexity led to many vendor-specific solutions that help identify virtual machines and manage traffic between them. However, the report said one of the best ways to efficiently manage hybrid cloud network infrastructure is through an MPLS solution.

By deploying an MPLS, each data packet can be given a simple label identifying its virtual machine origin and destination, helping it quickly navigate the hybrid cloud environment and reach end users. The report said this can drastically improve hybrid cloud performance.

Businesses working to upgrade their network to match their cloud needs should consider working with network solutions providers because they can manage telecom services with the highest standards for customer service. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=53 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:45:29 -0700
According to a recent whitepaper from LiveVox, VoIP may be getting less expensive as more carriers are turning to MPLS establishments that can support IP telephony systems in an inexpensive and efficient infrastructure.

Using MPLS networking technology in conjunction with SIP trunking protocols can support high-performance IP telephony services and make them less expensive than traditional PBX systems, the report said.

During 2011, the report predicts MPLS-based VoIP deployments will grow substantially, creating a profitable environment for IP telephony services built upon the foundation of MPLS networks.

New developments in the MPLS industry are also supporting cloud-based communications initiatives, the report said, as the advanced routing capabilities in MPLS ease the transition to hosted VoIP establishments by improving network performance.

A recent CloudTweaks report identifies MPLS networking technology as a key enabler of cloud computing infrastructure in enterprise settings. By using MPLS technology, businesses can help optimize cloud performance through improved application delivery.

Consulting a network solutions provider can help businesses trying to deploy advanced VoIP solutions or cloud services make sure their network and telecom systems are ready to handle the new technologies.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=52 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:08 -0700
According to a recent SYS-CON Media report, companies should not be too quick to turn FCoE away as a solution for their data center WAN and SAN needs because the technology has the potential to develop into a mainstream solution that becomes pervasive in the data center.

The report explained most technologies that eventually become a major force in their sector go through phases of hype before becoming widely popular. The initial phase is hype. FCoE has already gone through this part of its development.

However, the hype is usually followed by a down period in which early adopters begin to recognize the technology's limitation and the focus turns to its flaws. The report said FCoE is currently in this phase. Technologies that make it through this stage typically enjoy widespread adoption.

The SYS-CON Media report's enthusiasm for FCoE may be unfounded however, as a recent study from the D'Plata group predicts fiber channel over token ring will gain a dominant share in the data center networking market by 2020.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=51 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:30:44 -0700 MPLS.

Because of these advanced networking needs, businesses are increasingly showing interest in next-generation network equipment. A recent TechNavio report said the rapidly climbing data climate is leading to a potentially thriving market in the sector.

Currently, TechNavio expects the pace of next generation network equipment sales to mirror the annual increase in data creation. This should create a CAGR of 14.2 percent during the next few years, leading to an industry valued at approximately $3.2 billion by 2014.

Green initiatives are also driving next-generation networking equipment sales, the report said, because businesses are working to deploy technologies that let them handle the growing amount of data transmission while operating in a sustainable manner.

Walking the line between performance and budget restrictions can be quite difficult for some businesses, making an optimized network essential to make the most out of whatever hardware is available. A network solutions provider can manage all of a business' telecom needs and ensure performance is able to meet demand.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=50 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:43:20 -0700
According to a recent report from the NPD Group, companies are increasing their spending on SAN and NAS network equipment and also investing in new routing and switching and technologies.

The SAN and NAS market was uniquely positioned for growth in 2010 because it managed to escape 2009's downturn without experiencing any serious damages. The NPD group found the SAN and NAS market was one of the few areas to grow in 2009, and its continued revenues in 2010 led to an overall value of $1 billion in the sector.

The routing and switching market was not as fortunate in 2009, but still grew by 25 percent in 2010, reaching approximately $7 billion in market value during the year.

"Spending on product segments such as software and network products indicate that small and medium business are putting the technology backbone in place that will enable them to deliver profitable growth as the economy improves," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysts for the NPD Group.

To identify the best way to distribute spending on new network equipment, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to manage their telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=49 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:42:27 -0700
According to the report, network infrastructure sales in the data center grew by 22 percent in 2010.

Jeremy Duke, founder and principal analyst for the Synergy Research Group, said 2010's data center networking infrastructure growth can be attributed, in part, to new data center projects by major technology companies and service providers. Future growth will be pushed by advanced technologies, he said.

"Over the coming years we believe increasing demand of utility computing and next-generation multimedia services will continue to drive aggressive investment and innovation," said Duke.

The report also discovered a growing environment for competition in the sector. While Cisco remained the dominant vendor, expanding its market share to 50 percent, other hardware vendors, including Juniper, Fortinet and Citrix, are also expanding.

To navigate the complex vendor environment of data center network establishments, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to manage their telecom services and optimize network infrastructure. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=48 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:08:42 -0700
According to a recent AV Interactive report, many businesses are solving the networking needs of video by moving all of the telepresence, video conferencing and other video-related systems to the company's IP network.

Once everything in the company is migrated to a single network, the business can focus on equipping the LAN to handle the bandwidth and speed requirements of video while improving performance for the rest of the network as well.

David Galton-Fenzi, sales and marketing director of Zycko, told the news source this unified approach to networking is becoming possible because high-performance network equipment and protocols are becoming more pervasive in enterprise settings.

To take full advantage of video's power for collaboration and creativity in enterprise settings, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to meet their telecom needs and ensure network infrastructure can handle widespread video use in enterprise settings.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=47 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:01:05 -0700
A recent Data Center Knowledge report explains the issue through an often-used comparison to Y2K. However, the report explains that a key difference exists between Y2K and IPv6 - Y2K was a possibility, and nobody was really sure it would happen. The IPv6 transition is inevitable, and cannot be prevented, only prepared for.

To prepare, the report said most small and mid-sized businesses will not need to make any major internal change through most of 2011. This complacency is possible because most companies use a routing solution that will continue to support IPv4 successfully.

The problem will come when more consumers begin switching to IPv6, the report said. At this point, businesses that are not equipped for IPv6 will be cut off from consumers using the protocol. Eventually, the report said, transition to support both protocols will be necessary.

To navigate the challenges of refitting a network to handle both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, businesses should consider using a network solutions provider to manage their infrastructure and telecom services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=46 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:45:39 -0700
According to a recent Data Center Knowledge report, consolidation can have a significant impact on the network. The primary effect of consolidation is switching from a LAN connection to a WAN establishment that reaches multiple offices.

While the WAN itself can be effective, the consolidated data center is generally going to push so much information through the network that application performance will suffer, the report said. Furthermore, adding bandwidth is an expensive solution that will take up most of the savings generated through consolidation, according to the report.

Instead of adding bandwidth, businesses should focus on WAN governance. By creating policies that monitor and guide how the network prioritizes data, businesses can ensure each application gets the network resources it needs.

To deploy technologies to help govern a WAN network, many businesses subscribe to the services of network solutions providers, to manage their telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=66 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:49:56 -0700
A recent report from informIT describes the details of establishing dual-stack capabilities on a single-tier WAN/branch network.

Basing its explanation on Cisco hardware, to initiate the dual-stack program, businesses need to begin with an IPv4- and IPv6-compatible router capable of establishing both LAN and WAN networks.

This router is then used to simultaneously create a T1 dual-stack connection that is made redundant through a supportive asymmetric digital subscriber line. These two connections are both equipped, through the router, for dual-stack capabilities and can connect the branch office and headquarters.

At the headquarters, a switch provides the LAN connection to support the WAN establishment. Furthermore, a VPN is used to transmit critical corporate data directly between such sites. In a single-tier system, the report said, dual-stack capabilities are achieved, but only the internet connection is redundant, leaving the router and switch vulnerable to failure.

Creating a single-tier dual-stack WAN system can be a complex process, but businesses can ease their telecom issues by subscribing to the services of network solutions providers to manage their infrastructure. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=65 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:09:21 -0700
To create a redundant and robust dual-stack WAN, the report said companies should invest in a dual-tier establishment.

According to the report, a dual-tier WAN uses multiple switches to provide LAN connections in both the headquarters and branch offices, while as many routers as necessary house the WAN connection. This creates inherent redundancy because multiple WAN controllers are attached to the frame relay cloud and connected to the LAN switch, the report said.

The dual-tier WAN solution can offer more than just redundancy. The ability to add as many routers and switches as needed also lets the network scale to changing needs and support advanced routing technologies, including MPLS and frame relay.

To identify if a business can get by with single-tier dual-stack WAN or if it needs dual-tier, many companies consult network solutions providers to manage their telecom services and network infrastructure. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=68 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:38:25 -0700
According to a recent Network Computing report, the WAN optimization market is beginning to resemble the early days of the Ethernet switching sector. During that period, companies would develop new ways to offer major performance boosts and release new equipment claiming major benefits.

However, those performance boosts came without complimentary upgrades, and often faded once businesses began to deploy advanced networking tools. The report said the same thing is happening in WAN optimization, where vendors can show major performance increases. However, end-users lose the benefits once they enable such advanced protocols as HTTPS or LAN side throughput.

Addressing throughput issues and other advanced protocols that limit WAN performance can be challenging, the report said, because other factors, including TCP connections and IP packet flows, can reduce performance in other ways.

Network solutions providers can manage a business' communications services and make sure their WAN is able to maximize its throughput based on the company's specific application delivery, load format and bandwidth needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=67 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:45:06 -0700
According to a recent Infonetics Research report, 100G and 100GE hardware sales are growing quickly and could be positioned to become the dominant port standards in the near future.

"There is a lot of excitement these days around 100G and 100GE, and whether or how soon 100G prices will cause 40G sales to decline," said Michael Howard, principal analyst for carrier and data center networks and co-founder of Infonetics.

Howard explained 100G and 100GE deployment is currently limited because inter-city cabling routes have not yet been planned on a large-scale and manufacturers are only beginning to create compatible hardware. However, the standard is growing fast and Infonetics expects it to be dominant between 2015 and 2030, Howard said.

Identifying the best networking and Ethernet port standard to deploy in a business can be difficult, especially for organizations with complex networking and telecom needs. Network solutions providers can optimize a company's network and manage its overall telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=69 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:54:50 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, WAN optimization is quickly emerging as a common software-based solution to support cloud computing initiatives. The software-based optimization solutions are not a replacement for hardware systems, but a way to extend their impact.

The report explains software optimization solutions are capable of extending the WAN into a server, connecting virtual machines as part of the larger network. The technology then improves data and application transmission between virtual servers within the hardware.

By improving performance at the core server level, the report said software-based WAN optimization can improve application and data delivery to the end user and extend the WAN optimization solution beyond its previous reach. Routing and performance is improved at the server level, making it easier to route data and optimize performance between the data center and branch offices.

Establishing the optimal WAN optimization platform for a business can be challenging. To ease this difficulty, companies should consult a network solutions provider to manage their telecom, cloud and network infrastructure needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=98 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:15:24 -0700
According to the report, OpenFlow is able to manage and route traffic from switches from various vendors. Essentially, it separates the way routing is managed from the actual hardware, giving businesses more control over network traffic.

OpenFlow works by installing a general controller and flow tables on switches. These are combined with a proprietary OpenFlow controller to give businesses intricate control of the network's routing procedures.

The report explained OpenFlow is quite similar to MPLS in nature. However, MPLS must operate using a vendor protocol that matches the hardware. Furthermore, MPLS is a Layer 3 routing solution, while OpenFlow is a Layer 2 solution. OpenFlow's place on Layer 2 networks makes it an ideal solution in data center environments, the report said.

Managing routing on multi-layer networks can be challenging, especially in businesses using hardware from multiple networks. To optimize routing traffic, business should consult network solutions providers to manage their network infrastructure.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=70 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 09:56:51 -0700 MPLS or enterprise network solution is becoming less popular among many U.S. businesses, who instead are more interested in customized, managed network solutions, a recent survey performed by Chadwick Martin Bailey found.

The survey found businesses are becoming less interested in general network service provisions, such as basic WAN establishments, and are increasingly looking to specialty managed network solution providers to meet their advanced telecom needs.

Chris Neal, vice president and technology practice leader at CMB, said respondents are too busy to devote IT resources to manage their own networks and are increasingly deploying specialty providers to meet their needs. This trend did not surprise the company, Neal said.

"What did surprise us is that it's no longer enough to just offer WAN 'pipes.' Enterprises are seeking providers who offer unwavering customer service and deeply understand their unique applications," said Neal.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the specialty services managed by a network solutions provider. By consulting such a service, businesses can ensure their advanced network infrastructure is in capable hands that will respond well to all of their customer service needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=97 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 08:24:55 -0700
One popular solution for improving network performance without investing in major infrastructure upgrades is WAN virtualization. A recent Network World report said WAN virtualizaiton is possible when companies add new hardware or software to improve routing and connectivity within the wide area network. This improves performance without forcing businesses to invest in solutions that just increase bandwidth.

Industry expert Keith Morris told the news source businesses of all sizes can benefit from WAN virtualization solutions, even smaller companies with only a few branches.

"WAN virtualization technology is broadly applicable to almost any company with five locations or more, since over time all but perhaps the smallest companies need more bandwidth, are looking to reduce monthly costs and would like greater network reliability and application performance predictability," Morris told the news source.

Network solutions providers can help businesses identify the best hardware and software to deploy while virtualizating their WAN. They can also manage a business' telecom services to make sure performance is always fast and reliable.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=96 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:16:25 -0700
According to a recent Fierce Telecom report, some of the challenges associated with QoS are being dealt with through advanced networking technologies, such as frame relays. However, these arrangements become difficult to maintain when businesses must send employees away for regional travel.

Maintaining QoS over multiple regions requires a telecom service provider to engage in more creative technologies and service agreements to deliver internet resources to enterprise customers. One of those technologies, the report said, is external-network to network interconnection.

An external-network to network interconnection system lets telecom customers shift their services to another provider when traveling out of their service region. This is accomplished when multiple telecoms engage in a minor partnership to extend their networks to serve each other's customers when they leave their base region.

For businesses that must maintain a reliable QoS, simply depending on the telecom service provider may not be enough. Many companies will instead enlist a network solutions provider to manage their telecom needs and ensure QoS is maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=72 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:48:14 -0700
In an interview with InformationWeek, Craig Labovitz, chief scientist for Arbor Networks, said businesses have been slow to deploy IPv6-ready network infrastructure because they are not economically motivated to make the transition at this point.

"Service providers don't want IPv6 because subscribers don't want it, subscribers don't want it until there is content, and the content providers don't want it unless there are subscribers. Plus, there haven't been financial motives," Labovitz told InformationWeek.

Labovitz also told the news source companies are finding the IPv6 migration is more challenging than initially expected and are therefore avoiding the upgrade.

For many businesses, the IPv6 migration will be essential quite soon. Others may be able to wait, but will want to switch eventually to leverage the security and performance benefits offered by the address protocol. To identify the shortest path to IPv8, businesses should consider consulting a network solutions provider to guide and implement transition strategies.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=73 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:50:11 -0700
The new standard will let transmissions travel up to 2 km on a single-mode fiber-optic cable. It also lets telecom carriers deploy Ethernet technologies to support 40 Gbps networks.

Advances in the IEEE 802.3bg-2011 will also improve telecom equipment needs by making new hardware compatible with older components that operate with a diverse range of standards.

Mark Nowell, chairperson of the IEEE 802.3bg Task Force, said the new standard was well supported by participating bodies. As a result, it has come to fruition in record time - just 16 months after initial interest was shown and only a year after the project was officially approved.

Nowell explained the standard is relevant because the telecom community is eager to deploy Ethernet technologies, but requires compatibility with older technologies, including SONET, SDH, OTN and POS equipment. The new standard makes interoperability possible.

Companies struggling to make the most of their telecom opportunities should consult a network solutions provider, which will be able to optimize the organization's service plan. Network solutions providers can manage telecom and network infrastructure needs to ensure service levels are maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=71 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:52:22 -0700
According to a recent ZDNet report, many small businesses may want to move to the IPv6 protocol anyway because the technology offers improved security and performance. Before doing so, the report said businesses need to evaluate their current hardware.

Many newer routers, switches, operating systems and network software are already capable of supporting dual-stack technology, which lets both IPv6 and IPv4 addresses access the network.

However, dual-stack is not something businesses can simply assume is present, no matter how new their hardware is. Furthermore, the report said many systems may have bugs since IPv6 is so new, and need to be evaluated for quality, not just compatibility.

Managing the migration to IPv6 is a long and complex process, even if hardware is already equipped for the change. To ease the transition, businesses should consider enlisting a network solutions provider to manage their communications and network infrastructure. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=95 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:20:20 -0700
The report said a business can upgrade internal network infrastructure and the hosting provider can upgrade the server, but if the storage software is not IPv6 compatible, the solution will fall apart when the IPv6 migration is completed.

Currently, this is not an urgent issue, the report said. Mainstream IPv6 adoption is still some time away, even though IPv4 addresses are quickly running dry, and most businesses will be able to get by without having to worry about their storage software for a while, according to the report.

While the issue is not urgent, it is an important one that needs to be addressed first in lab environments, the report said. The challenge in making storage IPv6 compatible is that a software-based storage solution is not attached to the hardware, and does not benefit if the network and server infrastructure is IPv6 compatible.

Network solutions providers can help businesses navigate the complete spectrum of their IPv6 migration. They can make sure cloud services, network infrastructure and telecom needs are all taken care of when the IPv6 protocol becomes active.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=74 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:22:47 -0700
Virtualization is a major boon to companies looking to reduce infrastructure expenses, such as energy and cooling costs. But it also puts more pressure on the network because more data is being transmitted through fewer ports, Network World reports.

Based on an informal survey conducted by the news source at the recent Ahead of the Curve conference in Boston, the report said most network managers do not have a hard time adding new equipment to the network. Instead, dealing with virtual machines, VLANs and addressing changes in the network were considered the most challenging by most respondents.

The report said server virtualization forces many changes in the network infrastructure, and network managers must respond by reconfiguring equipment and protocols to manage traffic and routing.

To better handle the burdens of a virtualized infrastructure, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to oversee all of their network infrastructure and make sure high telecom service levels are maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=75 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:25:40 -0700
A recent Enterprise Networking Planet report said many companies are beginning to transition to 100 GbE. Currently, businesses are struggling to decide between 10 GbE capabilities for link aggregation and 100 GbE's ability to provide more bandwidth and higher speeds.

Industry expert Ken Cheng told the news source deciding between link aggregation and 100 GbE will be a key point for many businesses, but the industry, as a whole, is trending toward 100 GbE.

The 100 GbE standard is winning out, Cheng told Enterprise Networking Planet, because it is capable of dramatically increasing performance by stacking more bandwidth in a single fiber-optic line. This is becoming especially important in an era dominated by users transmitting larger data packets that require more bandwidth but not as many links.

For businesses attempting to define the best network standard to deploy, consulting a network solutions provider could be the answer. Network solutions providers can manage a business' telecom and network services, optimizing performance and maximizing uptime. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=76 Mon, 02 May 2011 10:47:33 -0700
According to a recent report from BroadbandDSLReports.com, most service providers are struggling to deploy IPv6-compatible networks because of complex hardware environments.

The report said most telecom service providers use hardware solutions from multiple vendors to meet their diverse needs and maintain a competitive pricing environment. Therefore, service providers cannot avoid upgrading to a new solution to make IPv6 possible.

Instead, they have to analyze their entire hardware infrastructure and develop strategies to upgrade each type of equipment from every vendor they use to make the switch to IPv6 happen, the report said.

The need to overhaul hardware to make IPv6 possible could help some telecom providers enhance their service plans by upgrading systems that may not have changed in years, according to the report.

Companies that want to be certain they are ready for IPv6 and know that they are getting the best possible telecom service should consider enlisting a network solutions provider to handle their network management needs.  ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=94 Tue, 03 May 2011 15:02:26 -0700
According to a recent report from BroadbandDSLReports.com, MPLS networks are acting as a key part of IPv6 testing environments.

The report said service providers that have begun working toward IPv6 diligently are using MPLS to create disparate virtual networks to support their backbone technologies. This allows them to develop a coherent, secure and realistic lab environment where they can configure their IPv6 technologies and handle the hardware and software changes necessary for the transition.

According to the report, these lab environments are critical because most telecom service providers need to dramatically adapt both hardware and software systems for the new address protocol.

Businesses that want to understand what the IPv6 migration will mean to them and ensure they retain their telecom service levels at all times may want to consult a network solutions provider to manage their network infrastructure. A network solutions provider can handle all of a company's telecom and network management tasks to help optimize their services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=93 Wed, 04 May 2011 14:27:51 -0700
Currently, a public organization has the authority to monitor telecom service providers, control rates to a certain extent, respond to customer concerns and perform other duties to protect telecom users in the state. According to a recent Bloomberg Businessweek report, the new laws would remove the power to regulate.

The bill's supporters claim removing regulatory legislation would help telecoms increase revenues, build more advanced networks and offer businesses state-of-the-art services. They also claim it would spur the economy by creating new jobs.

The bill's opponents, on the other hand, think it would let telecom providers hike rates up to unreasonable levels, ignore customer service issues and even deny basic phone services to businesses and consumers.

Businesses trying to make sure their networking problems are always handled in a timely and reliable fashion should consider consulting a network solutions provider to manage all of their communications services. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=77 Thu, 05 May 2011 14:45:43 -0700
According to a recent itBusiness report, the lack of IPv4 addresses to be distributed is making the IPv6 migration more urgent than many had previously thought.

Peer 1 Hosting's director of network operations, Jag Bains, told the news source that the company wants more businesses and service providers to become IPv6-compliant quickly. However, it will probably take a few years before all organizations are fully prepared for the new protocol.

Because getting IPv6 ready can take so long, many smaller service providers are moving quickly to adopt the new address protocol so they are not left behind when the large-scale migration takes place, according to the report.

Getting IPv6 ready can be a long and arduous process. To simplify the migration and ensure service levels are maintained, consider consulting a network solutions provider to manage your communications and networking needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=78 Fri, 06 May 2011 13:27:45 -0700
Compiling information from a number of important industry reports, a recent ITBusiness Edge report said two clear camps have emerged in the IPv6 migration.

The first is explained clearly in an InfoWorld report. Many businesses believe they will be able to get away without transitioning to IPv6 because they can use network address translation to make everything IPv4-compatible, the report said. Furthermore, some businesses do not see economic gains from an IPv6 migration.

A Network Computing piece brings to light the other branch of IPv6 ideology. This group of businesses believes transitioning to an IPv6-compatible infrastructure is quite difficult, but can have financial benefits. While it may not generate revenue, it will allow companies to offer more advanced service plans that create new revenue opportunities, the report said.

To identify the best path for IPv6 migration, many businesses are turning to network solutions providers to manage their network infrastructure and telecommunications needs. Not only does a network solutions provider develop infrastructure strategies, but it can also handle the various telecom-related ramifications of an IPv6 deployment.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=79 Mon, 09 May 2011 14:50:51 -0700
For example, a service provider may decide to designate all voice-related data to the MPLS portion of the WAN to ensure low latency and low data loss. At the same time, a service, such as FTP traffic, may use the general internet connection, Network World reports. This system would designate network routing based on the type of data.

Industry expert Keith Morris told the news source systems that sort out individual data packets can also be successful.

"[Per-packet flow management] allows us to use all of the available bandwidth even for just a single flow the overwhelming majority of the time when all the connections are working well," Morris told the news source.

Managing how data is transmitted through the WAN can support optimization initiatives and help businesses get the most out of their infrastructure without making major upgrades. A network solutions provider can help a business optimize its WAN and establish a system that maximizes traffic flows.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=80 Tue, 10 May 2011 15:10:38 -0700
Sending large data packets with backup information through the WAN from a variety of branch offices can have a substantial impact on network performance, but businesses can use WAN optimization to overcome such challenges, CloudTweaks reports.

According to the report, WAN optimization can have a major positive impact on network performance while also reducing bandwidth use by approximately 95 percent. This is accomplished by managing data packet traffic so that large packets, such as backup copies, are sent through the WAN independently, maximizing the amount of bandwidth that can be allocated to the transmission.

Such routing procedures can free the network by limiting the time it takes for backup copies to be delivered just a few seconds. Being able to quickly transmit backup data is key to successfully implementing online backup and storage solutions in branch office environments.

One of the best ways to integrate WAN optimization practices is to consult a network solutions provider to manage a business' network and communications infrastructure. This can free businesses to focus on their processes while the solutions provider manages WAN optimization.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=81 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:30:37 -0700
According to a recent survey from Ipswitch Incorporated, most businesses are not moving quickly toward IPv6. The survey asked participants what percentage of their network was ready for the new protocol, and just 12 percent of respondents said 80 to 100 percent of their infrastructure is IPv6-ready.

Furthermore, there were not many respondents even close to the 80 to 100 percent level. The vast majority, 66.1 percent, fit into the zero to 20 percent tier when it came to acknowledging how much of their network architecture is ready to migrate to IPv6.

Kevin Gillis, vice president of product management and strategy at Ipswitch Incorporated's network management division, said the lack of IPv6 urgency is a problem.

"Our poll shows the need for companies to develop transition strategies in order to increase IPv6 readiness among enterprise networks and prevent any future disruption to mission-critical systems," said Gillis.

Businesses that need help getting ready for the IPv6 standard should consult a network solutions provider to handle their infrastructure and telecom management needs. Network solutions providers can help a business optimize network systems for almost any need.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=82 Thu, 12 May 2011 15:11:13 -0700
John D'Ambrosia, chairperson of the work group, explained that there is currently significant division among businesses as to whether or not 1 T Ethernet is the right standard to strive for beyond 40 G and 100 G.

One camp of businesses, headlined by Google, Facebook and other major internet companies, are pushing for 1 T to support video and mobile initiatives.

However, the other camp recognizes the youth of 40 G and 100 G, and believes the IEEE should work toward 400 G as a smaller step that more organizations could install realistically.

D'Ambrosia explained that the businesses pushing for 1 T may have some valid reasons for wanting the high-performance capabilities, but need to realize that a connection of that size may be pushing the boundaries of physics.

Identifying the best standard for a business' Ethernet systems can be a major challenge because new infrastructure is such a major investment. Consulting a network solutions provider can help businesses identify their networking needs and deploy any architecture that is needed.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=83 Thu, 12 May 2011 15:15:03 -0700
Somewhat surprisingly, the video game industry could be providing the shot in the arm needed to get these service providers going. According to a recent Computerworld report, the popular massively multiplayer online role playing game, World of Warcraft, which has millions of subscribers, was recently updated with a patch that lets users enable IPv6 where it is available.

According to the report, using World of Warcraft's IPv6 connection can provide better performance and security for users, pressuring service providers to upgrade to IPv6 to meet the needs of the game's large base of users.

The growing amount of IPv6-ready web content could also serve as a motivating factor for businesses preparing for an IPv6 adoption. Because IPv6 does offer performance advantages, it may not be long before business users began clamoring for the protocol. Network solutions providers can help companies get ready for IPv6 and make sure their infrastructure is compatible with the standard.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=84 Fri, 13 May 2011 15:03:27 -0700 MPLS technology can provide a network infrastructure capable of supporting a diverse range of advanced technologies, including voice, video and data transmission.

According to a recent IDC whitepaper, it is important to recognize that MPLS is not a service. Instead, it is an advanced networking technology that manages routing on a specific network tunnel. This allows the network to support improved data transmission and advanced applications that would use too much bandwidth on a traditional network.

Because MPLS is capable of identifying data packet labels from multiple protocols, the whitepaper said it can handle a diverse range of transport services, including IP data packets, Ethernet frames, native ATM and SONET.

The whitepaper explains that MPLS is capable of offering these benefits because it overcomes the deficiencies of a standard IP network. In such an architecture, data packet labels, which are often as large as 100 bits, must be read and analyzed prior to routing. MPLS is able to circumvent that procedure, dramatically improving transport speeds, according to the whitepaper.

Businesses considering an investment in MPLS or other advanced networking technology should consult a network solutions provider. Such experts can manage all of an organization's communication, network and telecom services to maximize routing and efficiency.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=85 Mon, 16 May 2011 11:05:54 -0700 MPLS equipment industry.

A recent Technavio study predicts MPLS equipment revenues will create a market value of $17 billion for the sector by 2014.

Overall, the report attributes MPLS equipment growth to improving quality of service in the sector and businesses' corresponding interest in deploying the technology. However, some security concerns are limiting the sector's potential.

These concerns can be addressed, however, if MPLS features technology that can create static routing between the edge and core routers, making it harder for cyber criminals to access information transmitted through the MPLS tunnel.

Besides quality of service improvements, the report said general industry growth in the MPLS sector is being fueled by a rising interest in the technology from public safety organizations.

Network solutions providers can help a business evaluate its network infrastructure and deploy an optimized MPLS system to improve routing and traffic management for core applications, services and data transmission. A network solutions provider can handle all of a business' network infrastructure and telecom management needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=86 Tue, 17 May 2011 08:45:01 -0700
Industry expert James McCloskey recently told Computer Dealer News that businesses should look at IPv6 as an urgent transition, but not an immediate one. Essentially, they need to begin preparing for the change in protocol, but do not need to make the switch yet.

To prepare, businesses should evaluate their internal network infrastructure and identify if they have any IPv6-ready equipment, McCloskey told the news source.

"There's a good chance that if you've done a refresh of gear within the last five years it's IPv6-capable. It just needs to be configured to run it," McCloskey told CDN.

Network solutions providers can help businesses identify their current IPv6-readiness, make any infrastructural changes that are necessary to support the new protocol and manage their telecom and networking needs to ensure optimal performance during and after the migration to IPv6.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=87 Tue, 17 May 2011 08:59:03 -0700
According to an ITBusiness Edge report, the ability to move virtual machines to any geographical location means WAN infrastructure needs to be flexible enough to handle regular, and sometimes unexpected, changes to bandwidth needs.

In response, the report said vendors are increasing their product offerings to support WAN optimization and governance in virtual environments. However, these efforts are relatively young, and major changes to network infrastructure could be on the horizon to support the growing trend toward virtualization, according to the report.

Currently, the report said many businesses are addressing the increased WAN complexity by not moving virtual machines unless the action is absolutely necessary. However, because such precautions are not sustainable, infrastructure changes could be on their way.

By consulting a network solutions provider, businesses can adapt their network infrastructure to meet any of their needs. Network solutions providers can manage all of a business' telecom-related services, from infrastructure through customer support.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=88 Wed, 18 May 2011 14:54:56 -0700
In a recent interview with InformationWeek, Pat Calhoun, CTO of the Ethernet and wireless technology group at Cisco, said video is becoming a dominant factor in WAN optimization programs because businesses are increasingly depending on video content but cannot make the bandwidth upgrades necessary to support the media.

According to Calhoun, optimization can address many issues revolving around video transmission, even problems that occur when multiple users simultaneously stream the same video.

Calhoun told the news source routing and optimization technology that can route a single data packet to multiple users is becoming available, easing performance concerns when users need access to the same video stream during a live event.

WAN optimization is becoming critical for video, but also necessary for companies using the cloud or engaging in data center consolidation efforts. Overall, optimization is becoming a key part of network infrastructure, and businesses should consult a network solutions provider to get the most out of an optimization solution.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=89 Wed, 18 May 2011 15:07:43 -0700
When data centers are consolidated into more central, highly utilized facilities, they end up performing more input/output tasks, but do so with less supporting network infrastructure. Therefore, WAN optimization is emerging as a key solution to network performance in consolidated data centers, the Register reports.

Furthermore, the report said data center consolidation also tends to create a greater physical distance between the server and the end-user, making latency a more substantial issue.

Simply adding bandwidth is not the solution, the report said, because more bandwidth will only resolve latency issues for programs that do not require too much data, such as word processing. Database analysis, backup and recovery systems need more than just bandwidth.

Companies are therefore turning to WAN optimization solutions to improve performance throughout the network without adding bandwidth, the report said.

A network solutions provider can guide a business through its WAN optimization process, while also handling its other telecom and network management needs. This can help a company fully optimize their WAN infrastructure to achieve peak network efficiency.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=90 Thu, 19 May 2011 15:30:09 -0700
To accomplish packet conversion at the control plane level, the simplest solution is often to use generalized multi-protocol label switching technology to manage the network traffic.

Speaking at the conference, industry expert Shankar Narayanaswamy said GMPLS has significant potential to handle packet and optical convergence, but it has not been thoroughly embraced in the telecom sector.

According to Narayanaswamy, GMPLS takes the same technology as traditional MPLS, but extends it to Layer 1 of the network. This has become popular in many sectors, but has yet to catch on in optical networks, Narayanaswamy explained.

The lackluster support for GMPLS and poor performance in lab environments has slowed GMPLS adoption, and Narayanaswamy attributes most of the shortfall to poor interoperability between vendor hardware.

Managing an MPLS deployment can be a major challenge for companies. Network solutions providers can manage a business' network infrastructure and telecom needs, ensuring their technological architecture is capable of supporting their service requirements.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=91 Fri, 20 May 2011 15:22:27 -0700
Optical transport network technology is emerging in metro, long-haul and ultra long-haul settings, where service providers are recognizing improved performance benefits over SONET and SDH transport tactics, the report said. Performance improvements are made possible using OTN protocols because OTN can support packet traffic and faster speeds.

Andrew Schmitt, optical analyst for Infonetics Research, said OTN protocols are rapidly becoming pervasive among optical network providers.

"All of the carriers we interviewed for our OTN survey have deployed OTN interfaces in transport applications, and based on conversations aside from this survey, we know very few major carriers in general will ‘skip’ OTN," said Schmitt.

Schmitt went on to say that OTN technology is also taking over the optical switching market. Currently, approximately 34 percent of respondents use OTN switching. By 2014, 84 percent plan to, he said.

Businesses that need a long-haul connection, whether it will be used as a private line, MPLS or other form of advanced connection, should consult a network solutions provider to configure their infrastructure and meet any other telecom-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=92 Mon, 23 May 2011 14:33:53 -0700
According to a recent TVTechnology report, IPv6 offers a number of key benefits to networking efficiency, including simplified infrastructure and improved routing.

The report said infrastructure can be simplified because IPv6 can be sent as a public address to and from almost any device. This means the address can be transmitted end-to-end through a private LAN or WAN without using network address protocol and other technologies to support the transmission.

IPv6 also provides advanced data packets that are capable of improving network routing. Typically, IPv4 routing is limited because packets do not contain enough metadata to support advanced traffic management. With IPv6, the report said a traffic-class field is included in packet headers to optimize routing.

Network solutions providers can help businesses prepare their network infrastructure for IPv6 and deploy a telecom plan that supports optimal performance in light of the protocol's unique advantages.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=99 Tue, 24 May 2011 07:06:24 -0700
According to the report, most of the noteworthy cloud outages in recent history can be attributed directly to network infrastructure flaws that have hampered the technology's ability to operate properly. Therefore, more businesses should be focusing on network management solutions that will increase cloud reliability and support innovative technologies, the report said.

A robust network management solution that will foster the cloud is comprehensive, integrated and automated, the report said, allowing it to quickly adapt to changing needs. This adaptability is critical, according to the report, because networks are becoming more complex and difficult to manage as new technologies continue to emerge.

Businesses hoping to maintain innovation within their enterprise IT strategies and business processes should consult a network solutions provider to support that innovation. Network solutions providers can support almost any network management initiative and deploy the foundational technology necessary to support IT innovation. They can also maintain telecom service levels and ensure consistently high quality of service.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=100 Wed, 25 May 2011 07:28:30 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, such strategies are not advisable as a long term solution because they would make the internet dependent on multiple layers of network address translation technology.

Russ Housley, chairman of the Internet Engineering Task Force, told the news source that long-term deployment of NAT technologies to avoid IPv6 will create more network complexity and dramatically limit innovation. He said an extensively NAT-based internet will be fragile and severely limited. However, IPv6 will free the internet to grow.

"IPv6 will greatly reduce the need for NAT, restoring the opportunities for innovation that were envisioned by the original internet architecture," Housley told Network World.

Businesses hoping to remain on the cusp of innovation and ahead of their competitors when it comes to deploying network systems to support business initiatives should consult a network solutions provider to handle their IPv6 migration and other network infrastructure needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=101 Thu, 26 May 2011 08:05:23 -0700
According to a recent TechRadar report, high-performance internet is rapidly becoming more affordable and lower prices on advanced chips are fostering the interconnection of more devices. This is making machine-to-machine communication more common, and could eventually create an environment where almost everything is interconnected.

While advanced internet speeds and seemingly-futuristic devices are a key part of this connected world, neither are important as IPv6. The report explained IPv6 is critical for machine-to-machine communication because it offers enough internet addresses to connect more devices to the network.

Industry expert Axel Pawlik said IPv6 not only opens more devices to internet access, it also makes networks simpler and more transparent, creating more room for innovation.

Network solutions providers can help businesses stay at the forefront of this innovation by establishing IPv6 infrastructure and supporting their networking needs. They are also capable of meeting all of a company's telecom needs to ensure quality of service is maintained while the business deploys innovative technologies.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=102 Fri, 27 May 2011 06:58:42 -0700 Virtual WAN optimization or application delivery controllers are capable of offering many advantages over the hardware equivalent of WAN platforms. However, the scope of those benefits are somewhat unclear.

At a recent panel discussion during the Interop 2011 conference, a group of industry experts found the only advantage of virtual controllers that they all agreed on was improving flexibility. Each participant was able to support the statement that virtual appliances for WAN optimization and application delivery controllers are more adaptable than hardware-based systems.

However, the panel was split about whether virtual appliances are capable of meeting all of the performance needs of most cloud users, with some saying hardware is still needed to support certain service types.

There was also some division over the total cost of deploying virtual appliances, but most of the group admitted that total cost of ownership is reduced when using virtualized tools.

Virtual appliances for WAN optimization and other important network tasks are becoming critical because businesses are increasingly outsourcing IT elements and needing to transmit more data through the WAN. Businesses working to optimize their WAN infrastructure should enlist a network solutions provider to manage its telecom- and infrastructure-based needs.

]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=103 Fri, 27 May 2011 08:00:00 -0700
The new direct line allows the 8.6 megawatt facility to improve its connection to its 190 markets in the region.

Improving the network infrastructure has become critical because data centers are processing more information, but doing so with less equipment. This is leaving fewer network endpoints to spread data packets out, and creating a demand for enhanced network technologies.

Todd Holton, general manager for the Nothwest at Layer 3 Communications, said the new line is an important tool to serve businesses.

"As enterprises continue to adopt virtualized solutions for managing their critical business objectives, it is increasingly important for data center connections to optimize backbone network access," said Holton.

Larry Benaroya, owner of the South Hill Data Center, said the connection was needed because customers were demanding a scalable network backbone.

To deploy advanced networking infrastructure, such as a direct network line, private line or MPLS tunnel, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to handle all telecom and infrastructure needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=104 Tue, 31 May 2011 08:51:55 -0700
According to a recent InformationWeek report, the core elements of a cloud system for primary data storage are relatively simple. Typically, the setup involves creating a SAN that stores critical data locally while sending other information to the cloud.

However, such a setup will inherently create networking challenges because businesses will be sending and receiving more data through the network and keeping less on the computers themselves. The network is then further challenged because the local storage will likely be built on high-performance solid state drives, which feature fast read speeds, the report said.

To keep up with the quantity and speed of data transmissions in cloud storage establishments, businesses need to optimize their LAN and WAN infrastructure to support the internal storage network and its transmissions with the primary LAN and WAN establishments, according to the report.

To establish the best network infrastructure to support cloud storage, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to manage their infrastructure and telecom-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=105 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:27:28 -0700
A recent Campus Technology report explains that many organizations, especially in the United States, still have plenty of IPv4 addresses to give out as needed. Therefore, they are not urgently moving to support native IPv6 devices.

However, the report explained many organizations are moving to find ways to accept IPv6 signal while still operating IPv4 infrastructure so the rest of the world can still connect to websites.

"We'll soon be to the point where people in Asia or other parts of the world can only connect with IPv6. If we're not offering IPv6 services, they're not going to be able to view our campus web page or communicate with us using certain types of services," Vince Stoffer, network security administrator at Reed College, told the news source.

Businesses hoping to maintain their IPv4 systems while being able to interact with IPv6 devices should enlist a network solutions provider to manage their infrastructure and ensure interoperability between the address protocols.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=106 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:29:33 -0700 MPLS network can be a complex and challenging process. As a result, the IETF and ITU-T have been developing a MPLS-TP standard that will simplify end-to-end MPLS deployment. However, challenges have emerged in creating MPLS-TP, and the standard is still not ready for widespread adoption, Light Reading reports.

According to the report, MPLS-TP was originally designed to simplify the transport element of MPLS networks, making it much easier to deploy MPLS platforms.

However, the standard was originally planned for deployment in the middle of 2010 and is still bogged down in testing and other developmental processes. While such a delay is relatively normal for major network standards, the report said it has created a divide in the industry.

Because businesses are anxious to deploy MPLS technologies, and the standard is not yet in place, vendors and carriers have begun deploying MPLS OAM and T-MPLS platforms to provide a short-term solution until MPLS-TP is ready, the report said.

Network solutions providers can help businesses identify the best way to deploy MPLS technology to meet their needs and manage all of the infrastructure {second use in this sentence}and telecom issues involved in deploying MPLS technology.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=107 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:33:52 -0700
The core advantages of carrier Ethernet, beyond simply offering fast, high-bandwidth connections, are scalability and reliability, the report said.

Early adoption of carrier Ethernet stemmed from its ease of use and standardized model, the technology has since gained a reputation for its ability to support advanced networking technologies, including MPLS and virtual private networks, according to the report.

While these factors have lead to widespread carrier Ethernet adoption, the report said growing trends toward virtualization could lead to even more growth in the sector. The service is optimal in virtual environments because the technology can be used to optimize performance and routing while improving reliability and maintaining quality standards, the report said.

Getting the most out of a carrier Ethernet deployment often depends on a company's relationship with a telecom provider. To ensure constant service availability and consistent quality, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to handle their telecom and network infrastructure needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=108 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:11:07 -0700
In a recent Inquirer Report, Axel Pawlik, managing director for Ripe NCC, said Google expects approximately 1 percent of all network requests to fail. This high failure rate can be attributed to network incompatibility.

Pawlik said such "hiccups" would be good for the industry because they will remind people that IPv6 is going to be difficult to prepare for, creating a renewed sense of urgency.

"Everyone needs to be exposed to the problem and something needs to break," Pawlik told the Inquirer.

He explained that challenges experienced during World IPv6 Day will ideally reach consumers, businesses and internet service providers, making them realize that they need to move quickly to begin deploying IPv6-compatible technology.

Pawlik told the news source the harsh approach of letting businesses learn about IPv6's urgency is important because many have been slow to adopt the standard and recognize its importance.

Network solutions providers can help businesses deploy IPv6. They can handle all of a company's network infrastructure and telecom-related needs, making sure it has IPv6 capabilities that meet customer demands.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=109 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:31:34 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, most of the security issues surrounding IPv6 have to do with the technology's youth. As a result, the report anticipates IPv6 will eventually mature into a secure platform. In the meantime, issues will arise.

One of those issues has to do with network address translation, one of the most popular ways to make IPv6 work.

The report said a NAT system essentially works like a mail transfer program. Imagine IPv4 as one type of envelope, and IPv6 as another. The IPv4 envelope comes in to the allegorical post office, is opened, the data packet is moved into an IPv6 envelope, and the information is sent along its way.

While this sounds nice for making IPv6 work, the report said it is incredibly risky because the information within the data packet is completely exposed while being switched to the metaphorical IPv6 envelope.

Developing an IPv6 network that is secure and stable is quickly becoming critical, and businesses should consult a network solutions provider to make sure their infrastructure is able to meet all of their IPv6-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=110 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:45:57 -0700
A recent Infoblox survey found 41 percent of respondents believe they are behind their peers in terms of IPv6 adoption. Most respondents attributed this to a lack of education surrounding IPv6.

Overall, 80 percent of respondents said they do not feel adequately educated about IPv6 and the impact it will have on network infrastructure. Furthermore, approximately half of the survey's respondents said they still do not know which parts of their network are compatible with IPv6 deployment.

This is causing significant worry among businesses, said Cricket Liu, vice president of architecture and technology for Infoblox.

"The level of concern is high, which is good, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about the necessary steps, tools and plans required to successfully manage the transition from IPv4 to IPv6," said Liu.

A network solutions provider can solve many concerns surrounding IPv6 deployment by educating companies on service options that meet their needs, handling infrastructure updates and ensuring telecom service levels are maintained at all times.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=111 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:27:45 -0700
According to a recent PCWorld report, one of those concerns is hardware-related. The report explained that the network equipment deployed by end-users could end up being incompatible with much of the hardware used by service providers.

For the IPv4 protocol, these compatibility issues have been dealt with over years of internet use. IPv6 is new, and it is hard to predict how equipment will interact when dealing with the new addresses.

Brooks Fitzsimmons, assistant vice president for IPv6 Transition at AT&T, told the news source compatibility issues could stem from varying network maturity. Devices from a diverse range of manufacturing generations could all respond differently to the address protocol.

Successfully migrating to the IPv6 address protocol is a major challenge that businesses need to take seriously. To simplify IPv6 deployment, companies should invest in network solutions providers because they can handle all of a company's network infrastructure needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=112 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:40:37 -0700
A recent Neustar report explains that more businesses are turning to IPv6 adoption because they recognize a growing need to support it.

Therefore, deploying IPv6 infrastructure could be a key to the long-term success of businesses that extensively use the internet, said Tom McGarry, vice president of the advanced technology group at Neustar.

"It is important to recognize the transition cannot be handled in a hasty and piecemeal fashion," said McGarry.

Many businesses seem to be recognizing the important of IPv6 adoption. Analysis of customers using Neustar's networking services found a growing number of businesses are adopting IPv6 infrastructure.

In May of 2010, users on Neustar's network made just 745 million IPv6 queries. That number jumped to 1.4 billion in May of 2011. So far, that has been the largest month-over-month growth in the year.

However, June is off to a good start, with 73 million IPv6 queries sent on June 6 alone.

Preparing for IPv6 is becoming a key concern for many businesses, and network solutions providers can ease the transition by handling a company's infrastructure and telecom-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=113 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:35:30 -0700
A recent File Transfer Consulting report found many organizations in the sector have made significant progress toward IPv6 adoption. While this may put them ahead of many organizations, the study found almost all of the companies involved have major interoperability issues within their IPv6 infrastructure.

This demonstrates the unique challenges associated with deploying IPv6 infrastructure in the file transfer sector because devices need to be linked to multiple internet connections through complex network infrastructure.

Andy White, CTO of File Transfer Consulting, explained many companies approach IPv6 migration as an issue of upgrading routers and switches, but it is really a much more complex and time consuming process.

While the IPv6-related challenges in the file transfer industry are significant, the study found many organizations are taking a proactive approach and moving quickly toward IPv6 migration.

To alleviate many of the concerns associated with IPv6 migration, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to manage their network infrastructure and ensure interoperability and quality of service at all times. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=114 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:26:45 -0700
According to a recent IT Business Edge report, many cloud services involve transmitting data packets from the data center to the public internet and then back into a company's private network. WAN optimization is key to handle performance in such circumstances.

The report explained the public internet is unreliable and has limited bandwidth. Therefore, many businesses are turning to WAN optimization solutions to make sure their cloud services reach end users in a timely fashion.

This shift to WAN optimization to support cloud computing initiatives also represents a new direction for the industry, the report said. The change comes because WAN optimization typically deals with transmissions between branch offices, and now reaches a much wider audience because it is key for any company depending on the cloud, according to the report.

Whether businesses need WAN optimization to support the cloud or to ensure data packets can be quickly sent between branch offices, they should consult network solutions providers to handle their network infrastructure and telecom service needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=124 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:31:48 -0700
A recent TechNewsWorld report explained that World IPv6 Day was a clear success, but does not eradicate any of the concerns surrounding IPv6 migration. However, it does illustrate that IPv6 compliance is possible.

Laura DiDio, principal analyst at ITIC, told the news source the day was a clear sign that IPv6-based internet is possible, but problems will still arise when large-scale migration occurs.

DiDio explained many businesses are beginning to transition to IPv6, but most will wait until some problems occur.

"Whether you're a consumer or small business or large enterprise, about 10 percent will take care of this way in advance. Another 10 percent will be laggards and slackers who will wait until disaster strikes," DiDio told the news source.

She said the other 80 percent will likely wait until IPv6 non-compliance threatens them in some way.

Network solutions providers can help businesses get ready for IPv6 migration regardless of where they stand in terms of their current readiness. A network solutions provider can meet all of a business' network infrastructure and telecom service needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=123 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:14:02 -0700
A recent Ars Technica report explains telecom companies are pushing for legislation that would force the university to essentially sever ties with the network and force the public internet service to act similarly to a telecom instead of being attached to a university.

This bill would naturally raise prices for the network service, since it would have to be funded without any help from the university. However, the bill also includes provisions that prevent the university from accepting any grant funds that would go toward its public network.

This provision would force the university to return $39 million to the national government, making it almost impossible to sustain the service that fosters education and academic research throughout the state.

Consistent and reliable telecom services are key for a variety of institutions, whether academic or economic in nature. Businesses that require telecom services capable of maintaining high-quality service standards should consult a network solution provider to handle infrastructure and telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=115 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:45:53 -0700
In a recent interview with IT Business Edge, industry expert Steve Schick said traditional WAN optimization solutions featured symmetrical infrastructure. This meant the network was equipped with a WAN optimization appliance at the branch office and in the data center.

Schick explained this is impossible in the cloud because the data center delivering the application is typically not owned by the company with the branch office. Therefore, the WAN optimization solution must be asymmetrical because it cannot exist at both ends of the network.

Asymmetrical WAN optimization can be effective and perform well, Schick told the news source, but careful considerations need to be taken to deal with security- and encryption-related concerns that arise in such environments.

Schick also told IT Business Edge that this one-sided approach to WAN optimization is making WAN establishments perform similarly to LAN deployments.

Businesses working to improve their WAN or LAN infrastructure should enlist a network solutions provider to manage their network architecture and ensure service levels are maintained at optimal levels at all times.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=122 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:25:42 -0700
A recent Network World explains that traffic between the data centers has become so dense that companies need to deploy multiple WANs to support their networking needs.

However, establishing multiple WAN tunnels with speeds greater than 10 Gbps is not only cost-prohibitive, but also difficult to manage. Instead, businesses are beginning to use Hyper-Scale WAN optimization controllers to manage a single WAN tunnel.

Hyper-Scale optimization controllers allow the company to leverage the same benefits that they get when using WAN optimization for branch office to data center transmissions, but do so when dealing with the large quantities of data sent between data centers. Therefore, the controller can easily facilitate transmissions between data centers to maintain optimal WAN performance.

Businesses working to establish new infrastructure to improve their WAN deployment should consider enlisting a network solutions provider to manage their networking and telecom needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=121 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:14:01 -0700
A recent TechTarget report tells the story of one credit union that attempted to setup a disaster recovery solution that would recover services within 15 minutes. At first glance, the program seemed perfect.

The automatic backup utilities gathered data each evening and sent it to an iSCSI virtualized SAN that would accept the data. The WAN would then be reset the next morning to handle everyday tasks.

Colleen Jakes, director of information services at the credit union, told TechTarget the company soon began noticing backup procedures never actually finished until Sunday.

Jakes explained the problem arose because the WAN could not transmit data fast enough to reach the backup facility before the procedure was cut off in the morning. With WAN optimization, the report said the backup process went from taking days to being completed each night as originally planned.

Using the WAN to support disaster recovery can be key to any business continuity plans. The critical nature of such strategies makes consulting a network solutions provider key because it can ensure all network and telecom needs are taken care of.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=120 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:45:26 -0700
A recent TMCNet report explains that, in the past, most organizations used basic IP MPLS technology to over-provision networks to handle traffic spikes.

However, that system only worked well when most traffic spikes lingered at a ratio of approximately two to one compared to regular traffic. The report said spikes are now rising to four to one on average, occasionally rising as high as 10 to one.

To address these sudden rises in network traffic, the report said upgrading to 100 Gbps transponders, regenerators and amplifiers is needed. These network tools should be accompanied by reconfigurable optical add/ drop multiplexers and generalized MPLS infrastructure to support sudden network spikes without having to drastically over-provision the network.

Deploying these technologies will create a more agile network core, the report said, removing the need to over-provision the network by making it inherently scalable.

Network solutions providers can help businesses identify the best way to add agility and flexibility to their network infrastructure to handle traffic spikes without sacrificing reliability or performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=119 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:26:54 -0700
According to a recent SYS-CON Media report, the cloud requires so much bandwidth to function that many businesses are spending heavily to support the technology, nullifying its cost benefits.

In many cases, the report said this high cost comes from deploying private WAN and MPLS network infrastructure from major telecom carriers that often charge high prices.

However, turning to public internet services will not meet enterprise needs, as standard internet reliability and security is not nearly enough to consistently meet enterprise networking demands.

Instead, the report said companies should turn to WAN virtualization solutions, which help companies expand their WAN and MPLS infrastructure by virtualizing network appliances to optimize infrastructure.

Identifying the best ways to equip a network to work well with the cloud is easier for companies that consult network solutions providers. They can support all of a business' infrastructure and telecom needs, while constantly maintaining quality of service standards.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=118 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:34:58 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, the initial problem with virtualization arose because virtual machines could add capacity beyond what the physical network could handle. However, the report said integrating the virtual infrastructure with the network made accomplishing this task relatively easy.

While basic integration has allowed the network to expand in concert with virtual machines, growing diversity in the virtualization sector is adding a new layer of complexity. The report explained more virtualization tools are hitting the market and becoming prominent. This makes it difficult to easily integrate the network with the virtual infrastructure because the network must work with multiple virtualization tools.

To make sure their WAN infrastructure is able to handle the complexities of virtual machines, businesses should consult network solutions providers to handle their infrastructure and telecom needs. This will let them leverage advanced network technology that optimizes their infrastructure and maintain quality of service.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=117 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:28:20 -0700 MPLS IP virtual private networks are both emerging as popular technologies around the world. Ethernet-based services are proving the most popular, but MPLS IP VPNs are often deployed in areas that lack access to Ethernet, a recent TeleGeography study found.

The study surveyed internet service providers from around the globe, and found that service availability is a key reason MPLS IP VPNs are outpacing Ethernet deployment. Overall, more than half of the respondents offered these networks in 10 countries or more compared to less than one-third providing Ethernet VPLS platforms.

To a great extent, the dispersion of Ethernet services is closely tied to the economy. In developed nations, more Etherent services tend to be available. However, emerging economies are still using legacy IP technologies.

The report also found that Ethernet VPLS may be a better fit in emerging economies, but cannot be deployed in many cases because of a lack of access to the technological infrastructure needed to support Ethernet.

Businesses trying to upgrade their network infrastructure to support the latest technologies should consult a network solutions provider to help them identify the best available services and deliver the infrastructure necessary to support them.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=116 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:27:53 -0700
According to a recent Computerworld report, this strategy is detrimental to businesses, but not because they may run out of IPv4 addresses.

Internally, many companies have more than enough IPv4 addresses to handle their dedicated internet access needs. However, a recent IPv6 Task Force survey found many companies have not even developed the infrastructure needed to support public-facing IPv6 systems.

The Computerworld report explained that public-facing IPv6 infrastructure is key because it lets consumers using IPv6 devices view company websites and other outward media. The report said companies that do not equip their networks to handle incoming IPv6 transmissions will cut themselves off from international users who have switched to IPv6, thus causing them to lose their competitive advantage.

Businesses should consult a network solutions provider, which will act as a telecom reseller while handling their IPv6 migration and other infrastructure needs. This will help ensure companies can enact their IPv6 policies while maintaining high network performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=130 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:46:08 -0700
As IPv4 addresses run dry, new devices will increasingly be deployed to run on IPv6 infrastructure. According to a recent Data Center Knowledge report, migrating to IPv6 is not just about maintaining dedicated internet access, it is about supporting advanced devices that help companies control their office environments.

The report explained the growing trend toward IP-based environmental monitoring systems makes IPv6 migration an issue that goes beyond network management. For many businesses, IPv6 migration will also impact building maintenance and efficiency. This gives the technology a key role in managing operational spending.

As more networks expand to support IP devices, the importance of carrier management and other services that ensure consistent quality of service grows. As a result, businesses should enlist network solutions providers to meet their telecom reseller and network infrastructure needs. Through such an investment, a company can have confidence that its network will be ready to handle industry developments and meet their service needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=129 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:33:38 -0700
According to a recent SYS-CON Media report, businesses deploying public cloud technology cannot simply depend on the public internet to meet their application delivery needs. The public internet is too slow and provides a relatively inconsistent connection for such services.

Instead, businesses need to engage in dedicated internet access plans featuring WAN optimization to ensure their public cloud computing services are able to meet their needs, the report said.

WAN optimization is also critical for private cloud initiatives. The report explained private clouds can typically attach themselves to the LAN to reach the main office they are hosted in, but WAN infrastructure is critical to providing services for branch offices.

In most cloud scenarios, the amount of data sent through the network can be staggering. This makes WAN optimization critical because the WAN is a key connection for both public and private cloud models.

Identifying the best way to develop WAN infrastructure, whether it is supported by MPLS network routing or other optimization tools, is critical for a business' success with cloud computing. Network solutions providers can help companies develop their WAN infrastructure while serving as a telecom reseller to meet their overarching network and communications needs. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=128 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:04:16 -0700
Therefore, companies would do well to focus on consolidating their branch office resources as well, CTO Edge reports. When consolidating branch office infrastructure, the report said companies have two primary options - consolidate servers at the actual offices, or move infrastructure to the central data center.

According to the report, consolidating infrastructure to the central data center is, by far, the best solution.

To support such an initiative, the report said businesses should engage in WAN optimization. As more data is stored in less hardware and carried over a longer distance, enhanced infrastructure, perhaps an MPLS network, is needed to support data packet delivery. Overall, WAN optimization should be a key consideration in any consolidation project, the report said.

Businesses considering a data center and server consolidation project should consult a network solutions provider to ensure their WAN services and other network infrastructure will be able to handle the new needs presented by consolidation efforts. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=127 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:34:14 -0700 MPLS-TP, according to a recent Network Strategy Partners study.

Network Strategy Partners, which is now a part of ACG Research, found Ethernet tag switching is capable of reducing operational expenses by 32 percent over a five year period compared to MPLS-TP.

The study analyzed the two technologies across six areas of service provider operations, including network management equipment and network care functions, and found Ethernet tag switching is capable of operating more efficiently than the MPLS technology.

Michael Kennedy, principal analyst for ACG Research, said Ethernet tag switches dramatically improve services when carriers are switching from SONET-based infrastructure to a system that emphasizes packet transport technology.

"In particular, Ethernet tag switching goes a long way toward simplifying operations, administration and maintenance while incorporating widely-accepted carrier Ethernet standards," said Kennedy.

Identifying the best way to establish network infrastructure to manage operations, administration and maintenance while minimizing operational expenditures can be challenging for many businesses. A network solutions provider can ease the process by providing dedicated internet access and other telecom reseller services while meeting infrastructure-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=126 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:15:31 -0700
According to the report, most service providers and government agencies moved quickly to adopt IPv6. However, many businesses have been slow to recognize the importance of IPv6 migration and have not yet begun adapting their networks for the standard.

IPv6 could be key for maintaining dedicated internet access, but the report said many businesses are still at a developmental stage for their IPv6 migration strategies. Few have actually begun migrating systems.

The report said transitioning to IPv6 should begin with deploying network gateways so customers using IPv6 can access websites and other resources hosted on the network. Upgrading infrastructure and network appliances should follow after the gateway is ready for IPv6.

Many businesses may find the IPv6 migration easier if they enlist a network solutions provider to manage their infrastructure and handle their diverse carrier needs while adapting the network to current needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=125 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:14:03 -0700
According to a recent Network World report, depending heavily on NAT is a reasonable strategy for internal network needs, but becomes less reliable when consumers begin trying to access a company's network.

The report explained more mobile carriers and other internet service providers are planning to deploy devices designed to operated in native IPv6. While some of these devices will likely be equipped with their own form of NAT technology to communicate with IPv4 networks, many others may not.

As a result, the report said businesses need to focus on true IPv6 migration, not just to retain dedicated internet access, but as a way to support incoming network requests from consumers and other users outside of the private network.

Consulting a network solutions provider can make the IPv6 migration easier for businesses because it can handle all of the company's telecom and network infrastructure needs to ensure the transition goes over smoothly and remains within budget.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=138 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:55:48 -0700
To make the transition to IP telephony systems, many contact centers have replaced legacy architecture with session initiation protocol trunking systems to provide the foundation for robust communications through the company's dedicated internet access service.

While such infrastructure can support robust telephony services, most contact centers are using more sophisticated connections to ensure quality of service for important calls. The report said MPLS networks are among the leading deployments to meet these QoS needs.

Industry expert Jim Koniecki told the news source that the trend toward IP telephony in call center environments could lead to more carrier management issues, as user migration will pressure carriers to respond with new hardware.

Companies that expect their telecom carrier to respond immediately to their needs should enlist a network solutions provider to provide robust telecom reseller services and make sure a company's network is equipped with all the technology necessary to meet its operational goals.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=139 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:55:04 -0700
The main issue, uncovered in the survey conducted by the Chief Marketing Office Council, is that many enterprise IT telecom network operators are out of touch with the technology available to their company. While 81 percent of respondents admitted to struggling with implementing new services quickly and efficiently, another 68 percent said "traditional corporate mindset was out of sync with new forms of service." Respondents came from global communications providers, including AT&T, Deutsche Telecom and Vodacom.

According to Michael Manzo, chief marketing officer at Opnet, these trends indicate that the industry is facing a difficult learning curve in its pursuit to establish the technology that is increasingly being considered essential for network management.

"We are at a pivot point in our industry," Manzo said, according to Reuters. "Operators are under siege from new competitors, yet their ability to seize strategic opportunities is being impeded by integration and legacy issues."

Many companies turn to network service providers to help ensure high-quality service when trying to establish new telecom services or reliable dedicated internet access.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=131 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:35:26 -0700
The Internet Engineering Task Force is the latest and, according to a PC World report, has openly discussed the possibility of forming a working group tasked specifically with handling the issues that have emerged alongside the industry-wide switch to IPv6 protocol.

Ralph Droms, a Cisco engineer who has called for an IETF working group to address IPv6, told PC World these measures have become a necessity in an industry that seems to be confused over the implications of updating network equipment to IPv6.

"A collection of protocols needs to be agreed upon, so vendors of equipment used in home networks will have an interoperable suite of protocols available," Droms said, according to PC World.

On a broader scope, the IPv6 switch has resonated as a major factor for companies looking to maintain reliable dedicated internet access. Currently, many websites are still based on the IPv4 protocol, the addresses of which have all but run out.

As the network management issues of internet protocol become more complex, many organizations have turned to network solutions providers to establish a reliable service relationship and maintain high-quality dedicated internet access.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=140 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:04:55 -0700
Cramming charges are third-party service fees that appear on the monthly phone bills of consumers and businesses despite the fact that the services in question were never ordered by the customer. The report says that Verizon, AT&T, and CenturyLink/Quest earned $650 million from cramming charges levied since 2006.

Both consumers and businesses have been hit hard with cramming abuses. The report says that, "a children‘s hospital was charged for a celebrity tracker email service that provided daily celebrity news feeds, photos and videos. A national bank‘s telephone lines were charged for credit protection plans."

A CNN story found that a Georgia woman who handles accounts for 32 quick-service restaurants told the committee that she found noticeable differences in the AT&T bills.

"Committee staff confirmed that third-party vendors associated with one hub company crammed at least 80 of AT&T‘s own telephone lines with charges for services such as voicemail, sometimes for periods as long as 18 months," the report says.

Many companies turn to network solutions providers to help manage billing services for telecom services and dedicated internet access.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=141 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:06:28 -0700
According to the report, 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet are the industry's cutting edge, but the vast majority of enterprises are still in the midst of a transition from Gigabit Ethernet to 10 Gigabit Ethernet in their networks. While 10 GbE has been widely available for years, it is still new to most network engineers.

Written in a myth vs. reality format, the TechTarget article explains the need for 10 Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise. The article tears down some of the most common myths surrounding the technology.

The report details how misconceptions about 10 GbE are very common and that the price/performance equation strongly supports the installation of the higher-quality Ethernet throughout the enterprise. Many businesses are able to upgrade right now for lower costs and less disruption than they think.

The report also shatters 10 GbE myths about costs, switches, overhead, equipment needs, cabling, hardware costs, convergence, and new standards.

Many companies turn to network solutions providers to help ensure high-quality service when upgrading their Ethernet installations.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=142 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:24:21 -0700
According to a recent TMCNet report, LAN networks that provide direct dedicated internet access are able to meet most business' bandwidth needs without really breaking a sweat. However, establishing a WAN to perform similar tasks for remote workers and branch offices is not nearly as simple.

As a result, companies should deploy WAN optimization solutions to improve network routing and other aspects of infrastructure. The report explained WAN optimization can prioritize data traffic, remove redundant transmissions and ensure the system lives up to quality of service standards.

Overall, WAN optimization is able to ensure quality performance for employees using services at remove locations and branch offices. This makes the technology a key part of server consolidation projects, the report said.

Businesses considering a WAN optimization deployment should consult a network solutions provider to handle their infrastructure needs while serving as a telecom reseller to maximize networking performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=143 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:15:56 -0700 dedicated internet access plan.

According to a recent survey from Crossbeam Systems, many companies are choosing to sacrifice their security capabilities to help ensure network performance.

Approximately 90 percent of respondents said they have had to address the security or performance debate, forcing them to decide if they should sacrifice security functionality to help promote network performance improvements.

More than 80 percent of the respondents said they have sacrificed security to improve network performance, despite the inherent risks of such a decision.

Chris Christiansen, program vice president for security products and services at IDC, said reducing security in favor of performance creates major problems.

"The survey results are another proof-point for what has become a growing issue in the industry - the challenge of managing security performance," said Christiansen.

Businesses experiencing network performance issues have more options available than sacrificing their security capabilities. By consulting a network solutions provider, businesses can optimize their network infrastructure and engage in carrier management services to ensure performance needs are constantly met.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=144 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:28:52 -0700 MPLS is part of any VoIP plan they choose.

According to the study, identifying the right provider for VoIP services involves finding a vendor with robust hardware provisions. Hosted systems should be redundant, load balanced, resilient and available through multiple access paths.

The study also identified an MPLS network as a key part of any VoIP solution. MPLS infrastructure will provide a robust network backbone that will allow the vendor to efficiently deliver VoIP services to all of its customers. This can help improve VoIP performance. MPLS can also provide disaster recovery support, the study said.

For businesses attempting to identify the best way to support a VoIP installation, or VoIP providers attempting to give customers the best technologies possible, consulting a network solutions provider may be an ideal solution. Both types of companies can benefit from a network solutions provider's ability to optimize infrastructure and maintaining quality of service standards.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=145 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:57:20 -0700 Dedicated internet access plans can go a long way to alleviating a business' network infrastructure concerns. However, many companies are finding themselves overwhelmed by the amount of bandwidth they need to handle rising data quantities between branch offices and the data center.

To resolve this issue, more businesses are turning to WAN optimization solutions. According to a recent IT Business Edge report, recent industry acquisitions point to more growth in WAN optimization and maturation in the sector that could create smarter networks.

The report explained more network device manufacturers are turning to application delivery controllers to work in conjunction with WAN optimization solutions. When the two network optimization options are integrated, it creates an end-to-end solution that makes the most of available bandwidth and can improve network performance, the report said.

Overall, WAN optimization and ADC integration can create smarter networks that may resolve many of the current bandwidth issues facing businesses, according to the report.

Companies struggling to maintain network performance despite having a high-performance dedicated internet access plan should consult a network solutions provider to help them optimize infrastructure. This will help improve routing to make the most of available bandwidth.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=146 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:26:28 -0700 dedicated internet access when IPv4 addresses run dry and more users begin deploying native IPv6 devices.

According to Gartner analysts, making the necessary move to IPv6 could prove expensive, costing most businesses approximately 6 percent of their annual IT budget, Computerworld reports.

While this expense is significant, it shows just how complex IPv6 adoption is. Gartner analyst Neil Rickard said IPv6 will likely decrease internet performance by approximately 10 percent, but not on client PCs. Instead, the performance decline will happen on servers and network infrastructure that businesses must maintain or otherwise risk frustrating employees and losing customers.

Upgrading infrastructure to support IPv6 will likely need to be completed between 2012 and 2015 for most companies, Rickard told Computerworld.

The cost and complexity of IPv6 migration means businesses need to maximize their resources when switching to the protocol. To accomplish this, companies should consult a network solutions provider to handle their infrastructure and telecom needs. A network solutions provider can also serve as a telecom reseller and ensure network quality standards are maintained throughout the transition to IPv6.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=147 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:15:31 -0700 dedicated internet access and also find ways to add value to their customers, TMCnet reports.

To accomplish this, service providers need to approach their clients' networks with the utmost care, trying to meet present needs while also anticipating future network requirements and planning accordingly, the report said.

WAN optimization can be an ideal solution to accomplish this because it will help businesses get the most out of their network infrastructure without investing heavily in equipment that will create more bandwidth.

The report explained such provisions are key to improve application performance and support advanced networking capabilities. Being able to offer customers extensive solutions to improve performance and future proof networks can help create the competitive advantage telecoms need to operate.

For businesses attempting to find the right service provider for their needs, enlisting a telecom reseller can help simplify the search process. By consulting a network solutions provider, businesses can gain access to a telecom reseller service that will ensure quality while also handling a company's infrastructure-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=148 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:39:28 -0700
Such processes are necessary because backup data needs to be in a geographically disparate location to ensure it survives a natural disaster, but companies cannot depend on physical transit methods to function at the pace they require, the report said.

This makes the WAN a key part of any business' backup and recovery strategy because companies must maintain enough availability to quickly transmit backup data to the secondary facility without overwhelming the network, according to the report.

However, data quantities are rising at such a pace, the report said, that WAN optimization is emerging as the most viable solution to support these backup and recovery protocols.

Similar procedures need to be followed by small businesses, even if they only have a few servers to backup at a secondary location. Therefore, optimizing the WAN to deliver backup data without sacrificing performance in a dedicated internet access plan is key. Network solutions providers can provide telecom reseller and carrier management services to meet this need.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=149 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:56:32 -0700 dedicated internet access plans.

A recent InformationWeek report explains dedicated internet access and other network configurations can be affected by latency and bandwidth issues once IT systems have been moved into a cloud at a third-party location.

To resolve these problems, the report said companies should invest in WAN optimization to improve performance without the expense of adding new bandwidth.

Industry expert Yoav Eliat told the news source WAN optimization is becoming critical to support cloud environments.

"To overcome latency and bandwidth limitations, WAN optimization will become a requirement in nearly all cloud environments," Eliat told InformationWeek.

Essentially, WAN optimization can support cloud computing in the same manner that it enables network performance for companies sending data to a variety of branch offices, the report said.

Companies considering the cloud should closely analyze how the technology will impact their networking and telecom needs. For help, businesses should consult a network solutions provider to gain access to telecom reseller and carrier management services that can improve network performance and reliability.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=150 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:05:56 -0700
According to a recent Freeform Dynamics study, there is a perception across many industries that current network infrastructure is going to be enough to support cloud initiatives. The report said that this perception is based mostly on intuition, not on testing and other empirical evidence.

While telework and other processes could reduce networking issues caused by cloud deployments, the study said many experts still emphasize some need to initiate network upgrades.

WAN optimization is chief among those upgrades. The report explained that improved direct connections between WAN points, such as MPLS networks, can provide much better infrastructure for cloud services than services based copper broadband.

Businesses considering a move to the cloud should consult a network solutions provider to identify the best ways to manage their telecom and infrastructure needs in light of new cloud investments. A network solutions provider can also serve as a telecom reseller to ensure companies have access to the service plans they need.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=151 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:31:35 -0700
Traditionally, networks were established using TDM technology. Over time, network architectures have evolved toward Ethernet systems that are supported by such protocols as SDH and low-rate PDH services, which had to coexist with Ethernet, the report said.

However, continuing evolution of Ethernet infrastructure has led to more movement toward true packet transport networking, which establishes an architecture that can be installed in a single-layer infrastructure.

Currently, most networks are unable to operate in a single layer, and instead use Ethernet, MPLS and MPLS-TP to provide a foundational framework that supports PTN capabilities without bringing the network to a single layer, according to the report.

This provides a major network performance boost that supports data packet synchronization while emulating PHD and SDH capabilities, the report said.

The underlying infrastructure beneath PTNs can be complex and difficult to optimize. Businesses that consult a network solutions provider are well positioned to get the most out of their infrastructure while also ensuring their telecom quality of service standards are maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=152 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:17:31 -0700 MPLS network utility or optimization tool can resolve many network issues. Improving the WAN is especially well suited to equip the network to handle complex applications, TechTarget reports.

Using the internet for application delivery is becoming increasingly common now that many companies are deploying robust cloud computing solutions. As applications become more complex, companies must approach delivery with strategic care, making sure programs are able to get to the user without any sort of packet loss, according to the report.

Rick Drescher, managing director of technical services at Studley Inc., told the news source web-based applications are among the most challenging IT resources to align with the network.

"Web-based applications are incredibly intolerant to packet loss, so if you're sending data across the wire to [display it] on somebody's screen and [the carrier] is dropping every third packet, even with TCP ... it's going to be impossible for the end user to use that application," Drescher told TechTarget.

Companies working to enable web-based application systems should seriously consider enlisting a network solutions provider to meet their carrier management needs and enable infrastructure to handle application delivery concerns.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=153 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:08:19 -0700 MPLS lines into an integrated IP and optical deployment, according to Infonetics Research.

Converging IP and optical technologies is becoming critical because more carriers say they want to be able to use both transport protocols through an IPoDWDM interface. Most want to use the technology on both metro and backbone Ethernet networks, ensuring they have OTN infrastructure to support 100G network systems.

Michael Howard, principal analyst and co-founder of Infonetics Research, said carriers are increasingly pushing for OTN and MPLS convergence over IPoDWDM to reduce costs associated with purchasing separate routers.

"Certainly [carriers] don't want optics everywhere or on every router, but it's clear that most want to use IPoDWDM and OTN selectively to help them drive down costs," said Howard.

Companies trying to align their networking needs with the right carrier may want to consult a network solutions provider, especially as infrastructure becomes increasingly complex. A network solutions provider can provide telecom reseller and carrier management services to help companies develop reliable network systems. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=154 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:09:20 -0700
According to a recent BusinessNewsDaily report, the increasingly critical nature of social media is becoming problematic because many companies find their networks overwhelmed by increased social media use.

Industry expert Patrick Wood said social media, whether used for non-work activities or office tasks, can dramatically impact network infrastructure.

"While it varies from organization to organization, we have seen instances where as much of 60 percent or more of network resources are being consumed with things like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter," Wood told BusinessNewsDaily.

Wood told the news source companies should consider network optimization to resolve their bandwidth problems associated with social media. Optimization tools can make sure critical data gets where it needs to go quickly.

Companies facing network resource problems should consult a network solutions provider. Doing so gives businesses access to telecom reseller and carrier management services that can help fuel improved network performance and sustained efficiency.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=155 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:17:17 -0700 dedicated internet access plans, Network World reports.

IT centralization has been popular for at least a decade, according to the report, but is only recently beginning to create major issues for the WAN. Previously, companies needed to simply throw more bandwidth into the WAN to deal with higher quantities of data being transported through the network.

However, a recent study from ERG Research found 37 percent of respondents identify WAN performance management as a key concern. Another 34 percent said monitoring WAN traffic is becoming more important. Network World explains these perspectives make it clear that adding bandwidth will no longer solve the most pressing issues, and optimization has become the key practice.

A network solutions provider can help a business optimize all of its network infrastructure through new hardware installation, carrier management and telecom reseller services that ensure quality of service standards are consistently met.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=156 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:46:07 -0700
The Register reports virtual servers are becoming even more demanding and sophisticated than they once were, making network upgrades especially critical to support cloud computing initiatives.

The report explained that increased density within servers requires a response within the network, as LAN bandwidth needs can rise beyond the capabilities of many dedicated internet access plans.

One solution to this problem is adding environmentally-aware switches that can, to some extent, monitor network performance and respond appropriately, the report said. Self-healing network equipment can also be beneficial, even for companies with a smaller network connecting servers and end-user equipment, according to the news source.

Overall, companies moving any systems in the cloud should consider consulting a network solutions provider. Through carrier management, telecom reseller and other key services, a network solutions provider can help businesses optimize their network infrastructure and ensure quality of service standards are always maintained.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=137 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:14:02 -0700
According to a recent Computing report, this has led to the LAN emerging as a more fluid network that is more adaptable and open to upgrades. To begin, many companies are investing in 10 Gbps infrastructure at the core and edge of networks where data bottlenecks are more common.

However, such an upgrade does not solve all networking problems. As a result, the report said more companies are investing in optical cabling to support 10 Gbps throughout the network. This is being accompanied by the installation of CAT 6a and CAT 7 wires instead of older Ethernet cords to support improved LAN performance.

All of these upgrades position businesses to upgrade to speeds beyond 10 Gbps in the future, the report said.

Network solutions providers can help companies get the most out of their LAN infrastructure, and perhaps avoid infrastructure upgrades entirely. If a large-scale equipment upgrade is necessary, a network solutions provider can help organizations maximize efficiency through their direct internet access plan.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=133 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:03:01 -0700
According to the news source, data center operators traditionally choose carrier Ethernet to meet their interconnection needs. However, this protocol often leaves the WAN underfed, and is increasingly unable to meet growing bandwidth requirements.

As a result, many data center managers are instead turning to dark fiber networks and supporting those connections with DWDM infrastructure to support the LAN and WAN. However, the report said this infrastructure is inferior when it comes to communication between data centers and customers on different telecom networks.

Therefore, the report advises companies to invest in connection-oriented Ethernet, which is built on MPLS-TP and other foundational technologies and can meet the most demanding data center network needs.

Companies deciding how they can best enable their data center connection should consult a network solutions provider, who can help establish MPLS infrastructure while providing telecom reseller and carrier management services to ensure facilities can access the telecom resources they need.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=134 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:04:59 -0700
However, both technologies depend so much on reliable application and service delivery that networking may soon be the focal point of the IT industry, Yankee Group analyst Zeus Kerravala recently told audiences at a seminar in Toronto, Ontario, ITWorld Canada reports.

Kerravala is currently amid a long tour through North America, holding seminars about the network's growing role in enterprise IT, and he explained network infrastructure is emerging as a key IT enabler and will likely hold that position for years to come.

"The cost of computing continues to drop, the role of the network continues to grow, and I think the network does become the most cost-effective, scalable platform for apps and services," said Kerravala.

Long-term, Kerravala said computing will no longer be built around operating systems, but instead around network infrastructure that manages all application and service delivery needs.

For companies trying to initiate cloud computing and virtualization plans that will take them toward Kerravala's vision for IT's future, consulting a network solutions provider could be the first step. Through carrier management, MPLS network and telecom reseller services, a network solutions provider can help a company optimize infrastructure.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=157 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:27:41 -0700
While a dedicated internet access plan would normally provide the amount of bandwidth necessary to support UC, a recent Unified Communications Strategy round table discussion revealed emerging trends that are creating more complexity.

During the discussion, industry expert Dave Michels explained that more companies are virtualizing servers. Increased server utilization forces the network to handle more data coming from less hardware.

When this trend is coupled with centralization - moving servers to a single location - network upgrades become especially important. Michels explained centralization moves more data to the WAN, making upgrades critical because most WANs cannot support as much bandwidth as LANs.

Companies trying to evaluate the best way to upgrade their networks to support unified communications strategies should consult network solutions providers, who can provide telecom reseller and carrier management capabilities to ensure network performance meets corporate needs. A network solutions provider can also identify any infrastructure upgrades that may be necessary to meet business process goals, such as improving UC deployments.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=135 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:23:54 -0700
The report explains that Friesen's Inc. is a prime example of Ethernet's ability to support versatile infrastructure. The organization was able to use the networking technology to initiate architectures that made it easy to adapt the company's dedicated internet access to a variety of purposes.

In many cases, the report said businesses are finding so much success with Ethernet that they are removing their field bus ports and installing Ethernet architectures at a foundational level.

Hery Loos, controls and application engineer for Applied Robotics, told the news source Etherent simplifies network appliance deployment.

"Ethernet peripheral networking allows plant engineers to forego specialized communications adapters in favor of off-the-shelf computer ports," Loos told the news source.

Businesses that require versatile networks should consult a network solutions provider, which will be able to provide carrier management, telecom reseller and infrastructure-related services to optimize network architecture for a company's needs. ]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=136 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:43:32 -0700
Cramming occurs when a third-party service provider adds charges to a telecom bill that do not represent goods actually purchased by the consumer or business. The report explained that telecoms and users are vulnerable to cramming because these charges need to be included in the bill. As a result, customers need to carefully evaluate their phone bills and make sure all of the charges accurately represent the services delivered.

For businesses that sometimes feel overwhelmed by the complexity of telecom billing and customer service chains, consulting a network solutions provider can be a solution. Through carrier management services, a telecom reseller can ensure companies are able to avoid cramming and other similar issues.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=158 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:33:11 -0700 MPLS.

According to a recent TechTarget report, many network managers focus too much on trying to improve WAN performance, and neglect to deal with issues caused by latency and other factors when the WAN is forced to transport data over long distances.

Expanding the WAN to branch offices and other locations that are relatively far away from the centralized IT center requires significant technological investment, but the growing role of the Ethernet exchange could resolve many issues, the report said.

Bjarne Munch, principal research analyst at Gartner, told the news source the Ethernet exchange can help companies expand the physical reach of their WAN.

"If the enterprise needs to extend an existing network into a new office and their existing provider does not have network coverage to that office, it may be easier and faster to use an Ethernet exchange," Munch told TechTarget.

Companies considering any network upgrades should consult a network solutions provider, which can use carrier management and telecom reseller capabilities to meet a business' network needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=159 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:17:19 -0700
According to the news source, many businesses identify IT consolidation as the first and most effective initial step towards more efficient operation. While the belief that centralizing IT resources will improve sustainability is accurate, companies need to understand the impact this task will have on other operating functions and responding accordingly.

The report explained centralizing IT systems will put more data in less space, potentially overwhelming the SAN and making organizations more reliant on the WAN. This can leave remote users or individuals in a branch office with major performance issues that negate the benefits of IT consolidation, the report said.

Using WAN optimization and other advanced network technologies, such as an MPLS network, can resolve many of these issues. If they are dealt with effectively, the report said consolidation can offer many operational and revenue-related advantages.

Companies considering any major change to their IT infrastructure should consult a network solutions provider. In an era where network infrastructure is becoming more critical than ever, a network solutions provider gives organizations access to critical services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=132 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:28:53 -0700 MPLS network or Ethernet connection has the potential to dramatically improve network performance when IT and network resources are centralized. However, SIP trunks can provide similar security and connectivity for businesses that cannot centralize their technologies, Unified Communications Strategies reports.

According to the news source, SIP trunking has emerged as a technology that can offer many unique capabilities beyond its primary purpose of supporting IP-based voice communications.

The report explained many cloud providers are beginning to require SIP trunks as part of the client's network infrastructure to support application and infrastructure delivery through a secure network tunnel.

SIP trunking is also capable of providing session control for nearly all varieties of IP-based real time communications, the report said.

Supporting communication between companies is another unique capability offered by SIP trunks, according to the report, and more businesses are favoring SIP technology to support collaboration with partners.

Regardless of how the communications system is set up, MPLS, Ethernet and SIP trunking are limited by telecom connectivity. Businesses with disparate telecom providers may struggle to connect their voice networks, regardless of the foundational technology. Through carrier management services, a network solutions provider can resolve many of these issues.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=160 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:26:19 -0700
According to a recent Electric, Light & Power report, most smart grid deployments will require IP or packet-based networks to support functionality. However, this infrastructure must also be designed to handle time division multiplexing, as the legacy technology will likely be around for at least a few years.

Within this broad network spectrum, an especially fast and secure setup is needed to support teleprotection systems within the smart grid, the report said. To accomplish this, many organizations are depending on optical infrastructure. When this is not available, MPLS with microwave hops has proven most effective, the report said.

Smart grid's emphasis on network connectivity is another example of how more emerging technologies are becoming closely tied to the network. Businesses interested in preparing their infrastructure for the future should consult a network solutions provider to handle their carrier management and telecom reseller needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=161 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:11:20 -0700 MPLS, a technology that gives data packets descriptive labels to provide companies with more control over how information is routed through their network, is rapidly becoming more popular, according to a recent In-Stat study.

According to the study, MPLS spending will rise to approximately $2.4 billion by 2015. New investments in MPLS will emerge in conjunction with declines in such technologies as frame relay and ATM. Greg Potter, analyst for In-Stat, explained frame relay and ATM meet the same need as MPLS, but MPLS is emerging as the leader.

Potter explained that MPLS is uniquely suited to meet businesses' needs because it is both "protocol agnostic and highly scalable."

"[MPLS] was designed to provide a unified data-carrying service for both circuit-based clients and packet-switching clients," said Potter.

In-Stat found small businesses will make up a high percentage of spending in the network sector as a whole. They also found healthcare and social services will produce the largest spending spike of all industries between now and 2015.

Companies considering an MPLS network investment should consult a network solutions provider to help them complete the installation successfully and match their telecom needs with their infrastructure upgrade.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=162 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:26:19 -0700
According to a recent TechTarget report, network upgrades are typically induced by changing application demands, and making WAN enhancements in light of virtual desktop infrastructure is a prime example of this trend.

The report explained that the networking challenges associated with virtual desktops cannot be overcome with WAN optimization. Instead, companies need to closely monitor their dedicated internet access plans to identify how network traffic flows between virtual machines and initiate WAN policies and technologies that will support performance standards.

For most companies, the eventual solution to the networking issues created by VDI is adjusting the company's quality of service standards to prioritize VDI within the QoS design, according to the report.

Companies evaluating investments into any form of virtualization should seriously considering consulting a network solutions provider to handle their dedicated internet access and carrier management needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=163 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:47:54 -0700 MPLS, is an important technology in many network settings because it helps companies label data packets with basic headers that help improve routing.

According to a recent InfoWorld report, a growing number of data center managers are deploying multi-protocol technologies to handle storage network needs. This could lead to more MPLS use moving forward.

The report said most SANs hinge on fiber channel or iSCSI technologies. However, the rising popularity of fiber channel over Ethernet has enabled growing deployments of more diverse protocols within a storage environment.

As a result, the report said more businesses are deploying some combination of fiber channel, FCoE, iSCSI and other interface formats within their storage networks. This is leading to improved efficiency and giving businesses the flexibility they need to respond to new innovation in the rapidly-changing data center sector, according to the report.

Businesses considering multi-protocol systems should consult a network solutions provider to determine whether MPLS is the right solution to meet their routing needs. The network solutions provider can also perform telecom reseller and carrier management services to help optimize network performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=164 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:49:40 -0700
According to the news source, the seemingly clear solution to backup and recovery network issues is to add more bandwidth to the network. However, the way Linux and Windows server operating systems respond to WAN traffic is such that the extra bandwidth will not have a significant impact on latency, Jamie Whittle, director of system architecture at Peak 10, told the news source.

"There is so much data out there, and the virtual machines and physical machines are getting so incredibly large that [gigabit] connectivity between two [data centers] isn't going to be enough," Whittle told the news source.

Beyond moving to 10G Ethernet, the report said using WAN emulators to improve performance is often the best way to resolve backup and recovery issues.

For companies unsure of how to optimize their networks for backup and recovery, consulting a network solutions provider may be the best solution. Through carrier management and dedicated internet access services, a network solutions provider can optimize network performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=165 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:36:23 -0700
TechTarget reports most employees expect applications to meet high-performance standards regardless of where they are coming from, and companies need to have their networks equipped to support application delivery through the WAN.

The report explained businesses need to deploy application delivery optimization tools to resolve performance issues and make sure the WAN is able to meet enterprise needs.

The report identified two primary methods to deploy APO - WAN optimization and application delivery control.

Both of these systems, through various technologies, help businesses get the most out of their network technologies and maximize data flows without adding more bandwidth, the report said. WAN optimization does this through deduplication, caching, network acceleration and other processes, while application delivery control emphasizes load balancing and server offload.

Businesses working to get the most out of their dedicated internet access plan and optimize their WAN infrastructure should enlist a network solutions provider to handle their various telecom and network-related needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=166 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:28:14 -0700
The EEE standard, officially listed as the IEEE 802.3azTM‐2010 Energy Efficient Ethernet standard, is designed to facilitate efforts to improve sustainability in enterprise operations by supporting more efficient functionality within the core network infrastructure.

Crystal Black, marketing chair for the Ethernet Alliance, said the interoperability test helped prove the EEE standard is making significant progress.

"The Energy Efficient Ethernet standard, technology and products reinforce Ethernet as a ubiquitous and green connectivity technology. Sponsoring the EEE interoperability event allowed the Ethernet Alliance to support the market transition to EEE," said Black.

Mike Bennett, senior network engineer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and chair of the IEEE 802.3az Task Force, said the interoperability test successfully proved the EEE standard is capable of functioning properly within current Ethernet networks.

Companies considering any major alteration to their Ethernet infrastructure should consult a network solutions provider to handle their dedicated internet access plans and ensure service levels are maintained throughout the upgrade process.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=167 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:47:39 -0700
According to the news source, IT convergence moves server, application and other IT resources to a central data center, making the WAN more important to deliver resources to branch offices.

However, this transition cannot easily address PC-related issues, especially security, the report said. As a result, many companies faced a difficult situation in which most IT systems were delivered from the central data center, while computers in branch offices still required separate security measures.

To resolve this problem, a growing number of companies are turning to desktop virtualization, which allows PCs to run a virtual desktop hosted in a central server and delivered through the WAN. However, the report said WAN optimization and other similar technologies, such as an MPLS, are often necessary to support such initiatives.

A number of emerging technological trends are making network infrastructure more important than ever. As a result, companies should consult a network solutions provider to meet their telecom reseller, carrier management and dedicated internet access needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=168 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:09:31 -0700
According to a recent Reuters report, the recovery made 2010 a year of major expansion in the network equipment sector. However, many manufacturers are reporting slower sales in 2011, leading some to believe the market is in trouble again.

The report said this conclusion is not entirely accurate. While the network technology market may be slowing, it is not declining as quickly as expected. Instead, companies are still investing in MPLS, dedicated internet access and other systems that require support from new hardware. These investments are simply coming at a more sustainable rate.

As a result, the report concluded the network technology sector is still growing, but has just slipped into a more sustainable growth rate after its meteoric rise in 2010.

Companies considering new network investments should consult a network solutions provider to help them identify the best way to manage their infrastructure while also using telecom reseller and carrier management capabilities to optimize network performance.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=170 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:55:52 -0700 dedicated internet access plans.

According to a recent CRN report, the industry trends that are fueling WAN optimization and other web accelerators are leading to rapid growth in the sector while also creating a more diverse range of solutions.

Larry Chaffin, founder and CEO of Pluto Networks, told the news source WAN optimization solutions have become a key network appliance for both service and solutions providers. This is creating a competitive market that gives companies a wide range of web acceleration options to choose from.

The increasing diversity in the sector is creating an environment in which channel partners are increasingly tasked with stepping up their service options and expanding their capabilities to improve network performance in enterprise and data center settings.

Network solutions providers, which are typically capable of meeting business' carrier management and telecom reseller needs, are also well suited to help companies establish web acceleration infrastructure and optimize their WAN systems.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=169 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:16:46 -0700
In a recent interview with IT Pro, industry expert Neil Thomas explained that networks are key to supporting cloud computing initiatives. As a result, businesses need to make sure their own network is capable of handling the cloud while also evaluating their vendor's systems to make sure they will be able to meet the company's networking needs.

"Successful cloud implementations, especially for the enterprise market, are reliant upon combining robust and secure hosting environments with resilient, high-performing and secure next-generation networks, and both need to be ensured with stringent service level agreements," Thomas told the news source.

Companies considering the cloud may also want to invest in an MPLS network, WAN optimization or some other form of web acceleration to support application delivery needs. Through carrier management and telecom reseller services, a network solutions provider is well suited to meet business' cloud-related networking needs.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=171 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:43:47 -0700
According to a recent Voice & Data report, networks were initially designed using time division multiplexing to support voice transmissions. This technology was aimed at using closed time slots on direct communications to dedicate all network resources to a single network service while it is being used.

Over time, more service providers needed to do more than provide voice, and had to expand services to handle high-speed internet, point-to-multipoint services, multipoint-to-multipoint deployment and IPTV setups. To meet this need, more service providers deployed packet based architectures, including MPLS and Ethernet.

The report explained current service providers can no longer simply use TDM, but packet-based services cannot be exclusively deployed either because certain services require TDM technology. As a result, converged infrastructure may be the easiest solution to position service providers to meet enterprise needs.

For businesses attempting to identify the best way to equip their networks, consulting a network solutions provider may be the best solution. Through this service, companies can access carrier management, telecom reseller and other network services that will help them optimize their connectivity.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=172 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:50:06 -0700
According to a recent Computerworld report, General Mills is a prime example of this trend. The company now has approximately 7 percent of its users running virtual desktops. Most of these workers are based in branch offices spread around the world.

The report explained installing software and other systems on each of these PCs would be expensive and logistically difficult. However, desktop virtualization allows General Mills to simply attach these offices to the WAN and deliver their desktop resources through virtual infrastructure.

While this practice makes plenty of business sense, the report explained it can prove challenging to manage as WANs often have limited bandwidth. As a result, organizations considering such an arrangement may need to deploying WAN optimization or similar technologies to support the strategy.

An MPLS could be another option. MPLS networks use packet labels to improve network routing and encourage optimal routing. Businesses considering an investment in desktop virtualization should consult a network solutions provider to help them optimize their network infrastructure and telecom services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=173 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:17:54 -0700
For businesses attempting to maintain their dedicated internet access plans while gaining access to cloud resources, upgrading the network with WAN optimization or application delivery controllers may be key. According to a recent Network World report, using virtual networking tools to accomplish this goal could be the ideal strategy.

Traditionally, data centers are designed around physical servers, with each machine handling an application or service. As a result, the network systems around that server were designed to handle that application's needs, the report said.

While the overall system remains the same, with each server holding an application that is supported by network infrastructure, those servers are now virtual in many circumstances, with many virtual machines on each physical device.

As a result, the report said it is less expensive and often more efficient to use virtual application delivery controllers and other similar systems to handle network optimization needs in light of the cloud.

Network solutions providers can ease many of the challenges associated with such a process through carrier management, telecom reseller and infrastructure-related services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=174 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:04:13 -0700 Dedicated internet access plans can give businesses the ability to take advantage of robust internet services and high-performance connectivity. However, increasing demands for connectivity are such that companies need to support their dedicated internet access plans with advanced infrastructure.

According to a recent TMCnet report, fiber channel over Ethernet is among the technologies emerging as a key tool to support advanced infrastructure in the enterprise and data center sectors.

The report explained fiber channel technology is typically deployed to work in conjunction with gigabit transport technology, often in storage area networks. In most deployment settings, the report said fiber channel works with Ethernet similarly to TCP technology in IP networks.

Overall, the report suggested fiber channel is an ideal supporting technology for SCSI deployments in enterprise and data center SANs.

Network solutions providers can help businesses get the most out of their dedicated internet access plans by helping businesses optimize infrastructure while providing carrier management and telecom reseller services. As a result, a network solutions provider can help businesses get the most out of their network architectures and telecom plans.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=176 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:51:12 -0700
Hacking into telephone calls is a time-honored tradition, and the practice is becoming even more prevalent in VoIP networks, the report explained. As a result, cyber criminals can diverge calls to force the business to incur cost, hijack the line to make their own calls or simply spy on the communications being made on the line.

To prevent this, the report said organizations can invest in a few service provider technologies to support their VoIP plan. Among those technologies is a virtual private network. One of the best ways to create a secure VPN to support VoIP is to enable the VPN over an MPLS network tunnel to prevent hackers from gaining access to the network.

Establishing a secure network can be easier when working with a network solutions provider. By offering a combination of carrier management and telecom reseller services, a network solutions provider can give businesses access to sophisticated network systems.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=175 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:25:07 -0700
The news source went as far as to wonder "Why does Verizon hate America?" when discussing many of the telecom's policies that seem to show a trend to favor finances and income over customer concerns.

One of these policies could put some American consumers and businesses at serious risk. According to the news source, Verizon sold millions of American phone records to the government then denied to be involved in the situation despite evidence to the contrary.

For businesses that have grown tired of the seemingly unconcerned attitude of major telecom providers, a network solutions provider could be the solution. Through carrier management and telecom reseller services, a NSP can meet all of a businesses network and telecom needs while minimizing company interaction with the telecom provider.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=177 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:43:55 -0700
According to the news source, the strike has seen managers taking on technician roles and other similar situations in which employees are shuffled into unusual positions to make up for the shortage of workers while many employees strike.

Craig Schiffer, chief executive of a boutique investment bank in Midtown Manhattan, told the news source his company has experienced downtime for nine days, and still has not been able to get an estimate from Verizon.

Similar issues have been voiced by a variety of Verizon customers because the company is struggling to manage its internal tasks during the strike. New installations are also facing delays, as the company has chosen to sacrifice service to new customers to help maintain its current business agreements, the report said.

A network solutions provider can help businesses overcome the challenges of working directly with a major telecom. This is accomplished through carrier management and telecom reseller services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=178 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:22:40 -0700
According to a recent Verizon release, the two-week strike in August, combined with attempts to respond to service requests after Hurricane Irene and subsequent flooding, has created a major backlog.

Service requests for new FiOS installments were put on hold during the strike, and the company is struggling to keep up. According to the release, the company is still attempting to deal with a backlog of approximately 100,000 orders for FiOS services. This backlog developed during the strike and is still being rectified.

While the company's response to new service requests may leave customers struggling, the release said most customer service requests were dealt with in a timely fashion.

Businesses investing in data center services cannot afford to wait weeks, nevermind months, to have their new telecom systems installed. By partnering with a network solutions provider and accessing its telecom reseller services, companies can benefit from more robust telecom customer service.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=179 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:06:49 -0700
According to the news source, the first year working with Verizon Business went well, for the most part. While the sign-up process left something to be desired, as the owner was not offered any packages or bundles, though some may have been active, things began to fall apart when it came time to renew.

The business' owner called Verizon and set up a service renewal. He found that the company could save money by signing up for a bundle deal and getting a free DSL line.

While this was exciting news, everything fell apart when a Verizon technician came to install the new line, cut the company's credit card and fax line, without reporting this to Verizon customer support, and left the business with more than a day without fax or credit card services before the problem could be resolved.

Few small businesses cannot afford these sort of customer service blunders, and a network solutions provider can help a company avoid them. This is accomplished through carrier management and telecom reseller services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=180 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:07:36 -0700 MPLS can leverage significant performance advantages.

While MPLS is not on the forefront of innovation and has been around for a while, the report said it offers such an improvement over frame relay and ATM services that it is emerging as a popular option for a diverse range of businesses.

Michael Vassallo, senior network administrator at interior design firm Dancker, Sellew and Douglas, told TechTarget the business faces a challenging network environment because it must interconnect five branch offices without sacrificing quality of service. MPLS proved to be the ideal solution, Vassallo said.

"I don't find it surprising that spending on MPLS, Ethernet and cable is expected to rise while less dynamic services will remain flat. Companies are looking for advanced services, and those services are found with MPLS," Vassallo told TechTarget.

A network solutions provider can help businesses optimize their infrastructure to support an MPLS network. This can be combined with carrier management and telecom reseller services to optimize a dedicated internet access plan.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=185 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:29:37 -0700
According to a recent Insights Research study, the distinction between types of Ethernet plans are being dissolved, and a growing number of major telecom carriers are creating confusing pricing models as a result.

The report explained most major telecoms consider high-speed and broadband internet plans as consumer-focused, while carrier Ethernet serves as the enterprise-level service just above high-end consumer plans.

However, Insights Research found a growing number of major telecom companies offering carrier Ethernet as a consumer option, blurring the lines between enterprise and consumer service levels and pricing.

Businesses that require clarity in terms of pricing and service should consult a network solutions provider. This will give them direct access to telecom services that are more clearly explained and supported by high-quality customer service initiatives. This is accomplished through robust carrier management and telecom reseller capabilities designed to provide optimal service options for business customers. A network solutions provider can also help organizations make the most of their infrastructure-related options.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=184 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:54:27 -0700
The news source said Verizon announced plans to expand its video streaming and cloud services products. This project comes in light of rising efforts from Apple and other consumer-focused companies having major success with consumer-focused services for cloud computing and video streaming, the report said.

The new Verizon cloud service is a storage solution designed to give subscribers access to remote storage resources hosted by Verizon servers. It is designed to work in conjunction with the video streaming movie rental service, according to the report.

These new services come at a time when Verizon is already struggling to meet business' needs, as CEO Lowell McAdam recently told Reuters the telecom will be dropping many business services to focus on other areas.

Companies that need more focus, consistency and service from a telecom should consult a network solutions provider that can meet these needs through carrier management and telecom reseller services.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=183 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:14:37 -0700
Companies considering a move to the cloud need to adapt their network management and security protocols or risk leaving themselves vulnerable to security threats and several separate infrastructure-related challenges, the report said.

In most businesses, the network is established primarily to handle internal communications and application delivery. As a result, the security systems are designed to keep threats out, according to the news source.

Furthermore, most of the traffic is on the LAN.

The report said cloud computing changes network management because such high quantities of data are now being transmitted from outside the network towards the inside.

Companies struggling to adjust to this change should consult a network solutions provider. Through telecom reseller services, the NSP can make sure telecom plans match the needs of cloud deliver, while also giving companies access to the resources they need to manage their network for the emerging technology.]]> http://splicetelecom.com/about-us/industrynews/?id=182 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:05:40 -0700