Practical guides for network engineers, IT architects, and security professionals. Topology design, VLAN architecture, compliance frameworks, and tool comparisons.
A step-by-step guide to designing network topologies — from device placement to VLAN segmentation, zone boundaries, and compliance tagging.
How to design a robust VLAN architecture — naming conventions, inter-VLAN routing policy, guest isolation, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Zero Trust network access means in practice, how to implement network segmentation, microsegmentation, and identity-aware access controls.
PCI-DSS v4.0 network segmentation requirements explained — cardholder data environment boundaries, firewall rules, and how to document your topology.
How to design a HIPAA-compliant network — PHI data flows, clinical vs admin VLAN separation, wireless security, and audit logging requirements.
Honest comparison of free and paid network diagram tools — draw.io, Lucidchart, Creately, Visio, and VP Compass — features, limitations, and best use cases.
When SD-WAN beats MPLS, when MPLS still wins, and how UK businesses should decide. Costs, performance, security, and a practical decision framework.
How to design network segmentation that satisfies ISO 27001 Annex A controls. Practical zone definitions, control mapping, and audit-ready documentation.
Practical guide to Wi-Fi 6E in UK offices. When the upgrade pays back, how to size APs realistically, 6 GHz band considerations, and a deployment checklist.
Decision guide for hub-and-spoke vs full-mesh vs partial-mesh network topology. Trade-offs in cost, latency, resilience, and operations.