In the world of virtualized x86-based servers and applications, management tools become the primary differentiator between hypervisors. Virtualization is quickly moving to a set of competing, but effectively equivalent, products. The ability to manage these virtualized environments, especially in heterogeneous environments, will be the critical factor for data centers in 2009 and beyond.

Compliance remains a key concern for many IT managers. Frameworks like ITIL and COBIT are very popular, but the NIST 800 guidelines and ISO 17799/27002 may be more beneficial. Regardless of the approach, IT leadership is sacrificed when violations occur.

Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the next generation IP addressing standard. IPv6 will dramatically increase the number of global IP addresses and bring improvements to the areas of routing, mobility, and security.

Wireless LAN (WLAN) Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) were introduced as a security feature to assist in identifying and locating security threats such as rogue Access Points (APs). Today’s WLAN RTLS has evolved and can now be used as a comprehensive and advanced security tool, as well as a method to locate and track high-value assets.

Enterprise LAN infrastructure is virtually everywhere, and at some point every enterprise must refresh the LAN infrastructure to meet the demands of the business. There are several business and technology drivers that can mandate a LAN refresh. Enterprises must understand these drivers in order to identify when a LAN refresh is necessary.

At some point, every enterprise must refresh the LAN infrastructure to meet the demands of the business. There are several business and technology drivers that can incite a LAN refresh. Use this tool to help assess how soon the enterprise will need to consider a LAN refresh.

Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) provide enterprises with a cost effective option for consolidating and managing WAN services for globally distributed sites. Investigate the benefits of using a VNO for multi-site connectivity.

Real-time network monitoring and reporting is an increasingly critical assignment for already overburdened enterprise IT departments. For many, outsourcing the task is the answer. Understand the drivers and potential pitfalls for outsourcing network monitoring.

Increasing costs for global connectivity are certainly not overlooked by IT executives. However, the ability to obtain the requisite service levels at all locations can be more difficult than anticipated and may be worth a premium price. Companies should keep this point in mind as they strategize on how to consolidate services and negotiate with global service providers.

Considering the importance of DHCP, DNS, and other core network services to the operation of critical applications, enterprises simply cannot afford to continue relying on outdated practices. Migrating these services away from the existing infrastructure and its inherent limitations and towards purpose-built appliances may be the most suitable option.

Unexpected network interruptions are inevitable and proper planning for network disaster situations is critical. Network failures caused by power outages, device failures, and natural disasters can impact an enterprise for days unless viable network recovery plans are available and service providers meet their contractual obligations.

At the mere mention of satellite communication, the inherent propagation delay issue rears its ugly head. However, vendors continue to tackle this problem using various software and hardware techniques. Consequently, enterprises with disaster back-up, remote connectivity, or international coverage requirements should take a fresh look at satellite technology.

Planning for a LAN refresh requires careful consideration of financial, technical, and business implications. While a comprehensive financial breakdown and business case is often not necessary to justify a LAN refresh, proper business analysis and technical preparation should always be a prerequisite. In this case, planning is essential to ensure maximum value is derived from the updated LAN...

Most mid-sized enterprises select or trial at least one new network technology annually. However, unless short and long-term technology benefits are compatible with tangible enterprise requirements, selection problems can occur. To prevent this trouble, C-levels must become active in the selection process for critical technology and verify that it supports internal and external business...

Developing a network management competency center for those enterprises that are not required to support high-value, business critical applications makes little sense. However, for those enterprise networks that must continuously deliver high performance service levels to their business users, it may be another story altogether.

The continuing operation of an enterprise depends on its ongoing ability to connect employees, suppliers, and customers to one another without disruption, and to provide them with access to key data and applications. A successful business continuity plan or disaster recovery plan must have network continuity and recovery as key elements.

Based on a recent survey, mid-sized enterprises spend, and in numerous cases waste, hundreds of thousands of dollars on Network Management System (NMS) fault and performance management. Although squandering valuable IT dollars on a lackluster NMS is inappropriate, the resulting user dissatisfaction levels represent a far greater threat to the enterprise.

IT organizations are continually challenged by users and senior management to prove they can, and do, deliver a strong value proposition. However, without a clear definition of the services that IT provides, this is a difficult task. Consequently, IT should utilize the Business Application Profile (BAP) executive summary to effectively communicate its key services and value to senior executives.

Support represents a hidden cost to IT and is the low-hanging fruit of cost saving initiatives. Unfortunately, many enterprises are squandering resources on support processes that do not take the unique needs of mobile end-users into account. Tier 1 support for deskbound end-users is very different than that for mobile workers. An enterprise that isn’t taking a mobile-specific approach to...

Mergers and acquisitions are now a part of corporate life. Although due diligence is performed by the acquiring company, it may not include the network infrastructure. In some cases, network infrastructures are undervalued and sometimes they are simply overlooked. This case study reviews the methodology utilized by Company Z to identify the value and disposition of a network infrastructure it...

With an eye on reducing costs and rationalizing resources, many enterprises are consolidating servers in central data centers. In some cases, centralization makes sense, but the additional demand on the WAN is often overlooked. Remember the network implications when considering server consolidation and centralization.

In the vast majority of situations, enterprises rely on Value Added Resellers (VARs) to purchase LAN equipment. Similarly, many organizations use VARs/integrators to assist in the design and implementation of the corporate LAN. Selecting the appropriate VAR/integrator is often a key to the success of a LAN refresh implementation, so choose wisely.

Most network infrastructures do not generate a profit, cannot recover service costs from internal users, and are classified as cost centers. Unfortunately, corporate policy dictates that costs are to be cut and profit’s maximized. Network executives should implement new processes that enhance and demonstrate the network infrastructure’s true value to management and business unit managers or...

Some business applications require stringent service levels on a 24x7 basis. Regrettably, the network management infrastructure required to support them exceeds the capabilities of many network service providers. Consequently, a growing number of companies are forced to develop an internal network management core competency.

Once a major network failure ends, enterprises must still complete several important tasks. This includes identifying the failure’s root-cause and taking steps to prevent a reoccurrence. In addition, impacted lines-of-business (LOB) must be briefed. A post network-failure plan should be prepared in advance to effectively address these items.

Enterprises continue to face the challenge of rapidly deploying high-performance applications across network infrastructures. Cross-functional teams can improve the performance of business applications and a network’s service level capabilities. This case study reviews how Company Z made a cross-functional team a success.

Some enterprises have a network backup plan, but it may be incompatible with current or changing business requirements. Before focusing on technology selections and service provider backup designs, enterprises should verify that key business assets are protected and policies are established to ensure appropriate actions are taken if a failure occurs.

Keeping the network team's skill levels up to date on changing technology and the vendor environment is an ongoing enterprise challenge. Although IT organizations utilize various combinations of vendor and third-party training courses to accomplish this task, the intrinsic value and importance of industry trade shows should not be overlooked.

Most telecom service contracts are for a multi-year term, but it is not uncommon for enterprise requirements to change during this period. However, modifying or deleting services to an existing contract is not always easy. The following best practices can mitigate this situation and provide benefits for the enterprise and the service provider.

More businesses are finding that they require high availability (HA) of key applications. HA means an application is operational when it is needed. This can range from 24/7 Web site access to guaranteed IP phone access during a normal 40-hour work week. Business needs dictate HA applications and IT staff must plan and deploy technologies to deliver on those requirements.

Network organizations are working to complete their 2009 budget process. The typical budget categories, including staff salaries, costs of telecom services, and corporate overhead allocations are easy to identify. However, attention must also be focused on several other seemingly, less critical areas that will definitely increase in importance.

Renegotiating an existing telecom services contract requires careful planning, strong negotiation skills, and the use of best practices. It may also require accepting a short-term economic penalty or risk to achieve long-term benefits. The company profiled in this research note discovered that successful contract modifications must also provide tangible benefits to both parties.

Many enterprises are developing strategy plans to replace or augment network management systems that no longer provide the necessary functionality to support the stringent service levels required by business applications. Yet, unless new functionality requirements are correctly identified, improper selections are likely and enterprise money will be wasted.

Although many enterprises may know what to do, they wait too long to renegotiate their telecom services contracts. In renewal situations, “time is of the essence” and negotiations should commence at least 90 days prior to a contract’s expiration. Enterprises that procrastinate until the last few weeks lose substantial bargaining power.

When Internet Service Providers (ISPs) don't live up to expectations, dispute resolution and renegotiation of contract terms may prove to be the best solution. Drafting an exit strategy into the initial contract will reduce risks when early termination is unavoidable.

While large companies enjoy a distinct advantage when it comes to telecom vendor negotiations, there are a number of important tactics that all companies can employ. One of the initial tactics to consider, whenever possible, is to negotiate vendor pricing based upon a positive growth projection, whether that is an assumption or a reality.

When enterprises extend the scale or usage of data networks, they need to review not only the quantity of data to be transferred but also the quality of service (QoS) required. As they plan the delivery of business applications, IT departments must understand which network performance targets are important, what levels of service are available from suppliers and what approaches can reduce service...

In today's economic climate, technology selections should not be solely based on an acceptable ROI. There must also be a strong value proposition that identifies the expected business benefits. When used correctly, value propositions ensure that a correct technology selection is made and that it dovetails with business unit needs.

The growth of wireless devices, voice and data services, and mobile applications is straining the internal capabilities of enterprises that embrace mobility. The answer for many enterprises is to outsource wireless telecom management to experienced Telecom Expense Management (TEM) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) vendors. Make sure to shortlist the TEM BPO vendors that best meet the...

Info-Tech recently conducted a five-year cost comparison of Nortel Networks and Cisco Systems LAN and WAN equipment. The results are telling, and the premium that enterprises pay for Cisco products can be over 100%. Enterprises that default to Cisco when buying network equipment should expand their shopping choices – the savings can be substantial.

As the enterprise LAN is increasingly considered mission critical IT infrastructure, it is essential to proactively monitor the network for faults and to address performance issues before they arise. A good Network Management System (NMS) is becoming an integral and essential component of the enterprise LAN, and virtually every organization should have one. Consider the available options and...

Selecting the most appropriate WAN/Internet service provider requires the enterprise to provide location information and detailed requirements in order to receive competitive bids. Use this template to solicit responses from service providers and identify the right solution at the best price.

With the wide variety of data center system management tools available, IT staff need to determine which management components are most critical to their operations. Once requirements are set, the process of evaluating and selecting the right platform can begin. Define and understand data center needs before choosing a system management package.

The expertise required to successfully design and implement an enterprise cabling infrastructure is unlikely to be found in-house. Use this fully editable RFP template to select the best structured cabling solution for your needs.

While IP telephony (IPT) offers a range of operational and strategic advantages, converging voice with the existing data network requires due care to ensure voice quality. To achieve optimal voice performance, enterprises must be diligent in assessing the readiness of their existing networks for IPT and making the necessary improvements prior to implementation.

Upgrading or replacing LAN infrastructure is something that enterprises typically go through every four to six years. Deploying the physical equipment is not necessarily a challenging task, but implementing the new infrastructure must be done carefully and thoughtfully in order to avoid service interruptions. LAN design and implementation planning are the keys to a successful LAN implementation.

When preparing for an IP Telephony (IPT) implementation, enterprises must be thorough in evaluating their VoIP traffic requirements against the current traffic characteristics and capacity of their existing data networks. A clear understanding of the nature of VoIP traffic and the impact of adding it to the current data infrastructure will help enterprises to identify the most appropriate network...

The increasing importance of the enterprise network to business operations makes understanding traffic characteristics critical. Enterprises should explore using traffic flow analysis to gain valuable insight into network utilization and performance.

New types of devices, stricter network performance and security requirements, and the pressures of regulatory compliance are driving the need for a more proactive approach to IP address allocation and administration. IT departments must take action now to improve existing IP address management practices and explore available vendor solutions.

As part of network capacity planning, enterprises must understand usage patterns and be able to identify when additional capacity is required to support the business. Identifying that magic moment when adding bandwidth is necessary – but not critical – while balancing against wasted costs of LAN and WAN equipment and facilities is tricky. Keep the network running smoothly and cost effectively –...

Network infrastructures must consistently deliver reliable, quality services to enterprise users. To achieve this, application developers must work closely with the network team to verify that the network quality of service (QoS) and an application’s required performance metrics are in sync. Cross-functional teams should be formed and assigned this task.

Many enterprises simply do not have an option when it comes to WAN redundancy. Inter-site and Internet connectivity are core business requirements, and losing the lines of communication can be very costly. Evaluate the risks, determine the requirements, and design a redundant WAN architecture to ensure the enterprise is not exposed to unnecessary risk.

Enterprise networks and telephony systems are fundamental services that are essential to enterprise productivity. As such, it is critical for IT departments to provide guaranteed service levels that address network and telephony availability and performance standards to the enterprise. Use this template as a basis for a Service Level Agreement between the network and telephony management group...

While the focus on IP address management (IPAM) has grown in recent years with the proliferation of IP devices and stricter network performance and security mandates, there is still a significant cost associated with specialized IPAM solutions. Enterprises must complete a comprehensive assessment of their actual IP address management, DNS, and DHCP limitations before pursuing these solutions.

An effective and reliable enterprise Domain Name System (DNS) is critical to online customer service, marketing initiatives, and Web-related revenue streams. Consider using a managed external DNS service as a way to help reinforce the enterprise’s online presence.

The process of establishing performance standards for enterprise networks is arduous, but essential to all enterprises. The network is the foundation for the delivery of enterprise IT services, and when it does not operate optimally enterprise productivity suffers. Take the time to benchmark network performance, establish performance standards, and communicate them to the organization.

Maintaining the performance mandated by business applications requires the appropriate network management tools, their proper configuration, and staff technical skills. Many enterprises fail to monitor these basic areas, and as a result, their network management capabilities do not meet expectations and additional products are purchased to solve the problem.

Businesses continue to benefit by offering shared access data centers to partners, suppliers, and clients. The issue in this method of organization is ensuring that each category of user has access only to appropriate and authorized data. Create a tiered data center structure to provide physical and logical layering and to offer efficiencies and security that more distributed structures do not...

As enterprise LAN environments grow, the effectiveness of conventional “flat” switched network topologies deteriorates. Virtual LANs (VLANs) allow enterprises to logically segment the LAN using their existing switches without physical changes or capital costs, bringing immediate performance improvements and simplified network administration.

WAN redundancy has become critical to many enterprises. Part of the challenge is evaluating how much should be spent, and how complex the solution needs to be to provide the required network availability. Use this tool to assess the enterprise requirements for WAN redundancy.

When a LAN is upgraded or refreshed, there may be new features and functionality that create opportunities to optimize network performance. Often the inclination is just to leave the LAN alone post-implementation if performance is adequate, but many enterprises would be well served by applying optimization techniques that help squeeze more value from the network.

In some enterprises, the infrastructure that the network group provides is considered a basic utility by business unit executives. In many cases, this myopic view may not reflect the actual value of the network services that IT provides. When quality network services are taken for granted, IT and the business units they support are disadvantaged.

The best network infrastructure groups do far more than provide network services to their business users. They also excel in new service planning, seamless service rollouts, and the ability to maintain stringent performance levels. This requires process discipline, effective technology lifecycle planning, and an understanding of business unit needs.

Many network organizations strive to deliver quality services to their clients, but fail to grasp the value of continuous quality improvement programs. This results in outdated network processes and lower quality network services. Conversely, those organizations that understand and utilize quality improvement programs deliver higher quality services.

Quality improvement initiatives can deliver excellent enterprise value, but there are various approaches and techniques that must be considered to ensure success. Personnel requirements, budget issues, and a starting point must all be carefully considered. In addition, the political climate and executive support must be taken into account.

Regardless of a network organization's size, there is usually some form of network planning that determines the network technology mix and the services provided. However, unless network planners utilize proven best practices to help analyze and predict the network's future, problems will definitely arise and money will be wasted.

Network organizations continue to implement and experiment with different techniques and methodologies to help them deliver and maintain quality network services. In many cases, although intentions are good, the fundamental best practices necessary to achieve this goal are missing. Unless the basics are in place, success is uncertain.

Delivering and maintaining the requisite network performance levels for business applications is a constant challenge. Existing application service levels are subject to change, while new applications seem to require increasingly stringent performance metrics. As a result, performance management systems are critical network elements.

More and more enterprises are being affected by poor economic conditions, and budgets are starting to get slashed. If the CFO walks into your office and asks you to cut IT spending, look to these eight tactics to slash network costs.

Service Level Management (SLM) delivers accountability, transparency, and visibility to IT services. Enterprises must start establishing service levels with the business through implementation of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Enterprises looking to reduce costs in the network and telephony services area can make significant headway in reducing expenses without reducing quality of service. First, determine which areas have potential for cost savings, then assess how much time is available to reach cost-reduction targets. IT can then narrow down the cost-cutting techniques at its disposal. Keep potential pitfalls in...

To avoid network performance and business user issues, enterprises must understand the symbiotic relationship between network performance and the proper configuration of network elements. Adopt best practices to establish a robust configuration management framework and verify that any configuration changes that may impact performance are also detected by fault and/or performance management...

Special Alert: Financial Crisis – Essential Reading for IT Leaders Executives around the globe are asking themselves how they should prepare for tough times. IT leaders are no exception. Read this report to develop a fundamental framework for assessing your choices as you plan for your organization.

Purchasing network equipment and managing networks can be a significant source of IT expenditure. Listen to this podcast to discover tactical actions to cost-consciously procure and manage network infrastructure. Use this timely guidance to reach short, medium, and long-term targets that are aligned with IT and business needs.

This tool is designed to help organizations determine top tactics for cost reduction within the network and telephony service area. After the questions have been completed, the tool will generate guidance on which cost-saving actions to take, the relative amount of savings from each action, the time frame to realize these savings, as well as potential challenges and ways to mitigate these...

To consistently provide the highest quality service to enterprise business units, network organizations must maintain laser-like focus on their responsibilities and business unit technology requirements. To achieve this objective, network managers should adopt proven and effective best practices to keep the organization properly focused.