NC May-Jun 2020

OPINION
WHY IT'S CRITICAL TO USE A COMPREHENSIVE SD-BRANCH PLATFORM
IMAGINE ENTERPRISE NETWORKING WITHOUT CUMBERSOME STACKS, EXHAUSTING ON-SITE
SUPPORT, OR COSTLY BACKUP CONNECTIVITY. JORDAN BAKER, SR. TECHNOLOGY WRITER + IT NERD
AT ZPE SYSTEMS EXPLAINS ALL
Even during the most stable global conditions,
IT staff face a monumental
hurdle when deploying and maintaining
branch networks. However, having the
right SD-Branch platform can breathe new
life into what's possible at remote sites. This
is achievable when you choose an SD-
Branch solution that offers:
Fast, consistent deployments using
automation
Remote OOB for convenient, off-site
management
Reliable cellular failover for more
uptime
DEPLOYMENT
Deploying any branch location is a chore.
But when you introduce consolidated
devices and zero touch provisioning
(ZTP), the deployment process becomes
virtually effortless.
At the very least, all-in-one appliances
save you money on shipping expenses. You
no longer need to haul large inventories to
each location, and can instead send a single
box capable of performing the work of
three, four, five, or more devices. Choose
an SD-Branch platform that supports
Docker containers, network function virtualization,
and modular add-ons, and you've
got a compact solution for your whole
branch network.
Take even more work and expenses off
your hands with support for ZTP. Common
tools such as Ansible, Chef, and Python
allow you to script your entire deployment
for plug-n-play simplicity. It doesn't get
easier than connecting devices and watching
the network build itself, while ongoing
configuration management is done automatically
via the cloud.
REMOTE MANAGEMENT
After deploying a new location, maintenance
can bog down a lot of your
resources. You typically need on-site support
to troubleshoot issues, resolve outages,
or perform something as simple as
rebooting a router.
SD-Branch with remote out-of-band
(OOB) management eliminates the need
for all this, and instead gives you an indepth
virtual presence throughout your
network. The level of visibility and control
can be astounding, putting granular control
at your fingertips. The right platform
can give you complete command of routing,
switching, security, and even power
cycling - even if you're halfway across the
globe.
Faraway issues no longer require plane
tickets, lodging expenses, and time-consuming,
on-site support. SD-Branch lets
you manage your network from anywhere.
UPTIME
Branch locations can be subjected to disasters
and outside forces that cause downtime.
Nearby construction crews (even your own)
might accidentally send a backhoe bucket
through your main connection, or local
storms might easily knock out connectivity for
your entire zip code. But comprehensive SD-
Branch safeguards you with cellular failover.
When your main connection goes down,
your failover device (equipped with one or
more SIM cards) automatically switches to
your provider's 3G, 4G, or 5G wireless network.
With the right platform, you can
choose plans from any major carrier, cover
an entire location using a single failover
appliance, and even use your wireless connection
as a reliable OOB path. This kind of
seamless backup and remote branch management
means downtime isn't much of a
threat any longer.
When you consider enterprise networking,
remember that a comprehensive SD-Branch
solution addresses your biggest problem
areas. Be on the lookout for a platform that
helps you streamline and simplify your
branch management efforts. From consolidated
devices that let you deploy at the press
of a button, to remote OOB and cellular
failover that keep your business running, the
right SD-Branch platform can turn your network
into a powerful asset. NC
12 NETWORKcomputing MAY/JUNE 2020 @NCMagAndAwards
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