5 Things You Can Do with a Network Switch
how network switchWill it help your enterprise network prepare for emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 6/6E and securely connect new endpoints and applications?
Network switches, which we commonly call Ethernet switches, are certainly nothing new.
Recent product launches and their technological innovations have significantly improved operational efficiency, provided resilience to maintain performance, visibility through built-in analytics, and enhanced security features.
These network switches are single Cloud Management ModelWhen combined with , it is easy to operate and manage, and can prepare for various problems at hand. Unified InfrastructureYou will be able to build .
Here are five ways your network (or Ethernet) switch can help you do more with less.
1. Eliminate management silos with a single cloud management platform.
Deploying, managing, and troubleshooting various types of devices using multiple network management tools requires a significant investment, often at the expense of efficiency. Learning how to use each tool and correlating data and information between them can necessitate multiple software services or additional hardware.
This not only adds complexity and time, but also costs a lot of money.
Network operations would be much simpler if all access switches, core switches, and data center switches could be managed together with WLAN and branch network devices through a unified network management tool.
Integrated cloud managementIt can further streamline/simplify the operating model because it can be managed from anywhere.
2. Simplify network security with automated dynamic segmentation.
Securing network connectivity for wired and wireless users and IoT devices by properly controlling access to corporate resources is crucial, yet complex. While network segmentation is possible using static configurations like VLANs and ACLs, these are manual, error-prone, and difficult to scale.
Use automation to set and enforce user- and device-based policies across your enterprise. Dynamic Segmentation Network security can be significantly enhanced while simplifying the architecture by using Ethernet switches that support this feature.
EVPN-VXLANBy adding support for , you can extend Layer 2 connectivity over existing physical networks to overlay networks, providing even greater operational simplicity and security. network fabricYou may also get .
3. A flexible and always-on network
Because switches provide the foundation of the network, downtime must be minimized.
Core switches in data centers or campuses are designed to simplify operations by providing hardware and software redundancy, as well as to allow software updates without interruption in just a few steps. Live UpgradeIt is designed to provide the same functionality.
The modules, power supply units (PSUs), and fans are hot-swappable, ensuring connectivity for constant operation. In addition, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) If you also duplicate the switch, Wi-Fi 6/6E It also improves the resiliency of key infrastructure devices such as access points.
4. Automated troubleshooting through built-in analysis capabilities
When network problems occur, finding and fixing the cause is one of the most time-consuming tasks for IT departments.
The traditional way is to collect diagnostic information by entering a series of show commands, using network polling, or using various third-party tools.
However, network switches with built-in analytics and cloud management support immediately alert administrators to potential issues. Furthermore, by continuously monitoring the current situation, they can proactively address potential issues and design more intelligently, ultimately reducing costs and improving the user experience.
5. Eliminate fragmentation with a single switch OS available across all environments.
The more diverse the network operating system, the more tedious it becomes for administrators. When a company's network is spread across headquarters, branch offices, and data centers, IT departments often manage multiple network switch operating systems.
Because each environment has different design concepts and policies, multiple operating systems are used in combination. However, because the licensing and operating methods are different for each environment, a separate management process is required.
Switches that use a single OS across the entire portfolio, from the lowest-end Layer 2 access switches to the enterprise core switches, provide administrators with a consistent operating environment, simplified network design, and unified management.
This will dramatically improve IT operations.
These five methods will help network administrators achieve the best of both worlds: improve network performance and security while operating more efficiently and simply.
Aruba offers a single operating system portfolio of Aruba CX switches, which can be configured and managed from a single pane of glass through a cloud management platform called Aruba Central, enabling end-to-end management, operations, and security.
For more detailed information, please refer to the eBook document below.
