An algorithm that runs in network bridges and switches to prevent loops, in which packets keep going around in circles. In a small network with one or two switches, the spanning tree protocol (STP) ...

As computer networks get bigger, it becomes increasingly hard to keep track of the flow of data over this network. How do you route data, making sure that the data is spread to all parts of the ...

Jeff Hardee introduced me to the idea of using longer Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) path length values for high-speed links. I thought this was an intriguing idea and so I started to do some informal ...

Those who had an opinion last week were split evenly: CCNA labs need either 2 or 3 switches, and CCNP labs need either 3 or 4. But why? We saw a few opinions floating around the blog last week, but ...

Complex networks represent interconnected systems found in fields ranging from sociology to biology and technological infrastructures. A critical aspect of analysing such networks is the study of ...

Joel is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of security, networking and messaging. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @joelsnyder. Building enterprise networks with routers and switches ...