Cloud Networking
What is Cloud Networking?
A cloud network is a Wide Area Network (WAN) that hosts users and resources and allows the two to communicate via cloud-based technologies. It consists of virtual routers, firewalls, and network management software.
On a cloud-based network, all resources exist in the cloud, including network management resources and physical hardware
Operating via a cloud network allows you to meet business needs with more bandwidth to handle peak traffic. By moving resources to a cloud network, you can optimize traffic flow coming from any point in your system—whether global or on site. Also, because of cloud networks’ reliable connectivity, you can reduce latency and make applications more highly available, which allows for more efficient high-intensity workloads.
Why cloud networking?
More and more companies need a computing solution that can handle rapid processing, fast data transfer without any loss, and a secure environment where traffic can be monitored and managed remotely. A robust cloud network can connect multiple servers located across the globe and provide insight into workloads, traffic speed, and application availability all with secure, consistent, and reliable connectivity. A common reason to transition to cloud networking is to support many virtual desktops that need concurrent access to resource-intense data processing.
What are the types of cloud networks?
Fundamentally, cloud networking provides organizations with lower costs, faster deployment, and easier capacity management. Determining which type of cloud network is appropriate for an enterprise requires a look at the four different options available:
Public
Public cloud networks are administered by a third party, providing public access to a platform made up of servers, databases, applications, and storage. This type of cloud network provides an organization’s IT department with a system that can handle peak capacity loads at a low set-up cost. Because the network is configured for multi-latency coverage, many virtual desktops can access the system simultaneously with little to no downtime.
Private
A Private cloud network is necessary for sensitive data. Private cloud networks offer the highest security possible by keeping the platform on site and limiting access to authenticated users only. In this case, workloads are contained within the system, and IT staff can maintain consistent standards and procedures across all network users. Also, a private cloud allows for resource customization not available on a public cloud network, which makes this option attractive for enterprises with proprietary processes and data.
Hybrid
A hybrid cloud network combines aspects of both public and private cloud networks. It works by connecting both private cloud and public cloud services into one flexible infrastructure. With a hybrid cloud network, organizations can easily shift workloads between both clouds as circumstances change.
Community
Community networks provide a cloud computing solution to a limited number of individuals or organizations who collaborate by sharing infrastructure. The model allows for all controls to be managed and secured commonly by all the participating organizations or by a third-party managed service provider.
What are the advantages of cloud networking?
Several reasons make cloud networking a smart choice for enterprises with growing workloads:
- Cost: By accessing equipment, storage, and software on a cloud network, there is no need to purchase any of these resources. Enterprises can keep a lid on capital expenditures so that limited budgets do not need to be tapped.
- Productivity: Because traffic, software updates, and backups are managed on the cloud network, IT staff have more time to focus on higher priority tasks. Because staff don’t have to maintain or configure the network, productivity levels often increase and administration costs remain low.
- Mobility: As an always-on means of connecting, a cloud network provides users with access to data and applications 24/7, wherever they are and with any device connected to the Internet.
- Rapid scalability: Because they don’t need to build and configure networking hardware and software, IT can quickly add capacity, loading more data, storage, or applications almost instantly.
- Quick implementation: Cloud networking providers handle configuring and installing networking equipment, so new resources can be deployed quickly.
- Reduced downtime: With cloud networking, the entire process of updating cloud networking applications is managed by the providers, meaning IT no longer needs to bring the system down for updates and business processes can run continuously.
Who uses cloud networking?
The use of cloud networks continues to ramp up. Gartner forecasts more adoptions and increased revenue from cloud computing to exceed $330 billion by December 2022. As such, cloud networking has extended into most industries, with a few highlighted below:
- Banking and finance: Banks use cloud networks to process a high volume of transactions and online loan applications. Traders have shifted trading platforms to a cloud network so clients can execute trades rapidly with the latest, most accurate pricing.
- Healthcare: As regulations change and patient data volumes increase, cloud networking can handle updating back-office claims management and data security automatically. Delivering end-to-end patient care means tracking data from the doctor’s office, diagnostic information, hospital admissions, treatment, and follow-up—a high volume of information that requires the capacity of a cloud network.
- Manufacturing: Industrial workers often have repetitive manual tasks, which can be automated and handled by a cloud network system.
- Retail: Using a cloud network enables retail companies to consolidate systems to manage rapid order delivery and high-volume customer service. Some companies have even deployed AI-powered virtual assistants to answer customers’ most frequent questions.
- Transportation: Tracking vehicles, loads, operators, schedules, deliveries, and customers is a complex process with huge data requirements that is perfectly suited for a cloud network where multiple users can access the data at any time from anywhere.
- Government: Cities often monitor traffic flow and incidents using a city-wide network of surveillance cameras. Municipalities also deploy infrastructure maintenance based on analytics of millions of usage data points per day, a high-volume program hosted on a cloud network.
How can HPE help with cloud networking?
HPE offers networking, data storage, software, and compute as a service so you can optimize your workloads, unify your data, manage your cloud network, and drive innovation across your entire enterprise.
HPE Cloud Network Manager is designed as a software-as-a-service subscription in the cloud that gives you streamlined management for multiple HPE cloud-managed networks. It includes HPE cloud-managed access points that self-organize into wireless LANs (WLANs) clusters with all user control and data traffic staying local within the WLAN. The network management information itself goes to HPE Cloud Network Manager in the cloud. This design means you have no management appliances to install and maintain, locally or in the data center, which keeps costs low. Plus, your network stays available, since you have all the functionality you need locally, with no dependence on WAN links.
HPE GreenLake for Aruba is a comprehensive network-as-a-service solution combining Aruba products and essential services into a single monthly payment. Our service helps you accelerate your network operation at every step in the lifecycle with as-a-service outcomes and financial flexibility. GreenLake for Aruba gives you the agility you need to adopt and maximize your network capabilities with automated workflows and other key capabilities. And because our service is scalable and flexible you’re able to speed time to value. By using our managed and optimized network as a monthly payment, you gain efficiency and reduce exposure from initial capital expenditure outlay.