Aligning Your Network to Business Objectives
July 2006
Cari McLean
Just as wheel alignment is critical for a vehicle to travel correctly, network-business alignment is vital for organizational success. Network-business alignment consists of linking the configuration, management, troubleshooting, maintenance and installation of a network to company imperatives.

  MPLS VPNs for Enterprise Networks
June 2006
David K. Schaumann
Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) technologies are becoming more prevalent in enterprise networks, replacing the traditional frame-Relay and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. Here's how they're benefiting businesses.

  Windows Media Center Edition - Part 2: Software and Add-ons
May 2006
Chris Lehr
The concept of interconnected electronics and appliances in a unified “digital home” system is with us now. Here is Part 2 of Chris Lehr's set of suggestions for getting the most home networking capabilities out of Windows Media Center Edition.

  Home Networking with Media Center Edition, Part 1
April 2006
Chris Lehr
The concept of interconnected electronics and appliances in a unified “digital home” system is with us now. Here are several recommendations for getting the most home networking capabilities out of Windows Media Center Edition.

  Wireless Sensor Networks: Structure and Protocol
March 2006
Brian Summerfield
A problem with any discussion around wireless sensor networks is that—like so many other bleeding-edge technologies—few people can say with certainty what they really are. Of course, this doesn’t mean people will be discouraged from attempting to use them. In fact, for many of the experts who work with wireless, this is a very exciting stage of development, one rife with opportunities for innovation.

  How Networking Underpins Technology
February 2006
Brian Summerfield
Networking and systems professionals play a central role in the information technology industry. To find proof of this, you don’t have to look further than the list of vocational communities on this site. Can you find one that networking doesn’t impact in some way? Wireless, security, storage, open-source—all are substantially influenced by the job role that dominates the IT workforce in both effects and numbers. Because of the weight networking carries in technology, it’s worthwhile to take a look at the rise of networking and where it stands today.

  The Networking Professional’s Troubleshooting Toolkit
January 2006
David Garrett
As a network administrator, you have a simple job description: keep the network running. And while it’s a simple job description, it’s not a simple job, since network problems can be due to anything from packet collisions to bad cables to gremlins in the system. But good admins know how to troubleshoot their networks with ease, not to mention precision—it’s a skill they’ve gained through years of battlefield training.