The New Convergence Formula

  By Henrik Oberg —

However, convergence of real-time applications with data networking is new ground for many people, and there likely will be a skills gap. For this reason, Nortel Press recently released a new title, Real-Time Networking, which was created by a group of Nortel subject matter experts. Real-Time Networking is a self-study guide for engineers, designers and other professionals. The topics covered — quality of service; network planning; and building resilient topologies, applications and networks — will be foundational to delivering revolutionary user experiences, virtually all of which are going to require real-time networking capabilities.

The guide outlines the technological underpinnings of real-time networking to help IT professionals transfer the philosophy and capabilities that telecom brings around resiliency, reliability, quality and availability to communications-enabled applications. Ultimately, the book helps individuals prepare for the Nortel Certified Technology Specialist (NCTS) – Real-Time Networking exam (920-108).

If you think about the challenges facing us, you will find almost every new project involves a multidisciplinary convergence of technologies from different domains: wireline and wireless, enterprise and carrier, applications and infrastructure, and everything in between. In almost every case, there is an interactivity component to the converged system that brings with it requirements for real-time responsiveness from the network.

Holding technology credentials demonstrates your grasp of the future of networking and convergence. Now is the time to add convergence knowledge and experience to your skill set. 

Henrik Oberg is the leader of the Nortel Technology Solutions Academy Program and works actively with Nortel Press. He is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and can be reached at editor@certmag.com.