Network edge solutions

Enhancing performance with network edge solutions

A growing number of enterprises are embracing computing at the network edge. By shifting information processing and content collection from centralized data centers to sources at the edge of the network, enterprises can reduce latency, improve performance, heighten security and enhance user experiences.

While edge networking offers overarching benefits to users and organizations, it also increases complexity for IT teams. Security is more difficult as IT environments become more distributed and as users connect to the network with a variety of personal devices. Managing edge networking is a challenge as well, as IT teams often lack visibility into highly distributed networks and edge locations and devices. And ensuring that users, devices and applications have access to high-speed connectivity and the ideal amount of bandwidth they need can be a massive and time-consuming undertaking.

Network edge solutions from Spectrum Enterprise can help. With managed platforms that combine tools and services for networking and security, Spectrum Enterprise network edge solutions enable IT teams to maintain secure, reliable and efficient edge networks that deliver superior digital experiences at any scale.

The challenges of managing the network edge

Superior network edge solutions must address a number of challenges that arise as organizations invest more heavily in edge infrastructure.

Securing the network

The network edge is, by definition, highly distributed. Application data may reside in hundreds of locations, SD-WAN infrastructure may connect thousands of sites, and users may connect to the network with a multitude of personal devices. Protecting data, controlling access and thwarting attacks in this environment requires new kinds of network edge solutions.

Supporting the hybrid workforce

Much of the acceleration toward edge networking is a response to the growing number of employees working outside the traditional office. Work-from-home employees, remote workers and road warriors must be able to access cloud applications and IT resources in order to stay productive no matter where they go. Delivering fast, secure access from any location, on any device, at any time is imperative.

Delivering exceptional performance

Every application, workload, device and user in an edge network will have different requirements for connectivity and bandwidth. To ensure optimal performance for all, IT teams need network edge solutions that can automatically route traffic to achieve optimal performance and to minimize latency.

Simplifying management

The more distributed an edge network becomes, the less visibility IT teams may have into activity, performance and threats. Tasks like managing configuration and applying patches can become incredibly time-consuming and complex. IT teams need network edge solutions that can simplify and automate many aspects of network edge management while delegating unwanted tasks to a team of experts through managed services.

Spectrum Enterprise offers two managed platforms that can solve these challenges with superior network edge solutions: Enterprise Network Edge and Managed Network Edge. 

Enterprise Network Edge

For large-scale organizations transitioning to a hybrid network architecture with advanced SD-WAN technologies, Enterprise Network Edge delivers the performance, secure networking and control to meet enterprise demands. This all-inclusive platform – delivered via the Fortinet technology – is ideal for enterprises with demanding network and security requirements. Enterprise Network Edge simplifies IT operations with security, SD-WAN and LAN switch options, helping organizations achieve the highest performance standards and network edge security.

Enterprise Network Edge offers:

• Industry-leading security. Managed security services ensure that security policies and technologies are always up-to-date. This Spectrum Enterprise solution utilizes the industry’s only purpose-built ASIC design to accelerate SD-WAN performance and enhance WAN edge security.
• Multiple connectivity options. Spectrum Enterprise offers a variety of reliable solutions, including Dedicated Fiber Internet, LTE, broadband and Ethernet. Enterprise Network Edge is compatible with multiple carriers and is agnostic when it comes to connectivity, making it possible to combine multiple public and private network connections.
• Flexible management. IT teams can deploy Enterprise Network Edge as a fully managed or co-managed service, allowing teams to retain control over certain areas while leaving the rest to Spectrum Enterprise experts.
• Support for remote workforces. Enterprise Network Edge can deliver a seamless and secure experience across devices for up to 50,000 mobile or remote professionals.
• Scalable performance. IT teams can expand services and bandwidth as business requirements change, accessing SD-WAN for 10,000 branches and providing connectivity with up to 100 Gbps throughput.

Managed Network Edge

Spectrum Enterprise Managed Network Edge is a modular, all-in-one solution that simplifies the deployment and management of an organization’s network. Delivered with the Cisco Meraki platform, Managed Network Edge seamlessly integrates equipment, security technology, internet, networking and edge fiber solutions, all managed through an intuitive, cloud-based portal.

Features include:

• Security and routing capabilities with intelligent routing, stateful firewall, URL content filtering, Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), intrusion detection and prevention, automated updates, one-click policy deployment, client VPN and more.
• SD-WAN with a complete, virtualized edge WAN service with the ability to control traffic flows, improve network resiliency and enhance bandwidth efficiency.
• Managed Wi-Fi that delivers higher density and throughput along with reliable coverage as required by demanding business applications.
• Switching functionality, including basic L2 to high-performance L3 switching for voice and video quality of service (QOS), dynamic routing, enterprise security and Layer 7 app visibility.
• Smart cameras that deliver the ability to dynamically and retroactively select areas of interest in a video stream, set custom alerts when motion is detected, export video segments and store footage in the cloud.

Why choose Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions for America’s largest businesses and communications service providers. Our portfolio includes a broad range of services and solutions for enterprise networking and communications: fiber-based internet services, cloud-based security, managed networking, TV services, voice and unified communications and much more.

With Spectrum Enterprise, customers can count on:

• Dependability and reliability. Our wholly owned fiber network spans over 245,000+ fiber-route miles nationwide and offeroffers a 100% guarantee uptime service-level agreement (SLA).¹
• Flexibility and scalability. Our solutions evolve easily to meet new opportunities and rapidly changing business requirements.
• A trusted partner. Our dedicated team members bring a tireless work ethic, unmatched commitment and hands-on local support to every customer engagement.

FAQs

What is the network edge?

The network edge is where local area networks (LANs) or devices like desktop computers, smart phones, Internet of things devices, virtual machines and servers connect to the nternet.

What are network edge solutions?

To improve performance and reduce latency within their networks, organizations today are moving computing resources like data processing and data storage to the edge of the network, where they are closer to the users, devices, applications and workloads that need to access the data. Network edge solutions are technologies that help IT teams to manage their edge networks for better performance, greater resiliency and stronger security.

¹100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.