The Edge

7 min read

Why Do Network Maintenance Providers Keep Missing Hardware Replacement SLAs?

Eric Sommers: 09.08.2026

Network maintenance providers miss hardware replacement SLAs when their sparing, logistics, escalation, or inventory processes are not built around...

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...

2 min read

How IT Managers Are Cutting Costs with Third-Party Network Maintenance

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) support contracts—like Cisco SMARTnet—have long been the go-to for IT managers. But with rising costs and rigid...

3 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...

3 min read

The True Cost of Network Upgrades: Replace or Maintain?

Every IT manager faces the same dilemma at some point: Is it time to replace aging network hardware, or should you invest in keeping it running? It’s...

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Rethink Network Hardware: Break Free from Outdated Beliefs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 It’s an allegory about why we cling to outdated practices...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 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...

6 min read

Navigating Cisco Success Tracks: What You Need to Know

Eric Sommers: 09.23.2024

2 min read

MPO vs. MTP Connectors: Differences Every Network Engineer Should Know

Eric Sommers: 08.26.2024

Let’s clear up some confusion! MPO (Multi-Fiber Push-On) and MTP (Mechanical Transfer Push-On) connectors might sound like tech jargon, but they’re...

3 min read

Edgeium Ranks Among the Fastest-Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000

Eric Sommers: 08.18.2024

Edgeium is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, ranking No. 2840 among the fastest-growing private companies in America. This...

2 min read

Cisco Hardware Lead Times Update

Eric Sommers: 05.24.2024

Like most things that got interrupted when COVID hit in 2020, so too did the supply chain Cisco used to build its products. We saw 4- to 12-week...

1 min read

How often should you update Cisco IOS? How important is it?

Dylan McKenna: 05.23.2024

For the 15-ish years I’ve been in the TPM (third party maintenance) space, one of the primary objections I’ve heard from potential new customers is,...

2 min read

How We Saved $190,000: A Smart Approach to Network Hardware Upgrades

In today's fast-paced technology landscape, businesses are often pressured to adopt the latest hardware. However, making informed purchasing...