Connecting the Cloud with On Demand Infrastructure: A New Model for Networking
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Global networking needs a new model for connecting the cloud. Traditional networking models do not match the needs or expectations of cloud-focused businesses. Today, network infrastructure needs the same flexible and dynamic characteristics that we see in cloud services. When the network is flexible and dynamic, the industry can move beyond a point-to-point destination-to-destination approach. Cloud-focused data centre businesses and enterprise customers need network services to evolve and be completely tailored to the cloud ecosystem. Network infrastructure must mirror the simplicity, agility and efficiency of the cloud or face becoming obsolete or useless to users. The future is on-demand network infrastructure that is focused on supporting cloud services that deliver the performance, quality of service (QoS) and agility demanded by data centre operators and enterprises globally. When access to network infrastructure is simple, secure, agile and on demand, it creates new possibilities for cloud service providers, data centre providers, enterprise customers and ultimately end users.
The future is on-demand network infrastructure that is focused on supporting cloud services that deliver the performance, QoS and agility demanded by data centre operators and enterprises globally.
Cloud Disconnect There is a disconnect between network infrastructure and the cloud services it is enabling. Traditional network services were delivered in a model that suited two applications: voice and data. They evolved into better and more efficient ways to deliver voice and data, which met customer expectations at the time and improved on existing ways of doing business. The model worked because the user needs were simple and required little in terms of performance or flexibility. Gradually, these services were delivered with very little differentiation and as the market has seen, rapid price erosion. But the model worked. Growth in cloud has changed all that and customer needs have grown from basic connectivity to demanding full cloud-enablement platforms. Cisco Systems forecasts global cloud IP traffic will grow at a CAGR of 32% between 2013 and 2018. Global cloud IP traffic will account for more than 76% of total data centre traffic by 2018. That’s more than a disruption in the market. That’s an evolutionary change, which has yet to be reflected in global networking architectures. It is obvious that cloud is the future for data centre operators as well as enterprises but as a core component of the cloud ecosystem the network needs to catch up. So what is missing from networking today? It is a friction-free experience when connecting, procuring, managing and delivering infrastructure that supports cloud services. Data centre operators and enterprises are faced with a complex market that is time and resource-intensive to navigate and ultimately is not completely tailored to meet their needs.
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A Friction-Free Experience Global connectivity does not need to be treated as separate from the cloud ecosystem. Networking access to cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Softlayer or Google Cloud Platform can be streamlined with some basic components. When networking is integrated into the cloud ecosystem then enterprises can have friction-free access to these platforms and support the growth of cloud services in their business knowing the network is available, secure and scalable. In the case of data centre operators, it can be seamlessly integrated as the fifth component to their cloud offering following powered shells, data centre suites, co-location services and custom solutions. That accelerates their ability to sell and deliver complete solutions to enterprise customers and extend the reach of their solutions.
Global connectivity does not need to be treated as separate from the cloud ecosystem. Networking access to cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Softlayer or Google Cloud Platform can be streamlined with some basic components.
The Key Components: Portals and APIs Procurement and management of global network infrastructure must move online. Just as the buying and selling of goods and services in other industries leverage eCommerce-based customer experiences, network infrastructure procurement can be web-based. That gives customers and suppliers the ability to rapidly provision services and move beyond the largely email and phone call-based procurement of today. The advantage of web portals and APIs are that they enable anywhere, anytime purchasing and adjustment of network services. This gives cloud-based businesses a familiar level of transparency into active connections, service quality, service level agreements (SLAs), pricing, and even Google Maps-based visibility of enterprise locations and destinations. The portal is also just a starting point when APIs can be offered to developers who can use them to integrate and develop new applications and services. This opens up opportunities to innovate on top of existing portals and provide even greater utility to data centre operators and enterprises.
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Automation If network services are enabled by a portal or an API, provisioning must be supported by new levels of automation on a global scale. Automation is key to network agility and providing cloud services with the flexibility to grow and scale. Networks that do not have automation as a centrepiece of their model still rely on human intervention and often have long delivery times. This slows the rollout of cloud services and takes the control away from the user. Automation is about giving users the ability to adjust and scale services rapidly and removing the limits or barriers to customising and shaping network services to meet their specific business needs. When a portal is in place and is supported by automation on a global scale, network infrastructure can be accessed and provisioned the same way you buy cloud services from providers like Amazon Web Services. It matches the agility available in other services and aligns networking with the cloud world.
Security and QoS To harness the full power of the cloud, the network needs to cater for hybrid cloud scenarios, offering the full combination of public IP access and private Ethernet WAN with QoS and visibility for full secure network control. Matching the right access technology with the right network architecture creates the robust environment enterprises and cloud service providers are looking for.
QoS
Application performance is critical in today’s cloud offerings as well as real-time visibility into network performance, such as latency, jitter, throughput are all vital components to provider a fully assured solution.
On Demand Infrastructure The final piece of the puzzle is true end-to-end connectivity from enterprise location or data centre sites to destinations around the world. On demand infrastructure requires a platform that brings together networks from a variety of providers and enables them to be accessed via a single relationship. When networks are preconnected to a single platform, the data centre operator or enterprise can build their own networks and connect users to different clouds wherever they may be in the world. On demand infrastructure delivered with this model is simple and efficient. It doesn’t require procurement teams to build relationships with service providers around the world or understanding local market dynamics and pricing. They can simply use the portal to access all the available infrastructure in the world from a web browser. It is particularly time and cost efficient when connecting enterprise locations, as the access network can be complex to manage and maintain globally. On demand infrastructure with preconnected networks removes this requirement and simplifies it into just mouse clicks.
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How Does It Work in the Real World? So far, there are two ways that this networking model for cloud can be delivered. It can be used in a channel model via a data centre operator selling to enterprises, or delivered directly to enterprises. In the case of a data centre operator, the platform can be white-labelled then sold to their customers as a complete service wrap leveraging their own branding and relationships. It allows the data centre operator to position itself as a provider of complete cloud infrastructure and act as a bridge between enterprises, their cloud services and global connectivity. One physical connection to the platform can enable the data centre’s customers to connect to multiple cloud service providers through a virtual LAN connection. The data centre operator becomes the critical infrastructure provider and supporter of the enterprises cloud services globally. This is a privileged position and can create sustainable high-margin opportunities for the data centre operator. It increases customer stickiness as well as a meaningful differentiator when competing for new business. For enterprise customers, they can access cloud infrastructure in the same way they access other cloud services. They simply engage the platform provider and log-in. Access can be given to multiple users with varying levels of control over the enterprise’s infrastructure and they are ready to manage their infrastructure globally.
In the case of a data centre operator, the platform can be white-labelled then sold to their customers as a complete service wrap leveraging their own branding and relationships.
For enterprise customers, they can access cloud infrastructure in the same way they access other cloud services.
This reduces their reliance on traditional network providers and they gain the advantage of being able to quickly scale up services globally. As with any cloud-based service, it can be delivered with an opex-driven pricing model that does not require long-term commitments. That frees up the enterprise to scale services up or down as they are needed, driving cost efficiency and increasing the flexibility of their infrastructure. These types of disruptive pricing models give the enterprise new levels of control, which is good news for any CIO managing budgets while trying to get the most out of their infrastructure.
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Sustain Evolution This is only the first step in the next-generation of connectivity and cloud services. Once this new model is applied within the enterprise there will be freedom to develop and grow cloud services with foundation in flexible on demand infrastructure. Cloud connectivity will evolve with new cloud services being incorporated, new partnerships developing and enterprises seeing that networking does not need to be a pain point. It can be an advantage and differentiator within their businesses. As platforms and portals evolve, users will be able to see network quality and performance in real-time and be able to troubleshoot any issues that might pop up. With real-time network monitoring built into the portal, users will have one central control panel for their entire network infrastructure and be able to push cloud innovations even further. Visibility and transparency mean that the control is in the hands of the user and they can see how well their network is supporting their cloud services. This will be key to the development of new services and the overall evolution of cloud. Guaranteed quality increases opportunities for innovation and removes the limits on what cloud services can do for an enterprise.
This is only the first step in the next-generation of connectivity and cloud services. Once this new model is applied within the enterprise there will be freedom to develop and grow cloud services with a foundation in flexible on demand infrastructure.
It also will show the way forward for the rapid rollout of the Internet of Things and accelerate the delivery of complex and global applications. It is too complex, time consuming and awkward to do it any other way. When network infrastructure mirrors the cloud services it delivers, it will accelerate the deployment of the Internet of Things and expand the possibilities of networked world. The first step is changing the networking model and supporting cloud connectivity with a fully integrated global platform.
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The Right Mind Set, the Right Platform Since day one at Epsilon, we’ve been giving customers the simplest way to procure and manage global connectivity. For more than 10 years, we have been supporting service providers as they deliver voice and data. Today, we are connecting clouds. While it may be a big change for the industry, the shift in the market has made us realise where we really add value and that it is in keeping it simple. Throughout our evolution, it has been about finding new ways to deliver services with the simplest and most efficient model possible. We have never been a traditional provider and we think this helps us as cloud reshapes the market. Our business doesn’t have a legacy that is deeply entrenched in one way of doing business. We’ve always seen ourselves as not just a different kind of business but a business that is ready for change. Over the last few years, we’ve launched innovation products like our eCommerce platform eCX, a precursor to our cloud platform. eCX allowed us to gain experience in creating new levels of transparency into global pricing whilst automating the provisioning of bandwidth, showing us how limited traditional network infrastructure models are and how barriers come down when provisioning is web-based. One of our greatest achievements was seeing a service provider in Southeast Asia provision services in West Africa with no prior relationships or knowledge of pricing in the market. It was friction-free and simple and it made a difference in their business. Similarly, we’ve launched Cataleya, a subsidiary focused on developing intelligent networking equipment. This has enabled us to integrate new levels of performance and visibility into our platform. That supports quality of service and experience for cloud services with visibility end-to-end from the network to application layers. Throughout our journey, we have been preparing to serve the kinds of demands that are emerging in the market today. Culturally, we have focused our business on the cloud and done the heavy lifting to ensure that our teams have the right mind set not just the right platform to succeed in servicing enterprises and data centre operators. We really believe that a better connected cloud is essential to the future and to the future of our customers.
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About Epsilon Epsilon provides connectivity and infrastructure outsourcing solutions to Communications, Applications, Content and Cloud service providers globally. We have the network infrastructure, intelligence and expertise to deliver connectivity and communications services that support our customers’ success. Our underlying network infrastructure, intelligent application layers and industry expertise enables our customers to seamlessly deliver mission critical, high performance applications and communications services globally. We offer a wide range of communications infrastructure services from network connectivity, co-location or data centre services and system integration through to an eCommerce platform for buying and selling of network services. Our networking solutions leverage our 500+ carrier relationships with coverage in 170 countries. www.epsilontel.com
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