Move your Data to the Network, Not your Network to the Data

November 2, 2009 by varidion Leave a Comment

The Enterprise CIO now understands the value of new world Cloud based applications, so why are they still installing old world network topologies to deliver these?  As many companies start to build their own Cloud infrastructures they are hindered by low speed and high latency environments that can not meet the demands of today’s high performance virtualised environments.  Not only that; the traditional three tier infrastructure model implemented by most enterprises is exactly what you should not be installing to support an Enterprise Cloud environment.

Applications have changed and so have the rules; speak to Varidion about how our Hydra, the Cloud Networking Platform can deliver your applications quicker, cheaper and more securely.

Filed under Application Enabled Networks, Cloud Networking, SaaS, Varidion Tagged with , , , ,

What came first Tar or Ethernet?

October 21, 2009 by varidion Leave a Comment

RoadClearly Tarmacadam.     It has a few years on Ethernet.  The first Tar road was laid in Bagdad circa 8th Centaury AD, a few years before Robert Metcalf and David Boggs published their paper in 1973 outlining a successful Multipoint shared Network running locally at 3Mbp/s.  40 years later, Ethernet Networks are delivering 10Gbp/s allowing CIOs to adopt virtualisation, rich media and ignore network quality as bandwidth is now so plentiful.  While LANs race towards 100Gbp/s the network connectivity that needs to go beyond the LAN has struggled to keep pace, actually local traffic has never been an issue for most, it’s the WAN that’s still expensive and slow

While road construction and technology has clearly changed since the 8th Centaury its what’s happening under them, that’s revolutionizing the world of communications.  Ironically, the solution has been looking telcos literally in the face every day.

Why don’t we run a LAN for longer distances?

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Traditional Ethernet-based networks that have been deployed in enterprise LANs because of their simplicity, low equipment cost, high speed and multivendor interoperability can now be delivered as Ethernet-based WAN services as true replacement to traditional WAN services.  Ethernet services should be the standard for the enterprise; All of the time.  Their simplicity and scalability provides connectivity from 1Mbp/s to 1Gbp/s with no specialized equipment, moreover a single Ethernet WAN pipe can securely provide multiple services such as MPLS, Internet, Voice, Video and Applications brought to you as on-demand services (SaaS).

Sounds expensive I hear you cry….

Therein lies the challenge; it’s more expensive than SDH MPLS, but it’s about total cost of ownership; Ethernet wont need to be upgraded, you can consolidate the “comms pipes” entering you building and remove the need for expensive slow routing equipment.  Quite simply it’s a no brainer.

If you’re looking to upgrade or refresh your network give Varidion a call and discuss the benefits of  Ethernet WAN, and I guarantee the call will save you money…

Filed under Application Enabled Networks, Varidion Tagged with , , ,

Statefull Inspection Swiss Cheese – What’s the Point of your Firewall?

October 20, 2009 by varidion 1 Comment

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Todays Firewalls

I’m sorry to tell you, its got more holes than a Swiss Cheese! Don’t be alarmed…..      most have.

Why?   They’re just simply out of date….

Basically today’s Web 2.0 applications have technology leapfrogged your security infrastructure, so while you diligently close ports and protocols these Net Generation applications choose another port, or better still masquerade as a valid protocol such as HTTPS so your firewall hasn’t a clue. Worried? You should be.

To restore the firewall as the core of your security infrastructure you need to look deeper into the traffic that’s flowing through it, something yesterday’s firewalls simply don’t and can’t do, that was until Nir Zuk one of the inventors of Statefull Inspection Technology headed back to the drawing board…. The outcome, a truly application aware security device that can accurately identify and classify over 900 of the today’s most dynamic applications irrespective of port, protocol but crucially evasion tactic. So finally the Enterprise can adopt Web 2.0 collaboration tools with the piece of mind they can actually control them.

Today, many Enterprises block applications such as Webex, LogMeIn, Yoics and P2P applications for very obvious reasons, again I have bad news, they are in use, you just can’t see them as they look just like valid http and http/s traffic. The facts are stark, in a recent application usage report of 60 large enterprises representing the behavior of 900,000 users, Peer 2 Peer applications were found in 92% of the enterprises, and web based file sharing in 72% of the companies and guess what; 100% had Firewalls and a further 82% had additional devices such as a Proxy, URL filter or an IPS.

Now that’s a great investment! Upgrade your business today speak to Varidion about an application aware network.

Filed under Managed Security, Social Enterprise Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Enterprise 2.0 – Can you afford not to be one?

October 19, 2009 by varidion 1 Comment

Time and time again CIOs and IT managers we speak to claim they believe that Social Networking and Web 2.0 applications deliver their business value but when further interrogated they cant quantify this.  But the amusing point is… they comment that their corporate security policy prevents access to these anyway, but they know the employee is using them!  So again, security is used an excuse not to adopt something businesses simply don’t understand….

In the recent McKinsey Report: Building the Web 2.0 Enterprise the facts are stark, more and more companies are using Web 2.0 applications within their businesses but crucially they are seeing real benefits.  Of the 1,500 CIOs surveyed during the report a key swing was noted; web based tools usage reduced to 58% from 70%, so what are people using?  Wikis and RSS both saw double-digit growth but the prize goes to Blogs, a huge 61% increase on the previous year. The survey also shows that the use of these tools is both intense and wide-ranging.  Companies report that they are using Web 2.0 both within and outside their walls and they forge tighter links with customers and suppliers and engage employees more successfully.

Also fundamental changes are beginning to take place among companies as a result of their ambitious use of Web 2.0.  These companies are not only using more technologies but also leveraging them to change management practices and organizational structures.  Some are taking steps to open their corporate “ecosystems” by encouraging customers to join them in developing products and by using new tools to tap distributed knowledge, but the key fact is simple; those who have adopted these tools see them delivering a competitive advantage and they will allow them to become more aggressive in the marketplace against their rivals.

Can you afford not to be a 2.0 Enterprise?

Filed under Social Enterprise, Varidion Tagged with , , , ,

Building a web 2.0 business

October 12, 2009 by varidion Leave a Comment

How important is the new world for web 2.0 content to a new startup business? Give me a few years and I’ll let you know. David Macfarlane and Alex Ayers, the founding Directors of Varidion Limited have  are creating a Cloud Networking business based on the principals of Web2.0.  The venture will deliver Network Centric Applications and services to today’s enterprises who are struggling with both technical and operational challenges of providing and supporting next generation applications & cloud networking

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