Network modernization is crucial for businesses to stay competitive in today’s digital economy. However, the process can be time-consuming and costly. This blog post will provide actionable steps and real-world examples to help accelerate your network modernization process. By understanding the key drivers of success, identifying the typical elements of a modern network, and utilizing the latest technologies, such as network orchestration and automation, you can modernize your network quickly and cost-effectively.

The increasing use of technology in various business operations and the growing number of connected devices are driving the need for faster and more reliable networks. However, the process of network modernization can be daunting, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the details. How do you know what the key drivers of success are? What are the typical elements of a modern network? How do you utilize the latest technologies to modernize your network quickly and cost-effectively? These are all important questions that need to be answered in order to accelerate your network modernization process.

Understanding the key drivers of success

The first step in accelerating your network modernization process is understanding the key drivers of success. According to a Gartner report, the top drivers of network modernization success are increased agility, reduced costs, and improved security. By focusing on these key drivers, we can ensure that our modernization efforts align with our business’s needs. Increased agility enables businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs, while reduced costs and improved security can help to drive profitability and protect critical business assets.

Identifying the typical elements of a modern network

Once you understand the key drivers of success, the next step is to identify the typical elements of a modern network. A modern network should be flexible, scalable, and secure. It should also be able to support new technologies such as cloud computing and the internet of things (IoT). Flexibility allows the network to adapt to changing business needs, while scalability enables it to handle increasing amounts of data and connected devices. Security is critical to protect against cyber threats and data breaches.

Utilizing the latest technologies

One of the most effective ways to accelerate your network modernization process is by utilizing the latest technologies. For example, software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) can greatly reduce the time and cost of network modernization. These technologies allow for the dynamic provisioning and management of network resources, enabling businesses to respond quickly to changing business needs. SDN and NFV also enable businesses to take advantage of new technologies, such as 5G networks, which provide faster and more reliable connectivity.

Leveraging cloud-based solutions

Another way to accelerate the network modernization process is by leveraging cloud-based solutions. Cloud computing allows businesses to quickly and easily scale their network resources as needed. It also provides a more secure and cost-effective way to manage and store data. Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure provide a wide range of cloud-based solutions that can help businesses modernize their networks quickly and cost-effectively. According to Gartner, by 2025, more than half of enterprise IT spending in key market segments will move towards cloud-based solutions. This highlights the growing trend towards cloud-based solutions in network modernization.

Automation and AI-driven solutions

Automation and AI-driven solutions can also be used to accelerate the network modernization process. Automation can help reduce network management time and cost, while AI-driven solutions can provide real-time insights and recommendations to optimize network performance. Companies such as Cisco and Juniper Networks offer automation and AI-driven solutions that can help businesses modernize their networks quickly and cost-effectively.

The role of network orchestration

Network orchestration plays a crucial role in accelerating the network modernization process. It enables the automation of network provisioning, configuration, and management, which can greatly reduce the time and cost of network modernization. Network orchestration platforms allow businesses to manage their network resources in a centralized and automated manner, streamlining the network management process and freeing up IT resources for more strategic initiatives.

Image Credit : collidu.com – Network orchestration

Network security

Network security is a critical aspect of network modernization. As more and more businesses move their operations online, the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches increases. A modern network should have built-in security features such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and VPNs to protect against cyber threats. Additionally, businesses should implement security best practices such as regular software updates and employee training to ensure that the network remains secure.

Implementing a phased approach

Another way to accelerate the network modernization process is by implementing a phased approach. This means breaking the modernization process down into smaller, manageable stages rather than trying to overhaul the entire network at once. This approach allows businesses to prioritize the most critical areas of the network and focus on them first while minimizing disruption to business operations.

Conducting a network assessment

Before embarking on the network modernization process, it is important to assess the existing network infrastructure thoroughly. This includes identifying any legacy systems or outdated hardware that may be hindering network performance and any potential bottlenecks or areas that may require upgrading. This will help to determine the scope of the modernization project and provide a clear understanding of the current state of the network.

Creating a roadmap for modernization

Once the assessment is complete, businesses should create a roadmap for modernization that outlines the steps that need to be taken to achieve the desired outcome. This roadmap should include a detailed project plan that outlines the timelines, budget, and resources required for the modernization process. The roadmap will also help prioritize the network’s most critical areas and ensure that the modernization efforts are aligned with the overall business goals and objectives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, network modernization is crucial for businesses to stay competitive in today’s digital economy. By understanding the key drivers of success, identifying the typical elements of a modern network, utilizing the latest technologies such as network orchestration and automation, leveraging cloud-based solutions, implementing a phased approach and focusing on network security, businesses can modernize their networks quickly and cost-effectively. It is important to note that the process of network modernization is not a one-time task but rather a continuous effort. The network must be regularly monitored, updated and maintained in order to keep up with the ever-evolving technology and business needs.

FAQs

Q. What is network modernization?

A: Modernizing network infrastructure means replacing legacy systems with more adaptable solutions to handle current and future demands. This includes implementing physical and digital policies, processes, and technologies to improve network security and standardization. It can be a complex and expensive process, but organizations are making the transition to improve operational efficiency and deliver better customer experiences. A 2020 ESG report found that 57% of organizations were either beginning or had already begun network modernization. To improve customer experiences, organizations are adopting modern technologies and processes such as microservice architecture, container environments, cloud-based hosting, and DevOps methodologies.

Q. What are the advantages of network modernization?

A: Modernizing your network infrastructure brings several advantages, such as:

• Faster time-to-market: Modern networks allow for enhanced agility and accelerated revenue by achieving a faster time-to-market for applications and services.
• Improved operational efficiency: Simplifying and modernizing networks enables better management of highly distributed applications and user environments with user-friendly interfaces and simplifying complex tasks.
• Optimized user experience: Modern networks provide a more reliable and seamless experience for end-users, which is crucial for the success of a business.
• Seamless connectivity: Modern networks support a true hybrid cloud or multi-cloud approach and secure, optimized connectivity for remote workers.

Q. What is the future of network modernization?

A: Network modernization is a continuous process that involves updating technologies and infrastructure to improve performance, security, and scalability. In future, we can expect to see greater adoption of software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) for efficient network management. The market for 5G services is set to grow rapidly, with 5G networks providing faster and more reliable connectivity for IoT and cloud-based solutions. Cloud-based networking solutions will also become popular for centralized management and scalability. Overall, the future of network modernization will aim to provide more flexible, efficient, and secure solutions to meet the demands of modern technology.

Q. What does the network modernization market look like?

The network transformation market is projected to experience significant growth, with a CAGR of 41.7% from 2020 to 2027. Partnerships drive this growth among market players to develop and promote next-gen networking solutions, as well as the growing adoption of IT as a Service, Bring Your Own Device policies, and network virtualization. Additionally, the rising demand for increased bandwidth and the need to improve existing networking solutions is also expected to contribute to market growth.

Q. What are the major components of network modernization solutions?
A: The five key components of network modernization solutions include:

1) Software-defined access for an automated user and device policy

2) Hyper-converged core transport network

3) Hyperscale data centers for expanding data demands

4) Applications hosted on agile and scalable solutions

5) Comprehensive cyber security solutions for end-to-end protection and threat management.

These solutions enable efficient network management, increase bandwidth and resources, and provide strong business performance while maintaining compliance and security.