SD-WAN systems allow for central management of branch IT

Software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) enable companies to manage the information technology (IT) systems of branches and small offices within a central management system in accordance with corporate IT policies, says Riverbed Technology advanced technology group technical director Paul Griffiths.

The company’s Riverbed SteelConnect SD-WAN management system enables companies to rapidly deploy and control IT systems at new branches, and IT security administrators to set security settings prior to a branch being connected to the corporate network.

The SteelConnect system dovetails with Riverbed’s flagship SteelHead application (app) control and performance optimisation system, as well as its other systems. Users can add the new system’s functionality to their existing Riverbed app-performance management capabilities, he adds.

Further, the SD-WAN system’s capabilities can be extended to organisations’ cloud systems and enable them to manage the performance of business apps according to priority-based grading, irrespective of where the apps are hosted.

“The aim is to enable companies to maintain secure connectivity throughout their enterprise, especially for business-critical apps, regardless of the hybrid nature of an organisation’s IT assets,” notes Griffiths.

The system includes specialised gateways that allow for designated, priority-based app-specific routing and next-generation firewalls. The system also allows for connections, such as Internet connections, to be switched securely, and for wireless access points in remote offices to be secured against intrusion.

“The administrative burdens to connect and configure infrastructure and networks, and orchestrate all the separate elements still consume significant time and resources. Business cannot be held up by inadequate IT systems; therefore, central and secure control over the performance of networks, connectivity and IT assets becomes necessary,” he avers.

Specifically, businesses can apply their requirements to the priority afforded to an app’s performance, including prioritising app performance according to an individual’s role, function or location.

Griffiths avers that the SteelConnect system enables companies to realise the full potential of hybrid networks and IT infrastructure, as the Riverbed system allows IT managers to reroute faulty or underperforming connections and ensure the continuous operation of business apps and programs.

“Owing to the software-defined system, network elements can now recognise the app for which the data it is routing is intended, and automatically determine the routing based on the priority of the app for that user,” he explains.

The system is also aware of the device a user is using and can determine whether it is inside or outside the company’s network. It also refers to corporate IT security policy when determining whether a user can access various apps or data based on the security clearance of the device, the user and the location of the user.

“Riverbed Technology’s focus has always been on optimising business app performance and the underlying networking required to achieve this. “The new SD-WAN solution enables companies to reduce and even eliminate the need for IT staff in branches or remote sites, while retaining control and oversight, and gaining the ability to use outsourced IT infrastructure and services securely,” he concludes.