The Edge

18 min read

Is Secondary Market Network Hardware Less Reliable than New?

Eric Sommers: 05.06.2026

The bathtub curve, MTBF data, and what 'properly tested' actually means - a reliability framework for network engineers evaluating pre-owned Cisco,...

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...

18 min read

Is the Cisco Secondary Market Legal, Safe, and Reliable?

Eric Sommers: 03.12.2026

The short answer: buying pre-owned Cisco hardware from the secondary market is legal. Lawful resale of lawfully acquired hardware is protected under...

2 min read

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7

Eric Sommers: 02.25.2026

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.

6 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...

7 min read

How to Harden Cisco Access-Layer Switches for Security Compliance — Without IOS Software Updates

Eric Sommers: 01.15.2026

Are software updates required to maintain compliance with SOC2, ISO 27001, or PCI? The short answer: IOS software updates are not required to...

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...

11 min read

PoE+ or UPoE? Why the Wrong Switch May Cause Unexpected Wi-Fi Issues

Eric Sommers: 09.17.2025

The short answer: If you're powering access points, PoE+ (30W) is no longer sufficient for full operation of most Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 enterprise APs...

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,...

5 min read

Understanding the Differences: DNA Essentials vs DNA Advantage

Eric Sommers: 09.09.2024

Welcome back, everyone! This blog will quickly outline the differences between DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage to help you choose the best option...

3 min read

Which Cisco Nexus Switch is Right For Me?

Eric Sommers: 05.24.2024

Among the wide range of modular and fixed-configuration switches Cisco offers, Catalyst and Nexus switches are the most popular. The main difference...