7 min read
What Is the USB Port on a Wireless Access Point For?
Eric Sommers: 08.27.2026
Hardware
20 min read
Cisco Catalyst Access-Layer Switches: 3650 to 9350 Compared
Eric Sommers: 06.09.2026
Direct answer: Strip the Catalyst 9350 down to what an access-layer switch actually does, and it's simply a new version of the 9300, which was itself...
12 min read
What Quality Assurance Testing Does Edgeium Complete for Pre-Owned or Used Network Hardware?
The short answer: Edgeium completes a 19-step quality assurance process on every unit of pre-owned or used network hardware before it enters...
19 min read
Is Secondary Market Network Hardware Less Reliable than New?
Eric Sommers: 05.06.2026
The short answer: No - properly tested secondary-market network hardware is not less reliable than new hardware. In most cases, it is more reliable...
7 min read
Why Cisco's EULA Doesn't Override Your Hardware Resale Rights
Eric Sommers: 04.13.2026
The short answer: Cisco's End User License Agreement (EULA) does not prevent you from reselling pre-owned Cisco hardware. Courts have consistently...
5 min read
$679,699 saved. Zero Catalyst Center licensing fees. One hospital network refresh.
How one hospital network saved 57% on a Cisco switch and access point refresh — without sacrificing hardware quality or lead time. Most healthcare IT...
4 min read
How to Handle Meraki End-of-Support Alerts Without Replacing Your Hardware
Eric Sommers: 02.19.2026
What does Meraki End-of-Support (EoST) actually mean? — and how to silence dashboard alerts without a forced hardware upgrade.
7 min read
Why Companies Should Think Twice Before Adopting Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches
Eric Sommers: 02.18.2026
Is Catalyst Center for Access-Layer Switches Worth It? The short answer: Access-layer switches don't benefit from Catalyst Center the way core and...
12 min read
Can Cisco Access Switches Stay Secure and Compliant Without New IOS Updates
Eric Sommers: 01.15.2026
Are software updates required to maintain compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI DSS? The short answer: No, a properly hardened Cisco access-layer...
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...
12 min read
PoE+ or UPoE? Why the Wrong Switch May Cause Unexpected Wi-Fi Issues
Eric Sommers: 09.17.2025
The short answer: PoE+ (30W) is still sufficient for full radio and Ethernet performance on many enterprise access points, but not all of them. Some...
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.