Juniper Networks has announced a cloud-enabled platform, which will allow enterprises and managed service providers to seamlessly create and automate the delivery of branch office networking services on demand. The new solution is a part of Juniper Networks Unite, an agile enterprise cloud architecture that helps companies accelerate the deployment of real-time services and applications across branches incorporating network automation, zero touch provisioning and an open platform. The software suite includes security capabilities to proactively identify and intelligently respond to threats across all branches.
According to the company, with the cloud-enabled branch, distributed businesses will be able to deploy a branch on demand, including software defined (SD)- wide area network (WAN) functionality, as well as advanced premises-based and cloud-delivered security capabilities. This will provide the ability to deliver a consistent and secure user experience across all branch locations. Besides, the SD-WAN functionality is expected to enable enterprises to reduce costs by utilising various network links appropriate for different business applications, without jeopardising the reliability and quality of services.
The cloud-enabled branch offers centralised automation and orchestration across all locations, delivering network services from the data centre or locally on the Juniper Networks NFX250 and Juniper Networks SRX300 platforms. Beyond SD-WAN, multiple network services from Juniper and third parties can be delivered on the NFX250, which integrates computing resources with networking capabilities and can include advanced security.
Juniper’s cloud-enabled branch also includes the following:
- Contrail service orchestration: It is an integrated set of design, automation and orchestration software built on an open framework, which is designed to enable both Juniper and third-party services to be easily supported and integrated with no disruption to the existing applications. As part of Juniper’s complete solution, which includes contrail networking and virtual services such as Juniper Networks vSRX and Juniper Networks vMX, this software allows organisations to roll out the new and customised branch services in a convenient manner.
- NFX series network services platforms: These operate as secure, software-driven, on-premises devices, delivering high-performance functionality for the enterprise with added automation and flexibility to run multiple virtual services.
- Third-party services and applications: These include the ruckus virtual SmartZone controller for wireless local area network (WLAN) and the silver peak virtual appliance for WAN optimisation. In addition, they enable dynamic service creation in an open environment.
