Skip to main content

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

📡
Technology & Architecture

Spine-Leaf EVPN-VXLAN Fabric Design

Spine-leaf EVPN-VXLAN fabric design: eBGP/iBGP underlay, symmetric IRB, ESI multi-homing, and multi-site.

April 15, 2026

📡
Technology & Architecture

VXLAN: Data Center Deployment

VXLAN deployment: L3 underlay, BGP EVPN, ingress replication vs multicast, Cisco/Juniper configuration, and troubleshooting.

April 15, 2026

📡
Technology & Architecture

Designing an SD-WAN Architecture

Design an SD-WAN architecture in 8 steps, from inventory to rollout. Hub-and-spoke, full-mesh, and hybrid topologies, sizing, and vendors.

April 15, 2026

📡
Technology & Architecture

Three-Tier Campus Network Architecture

Three-tier campus architecture (access/distribution/core): roles, collapsed core, SD-Access, campus EVPN-VXLAN, and sizing.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Juniper Apstra: intent-based fabric automation

Juniper Apstra: intent-based automation for multi-vendor EVPN-VXLAN fabrics (Cisco/Arista/SONiC).

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Juniper QFX: 2026 data center guide

Juniper QFX portfolio: DC leaf/spine, EVPN-VXLAN, 400G QFX5130, QFX10000 core and capacity planning.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Aruba Central: unified HPE Aruba cloud management

Aruba Central cloud: wired, wireless and SD-WAN management, AI Insights, UXI, licensing and Meraki/DNA comparison.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer: Centralized Fortinet Management

FortiManager + FortiAnalyzer: centralized orchestration, logs, ADOMs, basic SIEM, appliances, and VMs.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Fortinet FortiAP: Enterprise Wi-Fi Managed by FortiGate

FortiAP portfolio: indoor/outdoor WiFi 5/6/6E/7, FortiGate CAPWAP integration, WIDS/WIPS, and capacity planning.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Fortinet FortiSwitch: Switches Managed by FortiGate

FortiSwitch portfolio: access to core/data center, FortiLink with FortiGate, Security Fabric, and capacity planning.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Cisco Firepower / Secure Firewall: Complete Guide

Cisco Secure Firewall (Firepower): 1010-9300 portfolio, Snort 3, FMC/FDM, and SecureX integration.

April 15, 2026

📡
Brand guides

Cisco ISE: Enterprise NAC Guide

Cisco ISE: 802.1X NAC, profiling, posture assessment, TrustSec, SNS appliances, licensing, and a comparison with ClearPass.

April 15, 2026