Networking Topic Center

The latest news, analysis, opinions and more on computer networking

Google tests Internet connectivity via balloons in the stratosphere

Google launched high-altitude balloons in a test to create a wireless network that could provide Internet access to remote and underserved parts of the world.
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Samsung's Galaxy S4 doubles download speeds on LTE-Advanced network

Samsung plans to begin selling a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone capable of running on LTE-Advanced 4G networks -- which offer download speeds that are twice as fast as LTE -- in South Korea this month.

BYOD decision points: Who pays?

As enterprises implement BYOD initiatives, IT managers have some key decisions to make: who purchases the devices, who pays for data plans and carrier contracts, and how does the company manage a mix of corporate and personal access to data on the devices.

New terms in Sprint contracts look toward WiMax shutdown

An amendment to Sprint Nextel's subscriber terms of service points toward the carrier's expected shutdown of its 4G WiMax service.

Wireless automation can reduce package delivery by 30%

Same-day package delivery is on the minds of transport managers around the world who say their customers are demanding faster pickups and drop-offs.

What Apple's new AirDrop data sharing says about NFC

Apple's mobile development chief Craig Federighi poked fun at Android when he announced AirDrop data sharing technology for iOS on Monday.

Apple pushes three-times-faster Wi-Fi to new base station, MacBook Air laptops

Apple has doubled down on getting faster Wi-Fi by including support for the emerging 802.11ac (also called 5G Wi-Fi) standard in its new AirPort Extreme base station, Time Capsule and MacBook Air laptops, all unveiled at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday.

Why password-only authentication is passe

The rapid growth of mobile devices that can access corporate networks and data, the expanding use of cloud-based IT services, and the increasing popularity of apps such as online banking mean that IT needs to pay closer attention to authentication.

Google, Cisco to pay TiVo in patent settlement

Cisco Systems and Google will give digital-video-recorder pioneer TiVo lump-sum payments totaling US$490 million as part of a deal that will end the companies' litigation over patents for set-top technology.

ZTE sends 400Gbps over 3,100 miles

Showing off its optical networking prowess, ZTE has completed at test that managed speeds at 400Gbps over a distance of more than 5,000 kilometers, or about 3,100 miles.

Computerworld Honors 2013: Remote areas in Michigan get connected with broadband

Merit Network, the 21st Century Achievement Award winner for mobile access, leads the effort to expand broadband in Michigan.

Logitech impresses with its wireless, business-focused headset

The scoop: Logitech Wireless Headset Dual H820e, by Logitech, about $200 (mono version costs about $180).

Smartphones take center stage in two-factor authentication schemes

We all know that relying on a simple user ID and password combination is fraught with peril. One alternative is to use one of the single sign-on solutions we reviewed last year, but there are less expensive options that could also be easier to install.

Why a Blackberry Is Better Than an iPhone

The BlackBerry has always been a business phone. The iPhone wowed us all--and it nearly put BlackBerry out of business--but it emphasizes entertainment and not productivity. If you're an IT executive, it's finally time to put function before form, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle writes.

Tech Titans Talk: The IDG Enterprise Interview Series

In the IDG Enterprise Interview Series, you'll hear from technology CIOs and CEOs on today's burgeoning trends, ongoing headaches and upcoming product plans. Check out this informative series from IDG Enterprise Chief Content Officer John Gallant and his team of editors.

Transforming the network with Network Functions Virtualization: 10 recommendations for service providers

In order to be successful in the fast paced Internet world, leading carriers must quickly introduce new services and reduce costs. Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is a new technology enabling communications service providers (CSPs) to transform their networks. The goal of NFV is to help providers realize the innovation and cost curves enjoyed by the IT community.

How to keep your network in tip-top health

Using any one of the six netword management suites in this review will help diagnose and cure network ills

What I learned living abroad as a digital nomad

Digital nomad Mike Elgan returns to the U.S. after 10 months of travel and shares these tips for working and living abroad.

Clarifying the role of software-defined networking northbound APIs

With software-defined networking the control of the network is pried out of the data handling devices and centralized on a controller that uses a common protocol, OpenFlow, to direct the switches on the southbound side. That much has been established. But what of the oft-mentioned northbound APIs that will let applications tell the controller what they need from the network? What kind of progress is the Open Networking Foundation making on that front? Network World Editor in Chief John Dix put the question to Robert Sherwood, CTO of Big Switch Networks and head of the ONF's Architecture and Framework Working Group, which is responsible for multiple things, including the creation of these northbound APIs.

Google Fiber divides users into 'the fast' and 'the furious'

Google's Fiber project in in Kanas City, Austin and Provo shows that very high Internet speeds are possible in the U.S., but nobody except Google is working to make it happen.