Waves & Wires.

Hosted by Offical Zyxel Networks Podcast

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

Welcome to 'Waves & Wires', the podcast that explores the fascinating world of computer networking, brought to you by Zyxel Networks (EMEA). Join us as we dive into the intricacies of cloud networking, explore the latest wired, wireless technologies, and discuss the ever-important topic of network security for businesses.Our team of experts, with years of experience in the networking industry, share their insights and knowledge on how these technologies are shaping the future of communication. Whether you're a networking enthusiast or simply curious about the latest trends, 'Waves & Wires' has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Listen to episodes

43 recent

October 5, 2026Episode 927 min

Unravelling AVoIP: The Bonus Round

Ever wondered what actually happens when you change the channel on a screen that's connected to the network? Or why a live concert can suddenly lose sound on stage because of one tiny setting buried in a switch? In this bonus technical discussion, Kevin and Michel welcome back Nick and David from the EMEA Pre-Sales team to go behind the scenes of AVoIP. They share real-world stories from the field, the common mistakes that catch even seasoned installers out, and why AVoIP is anything but plug-and-play. The good news is it doesn't have to be painful. The team looks at AVoIP mode on Zyxel switches, which turns a complex setup into a simple guided wizard. Just tell it which ports are your transmitters, receivers, and uplinks, and it handles the configuration. You also get a dashboard built for AV professionals, not just network engineers. That means less time troubleshooting and more time delivering great experiences. Whether you're from the AV world or the networking world, this one's for you.

October 1, 2026Episode 831 min

AVoIP: The Big Picture, Not the Manual

What's really going on when audio and video travel over a network instead of a dedicated cable? In this episode, we're joined by two AVoIP (Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol) specialists from Zyxel Networks: Nick Roberts, Sales Engineer for the UK and Ireland with a background in systems integration, and David Mossner, Sales Engineer for Germany and Austria with a background in live audio engineering. Together they explain how AVoIP evolved from analog matrices and HDMI distribution into full network based systems, why multicast (not unicast) is the key to scaling video and audio without drowning your network in traffic, and what actually goes wrong when you plug this kind of equipment into an unmanaged switch. They also dig into IGMP snooping, precision timing, and why home streaming services like Netflix aren't built for the same job. Along the way, we cover real world applications, from residential distribution and airport signage to hospitals and live concerts, and talk through what to actually look for in a switch before rolling out an AVoIP deployment.

September 1, 2026Episode 819 min

Who, What, Where? Your network just snitched.

Join Kevin and Michel as they shine a light on one of the most overlooked tools in the security portfolio - SecuReporter. If you've ever asked how do I find out who, what, and where the threats are happening on my network, and how many we're actually protecting clients against then this is the tool for you. SecuReporter takes the flood of log, application, and security data from your firewalls and puts AI to work, turning an impossible pile of text files into clear analytics and visual answers fast. Kevin and Michel walk through AI-powered, fully brandable summary reports, real-time alerts and push notifications you can fine-tune, and SecuPilot - the AI assistant that answers questions in plain language. They also dig into what makes it powerful for MSPs: consolidated multi-site dashboards, grouping customers by vertical, detailed reporting, an open API, and full GDPR compliance with anonymization built in. Whether you're running the latest USG FLEX H series on Nebula or legacy on-premise kit, it's all in scope.

June 30, 2026Episode 726 min

WiFi beyond the walls

Join Kevin and Michel as they dive into the biggest Zyxel shake-up on it's outdoor and industrial wireless lineup yet. With sunshine finally here, it's the perfect time to take WiFi beyond the walls - and there's a whole new range of products to do it with. Whether you're lighting up a café terrace, bridging two buildings 5km apart, or rolling out rugged WiFi 7 across a warehouse or stadium, this episode has you covered. Kevin and Michel break down the all-new NWA55AXE Pro, the WiFi 7 NWA55BE, the plug-and-play point-to-point kit, and the powerhouse WBE665S with 22 Gbps throughput and smart antenna tech built in. Along the way, they tackle the questions customers keep asking: bridging vs. mesh, the legal lowdown on outdoor 6GHz (and where the rules are changing), what IP55 and IP67 ratings really mean when dust, rain, and freezing temps are on the line, and how it all comes together under the Nebula cloud platform. New to the range or already a fan - this is your fast-track tour of what's now possible outdoors.

June 1, 2026Episode 623 min

Inside BRIQT's Nebula-powered MDU business.

In this month's episode, we're switching things up. For the first time on the podcast, we're handing the mic to one of you - our partners. Mark, the CEO and founder of Briqt in the Netherlands, has spent 15 years specialising in SMB and MDU (Multi-Dwelling Unit) networks - securing and connecting apartment blocks, healthcare facilities and multi-tenant office buildings. He's got the receipts to prove it works. From templated deployments and triple-play separation, to Wi-Fi 7 rollouts and the magic of taking an 8-week holiday without a single network call, Mark pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving business on Nebula - the secure cloud platform built for businesses just like yours. Honest, practical, and packed with the kind of insight only someone in the trenches can offer. Tune in - your next deployment will thank you.

May 1, 2026Episode 522 min

Small business, big target!

Welcome to this month's episode of Waves & Wires, the networking podcast by Zyxel Networks. In this episode, we're shining a light on one of the most underestimated risks in the business world today: the cybersecurity threat facing small and medium-sized businesses. The statistics are stark - SMBs are consistently among the most targeted organisations for cyberattacks, yet are often the least protected. In this episode, we explore why that is and what can be done about it. We cover the most common and damaging threats facing smaller businesses right now: ransomware attacks that can bring operations to a standstill overnight, phishing emails designed to deceive even the most careful employees, and the growing exploitation of social media as an attack vector that many businesses simply aren't watching. We also look at the practical side — what protection actually looks like at the SMB level. We discuss the USG FLEX H series and how it brings enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection into a format that works for smaller businesses, alongside Nebula, our secure cloud networking platform, which gives both businesses and MSP partners the visibility and control to manage cybersecurity at scale - without needing a dedicated in-house security team. For MSPs, this month's episode is particularly relevant - we explore how the right tools can help you deliver enterprise-level cybersecurity to your SMB clients, closing the protection gap that leaves so many smaller businesses dangerously exposed. Because in today's threat landscape, being small is no longer a reason to fly under the radar. If anything, it's exactly what makes you a target.

April 1, 2026Episode 437 min

Five bar WiFi. Zero answers.

Welcome to the latest episode of Waves & Wires, the networking podcast by Zyxel Networks. In this episode, we're challenging one of the most common - and costly - assumptions in wireless networking: that slow WiFi means it's time for new access points. While today's technology genuinely delivers greater speed and capacity, a hardware upgrade alone won't address the underlying issues that are most likely at the root of your performance problems. We explore the real culprits that prevent you from getting the most out of any network investment - WiFi 7 included. We also look at how Nebula, our secure cloud networking platform, can help you identify and resolve these issues, giving you the clarity and tools to optimise your wireless environment - and the confidence to know when an upgrade will actually move the needle.

March 1, 2026Episode 328 min

What does Cybersecurity really mean?

In this episode, we explain the difference between a firewall and cybersecurity. A firewall controls traffic in and out of a network. Cybersecurity is the broader strategy - protecting users, devices, and data using multiple layers of defence. We then look at how the Zyxel Networks USG FLEX H series Gold Pack delivers that layered approach. It combines next-generation firewall capabilities, intrusion detection and prevention, advanced threat protection, web filtering, and anti-malware. Each layer plays a role, working together to reduce risk and improve visibility. But strong security also needs to scale. With Nebula Control Center, we can manage hundreds or thousands of firewalls from a single platform. Policies can be defined once and applied globally, improving consistency and reducing deployment time. SecuReporter adds visibility, providing centralised analytics, threat insights, and reporting across all devices. Together, this creates a multi-layered, centrally managed security model that is scalable, consistent, and easier to operate.

February 2, 2026Episode 227 min

WiFi 8 is coming but are we actually ready?

In this episode, we break down what WiFi 8 really brings to the table, how it builds on WiFi 7's capabilities, and what the real-world differences mean for networks that need performance, reliability, and scale. We’ll unpack improvements in latency, coordination, and efficiency - and why WiFi 8 is less about raw speed and more about predictable performance. We also dig into the big question: when does WiFi 8 become a viable upgrade option? Is it something to plan for now, or something to watch from the sidelines? And who will adopt it first? Whether you’re planning network refresh cycles, advising customers, or just trying to stay ahead of the wireless curve, this episode helps cut through the hype and focus on the real choice between waiting for WiFi 8 or going for WiFi 7.

January 5, 2026Episode 126 min

From predictions to performance: networking trends ahead in 2026

What did 2025 get right - and where is networking heading next? In this episode, we kick things off with a sharp, engaging recap of the biggest networking predictions from 2025, breaking down what materialised and what didn't quite make it. From there, we look ahead to 2026 with a dive into the trends redefining connectivity. We explore the rise of high-capacity networks built to support AI-driven workloads, the security and the industry-wide push toward multi-gigabit speeds from the core to the edge. Whether you’re designing networks, securing them, or simply tracking where the technology is headed, this episode delivers practical insight and future-focused context to help you stay ahead. Tune in to understand what’s coming - and how to prepare for it.