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What a Modern Cloud-Managed Network Should Offer Users

Current security risks that include the possibility of unauthorized access to company data and IT systems can result in a decline in business operations, even the destruction of business with key clients. At the same time, the growing pressure on IT staff due to increased support demands jeopardizes the quality of customer service and employee productivity. In such an environment, an outdated network environment increases the decline in the efficiency of the entire organization, and in the event of a serious system failure, it can threaten the existence of the company. Due to such a significant impact on business operations, upgrading the network environment is a priority for most medium and large companies.

Is your network reliable?

Automated monitoring and fine-tuning of the network can detect and predict difficulties in network configuration and resolve them before they turn into real problems. A next-generation network brings tools to limit user access to applications and IT resources as needed, thereby avoiding security incidents and increasing the availability and accessibility of the network and IT systems. More than 90% of respondents in the network system renewal expect improvements in the availability and performance of the Wi-Fi network, and every second expects improvements in network throughput and the speed of IT systems in general.

Are you managing the network efficiently?

If your IT team is overburdened with regular maintenance of the network environment and services, they will not focus enough on supporting business needs and priorities. Due to the challenging labor market situation, it is difficult to solve the problem by hiring additional people. One of the benefits of a modern network environment is the reduction of the IT team’s burden on maintenance tasks. A network where it is easy to launch a new location without extensive preparation and equipment programming can save valuable time for the IT team and transfer part of the work to less experienced members of the organization without specific IT skills. A modern network allows routine maintenance and repair tasks to be performed faster and more easily, providing insights into the entire network and all key metrics that ensure it is correct and functional.

What is an AI network and how can it help you?

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Tomislav Lukačević, HPE Aruba Networking and Servers Presales Consultant

Before the term AI Networking, Gartner introduced the term AIOps. The AIOps concept is the use of large data sets (big data) and machine learning to automate IT processes such as event correlation, anomaly detection in systems, and establishing causal relationships between events. Since this is a very general term that sometimes does not include network systems, Gartner introduced the term AI Networking. AI Networking is a subset of AIOps that defines more efficient daily (Day 2) management of network systems. It brings intelligence and automation to network systems for easier insights and faster responses to network problems, as well as preventing the emergence of network problems using artificial intelligence. This way of operating a network is becoming increasingly important due to the growth of cloud services (cloud), IoT solutions and devices, users with multiple devices on the network, and multiple employee locations and remote work.

HPE Aruba Networking Central

HPE Aruba Networking Central is a versatile, complete cloud solution based on microservices. It enables simplicity as well as scalability of modern IT operations. It provides a central point for configuration, management, and monitoring of all aspects of the network: wired, wireless, WAN, VPN, data centers, remote locations, remote workers. Aruba Central supports network administrators with proactive monitoring of network performance, a reporting system, and mechanisms for quickly addressing network issues. Intuitive modules that simplify the resolution of complex tasks provide a seamless network experience:

• Network and Client Health and Assurance – provides insights into the entire network and deep insights into individual network locations with information about devices, configuration and performance of devices, status, connectivity, physical location, data connections.

• Application Health – monitoring the status of applications, prioritizing critical services based on workplace, device, or location. Unified communication and collaboration (UCC) analytics provide a unique view of the performance of VoIP applications such as Zoom, Slack, Teams. The system additionally dynamically selects the best route for accessing SaaS applications that are a priority for you.

• User and Device Authentication – Cloud Auth, a cloud-native solution for network access control for wired and wireless networks. IT administrators can choose the authentication method, e.g., using MAC addresses or user and device authentication by integrating with popular cloud identity stores such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Azure Active Directory and assigning an appropriate level of access to the network. Users can also use a captive portal as a simple authorization for network access. Traffic overview, access request review, and other platform features help IT continuously improve and enhance security procedures.

• User Experience Insight – Aruba UXI provides precise insights into user experience and application performance through continuous monitoring and testing of the network from the user’s perspective using specialized devices/sensors. The solution is applicable across all industries: from improving employee user experience, servicing clients and visitors in hotels, institutions to warehouse operations.

More information is available at https://bit.ly/ArubaUserExperienceInsight.

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Aruba Central

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The Internet of Things or IoT

Aruba WiFi 6 access points support multiple IoT technologies, so users of Aruba network infrastructure already have a wide range of IoT applications available.

In this way, you reduce costs and complexity by eliminating the need for additional equipment that would be required to connect IoT devices. It is important to emphasize that you also reduce exposure to potential security vulnerabilities in the environment and have an overview of all IoT devices to eliminate IoT blind spots.

IoT Transport for Microsoft Azure easily and securely sends data from IoT sensors to the Azure IoT cloud via Aruba network infrastructure. As part of the Aruba IoT program for technology partners, you have interoperability and certified solutions that enable IT and OT teams to best respond to your business needs.

Working from Home

The growing need to enable working from home brings new demands on the network. If the network infrastructure is not ready for these demands, users complain about unreliable access, and insufficient monitoring increases security risks. Aruba Central addresses these potential threats and enables IT to identify challenges and ensure reliable access to business services for employees working from home.

More about Aruba Central at https://bit.ly/ArubaNetworkingCentral.

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