Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Managed network services technology

• How to launch VoIP services for business customers

  Vendor selection, cross-selling and in-depth product knowledge are the keys to success when it comes to offering Voice over IP services, Mike Bloomfield writes.  Continue Reading

• What are the different phases of an IPv6 implementation?

  In an IPv6 implementation, it's important to spend time with each of the five phase of the process, IPv6 expert Chip Popoviciu says.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between broadband WiMax and WiFi?

  WiMax is considered the replacement for the wire line Internet connectivity method. Learn the differences between broadband WiMax and WiFi and how your clients can benefit from either Internet connectivity method.  Continue Reading

• Is there a way to save network bandwidth by improving the efficiency of TCP connections?

  TCP maintains a constant connection between a client and server. Learn about moving data by using TCP or EDP and find out if there's a way to save network bandwidth.  Continue Reading

• How can we reduce time spent troubleshooting networks?

  Learn how making the right choices at the beginning of a networking project can reduce the amount of time troubleshooting networks later.  Continue Reading

• Why is Cisco adopting the SIP protocol?

  Learn why Cisco is supporting the open SIP protocol for its new networking devices.  Continue Reading

• What are the top reasons for network upgrades?

  Learn why performance, reliability and security are the three most important reasons for recommending a network upgrade to your clients.  Continue Reading

• When to recommend a PBX replacement vs. adding VoIP to PBX?

  VoIP phone systems offer a wide range of features that can enhance productivity, reach-ability and efficiency for a business. Some of these features, such as unified communications and sophisticated call routing, work a lot better when directly ...  Continue Reading

• What can service providers do to ensure that network projects succeed?

  Network projects fail most often because of poor planning. Discover any easy-to-learn phased network project implementation process that will set you up for success by reducing follow-up work to fix holes in a customer's network design.  Continue Reading

• What are today's underserved network markets?

  With so many network service providers on the scene it's tempting to think all the network markets are saturated. In this expert response, learn about some network markets that are just starting to come into their own, thereby providing the channel ...  Continue Reading

• Is it smarter to specialize in a few trusted network vendors or to diversify?

  Network value-added resellers are faced with a bewildering array of network vendors, and it's tempting to partner with as many as possible. In this expert response, learn why network vendor specialization is more important than network vendor ...  Continue Reading

• How to convince a customer to switch to VoIP?

  ROI for VoIP, measured on a strictly financial basis, is difficult to prove, especially in single-office deployments. However, the ROI for the system in terms of "soft" costs is very rapid and should be the focus your pitch.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between Wi-Fi and wireless broadband

  Learn the difference between Wi-Fi and wireless broadband, discover how the two technologies can work together at a client site and understand the tradeoffs involved in choosing one over the other.  Continue Reading

• Resolving an IP address conflict

  Discover how to troubleshoot an IP address conflict at a client site involving DHCP-assigned IP addresses.  Continue Reading

• Setting an IP address on a LAN server interface

  Learn how to set an IP address on the network interface of a FTP/Web/mail server when a client has only one public IP address.  Continue Reading

• Extending the range of a wireless network

  Learn about the best ways to expand the range of your client's wireless network while taking into account the fact that 802.11n is quickly becoming the WLAN standard.  Continue Reading

• Creating wireless networks with Windows Vista for SMBs

  Microsoft Vista can create a WiFi access point but may not be the best choice for your SMB client. Learn why in this Q&A from our wireless networking expert, Craig Mathias.  Continue Reading

• SSID and wireless connection problems

  Discover why changing your SSID number might be the answer to resolving wireless connection problems when your client's wireless network seems to be properly configured.  Continue Reading

• GSM and GPRS mobile communication networking

  GSM and GPRS have been standards for second-generational digital cellular systems since the late 1980s. Learn about new emerging technology for cellular systems in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• WAP for mobile devices

  Using WAP, your clients can convert their pages to be viewed by mobile devices. Learn if it's worth the effort in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• How does VSAT work?

  Learn about Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and how they can be a viable wireless networking alternative to DSL.  Continue Reading

• CDMA and other 3G standards-compliant alternatives to UMTS for 3G mobile deployment

  CDMA is just one of several 3G standards-compliant replacements for UMTS.  Continue Reading

• Bridging LANs wirelessly

  Correct equipment and configuration is key to successfully bridging networks with a WLAN.  Continue Reading

• GSM without the phone

  GSM and other cellular networks offer an alternative to Wi-Fi networks. Cellular networks provide better coverage, but no wireless network is perfect.  Continue Reading

• CDMA and gold code

  Gold code sequences used in CDMA allow callers to better use available bandwidth with less interference.  Continue Reading

• VPN bandwidth troubleshooting

  Analyzing network traffic is a typical first step when troubleshooting VPN bandwidth issues.  Continue Reading

• Address recognition with wireless routers

  Wireless domain recognition issues can be solved by assigning static addresses to the devices in question.  Continue Reading

• Hardware tokens add security to wireless networks

  Security tokens, like Mobikey and SecureID, operate above the MAC layer, and are thus applicable to any network.  Continue Reading

• Configuring spare networks

  Our networking expert suggests configuring the routing tables for each host on spare networks to use their shared router as a connection point.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft WLANs dropping the connection

  Experts hope that Windows Mobile 6 and 802.11n will bring stability to mobile WLANs.  Continue Reading

• New equipment for IPv6

  Should I encourage my customers to buy new equipment for the upgrade to IPv6?  Continue Reading

• Connecting wirelessly to a LAN

  Connecting a wireless router to a wired LAN.  Continue Reading

• How can I link buildings for wifi using a wireless router?

  I am attempting to use wireless to connect five different buildings to the Internet.  Continue Reading

• Tools for identifying IP addresses

  A site member asks our networking expert what tools are available to identify IP addresses on his customer's LAN.  Continue Reading

• What is Nagle's algorithm?

  A site member asks our networking expert about the Nagle algorithm.  Continue Reading

• Switches and IGMP compatibility

  Is there a quick and easy way to check if the switches on my customer's network support IGMP?  Continue Reading

• CDMA technology explained

  CDMA principles explained.  Continue Reading

• Searching ISP addresses

  One of my customers hosts a database for his employees to access. His (dial up) address changes frequently. Is there a way for his employees to search a range of his ISP's addresses to find his server?  Continue Reading

• What is the purpose of Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode

  What is the purpose of Wi-Fi ad-hoc mode? When would I suggest it to a customer?  Continue Reading

• How do I connect a coaxial cable to an RJ-45 connector?

  These coaxial to RJ-45 converter product recommendations will help you create the network infrastructure your customer desires. Also learn about uplink ports as wiring solutions.  Continue Reading

• Disable the ad-hoc mode on a Dell Latitude D-600 with a driver update

  Checking for driver updates regularly and using Microsoft Windows Zero Configuration tools help keep your customer's machines running securely.  Continue Reading

• Choosing a wireless router that works with VSAT

  Choosing a wireless router for your customer's VSAT depends on capacity. Get an expert opinion on what works.  Continue Reading

• Use WPA and two-factor authentication to secure your customer's wireless network

  It pays to be paranoid. WEP is easily cracked, so here are a few other recommendations for a secure wireless network.  Continue Reading

• Third-party WLAN management systems help keep track of MAC and IP addresses, and logins

  Sometimes the Web-based management interface on a router or AP is limited in scope and capacity, and your SMB customers need more from their log files. Here are a few tips to help you decide what to recommend.  Continue Reading

• MIMO technology increases signal strength without interference

  When range is an issue, rely on MIMO technology for reliable, backward-compatible solutions.  Continue Reading

• How can I connect several locations that use different protocols?

  A protocol gateway, such as those described in this Ask the Expert Q&A, can be used to connect sites using different protocols.  Continue Reading

• Connecting sites with dynamic IP addresses across the Internet

  Learn how to use dynamic DNS to connect sites with changing IP addresses.  Continue Reading