Redistribution in networks and in particular, in the context of IP routing, refers to the process of transferring or injecting routing information from one routing protocol or domain, into another. OSPF, as a routing protocol, can either be the protocol from which routes are redistributed, into which routes are redistributed, or both! In this article, […]
Differences Between TCP and UDP in IP Communication Networks
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are both Layer 4 transmission protocols in the OSI model. However, these two protocols are quite different. From a high level view you could say that TCP is reliable and UDP is unreliable. Why then would we use UDP? UDP Characteristics Due to UDP being able […]
What is SFTP – Discussion of SSH File Transfer Protocol
File transfers are an important network service. There are many protocols that can achieve this function, however, the SSH File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP is one of the safest, most efficient, and most popular methods around. It is arguably the most relied upon secure file transfer protocol used today! Image by freepik In this article, we’ll […]
How OpUtils’ IP scanner enhances network visibility for effective network management
Large organizational networks often extend beyond physical infrastructures to include cloud platforms, increasing their complexity. This expansion makes it challenging for administrators to achieve real-time visibility. However, a network management tool equipped with an IP scanner can address this issue by illuminating every element of a network. Each scan conducted by such a tool uncovers […]
The Ultimate Guide to Bandwidth Usage Control with NetFlow Analyzer
Understanding bandwidth utilization is crucial in a world where businesses depend on continuous network operations and individuals use applications for their daily tasks. Instead of constantly dealing with bandwidth issues as they arise, you can keep track of your network’s bandwidth usage proactively and use that data to make well-informed decisions. Bandwidth utilization metrics indicate […]
What Port Does Ping Work On? Understanding ICMP Protocol Basics
Ping is a useful software tool for checking network connectivity, but it works differently from many other network protocols. Unlike common services that use specific TCP or UDP ports, ping operates using a unique approach. Ping is a tool that uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and does not rely on traditional port numbers. […]
SNMP Security in Networks: Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) has long been a fundamental part of monitoring and managing network devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, access points, servers, and many others. Its simplicity and universal support make it a powerful tool for network administrators. However, its ease of use comes at a cost: if not properly secured, […]
Discussion and Explanation of Route Maps in Networking
Route maps are a powerful tool used to manipulate routing information and policies within a network. They allow network administrators to control and influence how routes are advertised, received, and selected on Cisco routers. Route maps are extremely versatile and can be used in conjunction with routing protocols and other features to very granularly manipulate […]
NSlookup vs Dig: Comparing DNS Lookup Tools for Network Administrators
Network troubleshooting often requires tools to query DNS servers. Two popular options are nslookup and dig. These command-line utilities help system administrators and network engineers resolve domain names and diagnose DNS issues. Nslookup and dig serve similar purposes but have some key differences in syntax and output format. Nslookup is available on most operating systems […]
How are Networks Advertised Using BGP? With Cisco Config Examples
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), as an exterior gateway protocol, is in a class on its own. It is the de facto standard routing protocol used on the Internet. Unlike its Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) cousins, such as OSPF or EIGRP, BGP advertises networks in a somewhat different way. In this article, we will highlight the […]
What is Cisco FHRP (First Hop Redundancy Protocol) Explained With Diagrams
When you configure a host with network parameters, one of the elements that you configure is the default gateway. But what happens if the device acting as the default gateway fails? Isn’t that a single point of failure? Well, yes, it is. To mitigate such failures, we can use what is known as a First […]
Description & discussion of OSPF Stub Areas-What They Are and Use Cases
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) stub areas are specialized regions within an OSPF network designed to simplify routing and improve efficiency. By limiting the type of external routes that can be propagated into these areas, stub areas reduce the amount of routing information each router must process. This configuration is particularly beneficial in large or […]
Explanation and Discussion of Gratuitous ARP (GARP) in Networks
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a fundamental protocol used in IPv4 networks. Its primary function is to resolve a device’s IP address to its physical MAC address. Gratuitous ARP, or GARP, is a special kind of ARP message that’s used for specific purposes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at GARP, examine how […]