Blog

Recently, Avaya announced its plan of reorganization meant to reduce its debt by more than $4 billion. For those looking to support Avaya infrastructures in their network, this is a good sign. But it’s just the first step. In this time of uncertainty, we’ve been advising everyone we speak with not to panic.

While we can’t advise you on which streaming service to use (although season one of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is now available on Netflix… by the power of GreySkull anyone?) or which kitchen gadget is the best, we can talk switches. We think the new Nintendo Switch is pretty sweet, but at CXtec our true expertise lies in networking technology.

Finding a trustworthy, dependable secondary market hardware vendor can become a near-impossible task. If you don’t do your due diligence, the quest can exhaust your resources and budget, while assets sit idle and your network isn’t performing optimally.

The main benefit to Multigigabit is that it’s for switches that have the latest/greatest 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless APs connected to them. The term refers to a port’s ability to connect to devices (like APs) that require more than 1 gig of throughput. If you really want to get technical, the speeds supported by Cisco’s Multigigabit ports are 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, and 5 Gbps on Cat5e cable, and up to 10 Gbps over Cat6a cabling.

You have your network up and running, and you’re seriously considering your recovery plan and your maintenance options. Who do you turn to? The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a third-party maintenance provider? 

Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14 aka 3/14 which is akin to Pi's 3.14159. Celebrations on the day of observance also commemorate Albert Einstein's birthday, which so happens to be March 14. You are probably thinking, “So Dave, what does a Networking guy like yourself do on this special day?” Well, let me tell you. 

Sometimes we get more than we bargain for. Like in the morning, when right after shoveling your driveway, the city snowplow drives by and gives you some fresh snow to dig out. On the other hand, when you get so much more value out of what you paid for, you know you made the right decision. 

Not all Power over Ethernet, or PoE, switches are created equal.

When it comes to evaluating a PoE solution for your network, there is a plethora of options at your disposal. It’s crucial that you do your research and plan accordingly for the types of devices that are currently on your network, the type of power these devices generate, and what they will require in the future.

It’s a challenge every organization runs into at one point or another: you’re finally upgrading your networking gear, but it leaves you with a rag-tag collection of old routers, switches and phone systems. 

Power over Ethernet, or PoE, is the ability to pass both power and data over twisted pair Ethernet cabling. The first PoE standard - 802.3af - was introduced in 2003 and was quickly adopted all over networks because of its usefulness.

As a dedicated IT specialist, you’re constantly wearing a number of different hats. Sometimes it’s a fireman helmet, putting out fires across the network. Other times it’s a headset, helping C-level leaders stage company events. Or it’s a doctor’s reflecting mirror, performing surgery to keep business humming along. A popular choice is the thinking cap, as you work to develop your company’s IT infrastructure and strategies going forward.

While buying new is certainly an option, purchasing pre-owned apparel can save you some serious money. This doesn’t just apply to designer clothing—it can apply to that expensive networking equipment you have your eye on too.

When it comes to purchasing networking equipment, you will find the OEM always pushing the latest and greatest – whether you need it or not. More than often, most organizations end up paying for features they don’t need or use. Knowing your options during the buying process is imperative to saving money and optimizing budget spend. Now more than ever, IT pros are leveraging the secondary market to reap its many budget benefits.

There are a lot of purchases we make in life that lead to buyer’s remorse. Taking the time to do the proper research and weigh out all of your options should always be first priority. It’s crucial that you consider what features best support your organization’s unique needs--depending on its size and speed specifications.

2016 has had its fair share of news, both good and terrible (Gene Wilder, David Bowie, Prince, Alan Rickman? All that on top of the NES Classic shortage?! Come on 2016!). Amongst all of the major pop culture events, some of the more obscure headlines went largely unnoticed except by the more tech savvy. One of those was the FCC regulation change on 5 Ghz wireless radios (US only).

Burger King or McDonald’s, Pepsi or Coke, Kirk or Picard? Choices are part of life. Like anything else, your network also involves a lot of choices. Speed in particular is a hot button topic. With all of the increases to 40G, 100G, and beyond, it can be difficult to decide which speed is the best option for your organization.

“Just quote me a UPS.”

All too often this is what we hear when we ask people about power protection. Unfortunately, it just isn’t that easy, although we all wish it was.

Are you trying to decide between the Cisco Catalyst 6500 and 6800 chassis systems? There are many factors to consider, but don’t go down the rabbit hole and get lost in minutiae. Here are the major factors to consider up front.