2 min read
Quit Blinking at Me!!
Eric Sommers: 02.19.2026
Is the .gif above what it feels like when you look at your Meraki dashboard?!?!
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Eric Sommers: 02.19.2026
4 min read
Why Companies Should Think Twice Before Adopting Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches
Eric Sommers: 02.18.2026
Why Companies Should Think Twice Before Adopting Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches
4 min read
Mitigate Security Risk By Design
Eric Sommers: 01.15.2026
We continue to see software updates breaking networks. This has always been an issue, so why do we keep doing it? Bad data.... Software updates are...
8 min read
AI in Networking
Eric Sommers: 12.01.2025
What an explosion we’ve seen with Artificial Intelligence (AI)! My initial scope for this article was to explain how AI works for network management...
2 min read
Do You Need UPoE?
Eric Sommers: 09.17.2025
Did you know that access points can behave differently depending on how much power they are receiving? 👈 To jump to the AP tables, click your OEM
11 min read
Optical Transceiver Types: Use Cases, Compatibility & Buying Tips
Eric Sommers: 06.16.2025
Ever stood in front of a switch rack with a box of optics and thought, “Wait… is this the right one?” You’re not alone.
4 min read
Cisco Catalyst 9300 Configuration Guide
Eric Sommers: 04.10.2025
Setup, Stacking, Passwords, and Troubleshooting When you’re rolling out a network built for speed, scale, and rock-solid reliability, Cisco’s...
2 min read
Breaking Free: Why Cisco’s DNX Licensing Isn’t Your Only Option
Eric Sommers: 02.10.2025
"Changes aren’t permanent, but change is." Rush fans will recognize this iconic lyric from Tom Sawyer. Could Geddy Lee have been unknowingly singing...
2 min read
Rethink Network Hardware: Break Free from Outdated Beliefs
Eric Sommers: 12.16.2024
When Old Habits Don’t Fit Modern Realities One of my favorite stories is the "ham story." It’s an allegory about why we cling to outdated practices...
6 min read
Cisco Smart Licensing: Disabling Smart Agents for Enhanced Control
Eric Sommers: 11.19.2024
Cisco’s Smart Licensing has sparked ongoing debate—impacting how businesses manage hardware, software, and licensing policies. As Cisco shifts gears,...
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6 min read
Cisco Catalyst: Understanding Cloud Monitoring vs. Cloud Management
Eric Sommers: 10.28.2024
Cisco has been making significant changes to its Digital Network Architecture (DNA) offerings, particularly with the rebranding of DNA Center to...
7 min read
Cisco Catalyst Center vs. the Meraki Dashboard
Eric Sommers: 10.07.2024
DNA Center has been rebranded to Catalyst Center In today’s fast-paced networking world, managing complex systems is no longer just about using the...
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5 min read
Navigating Cisco Success Tracks: What You Need to Know
Eric Sommers: 09.23.2024
Cisco has rolled out yet another layer to their support services—Success Tracks. Let's take a look at how it compares with traditional SMARTnet, how...