The benefits of modern networks for businesses

Enterprise adoption of software-defined and virtualized technologies is driving the transition from traditional networks to modern networks that are more adaptable to today's traffic patterns and user needs.

Enterprises are rapidly moving away from traditional network technologies such as LAN, WAN, and basic TCP/IP-based network architectures. Software-defined networking (SDN) and related technologies such as SD-WAN, SASE, etc., provide the ability to securely control the network by programming the routing of data packets on demand without changing the network hardware. These new network technologies bring tremendous power to network administrators. Enterprises using these technologies save capital expenditures (CapEx) while realizing the business benefits of connecting global business networks.

But leaders still need to understand the exact consequences of moving away from traditional networks, which can save money while requiring central management of the network. Enterprise CIOs are looking for the advantages brought by network innovation to prepare for the future to handle large amounts of digital data.

Let’s discuss the key factors driving network modernization.

simplify

In this modern era, terminal devices or users require agile service delivery and fast transactions of server data. To solve this problem, enterprise networks need to simplify routing data to accurate users and apply the right policies to them, ensuring that different end users get the data or network services they want in a short time. Through technologies such as SDN and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), it is now possible to control the network infrastructure by replacing most of the network components, achieving a high degree of zero-touch automation and configuration. With these technologies, enterprises can also reduce CapEx and reduce the power consumption required in the network. With the mastery of new software-based and software-driven technologies, it is also replacing traditional networks that can route traffic based on congestion patterns in certain parts of the network. You can get end-to-end visibility in the network, which can help you manage network bandwidth and identify network failures, which can also be repaired remotely.

cloud computing

Most enterprises are adopting the cloud as part of their digital transformation. Traditional networks are not adequate to match the agility required by cloud services. These services are either provisioned within an internal private cloud or subscribed to from a public cloud. New models of hybrid cloud and multi-cloud are also entering the enterprise infrastructure to take advantage of the benefits provided by different clouds and optimize the cost of business services. Now is the time when enterprise CIOs want the network to be integrated into the cloud computing so that cloud applications can run on the network and be delivered to end users with optimal performance. Various new solutions have emerged that also give visibility to the network when enterprises implement hybrid cloud and multi-cloud so that enterprises can easily manage cloud applications residing in different clouds.

Reduce costs

The architecture of traditional networks uses proprietary hardware devices to perform specified network functions, which require manual configuration to work. In addition, manual operations are also required in the event of network failures and upgrading hardware to improve performance. Modern networks are software-based, such as virtual network functions (VNFs), and are programmed to run automatically using open source technologies (OpenDaylight, ONOS, Tungsten Fabric, OPNFV, etc.). Now, a platform can be used to diagnose and upgrade the network because most of the network is software-driven and the software components are interconnected using APIs.

Supports high streaming data

As remote work has become the norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in video streaming in the form of webcasts, video calls, and video presentations. Traditionally, the Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) was used to quickly transmit video streams over the network. But modern networks require protocols to support low-latency streaming. In this case, HTTP-based protocols such as Apple HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), low-latency HLS, DASH (Common Media Application Format for DASH) low-latency CMAF, and MPEG-DASH (Moving Picture Expert Group Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) are used.