At the beginning of 2014, Gartner identified several technology trends to watch in 2014. These included boosted mobile device diversity alongside endpoint management, as well as increasing use of mobile apps. The Internet of Everything – comprised of Wi-Fi enabled appliances and other items – was also highlighted; as was the trend toward software-defined processes.
A number of organizations have already taken advantage of these trends, as well as those that previously emerged. These can include the continued rise of BYOD, the use of wearable devices and the cloud. It seems companies have a range of options to choose from when they look to introduce new initiatives into their network, systems and overall architecture. However, this can create specific pain points for the IT team, especially when it comes to network bandwidth.
Is there enough network bandwidth?
Rick Berens, Ecessa’s sales and engineering team leader, advised that any time a business plans to introduce a new initiative, administrators should first ask themselves, “Do we have enough bandwidth to support this new addition?”
Take wearable devices, for instance. Smartwatches and other gadgets are making their way into the corporate world. As users seek to leverage these for work purposes, it means added endpoints connecting to the network and consuming available bandwidth. If there are not enough network resources available, users will have a hard time using their devices to access applications or cloud materials.
There is an effective solution to address this exact issue, however. Berens noted that effective WAN management – which offers flexibility through additional WAN links – alongside WAN virtualization is a practical way to provide additional resources to support new initiatives. This approach comes as an alternative to solving this problem though an MPLS provider, which will likely bond multiple T1 lines together. WAN virtualization is a much more cost-effective option, and can ensure that there are always resources to support a new technology.
“The increased performance you get with WAN virtualization lets you embrace new initiatives that are being pushed down more freely and more confidently because you know you have the room to expand pretty easily,” Berens said. “If, during the launch [of new initiatives], you realize you don’t have enough bandwidth you have options now to add higher capacity broadband links at a cheaper price or combine several WAN links to reach the bandwidth capacity you need.”