Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has finalized its landmark $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, creating a new AI-centric networking division and reshaping the competitive landscape for cloud and AI infrastructure. The deal, first announced in January 2024, closed on July 2, 2025 after overcoming significant regulatory hurdles, including a U.S. Department of Justice antitrust settlement […]
The Role of Baseline Configuration Management in Network Configuration Management
Think about this: You’ve added 30 new switches, 15 firewalls, and 20 routers, all believed to be policy-compliant. But a routine check, months down the line, uncovers a shocking reality: 50% are misconfigured, some are on vulnerable firmware, and one device is a critical security risk with exposed ports. That’s not bad luck; it’s a […]
Alternatives to VMware – Here are 7 Virtualization Solutions to Replace VMware
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in late 2023 and the significant changes to the licensing model – shifting from perpetual per-socket licenses to per-core subscription-based pricing – many organizations face cost increases of 2-3 times their previous expenses. One of the roles that I have in my company is Cloud and VMware architect. Under this […]
How to Configure Port Forwarding on Cisco Router (With Examples)
Imagine the following situation: You are a network engineer and your boss or a customer wants you to build a cheap and easy solution to host a publicly accessible server (such as Webserver, Email server, VPN server etc) using only a regular Cisco router. In most network designs, you will see that the usual and […]
Configuration Drift? Not on our Watch in Networks
When network devices stray from their intended configurations, it results in configuration drift. This can occur due to unauthorized changes, misconfigurations, or system updates and causes consequences like network instability, security vulnerabilities, performance degradation, and potential compliance issues. This is where ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager steps in and offers centralized control over network configurations, enabling […]
Windows IP Commands – ipconfig-nslookup-ping-tracert-netstat etc
As Network Engineers we need to be versatile and troubleshooting-savvy in our work environment. In addition to having strong knowledge of networking protocols and commands on network devices (routers, switches, firewalls etc) we need also to have very good knowledge of IP and other networking related commands on end-point devices such as Windows computers, Linux […]
What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)? Use Cases, How it is Used etc
At its core, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is a type of Network Access Control Solution that uses policy-based decision making to determine if a device is allowed access to the network and, if allowed, what level of access this device is given. Cisco ISE is a complex and feature packed Security Application that controls […]
A Practical Guide to Understanding DHCP Snooping
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) plays a crucial role in automating the assignment of IP addresses in networks, ensuring seamless communication between devices without manual configuration. However, this ease of use also introduces vulnerabilities, making it a potential target for network attacks. To mitigate these risks, DHCP snooping is implemented as a security measure, helping […]
What is QUIC – This Modern Internet Protocol Makes Firewalls Blind
QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) is a new generation Internet protocol that speeds online web applications that are susceptible to delay, such as searching, video streaming etc., by reducing the round-trip time (RTT) needed to connect to a server. By replacing TCP with UDP and encrypting most of its payload, QUIC reduces the time it […]
What Port Does Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Use: Essential Information for Network Administrators
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a key tool for many IT professionals and remote workers. It allows users to connect to other computers (mainly used on Windows OS computers) over a network connection. Knowing which port RDP uses is important for setting up secure remote access and for allowing firewall access to servers remotely. RDP […]
Your Roadmap to Simplifying Hybrid Cloud Management
As businesses navigate the digital age, hybrid cloud adoption has surged. To harness their full potential, organizations must master the art of hybrid cloud management, enabling effective management of complex infrastructures, seamless operations, and optimized resource utilization. Now, what exactly is Hybrid cloud Management? It’s a process of monitoring and managing an organization’s IT resources […]
The Role of an IPAM tool in Modern Internal Network Security Strategies
The days of relying solely on firewalls for network protection are long gone. But with the explosion of cloud services, remote access, and a complex web of devices and applications, network security has become vastly more challenging. Static firewalls alone can’t keep pace with evolving threats, necessitating a more responsive security strategy. To combat evolving […]
Kafka Monitoring: Key Metrics to Monitor in Your Network
Apache Kafka is a distributed event streaming platform that serves as a publish-subscribe messaging queue, enabling real-time data exchange between source systems and various applications. Its ability to handle large volumes of data, coupled with its durable storage and scalability, makes Kafka a preferred choice for organizations dealing with big data and event-driven architectures, including […]