Today, most data centers rely on policy-based automation and centralized control to manage increasingly dynamic workloads. Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) delivers this flexibility by combining software-defined networking (SDN) with application intent, enabling rapid scaling without manual intervention. However, monitoring Cisco ACI through SNMP alone fails to capture the complete operational picture of the network. […]
15 Best Network IP Sniffing Software Tools (Free&Paid) – Wired and Wireless
A network sniffer, or packet sniffer, is a specialized software (or even a hardware device) that listens in over a network and records the IP packets of data that travel through it. Many network administrators use these tools to determine the efficiency of a network, to troubleshoot communication problems, to identify common network bottlenecks etc. […]
Automated Compliance for Network Devices using Network Configuration Management
Compliance management in network configuration management (NCM) helps maintain secure, resilient, and predictable networks. If you are managing Cisco devices, mainly Cisco ASA firewalls or Cisco IOS devices, you know how fast things can go wrong with a single misconfiguration. But how do you ensure every change follows your security policies and regulatory requirements without […]
Beyond the Blips – The Importance of Network Traffic Analysis with the Right Tools
Having visibility in your network’s bandwidth is very important in modern enterprise networks and is a 24/7 activity. It demands vigilant monitoring of network traffic, sharp strategic thinking to optimize performance, and the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve issues as they arise. When it comes to network health and monitoring, being proactive is key; […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Future of Network Monitoring: What to Look for in 2025 and Beyond
Enterprise networks have become more complicated over the last decade. For traditional network monitoring tools, this is a nightmare to keep up with the evolving tech advancements and complicated network architectures. A recent survey conducted by Enterprise Management Associates shows that 74% of IT organizations plan to enhance their network management tools in the next […]
Network Segmentation Made Easy with OpManager Plus
Ever felt like you have a network that’s going to blow up someday into a disaster? Well, you aren’t alone. As companies expand, their networks become more intricate, posing challenges in ensuring seamless operations and strong security measures. Network segmentation involves dividing your network into smaller, more manageable sections, akin to establishing various coloured zones […]
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) – A Packet Tracer Alternative for Network Practice
Throughout my career as a network engineer, I have used several network simulation tools such as Packet Tracer, GNS3, Eve-ng etc. Cisco Modeling Labs (CMS) emerged as probably the best option from all. CMS offers a powerful platform for network simulation and design, providing tools for testing, troubleshooting, and learning network scenarios. With its ability […]
13 Splunk Alternatives for Log Analysis, Observability and SIEM
In the fields of Information Technology, cybersecurity, computer networking etc, having visibility in your systems and networks is essential in order to detect security risks, prevent or fix faults, optimize performance etc. This visibility and information (observability) is usually provided by the logs generated by your I.T systems and infrastructure. Because of the enormous amount […]