Network engineering deep-dives and industry perspectives from Sofia Connect — covering BGP, DWDM, peering, and carrier-grade networking.
BGP communities are one of the most powerful and least understood tools in the network engineer's toolbox. This guide covers standard, extended, and large communities with practical traffic-engineering examples for multi-homed operators.
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) allows a single optical fiber to carry dozens of independent high-capacity channels simultaneously. This primer covers C-band and L-band operation, channel spacing, coherent detection, and practical capacity calculations.
Peering and transit are the two fundamental ways an autonomous system connects to the rest of the internet. Understanding when to peer, when to buy transit, and how to optimise across both is a core skill for network architects and carrier procurement teams.
Topology is the most consequential architectural decision in network design. This article compares ring, mesh, and hybrid approaches, covering SONET/SDH legacy protection mechanisms, modern MPLS/SR-TE path diversity, and how to achieve sub-50ms restoration.
The industry has rapidly moved beyond 100G as the standard coherent channel rate. 400G is now widely deployed; 800G is entering commercial availability. This article covers 400G ZR/ZR+, PAM4 versus coherent detection, and the pluggable optics revolution reshaping carrier transport economics.
Internet Exchange Points are the physical and logical nodes where networks interconnect without paying transit fees. This article explains how IXPs work, examines BIX-Sofia's role in the Balkans, and quantifies the latency and cost benefits of local peering for ISPs and content providers.
Receive new articles, network engineering deep-dives, and infrastructure insights directly to your inbox. Subscribe to our technical newsletter — contact us to join the mailing list.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. One to two articles per month.