Hybrid WAN FEATURED ARTICLE

The power of the cloud is something to behold. This once doubted technology is taking industry by storm, and paired with its software-defined sibling solutions like SD-WAN, it is set to star in networking today and long into the future.

Recently, Spectrum (News - Alert) Enterprise, a part of Charter Communications, revealed details of its hybrid SD-WAN solutions. The next-generation networking solution will be on display as a networking proof of concept at MEF (News - Alert) 17 this week.

Building on an Ethernet and Internet foundation, the solution pieces these connectivity components together with software-defined networking solutions to create a network of hybrid WANs. This eases the cloud migration for most businesses, and serves as an enabler of digital transformation.

The Spectrum Enterprise SD-WAN offering allows a firm to overlay an SD-WAN solution over an existing deployment, to extend Ethernet WAN by stitching together remote sites using SD-WAN over Internet access and customize each office’s network deployment.

In terms of software defined functionality, cloud connectivity is automated; there are pre-defined network security templates and policies in place; a user-friendly client portal that provides end-to-end visibility and control over the service; and application-level use of business policies on a site by site basis to optimize traffic routing.

"As businesses go through digital transformations, their networking needs evolve to require dynamic services that provide visibility and control," said Greg King, Senior Vice President, Product, Marketing and Strategy for Spectrum Enterprise. "Our Hybrid SD-WAN strategy offers choice and flexibility to help our clients address their individual networking needs."

Digital transformation is driving businesses to evolve, and it’s starting with network operations. It’s not your father’s WAN anymore. Embrace the software-defined era, and allow the power of automation, virtualization and the cloud to do what it does best: boost operations.

What’s in your network?