2023 SASE, SDWAN, MCN, ZTNA, Enterprise Edge and Cloud Networking Showcase

Amar Kapadia, CEO of Aarna Networks, highlights three key trends in edge networking: the need for flexible networking due to the distribution of applications across multiple edge and public clouds, the growing trend towards on-demand or cloud-like consumption of networks, and the increasing importance of private 5G in enterprise environments. Aarna Networks responds to these trends by offering orchestration and management for edge environments and private 5G, providing on-demand flexible connectivity between edge and public clouds, and managing networks on demand.

Alex Saroyan, CEO and co-founder of Netris, discussed how Netris provides public cloud-like networking for private infrastructure. Netris provides VPC networking software, and utilizes open-source technology like WireGuard to automate and optimize the configuration of cross-cloud and cross-VPC connections.

Neil Anderson, AVP of Cloud and Infrastructure at WWT, highlighted the impact of the Enterprise Edge evolution on network architecture, driven by hybrid working, increased use of cloud applications, and the importance of security. To tackle challenges in maintaining network architecture and recruiting skilled professionals, Anderson suggested adopting a secure service edge architecture, integrating branch infrastructure with SD-WAN, and implementing a direct internet access model in branch offices.

Sunil Khandekar, a tech executive advisor and former CEO of Nuage Networks, highlighted the crucial role of MEF in standardizing and accelerating the adoption of SASE and SD-WAN. He emphasized MEF's leadership in defining new standards, and its partnership with a cybersecurity expert organization to certify vendor SASE solutions.

Holland Barry, Field CTO for Cyxtera, discussed the growing trend of hybrid workloads running in various venues and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in data center co-location spaces. Barry emphasized the importance of venue selection for effective workload management, the high power density requirements, and the need for advanced cooling solutions for high-performance compute workloads.

Alkira CEO Amir Khan and CTO Atif Khan discuss the growing SD-WAN and multi-cloud networking market, emphasizing the need for streamlined solutions across various environments. Alkira's transformational technology aims to address these needs by integrating services like security and IPAM, catering to the changing networking requirements of enterprises adopting multi-cloud strategies.

Murali Gandluru, Vice President of Strategy (Product & GTM) at IBM, addresses the challenges enterprises face in managing distributed cloud environments and emphasizes the importance of agility in DevOps, NetOps, and Cloud operations teams. Gandluru introduces IBM Hybrid Cloud Mesh, a solution designed to simplify, scale, and secure access to applications and data domains across heterogeneous environments, including VMs, Red Hat OpenShift, Kubernetes, and bare metal environments.

Mark Casey, CEO of Apcela, highlighted the shift from cloud-ready to cloud-centric infrastructure as enterprises move from premises-based IT to the cloud. He emphasizes the need to integrate technologies like SD-WAN, distributed security, and software-defined cloud interconnect to enable a cloud-centric WAN that brings security closer to the network edge.

Masum Mir, SVP/GM of Cisco Networking Provider Mobility at Cisco Systems, highlights the difficulties enterprises face in managing a hybrid and mobile work environment. Cisco Networking Cloud aims to address these challenges by offering a unified platform, incorporating technologies like fixed and mobile connections, and leveraging the Meraki dashboard and 5G technology for secure and seamless connectivity.

Mauricio Sanchez, Research Director at Dell'Oro Group, emphasizes the convergence of security and networking across three edges - user, application, and traditional WAN - in the Next Generation Enterprise space. He explains that these edges are evolving with technologies like SD-WAN, SASE, and multi-cloud networking, and are increasingly being offered as a service.

Kip Compton, SVP of Strategy & Business Development at Cisco Systems, unveiled the Cisco Networking Cloud at Cisco Live, aiming to streamline networking domains with cloud-managed and on-prem solutions. The offering includes features like cross-platform navigator and single sign-on, allowing for efficient network management and opening up opportunities for developers and customers to leverage new APIs and unified solutions.

Mike Troiano, Head of Business Products at AT&T, highlights the company's collaboration with Cisco to enhance software-defined networking through Meraki integration and a focus on mobile-first solutions in WebEx. The partnership aims to improve failover, business continuity, and user experience while streamlining operations by retiring traditional wireline infrastructure.

Kelly Ahuja, CEO of Versa Networks, highlights the benefits of SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), a unified platform that combines security and networking functions for improved agility, automation, and simplification. Versa Networks provides their SASE solution to enterprises and service provider partners, enabling innovative services for their customers.

Manan Shah, VP of Product Management at Alkira, introduced Alkira's Extranet as a Service, a new innovation that enables customers to securely connect their applications to B2B partners and third-party entities with full control and visibility. The service, which offers dynamic scaling, turnkey transformation, and advanced cloud networking capabilities, also simplifies complex networking environments and aids in seamless integration during mergers and acquisitions.

Eyal Webber-Zvik, VP of Product Marketing at Cato Networks, presents the company's SASE platform, a globally available cloud-native solution that merges networking and security capabilities. The platform, which operates through numerous Points of Presence (PoPs) interconnected with the Cato global private backbone, offers enterprise-grade network security, high throughput traffic processing, real-time security enforcement, and simple connectivity to the cloud via an SD-WAN appliance, a client for remote users, and a virtual connection for cloud data centers.

Laurent Perrin, Director of Product Management at Orange Business, emphasizes the growing demand for integrated security and infrastructure solutions, particularly SASE. Perrin underscored the importance of cloud-based and on-premises security, the zero-trust model, and the need to guide customers in their digital transformation journey, assisting them in making appropriate technology choices.

Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-founder of Nile, discusses how they are redefining Network as a Service (NaaS), and serving enterprises seeking unobtrusive network solutions that allow business leaders to focus on their core business. Patel highlights the benefits of NaaS, including managed lifecycle management, guaranteed network performance, improved security, and a shift from CapEx to OpEx.

Is NaaS the answer for enterprise connectivity today? Download our report and see what our views are.