Why it's time to break out of the 'Cisco-is-the-only-vendor-for-me' mindset

NetworkWorld.com | LANs & WANs Research Center | Update Your Profile Why it's time to break out of the 'Cisco-is-the-only-vendor-for-me' mindset By Steve Taylor and Jim Metzler For the last two newsletters (see here and here) we've heard the thoughts of Ben Goldman, Cisco's director of marketing, network systems, who argues for moving to a single-vendor network. But there is far from universal agreement that such a network is a good idea - there are also some quite significant reasons why a multivendor best-of-breed network can be the "best" solution. Read full story Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to Webtorials, the premier site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and market research. Taylor can be reached at taylor@webtorials.com Jim Metzler is the Vice President of Ashton, Metzler & Associates, a consulting organization that focuses on leveraging technology for business success. Jim assists vendors to refine product strategies, service providers to deploy technologies and services, and enterprises evolve their network infrastructure. He can be reached via e-mail. SPONSORED BY AEROHIVE NETWORKS INC. Deploy Secure WLANs without Controllers Deploy a WLAN that gives you more scalability, capacity and availability than any other enterprise-class WLAN - while eliminating need for costly, dedicated WLAN controllers. View this webcast to learn more about cooperative-control WLANs and the technology that enables them. RELATED NEWS: Virtual desktops could overload WANs, warns expert, 12/03/2007Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) projects could come unstuck if implementers treat them as just another flavor of server-based computing, a WAN ... 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(apply coupon NWW2007NLA for a 25% membership discount)   12/04/07 TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: Carnegie Mellon to build robo-tank Verizon's 4G move may signal consolidation Cisco confirms ability to eavesdrop Green buildings make employees see red All-in-one firewalls fall short Hidden gem in HP's software updates 2007 Cool Yule Tools Gift Guide Teleworkers called back to cubicle life Open source's future Cyberattacks on the rise, McAfee says MOSTREAD TEST: All-in-one firewalls fall short Comprehensive Network Access Control Download an exclusive whitepaper on Comprehensive Network Access Control and discover how you can provide endpoint security, compliance and peace of mind. Get it now IT Buyer's Guides Compare products, get advice, and check out tests and reviews from the experts at Network World. Over 70 categories. Visit now.   To continue receiving NetworkWorld's Wide Area Networking Alert newsletter, please add @nwfnews.com to your white list. 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