< Previousshift towards 4k and 8k resolution, which both require additional bandwidth capabilities, the pressure on networks is set to rise further. Meanwhile, high-bandwidth demands within the gaming industry are also likely to grow. Today, gaming giants need to deliver a high-quality user experience (UX) to win the loyalty of billions of gamers globally. This requires high bandwidth as it is closely related to latency, which is the delay between a player's action and the game's response. Higher bandwidth connections can help reduce latency, making the game far more responsive overall, with the reduced possibility of buffering, resulting in a more seamless gaming experience. The need for reliable and consistent connections Network reliability is another element that plays a key role in ensuring a great UX for gamers. With the rise of cloud gaming services, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation Now, as well as the continued integration of VR capabilities into gaming setups, the pressure on networks is becoming immense. VR environments, in particular, require a significant volume of data to be transmitted, in order to render visuals without graphical glitches or mistakes. According to the PDC report, vast connectivity is required for these metaverse developments to further grow. These services must be equipped with incredibly high bandwidth to provide a lag-free experience and to maintain high-quality graphics for users across the network. For edge data centres that cater for large audiences, it is important to adapt and alter their offerings in line with the growing demand. The answer to this area lies in the usage of dark fibre loops. Introducing dark fibre loops A dark fibre loop is a network infrastructure consisting of optical fibre cables that have been installed but are not currently in use for data transmission. They are an invaluable asset when used to provide room for future network expansion. As the demand for data increases, organisations can activate additional fibres within the FEATURES 30loop to accommodate more data traffic without the need for extensive new construction or disruption to the network. Dark fibre networks are highly scalable, elevating them to a highly promising prospect for the future. Implementing dark fibre loops into data centres and fibre cities allows companies to operate far more efficiently, minimising any potential disruption caused by changes in traffic patterns. Firstly, the loops can be used to create backups in network connections. If one section of the loop is damaged or experiences an outage, traffic can be diverted through the other part of the loop, maintaining the overall network reliability. Secondly, organisations that deploy their own dark fibre loops have complete control over the infrastructure, enhancing network security and reducing the risk of data interception. This also allows implementers to customise the equipment and technology used to best meet their needs. Dark fibre provides a reliable solution for expanding network capacity, allowing data centres and fibre cities to scale their offerings alongside a changing demand, as they can enable or disable the loop whenever it is required. Preparing for the future As emerging technologies such as AI and VR continue to evolve, traditional network architectures need significant advancements to cater to these technologies’ high-bandwidth requirements. The answer to this issue takes the form of dark fibre, which allows data centres to be much more adaptable, allowing them to scale their connectivity offerings in line with the demand that they are experiencing. As technology continues to advance and becomes more data-intensive, investing in the installation and maintenance of these networks holds the key for the connected fibre cities of the future to flourish and operate with minimal disruption. FEATURES 31Rising rates of cloud adoption and hybrid/remote working models make SD-WAN worthy of discussion as an evolving part of the networking sphere. SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) is a technology that utilises software to give wide area networks (WANs) additional benefits. With ever-growing data volumes and sprawling networks, there are numerous priorities to navigate such as security and user experience. New technologies bring with them benefits but also hurdles to be overcome. IDC forecasts that the SD-WAN market will reach $7.5 billion by 2027 with a compound annual growth rate of 10%. SD-WAN as a technology has numerous advantages for end users through utilising a software- defined approach but how can the challenges around the technology be navigated to harness its full potential? Sharing the load Traditionally, Wide Area Networks (WANs) have been managed in-house by organisations giving them control over the management of infrastructures and all associated components. WANs still form a significant part of enterprise networks today and put simply, many organisations wouldn’t be able to function and carry out day-to-day options without them. However, modern businesses are highly complex with many different locations and their systems can exist across borders so other technologies are needed to augment the functionalities and benefits of traditional network infrastructures, to make them fit for the demands of today. Software-defined networks can today help to overcome some of the challenges faced by the Harnessing the full potential of SD-WAN Alan Hayward, sales & marketing manager, SEH Technology: www. seh-technology.com 32 FEATUREStraditional WAN by virtualising it and enabling management to take place from any location. Management of WANs can be challenging whether that is ensuring the consistent application and enforcement of policies and security, to ultimately protect data. Furthermore, businesses are currently having to make cost savings due to the current economic climate and SD-WAN can help with this as it does not require hardware and software from the same vendor. It also uses regular internet connections rather than more sophisticated connection options, providing additional cost benefits. However, with opportunity comes challenge and SD-WANs are more reliant on the internet than their more traditional counterparts, so organisations need to consider the performance of their connections to make the most of centralised management functions. Furthermore, the outsourcing of management capabilities can bring numerous vendors into the picture, so it’s crucial to consider how the use of multiple vendors can prevent the full potential of SD-WANs from being harnessed. Furthermore, vendor selection can be daunting due to the bewildering array of acronyms from SASE to SEE, sometimes making it difficult for organisations to choose the best solution for their needs. The power of analytics End users expect performance from their applications and services, and with insights, it becomes easier to ensure expectations are met. Networks are almost invisible when functioning correctly but issues and disruptions vividly bring them to the attention of end 33 FEATURESusers and the IT teams there to rapidly remedy the issues. Analytics can help IT teams pinpoint issues and understand how users are experiencing networks. Networks form the foundations of critical business operations today and as such, any issues need to be addressed as swiftly as possible to prevent financial or other losses, this is especially important today when remote and hybrid working is vital for businesses, with computing loads disparately spread across geographical areas. Analytics can ultimately help support the quality of experience (QoEx) and provide users with the best experience possible. Video conferencing and communications for example are expected to deliver seamless experiences. It’s true that an SD-WAN can help overcome some of the challenges associated with WANs such as outages and packet loss. Having the right analytics platform in place can certainly help to harness the full potential of SD-WANs by collecting data from multiple sources and gathering it together centrally to be analysed. Without analytics and monitoring, gauging whether an SD-WAN infrastructure is being harnessed to the maximum is simply guesswork, jeopardising the potential benefits. Utilising SSE Security is a critical consideration for all businesses today when looking at their network infrastructures. IBM has found that the average cost of a data breach is over £3.5 million, highlighting just how important it is as a business issue. Cybersecurity incidents pose numerous threats to businesses and networks have a big part to play in protecting organisations from bad actors. In addition to SD-WAN, Security Service Edge (SSE) provides additional functionalities when it comes to security. SSE, as defined by Gartner, exists separately from SD-WAN allowing services to be managed separately while taking advantage of the unique expertise of cybersecurity teams. SSE concerns the provision of security services over the cloud whereas SASE combines SD-WAN and SSE. Combining SSE and SD-WAN provides the best of both worlds as SD-WAN focuses on networking issues whereas SSE focuses on security, both critical considerations for businesses today. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Secure Web Gateways (SWG) fall under the SSE umbrella as components of SASE. Making the most of SD-WAN Modern enterprises and digital transformations require not just data and software applications, but the networks to carry that information across countries, regions and in many cases the entire world. The technologies of technology and the future are putting increasing demands on infrastructure and in order to be resilient, organisations need to have the right solutions in place to keep the lights on and data moving. Analytics can help IT teams pinpoint issues and understand how users are experiencing networks. Networks form the foundations of critical business operations today FEATURES 34FEATURES 35Embracing the edge – innovative solutions for a digital future With content consumption surging at breakneck speed, the need for secure, reliable and highly- scalable content delivery has never been more vital. Streaming video usage has surpassed conventional broadcast TV in numerous areas, while emerging applications like gaming, software downloads, and immersive experiences are swiftly expanding online, intensifying the demands on Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks. Despite the complexities, consumers expect that the networks that carry their content will be able to deliver it seamlessly, handling whatever is encountered – including internet traffic jams – without compromising quality. Historically, congestion during high-traffic events such as live sports or major show premieres has not resulted from Origin server capacity but rather more due to challenges in internet exchanges and ISP network capacity. Service providers are often wrongly accused when viewers are unhappy with their streaming experience. When the ‘internet is slow’, the blame tends to be thrown at the door of the ISP. Although the actual cause might be further up the internet delivery chain, the ISP, unfortunately, often gets the blame. As viewers have become savvier and more demanding, content providers are more focused on delivery quality than ever before. To this end, many media companies enlist the help of multiple CDNs that act as intermediaries to provide reach and capacity for streaming content delivery. However, not all CDNs are equal in terms of performance. The most transformative are based on an Open Edge Caching architecture and business model that unlocks new possibilities for content delivery at the network edge. Shira Kadmon, Programme Manager, Qwilt, www.qwilt.com FEATURES 36Open caching 101 So, how does the technology work? Open caching delivery nodes are deeply embedded in the service provider’s edge network. Then, a single live-speed stream is fed to each edge node, which then delivers a unicast stream to every end user who wants to watch the event. With the millions of unicast streams needed for a massive live event originating from edge servers, downstream of peering and exchange points and the network core, this approach leads to substantial traffic reduction for the service provider. As the stream originates closer to the end user, bypassing network congestion, there is an enhancement in the quality of experience. This new model is a win-win scenario for all parties involved. Currently, over one billion subscribers are benefiting from this innovative solution. Qwilt and Cisco have helped telcos such as Airtel in India, the National Content and Technology Cooperative (NCTC) in the US (a federation primarily composed of 100s of regional ISPs), and major carriers like BT and Verizon who have successfully integrated open caching into their networks. Beyond the streaming universe The benefits of open caching technology extend beyond streaming media, offering the potential to make a big impact in security, networking, collaboration, IoT and immersive digital experiences. With its diverse applications, open caching is positioned to play a pivotal role in the future of streaming media and far beyond, allowing ISPs to deliver content more efficiently while keeping in step with the evolving preferences of their subscribers. Unlocking ISP potential through the edge End-to-end content delivery over the internet has historically been left to the somewhat uncoordinated actions of multiple actors, from the broadcaster through content distribution networks, across peering and exchange sites, and finally down the last mile across ISP networks to viewers’ homes. Open caching helps to unify many of these disparate elements. As it approaches the milestone of serving its second billion subscribers, its popularity is surging, especially with the emergence of high-bandwidth-consuming applications such as virtual reality (VR), 360° video, and the potential development of the Metaverse. The escalating demand for high-speed broadband to support high-quality digital experiences of all kinds is driving ISPs across the globe to embrace open caching as the optimal architecture and business model for content delivery. Today and beyond, the open edge will be the launchpad for what’s next. The escalating demand for high-speed broadband to support high-quality digital experiences of all kinds is driving ISPs across the globe to embrace open caching as the optimal architecture and business model for content delivery. FEATURES 37Today’s demands on business networks are greater than ever. The complexity of modern business operations, coupled with an increasing reliance on technology, has made the delivery of robust and secure network infrastructures paramount. Users need failsafe, secure and fast access to their data, applications and services - anytime and from anywhere. With remote and hybrid working the norm in many organisations, a growing number of endpoints are connecting to the company network, including employees’ personal devices. Businesses are increasingly adopting Internet of Things (IoT) applications, which generate and process huge data volumes. Video conferences have replaced phone calls and in-person meetings, putting an additional strain on network bandwidth. Add to this, that the typical company network is no longer limited to on-premises infrastructure behind a secure firewall. Many organisations are using cloud- based services, whether for storage or for applications. Integrating these into the existing network architecture requires careful planning to ensure secure and stable communication between on-premises and the cloud. Having workloads spread across the cloud, across users and their home offices brings several architectural challenges that demand ongoing attention. The need for new security solutions Ensuring the security of a company network has always been a challenge; even more so now the network edge as we know it doesn’t exist anymore. Network administrators are increasingly having to become security experts in addition to their traditional roles. With cyber-attacks growing in number and complexity, organisations need to implement robust network security to protect sensitive business data from attacks, unauthorised access, data breaches and other risks. Remote users need as much, if not more, protection as those in the office building. This is where Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions have proven to be a true game changer. By delivering next-gen firewall functionality in the cloud, they allow granular controls for web traffic for the distributed workforce. Replacing virtual private networks (VPN), SASE technology provides access control and secure connectivity no matter where users are located. It extends networking and security capabilities beyond the physical office boundaries. This gives businesses much more flexibility in how they implement security policies such as Zero Trust, content filtering and threat prevention across locations and remote users. Added to this, SASE platforms are cloud managed and highly scalable. This means organisations don’t have to Chris Mckie, VP, product marketing security and networking solutions, Kaseya www.kaseya.com Networking: solving architectural challenges FEATURES 38FEATURES 39Next >