IT talk: The latest innovation driving enterprise networking and infrastructure simplicity

It's a tricky time for IT professionals: The workplace is increasingly going mobile — employees are using their phones, laptops and tablets to access company networks, which presents a few challenges for IT teams, chief among them security risks and increasing network demands.

These challenges are exacerbated by the influx of data-draining technologies such as video and streaming services, commonplace in many workplaces today, which place even more strain on enterprise networks. Increasingly, IT teams are seeking solutions to simplify the networking process so that they don’t have to manage both wired and wireless performance.

One option is to converge services in campus networks that leverage software-defined networking. Below is a quick primer on merging wireless and wired networks.

Merging wireless and wired

It makes little sense in today’s quickly evolving, increasingly "high-def" world for businesses to employ disparate sets of policies for wired and wireless network access — especially when offices are introducing new devices and connected tech to the workplace on a regular basis. Inefficient and outdated networks can lead to frustration and difficulty troubleshooting when problems arise, and may impede employee productivity if technical difficulties prohibit day-to-day efficacy. As businesses shift their focus to concentrate on the growing trend of mobile, it's easy for IT to become overwhelmed.

Businesses need to build their networks in a coherent fashion; it’s prudent to consider adopting a solution that allows for a single point of control for both wired and wireless networks.

What services are converging in campus networks?

A campus network that leverages converged network services distributed at the edge delivers security and scalability for the business. These networks leverage a unified wired and wireless network structure and a single-pane of glass management that encompasses network access control for users.

A few of the advantages of a campus network that leverages converged services include:

• Dynamic and adaptable: Allow for growth and adaptability for future workplace innovations and increased numbers of mobile devices — challenges that antiquated networks may not easily address. This leads to increased cost-effectiveness, as IT teams are able to more efficiently keep up with network demand on an as-needed basis.
• Directly programmable and centrally managed: IT has a central point of control and can more easily adjust and troubleshoot. While network visibility can often be a "black hole," these types of unified, dynamic solutions act as a probe to report back any issues or optimization suggestions without IT needing to scrutinize networks 24/7.
• Minimizes complexity: Augments enterprise infrastructure for higher levels of security as well as fast and reliable connectivity. It eliminates the need for separate policies and networks for wired versus wireless networks.
• More efficient on-boarding of new employees: When networking is simplified, it's easier to get new employees up to speed and on-boarded to their respective teams in a shorter amount of time than when separate policies and networks are in place.
• Easier to introduce new devices: New technologies are entering the workplace at lightning speed (before too long, employees will be sporting smart watches at work). With an up-to-date and simplified solution such as a software-defined networking, IT has more flexibility to adapt to new and innovative technologies.
• Generally easier to streamline: A single point of control can make your IT team's lives easier, as well as cut costs associated with troubleshooting and time spent on network management. And when your enterprise's IT is running smoothly, technical issues are less likely to become an impediment to employee productivity.

As the workplace becomes more reliant upon connected devices, it's crucial for enterprises to employ simple and viable networking solutions — your employees (and your IT team) will thank you.

How does your enterprise address networking complexity? Tell us in the comments.