The use of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) was a promising solution to the stranglehold enterprises experienced related to network hardware. Rather than a vertical stack of pricey hardware, network administrators could access features and configuration settings at the software application level. Traditionally, networks have relied on a variety of often proprietary hardware solutions that involved a mix of gateways, routers, switches, load balancers … [Read more...]
The Network Edge Is Getting Harder to Define
Virtualization is continually expanding wide area network (WAN) architectures and changing the concept of the network edge. In short, it’s becoming difficult to define the edge and generalize when discussing it; every organization will have a unique edge concept. The edge’s redefinition is caused, in part, by a broader range of facilities, with customer premises equipment (CPE) adding hundreds of locations in a network. In some cases, the number may even be in the thousands. Adding to the … [Read more...]
Moving Forward With Edge Virtualization
As 5G becomes more of a reality and deployments become widespread, enabling service is going to rely heavily on edge virtualization. While this can answer a lot of the challenges of handling new levels of performance, volume and speed on the network, it can also cause problems if it is not architected properly. In many cases, edge virtualization can become more of a bottleneck, rather than helping the enterprise meet customer demands. As a result, operators taking their network capabilities … [Read more...]
Optimize Your WAN Configuration Before Installing UCaaS
Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) can offer enterprises many benefits, including streamlined collaboration, a single-access application for all communication formats, and reduced maintenance costs. While these features make a compelling case for investing in UCaaS, it’s important to consider Wide Area Network (WAN) configuration before installation. More important than the particular type of circuit deployed is the WAN configuration chosen for UCaaS. It requires enough bandwidth to … [Read more...]
Why Some Enterprises are Adopting Leaf-Spine Architecture
The traditional architecture for enterprise networks is typically a three-part tiered, or tree, design. It includes a core as well as distribution and access layers. Advances in network technology like software-defined networking (SDN) are making it possible to adopt a new and more effective network using a leaf-spine architecture. While the initial implementation cost of leaf-spine architecture may be higher than a tiered design, the priorities of the enterprise may quickly outweigh that … [Read more...]
Factors Driving Changes to WAN Architecture
With a long history of being unnoticed unless there’s a connectivity problem, the network is now recognized among line of business managers as a major driver of innovation, productivity and an improved customer experience. This is just one of the many factors driving changes to WAN architecture. The increasing centrality of network performance to enterprise success means that IT is rethinking the ways the network could be optimized and managed to equip other new technologies. Here are the … [Read more...]
Five Considerations for Merging Networks After an Acquisition
Any acquisition presents a certain level of stress, and the CIO’s priority is to minimize that stress as much as possible when merging networks. Avoiding any disruption in service is key, along with reducing networking costs and ensuring that the organization retains its technological advantage over competitors. Any CIO would agree to these objectives, but how do you arrive at a place where you’ve successfully merged the networks and the broader organization is working without any … [Read more...]
Building a Network That Supports Digital Transformation
Every enterprise is taking its own unique path to digital transformation. From which lines of business take priority in adopting new technology to how you determine which workloads will migrate to the cloud, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to integrating new digital tools. What’s consistent across all instances of digital transformation is the critical role the network plays in supporting the changes. From multiplying endpoints like mobile devices and tablets to the shifting of … [Read more...]
How Emerging Technologies Will Impact the Network for Financial Institutions
What if your financial institution was no longer competing with the bank down the street, working to entice customers with free checking and a user-friendly mobile app? What if your competitor was, instead, offering customers the opportunity to check balances with a swipe on a wearable device or was employing artificial intelligence (AI) to predict their spending behaviors and help them prepare financially for an upcoming month with extra expenses? These are examples of emerging technologies in … [Read more...]