Skip to main content
OPTINOC

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

All resourcesBuying guidesTechnology & ArchitectureNetwork glossaryNews & TrendsBrand guidesIndustry use casesComparisonsDatasheetsFor network engineersFor CIOs & IT decision-makers
📡
Buying guides

Which 10G SFP+ Should You Choose? Brand-by-Brand Guide

Expert guide to 10G SFP+ modules by brand: Cisco SFP-10G-SR/LR, Juniper EX-SFP-10GE, Fortinet FN-TRAN-SFP+, and HPE Aruba JL271A. Exact part numbers, reach, compatibility, and pricing.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

How to Choose a 10 Gigabit Switch

Expert guide to 10 Gigabit switches: campus uplinks, data center ToR, and multi-gig Wi-Fi 6E. Cisco Catalyst 9300/9500, Juniper EX4650, and Aruba CX 6300. Part numbers, selection criteria, and capacity planning.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

Campus Access Switch Buying Guide

Expert campus access switch guide: Cisco Catalyst 9200/9300 vs Juniper EX4400 vs HPE Aruba CX 6300. PoE, stacking, MACsec, DNA/Mist, user-based sizing, part numbers, and pricing.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

Best NGFW for Businesses in 2026

Expert guide to choosing an enterprise NGFW: FortiGate vs Palo Alto vs Cisco Firepower. Real-world threat protection performance, licensing, 5-year TCO, and sizing by number of users.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

How to Choose an SD-WAN Router

Expert SD-WAN router guide: Cisco Catalyst 8000 (Viptela) vs FortiGate Secure SD-WAN vs Juniper SRX + SVR. Architecture, performance, SASE security, TCO, and multi-site sizing.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

Which data center switch should you choose?

Expert guide to choosing a data center switch: Cisco Nexus 9300/9500 vs Juniper QFX5120/5130, selection criteria (throughput, latency, oversubscription, EVPN-VXLAN), spine-leaf sizing, part numbers, and indicative pricing.

April 15, 2026

📡
Buying guides

SFP Module Buying Guide: Compatibility, Speeds and Reach

An expert guide to selecting the right SFP/SFP+/QSFP28/QSFP-DD module: form factors, SR/LR/ER/ZR reach, vendor compatibility, OEM vs. compatible modules, and Cisco/Juniper/Fortinet part numbers. Includes detailed comparison tables and field-proven recommendations.

April 15, 2026

📡
For CIOs & IT decision-makers

All-IP Migration: Voice, Video, and Data Convergence on the Network

All-IP migration: VoIP + video, QoS, reliability, SBC security, Teams/RingCentral UCaaS, phased rollout.

April 15, 2026

📡
For CIOs & IT decision-makers

Network SLA: Defining and Contracting Service Commitments

Network SLA: metrics, 99.9%-99.999% levels, internal/external SLAs, measurement, clauses, and exclusions.

April 15, 2026

📡
For CIOs & IT decision-makers

Network Governance: Roles, Processes, and Best Practices for CIOs

Network governance: roles (CIO, CISO, Architect), ITIL change management, incident management, CAB, and frameworks.

April 15, 2026

📡
For CIOs & IT decision-makers

Multi-Vendor Network Strategy: Balancing Risk and Cost

Multi-vendor strategy: benefits, pitfalls, segmentation, the RFP process, and coexistence through standard protocols.

April 15, 2026

📡
For CIOs & IT decision-makers

Shadow IT and Network Security: Regaining Control

Shadow IT: CASB-based discovery, risks, SSO, DLP, MFA, governance, and strategies for regaining control.

April 15, 2026

123456789101112131415161718192021