Articles written by Steve Petryschuk

Switches

Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Network Switches: What’s the Difference?

What's the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3 network switches and how critical are they to a properly functioning network?

Switches

Will Layer 3 Switches Give Routers the Boot?

A Layer 3 switch combines the capabilities of a Layer 2 switch and a router in one device. Does this mean the death of the router is…

Network management

Network Discovery Tools: Pros & Cons for 2022

You can’t manage what you can’t see—when it comes to the network, you need full visibility & awareness. But you don’t need to…

Network configuration

Preventing Network Configuration Drift

A cynical network engineer might say, “configuration drift happens when you take the day off.” Someone changed something they…

Distributed Healthcare Network Monitoring is Possible (with the Right System)

A single healthcare network monitoring system is one of the most effective solutions for improving the management of distributed and…

Supporting Remote Workers with Auvik During (and after) COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, network performance needs to be rock solid so users can access the resources they need, when they need…

Network management

The Kids are Connected: Ensuring Connectivity in Education Networks

Connectivity is more important than ever to support our education system. BYOD, remote classes, Wi-Fi, and a variety of digital learning…

Network configuration

How Not to Break Your Network With Updates

Given the risks, you can’t blame the paranoid network engineer that doesn’t want to change or update anything. The problem is that…

Network protocols

The Future of Private Addresses: Goodbye NAT, Hello IPv6

So how do we get from IPv4 to IPv6—which we all agree has to happen—when there’s still a raging debate about one of the biggest…

Network monitoring

The Challenge of Monitoring a Distributed Network

What exactly makes a network distributed? Is a distributed network fundamentally different from a decentralized network? And if they are…

Network protocols

What is QUIC? Everything You Need to Know

When I hear QUIC, my immediate reaction is, “The QUICk brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” That sentence has been ingrained in me…

Using DNS Filtering to your Advantage

DNS filtering is the use of DNS to block or allow access to specific content through the use of DNS requests. While technically you can…

Your Guide to IP Address Management

IPAM (IP address management) is critical software to help ensure seamless connectivity and much more. Learn what it is and how it can…

Network protocols

Classful and Classless Addressing Explained

The advantages of classless addressing far outweigh their complexity. But what are they, and how can you tell the difference?

Network configuration

Dealing with Rogue DHCP Servers

First, understand what a Rogue DHCP server is, how it works, and how it can threaten your network. Then, techniques to prevent them.

Network topology & mapping

What is Network Visualization?

Network visualization is a map of connected links, nodes, and other data points to show network paths between endpoints. Let's review…

Network configuration

What is Network Optimization? 8 Reliable Techniques

Maintaining an optimized network requires a set of tools and techniques to ensure efficient bandwidth management, latency, and network…

Network management

The What and The Why of TLS Inspection

Let’s look at what the process of a secure connection through TLS entails, how it can be used to see past “invisible traffic” and…

Network protocols

SNMPv2 vs. SNMPv3: An SNMP Versions Comparison Table

The most significant difference between SNMP v2 and v3 is the level of security for the user on the network. Let's look at an SNMP versions.

Tech industry

Careers at a Crossroad: Staying Technical vs. Heading into Management

Trying to decide between staying in a technical IT role, or moving into a management position? There might be value in either path. Let's…

What is Network Congestion? Common Causes and How to Fix Them

Network congestion occurs when a node carries more data than it's designed to handle. Learn how to fix common causes of network congestion.

Network protocols

What is 802.1X Authentication?

Want to understand network access control, and authentication 802.1X at the base layer? This article goes through all the ins and outs of…

Network monitoring

How to Find IP Addresses on a Network and Monitor their Usage

If you’re looking for a specific IP address, the simplest way to discover that device is to use the ICMP ping command. Typing in…

Firewalls

Network Firewall Security: Monitoring Firewalls 101

Configuring your firewall security manager is essential to maintaining the health and safety of your network. Learn the key routines for…

Network protocols

What is an ARP Table?

Let's peer under the hood of how ARP tables help us see data similar to the "show arp" or "arp-a" command without having to open a…

Network configuration

Network Design and Best Practices

Trying to learn more about network design and best practices? Auvik explains how to design a network and lists our design best practices…

Systems & process

Network Integration: Moving from Reactive to Proactive with Mature Processes

Learn how network integration can help you identify and solve problems quickly and move from reactive to proactive in your work. Hosted…

Network management

What Is the OSI Model?

The OSI network model is an important conceptual reference used in network design and management. Its seven layers help IT professionals…

Network topology & mapping

7 Best Network Infrastructure Mapping Tools

Network infrastructure mapping helps you maintain up-to-date maps for quickly diagnosing problems. Similarly, network maps can help…

Network management

Networking Automation Software: Pros & Cons For 2021

As network growth increases—and complexity along with it—we’ll need efficient and scalable ways to handle it. You simply won’t…

Network Throughput vs Bandwidth and How to Measure It

Learn everything you need to know about network throughput from the experts at Auvik Networks. And while we’re at it, let’s cover the…

Cybersecurity

Securing Your DNS

Why does DNS security matter, and what are some security options available to help protect your network from DNS data attacks?

11 Network Traffic Terms to Know

Monitoring network traffic is important—but first you need to understand the basic terms and concepts. Here are 11 key network traffic…

Network management

What Are the Types of Network Devices?

Understanding the types of network devices is vital to effective network management. Here, we take a look at 11 common network devices.

Cloud

What is Cloud Networking?

Cloud networking taps into network resource availability in the cloud and complements or replaces traditional networking.

Cybersecurity

What is Network Security?

Network security is a variety of different resources, behaviors, software, hardware components, and policies. The priorities and elements…

Network topology & mapping

11 Types of Networks: Understanding the Differences

Different types of networks enable different business and personal goals. Knowing how one network type differs from the others is…

Business skills

Incident Communication Is a Key Part of Resolving Network Issues

Before you turn completely to resolving a network issue, there’s another important aspect to any resolution that you can’t forget,…

Cloud

Evolving Your IT Skills in a SaaS World

Here's how to evolve your IT skills as the adoption of SaaS—and XaaS (everything as a service)—continues.

Trends, forecasts & research

How COVID-19 Changed Our Internet Habits in 2020

COVID-19 has us all spending more time in front of screens & has changed the way we use networks and the internet. Here's what it means…

5 Reasons to Add Network Monitoring to Your 2021 IT Budget

Allocating money in your IT budget for network monitoring in 2021 may be more important than ever. Here are five reasons why.

Network management

How to Manage a Network: 10 Essential Steps to Take

Managing a new network? Check out this list of 10 easy to follow steps from the experts at Auvik Networks to help you get started and be…

Network management

How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Issues With Auvik

Network connectivity issues can be some of the worst to troubleshoot. But with Auvik, problems can be solved in seconds just by popping…

Network management

How to Keep IT Infrastructure Devices Fresh and Fit for Purpose

Old, unused network devices create security risks, eat up IT time, and bloat operating costs. Here's how to keep IT infrastructure fresh…

Network monitoring

VPN Monitoring: Keeping Remote Workers Connected With Auvik

Managing a lot of remote workers right now? Here’s how to use VPN monitoring to stay on top of capacity issues and keep workers connected.

Network management

What Is Two-Factor Authentication and Why Is It Important?

Two-factor authentication or 2FA requires a user to identify themselves in two ways—or using two different methods—before allowing…

Network management

Network Segmentation: What It Is & How It Works

Network segmentation—breaking a network into smaller chunks—improves network visibility, monitoring, security, and performance.…

Network monitoring

NetFlow Basics: An Introduction to Monitoring Network Traffic

You probably have support for NetFlow or other flow protocols on your client devices already. That means you can quickly and…

Cybersecurity

Network Device Security: Guide and Best Practices

Network device security is one of the most important elements of network management. Learn what it is and best practices to follow.

Network management

Why Your Client’s Firewall May Not Be Up to the Task of Network Security

A new Sophos report reveals IT pros can’t identify almost half (45%) of the traffic flowing through their networks. That’s a massive…

Network management

The Importance of Network Topology Visualization

Network topology visualization can provide instant client context to service techs, speed up training time, expedite troubleshooting,…

3 Minor Network Alerts You Shouldn’t Ignore

It’s obvious you need to deal with emergency and critical network alerts. But what about simple warning alerts? Your first impulse may…