The five top network trends in 2020
The role of the IT network is changing. Traditional network models can no longer keep up with the pace of innovation that companies need. We highlight the top trends this year.
When it comes to networks, the current top trends are automation, WiFi 6 and 5G, autonomous networks with artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as sensors, multi-domain and finally the breakthrough of SD-WAN as the standard. The new network must adapt to new technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Let's look at the issues in detail.
Please do everything automatically
Traditionally, networks are maintenance-intensive and require numerous manual interventions. It will be a while before everything actually happens automatically, but the trend towards automation is unstoppable. Automation platforms already exist, but there have been interoperability issues, function parity issues, and even cultural issues as many traditional network engineers see their jobs at risk.
Providers integrate automation into their platforms - not just as an additional feature, but as a basis for operating networks. Artificial intelligence and machine learning ensure that networks automatically adapt to new situations.
Traditional networkers will remain in demand, but will have to deal with automation technologies. You will have to do less work yourself and learn more to program.
Fast internet for everyone
5G is currently on everyone's lips. Deutsche Telekom now offers 5G in most federal states and, according to its own information, already reaches 40 million people in Germany. 40 percent of the smartphones sold in China in June 2020 already support 5G. But consumers will primarily benefit from 5G initially, while Wi-Fi 6 will be more important for businesses in the near future.
The new smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers are Wi-Fi 6 enabled, and Wi-Fi 6 access points are currently being implemented for businesses and consumers.
5G is not yet an ultra-high-speed connection and will only develop its full potential in the coming years. But first, a lot of high-speed wireless traffic will move to Wi-Fi networks.
This is supported by the introduction of new frequency bands such as the “millimeter wave” spectrum (24 GHz to 100 GHz) for ultra-fast 5G with a short range and the CBRS spectrum with around 3.5 GHz.
The network as an intelligent sensor
Companies have begun to use their networks for more than just data transfer. Now they are also used to perceive their surroundings.
With software that is able to profile and classify the devices, endpoints and applications (even if they are sending fully encrypted data), the network will be able to automatically place the devices into virtual networks, the correct set of rules to activate these devices to protect them and ultimately to detect security problems extremely quickly. Ultimately, the systems will be able to resolve problems on their own, or at least submit their own help desk tickets. This is becoming increasingly important as networks become more complex.
Wireless network devices can also collect data on how people and things move through and use physical spaces - for example, Internet of Things (IoT) devices in a company or medical devices in a hospital. This data can directly help facility owners optimize their physical spaces to increase productivity, facilitate navigation, or even improve retail sales.
SD-WAN is becoming the standard
Employees at many different locations and in the home office are now a reality. This dispersion of connectivity and the growth of multi-cloud networks are causing many companies to convert their networks to SD-WAN technology. Research by market researchers at IDC shows that almost 95% of the companies surveyed assume that they will be using Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) within 24 months.
In the meantime, the major cloud service providers such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google are joining forces with network companies such as Cisco to forge deep partnership connections between network stacks and services.
When it comes to their own WAN solutions, every company works differently. Some companies need on-site security. Smaller companies are more open to getting their security solutions from the cloud via managed services. Many companies will need hybrid solutions that combine elements of traditional on-site control for compliance with cloud-based solutions for flexibility and agility. Security and workloads need to be installed where they meet business needs. This will lead to a growth in the business of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), many more of which are offering SD-WAN as a service.
Multidomain technologies on the march
The next generation of controller-first architectures for network structures enables the uniform management of loosely coupled systems using APIs and defined data structures for communication between devices and between domains. Given the way networks change, there is no other way to deal with the growth and complexity of systems.
