Swen Wulf, Director of Network Operations recently attended Extreme Networks' first ever global customer-focused user conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. The conference included technical breakout sessions, peer networking forums and access to in-depth discussions across the entire Extreme portfolio from the access layer through the data center.

During the event, he participated in a two-day training session that focused on Extreme’s Fabric Connect, a new way based on shortest path bridging to build resilient, secure and agile networks.

A localized, physical, digital processing facility, the data center consolidates all the information technology (IT) equipment that an organization needs to maintain internal computing functionality as well as internet/cloud connectivity. True to its name, the data center also serves as storage receptacle and management infrastructure for massive amounts of digital information. A key element of data center functionality is keeping all of this information secure and neatly organized for retrieval and dissemination as necessary.

Technology is one of the fastest growing industries today. And, with this comes more unique and interesting job opportunities. For those looking for a job in tech, there are plenty of options available to provide individuals with the career they desire in a highly competitive field. For those looking for options for jobs in technology, there are a few key areas to focus on. Here are some of the most in demand jobs in technology for 2018.

“Connectivity” is defined in various ways by a selection of dictionaries including the Cambridge, Oxford, and Merriam-Webster editions. The Business Dictionary defines it as “Measure of the extent to which the components of a network are connected to one another, and the ease with which they can converse.” Even more simply, it’s how many components are connected and how fast they can talk to each other. But there's another critical aspect of connectivity not found in these definitions: reliability. After all, without reliability, the extent of connected devices and speed of communication has minimized value. So, for practical purposes, connectivity is the blend of the extent of devices, the speed of the connection, and the reliability of the network. Any minimization of any of the three elements reduces connectivity. Improving them increases connectivity.

The term "net neutrality" refers to the idea that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should enable equal access to all traffic traversing their networks. Net neutrality has been debated in politics and around the country for 15 years, and it continues to be a hotly contested issue.

Regardless of the type of company you're running or even the industry you're operating in, one thing needs to become astoundingly clear as soon as possible: cyber security is by far the biggest risk to your organization. Not only that, but it's only going to become more of a pressing issue as time goes on.

Phishing is the use of fraudulent emails appearing to be from reputable companies in an effort to acquire sensitive or secure information from the recipient. Phishing may be attempted to solicit credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers or other personal or business-related information. Phishing can be particularly problematic in a business situation, where dozens or even hundreds of employees may be accessing emails on company computers.

A creative solution to the sometimes-exorbitant cost of planning for and installing fiber-optic systems, dark fiber's reach is quickly expanding. Already, the “dark” concept plays a huge role in connectivity across dozens of cities and in a wide array of industries. Read on to learn more about this revolutionary solution and when it's a preferred option:

The rise of various technologies has made it easier to stay connected and speak with friends, family and colleagues around the world. Traditional landline phones eventually gave way to mobile phones and wireless technologies that have made long-distance calls and video chats more affordable. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers speed and convenience for many, in particular when it can be done using a user’s mobile phone. Many such calls are free as long as users are sharing the same VoIP service, and quality is remarkably good these days. Those who have never heard of VoIP phones may be surprised in that they may have already used the technology when making a Skype call to a family member. Read more to learn about the history of VoIP phones and how consumers may or may not benefit from the technology.

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