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Engineering notes, scaling guides and case studies on open networking — SONiC switching, VPP routing, optics and OpenWiFi.
Edge Router + PTP: Precision Timing at the Network Edge
In our previous article, we explored the evolving role of Edge Routers and Border Routers, as well as five core deployment scenarios for Border…
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Single-Mode vs Multimode Fiber: How to Choose the Right One
Nearly every difference between single-mode and multimode fiber traces back to one structural fact: core diameter. This one difference determines how light travels through…
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Prometheus Exporter for SONiC: Full-Stack Observability for Enterprise Campus Networks
Against the backdrop of high-density endpoint access and converged multi-service deployment in enterprise campus networks, the standard for network infrastructure operations has shifted from…
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Rethinking the Network Edge: 5 Mission-Critical Border Router Scenarios in Distributed Compute
For a long time, the term "Edge Router" was instinctively associated with an enterprise Internet egress gateway—responsible for basic NAT, employee access authentication, and…
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Edge Router vs. Border Router: The Complete Guide to the Differences
In vendor slide decks and technical white papers, Edge Routers and Border Routers are frequently conflated—often with vendors slapping both labels onto the very…
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400G Optical Module Selection Guide
400G optical modules use 10 transmission standards: VR4, SR4, SR4.2, SR8, DR4, FR4, LR4, LR8, ER4, ZR4. Three parameters differentiate them: transmission distance, fiber…
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Packet Broker DPU Selection Guide: Marvell OCTEON 10 vs OCTEON TX2
In Network Packet Broker (NPB) deployments, DPU selection determines device power consumption, processing efficiency, and product lifecycle. This guide compares 2 Marvell DPU chips…
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AsterNOS Hitless PTP Configuration: Maintaining Sub-Microsecond Sync During Runtime Changes
Precision Time Protocol (PTP, IEEE 1588v2) is foundational for high-precision timing across 5G transport, professional broadcast, industrial automation, and power grids. In production environments,…
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Next-Gen Data Center Fabric: Transitioning from EVPN-VXLAN to End-to-End SRv6
Over the past decade of cloud evolution, EVPN-VXLAN served as the standard foundation for data center virtualization and multi-tenancy. It broke the 4,096 VLAN…
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