For the last several years, there has been momentum around software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) as a solution to the demands of an increasingly complex infrastructure in the cloud age. From centralized management and visibility to reduced costs and scalability, its traffic segmentation and provider agnostic approach seemed almost too good to be true. A recent report based on a survey by Cato Networks found that many network professionals see SD-WAN that way. Almost three-quarters of … [Read more...]
Networking Trends for 2020 Are Dominated by SD-WAN Improvements
Enterprises continue their endorsement of software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), with many organizations adopting it to support bandwidth-hungry cloud applications and to improve management of the network. Networking trends for the upcoming months continue to focus on SD-WAN and its many benefits. In a market that has exploded with providers wanting to offer SD-WAN solutions, differentiation is now occurring as more mature products offer new innovations and support for security and … [Read more...]
Equipping Transformation Through SD-WAN
In order to remain competitive in a digital world, the modern enterprise is forced to prioritize connectivity. From supporting cloud applications to an expanding fleet of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, enterprises require network support that is dynamic and reliable. As enterprises turn to the next step, which is the adoption of technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence, the need for software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) becomes more pressing. Legacy … [Read more...]
Staying Safe in the Age of IoT
There’s a push to get everything connected. This push is evident in how many devices, including smart televisions, security systems, sensors, and printers, are connected to the internet in the average office environment today. Wi-Fi security has to be a concern, as these devices can unwittingly become ports of entry for hackers. If you’re currently undertaking an Internet of things (IoT) initiative, the success of that project weighs heavily on network operations and cyber security … [Read more...]
Is Your SDN Validation Strategy Adequate?
Software-defined networking (SDN) is based on an approach that separates the control plane from the forwarding plane, with the purpose of managing multiple devices through the control plane. It’s a way to address some of the increasing complexity surrounding the network in the cloud era, improving agility and programmability with better visibility into network activity. There are five key elements that distinguish SDN from other types of networking: Abstraction of the control layerDesign … [Read more...]
Pairing the Right SD-WAN and VoIP Solutions for Success
If you’re considering a communications upgrade, you’re likely looking at Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Because VoIP relies heavily on the strength of the network connection, you may also be weighing the possibility of an infrastructure upgrade to software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN). With SD-WAN and VoIP, not every pairing will work well. Here are the considerations you should keep in mind when evaluating SD-WAN to support VoIP: Hosted or on-premise VoIP: You need to … [Read more...]
Three Misconceptions Surrounding SD-WAN
Enterprise IT is adopting software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) as a solution to a variety of network challenges, including growing network complexity, more endpoints and a drive for better security. SD-WAN offers some nice benefits such as the ability to enhance agility and performance. Some of the benefits of SD-WAN have been over-hyped as the market has grown, with selling points like cost savings taking precedence in marketing over some of the more important effects on network … [Read more...]
Business IoT Finds a Solution in SD-WAN
Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) is favored by distributed enterprises needing a high level of visibility and centralized control. Branches can be provisioned from headquarters in minutes, and any troubleshooting can be done without traveling to the branch. Businesses are finding that SD-WAN answers some of the other challenges that come with an increasingly complex network environment. Deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which are simply devices equipped with sensors, … [Read more...]
Six Considerations for Choosing a Colocation Provider
An enterprise choosing a colocation provider may find the search a bit challenging due to changes happening in the industry. From shifting technology requirements to the impact of bigger public cloud providers consuming data space and then needing more, colocation centers are dealing with a lot of change. Not the least of these factors is the increasing competition between colocation providers, with more entering the market and driving prices down. While competition is generally good for both … [Read more...]
Connectivity Takes on Higher Importance in Today’s Enterprise
Connectivity is no longer simply about connecting to the internet to do research or to access email accounts. Connectivity has become the very center of a company’s productivity. It drives customer satisfaction and allows teams the opportunity to collaborate and innovate. Internal impact: Much of this elevated importance correlates directly to and is the cause of employees’ current migration to mobile work environments. No longer tied to a desk in the office, workers are increasingly moving … [Read more...]
