Riverbed SteelConnect

2017

Testing of the SD-WAN-solution SteelConnect, joint with AMT Group

The companies AMT Group Riverbed announced also on September 12, 2017 completion of joint testing of the solution Riverbed SteelConnect proceeding within two months. Within testing solution integration SD-WAN with a traditional data network was carried out that allowed to define and work methods of step-by-step implementation and migration. The tests which were carried out in the conditions of simulation of real operating conditions showed a maturity of SD-WAN technology and its readiness for implementation on networks of average and big corporate customers.

Test infrastructure

Testing took place based on own laboratory "AMT Group" where the demonstration SteelConnect stand which is completely emulating standard KSPD was created. Test infrastructure was provided by the network integrating head office with two user border gateways and three branches: the first with two border gateways and switches, the second — with two border gateways and access point, the third — with one border gateway with the built-in module Wi-fi.

Were tested on different models of the equipment Riverbed SteelConnect (SDI-GW130W, SDI-GW330, SDI-GW1030, SDI-S24, SDI-AP5) under control of the local central SD-WAN — SteelConnect Manager controller.

The tested characteristics

Within testing specialists tested the main functional characteristics of the solution SD-WAN including technologies which provide fault tolerance of network, intellectual balancing of traffic between different WAN connections, automation of VPN tunnels, information security, scalability, mechanisms of fast deployment of new nodes (Zero Touch Provisioning). Integration opportunities of the solution SteelConnect on interface to classical KSPD and possibilities of determination the politician of access between network segments at the level of DPC and regional offices were in addition checked.

Testing results

Testing showed that the operability of KSPD remains even at emergency situations — a hardware failure, the controller, communication channels and overloads on network. Besides, specialists managed to integrate traditional KSPD with SD-WAN by setup of the routing protocols BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) and mechanisms of tunneling.

The SD-WAN market actively develops, but the technology is still perceived by customers as the successful marketing concept. Demonstrations and tests the decisions of SteelConnect passed by our specialists prove that already now it is possible to pass from the theory to practice and to considerably increase the level of automation of KSPD — Vladimir Leonov, the technical director of AMT Group said. — Cooperation with Riverbed allowed our engineers to study the solution SteelConnect and to confirm examination with obtaining the certified status.

SD-WAN is a next step in evolution of automation of corporate networks — Sergey Kozlov, the head of technical department of Riverbed Technology in Russia and the CIS added. — Partnership with AMT Group allowed us to show some of the first in Russia possibilities of technology and to develop practical recommendations about its implementation in the organizations with a wide branch network, typical for the Russian geography.

Orange selected SteelConnect as the platform for SD-WAN

On March 16, 2017 Orange Business Services announced joint plans with Riverbed Technology concerning SteelConnect. To provide to customers SD-WAN service, the Orange Business Services company intends to include Riverbed SteelConnect technology in structure of the complex offer for the organization of hybrid networks.

The companies jointly develop virtualization of network functions (VNF) which customers will be able independently to unroll on the general virtual client purpose equipment (uCPE). At the same time the compatibility with the operating services as the enterprises transfer the applications to a cloud environment will be provided.

The SD-WAN technology offered by Riverbed company offers the intellectual and simplified design approach, to creation and management of hybrid networks. Routing of traffic in real time using optimal channels increases performance of applications. The solution SteelConnect also supports automatic installation of parameters of the equipment (Zero-touch provisioning, ZTP) that allows the enterprises to configure global networks with simple mechanisms of management that leads to cost reduction and increase in satisfaction of users.

Customers will be able to be connected in the 2nd quarter 2017 within pilot testing. It is planned that virtualization of network functions (VNF) will be available at the end of 2017. Finally, clients will receive complete virtualization and approval of the help of the simple self-service portal allowing to execute administrative transactions and also to define priorities of applications.

The service is based on the Riverbed Enterprise Application Management (EAM) managed service for cloud services, available in Orange Business VPN Galerie – the platform of access to the directory of the business applications provided according to the SaaS model through the protected VPN channel.

Historically it developed that Orange Business Services and Riverbed companies densely cooperate and jointly develop network and cloud computing. Riverbed is our key partner, and we together with them work to integrate SD-WAN technology into our networks. It should give to our customers still big freedom of choice and simplicity in management of network infrastructure. Pierre-Louis Biaggi, vice president of division of Business Connections Orange Business Services

With integration of our SD-WAN-solution SteelConnect into the complex offer of Orange for hybrid networks, both of our companies continue the joint development directed to acceleration of implementation of services as the answer to quickly changing customers needs, the applications and services transferring increasing number in a cloud. We are ready to a bigger acceleration of the market, respectively we are ready to use more technologies from our joint portfolio. Also we study cooperation options, one of which can be a Platform of Provision of services announced this year on Mobile World Congress. Phil Harris, senior vice president and general manager of Vertical service provider of Riverbed company

Riverbed SteelConnect updating

On February 9, 2017 the Riverbed Technology company provided Riverbed SteelConnect product update. The SD-WAN-solution supports connection to cloud networks Microsoft Azure now "in one click".

One of problems of long-term partnership of Riverbed and Microsoft is providing users with quick and reliable access to applications and data, irrespective of their location. Trouble-free integration of Microsoft Azure with Riverbed SteelConnect allows us to take one more step forward in the solution of this task due to ensuring the simple, instant and protected connection to a cloud. Paul O'Farrell, senior vice president and CEO of SteelConnect, SteelHead and SteelFusion business divisions of Riverbed company

The modern companies continue to take advantages of Microsoft Azure to improvement of efficiency and scalability of work and receiving economic benefits. Riverbed SteelConnect is the specialized SD-WAN-solution which automates safer connection, increases flexibility and improves client experience in general. Ross Ortega, manager with Microsoft partners of Azure

SteelConnect supports "smart" approach to the organization, implementation of distributed networks and management by them, due to connection to Azure " cloud environments in one click". This first and the only solution SD-WAN in the industry providing performance for all users due to unification and optimization of delivery of applications on hybrid networks WAN, remote networks LAN and cloud networks.

2016: Riverbed SteelConnect

In May, 2016 the company Riverbed Technology specializing in creation of products for ensuring performance of applications announced Riverbed SteelConnect exit — SD-WAN of the solution. To provide performance and flexibility which the organizations especially need SteelConnect applies to applications of policy, based on business requirements and tasks. SteelConnect is the solution integrating unified communication environment and management of delivery of applications on hybrid WAN networks, remote networks LAN and cloud environments AWS and Microsoft Azure.

Using completely integrated family of safe WAN gateways, remote LAN switches and access points of Wi-fi, control of which is exercised on a centralized basis via the cloud console with the intuitive graphical user interface, SteelConnect simplifies and arranges process of designing, implementation and management of distributed networks. It allows the organizations to upgrade the network architecture and to fully implement the potential of digital transformation.

"The market endures one of the largest conversions for all history: the organizations implement all new and new digital and cloud services in an expedited manner and pass to cloud networks — Gerry M. Kennelli, the chairman of the board of directors and the chief executive officer of Riverbed company says. — Unfortunately, traditional approaches to management of distributed networks and routings — using the equipment, difficult programming, nonflexible and subject to errors — changed a little for the last 20 years. We are sure that SteelConnect has a sufficient potential to make a revolution in the multi-billion market of routers for branches and qualitatively to transform the network world in comparison with what we know it today. SteelConnect is the solution for software-defined networks with "DNA" of the products Riverbed for performance of applications. Industry-leading means of ensuring of visibility of work are integrated into it. It provides adaptivity, simplicity and speed which are necessary for the modern organizations for management of difficult cloud and hybrid computing architectures".

According to forecasts of analysts of the industry, there is a huge saved-up need for new and more perfect approaches to creation of networks. According to Gartner, by the end of 2019 the prevalence of SD-WAN technology in the organizations should grow from today's indicator in less than 1% to 30%. According to forecasts of IDC, the world market of SD-WAN will grow from an indicator in less than 225 million US dollars in 2015 to more than 6 billion US dollars to 2020 ^[1]

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