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Technical resources

Original optics, documented by reference.

Buying guides, technical notes and manufacturer-reference resources for professional optical links.

Editorial scope

SFP through QSFP-DD · original manufacturer references · selection boundaries · procurement context

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Comparisons

10G SFP+ part numbers by vendor: Cisco, Meraki, Juniper, Aruba and more

Quickly identify key SR and LR manufacturer part numbers before validating support for the exact host equipment.

September 5, 2026

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Comparisons

Cisco ISE vs FortiNAC: NAC Comparison

NAC (Network Access Control) comparison: Cisco ISE vs FortiNAC. 802.1X, IoT profiling, TrustSec vs Security Fabric. Which NAC should you choose?

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Hardware vs Virtual Firewall: Comparison

Hardware firewall vs virtual machine: performance, flexibility, and licensing. When to choose a physical appliance rather than a VM on ESXi/KVM.

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7: Which Standard to Deploy

Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E vs 7 comparison: 802.11ax/be standards, frequency bands, real-world throughput, and compatible device adoption in 2026. Which standard should enterprises deploy?

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

MPLS vs SD-WAN: A Comparison for Enterprise WANs

MPLS vs SD-WAN comparison: performance, cost, security, and hybrid use cases. Why enterprises are migrating and how to manage the transition.

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Compatible vs Original SFP: Which Should You Choose?

Compatible vs manufacturer-backed SFPs: failure rates, warranties, TAC support, and savings. Our field-tested verdict based on 10 years of experience.

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Cisco Nexus vs Juniper QFX: Data Center Comparison

Cisco Nexus vs Juniper QFX data center comparison: Nexus 9300/9500 vs QFX5120/5130. Latency, buffers, EVPN-VXLAN, and automation with Apstra/NDFC.

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Cisco SD-WAN vs Fortinet SD-WAN: Comparison

Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) vs Fortinet Secure SD-WAN comparison: architecture, performance, security, and multi-site TCO. Which solution should you choose for your network?

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Juniper SRX vs FortiGate: Firewall Comparison

Juniper SRX vs FortiGate comparison: NGFW, SD-WAN, VPN, and Security Services. Market share, performance, and TCO. Which firewall should you choose for your requirements?

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

HPE Aruba CX vs Cisco Catalyst 9000

Aruba CX vs Cisco Catalyst 9000 comparison: modern AOS-CX vs mature IOS-XE. NetEdit, VSX vs StackWise, pricing, and enterprise campus TCO.

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

Palo Alto vs Cisco: network security comparison

Palo Alto vs Cisco security comparison: firewalls, Prisma SASE vs Umbrella, XDR, and SOC. Which security ecosystem should you choose?

April 15, 2026

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Comparisons

FortiGate vs Cisco Firepower: firewall comparison

FortiGate vs Cisco Secure Firewall (Firepower) comparison: performance, licensing, and management. Which NGFW should you choose for your company size?

April 15, 2026