Edge use cases need a 5G and beyond user plane

June 9, 2022 | 342 views

ericsson
Emerging virtual and hybrid private 5G solutions are enabling communication service providers (CSPs) to address a large number of new consumer and enterprise edge use cases. Each of these edge use cases will require a specific network deployment model and edge user plane connectivity. That’s why we’ve designed our 5G edge user plane to tackle five distinct key capabilities: support of flexible network deployments, 3GPP dual-mode support, integrated Gi LAN services, integrated probing with edge analytics and edge exposure enablement. Let’s dive into this blog post to learn how the powerful 5G edge user plane is unlocking new 5G edge use cases.

How technological innovation creates value and benefits society has always interested me, influencing my work as a mobile network technologist and sales professional. Since mobile data was introduced in late 90s, both mobile network technology and mobile consumer use cases have evolved enormously. Indeed, a rapid increase in connectivity speed and the introduction of smartphones have pushed the market to adopt mobile web and video and create thousands of new applications. However, sometimes ‘killer use cases’ require both business case and application ecosystem maturity. One example is video conferencing, one of the key services 3G was designed for but was only introduced when the over-the-top (OTT) vendors disrupted the content provider market and popularized social media. Creation of mobile technology has indeed its own innovation cycles and research feeds and therefore can't depend on market pull, but you can draw the conclusion that the time to value greatly benefits when the broad business and technology ecosystem in the value chain collaborate and co-create solutions.

Precisely, what’s really exciting about 5G is that it coincides with the maturity of other two disruptive technology enablers for end applications: artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud edge computing. It also comes at a moment when there’s both an urgent need and huge financial support to digitalize society and industry. In fact, more than ever, we are witnessing a close collaboration between technology and business ecosystems. Over the past few years, there have been a large number of public-private consortiums to feed service requirements into 5G standards, explore and validate the value of 5G technology. For example, just to name few, the 5G alliance for connected Industries and automation (5G-ACIA) or European 5G infrastructure Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. For years, 3GPP standards have been preparing to define advanced 5G connectivity solutions for edge computing and vertical digitalization use cases. In addition, all sorts of consumer and enterprise edge applications are being developed at the same pace in many areas such advanced video processing, AI analytics, immersive gaming, smart grid applications, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) controls or industry automation.

The edge ecosystem is particularly complex and involves different players. One key pillar is the wireless connectivity service CSPs offer. 5G-ACIA introduced the concept of virtual private and hybrid private 5G solutions, two emerging solutions that CSPs are exploring to complement their private 5G network offerings. Such solutions allow CSPs to leverage their existing public networks and offer new services in an agile and cost-effective manner using new 5G capabilities such as network slicing. In order to address edge use cases, virtual and hybrid private 5G solutions need to bring the user plane connectivity to the edge by deploying 5G edge user plane functions.
The 5G edge user plane supports flexible network deployments        
One key learning from industry experimentation with 5G is that each use case brings a unique combination of connectivity requirements, in terms of end-to-end performance (uplink and downlink latency, jitter, packet loss and throughput), data privacy and security, robustness, wide vs local area coverage and mobility.

Latency and security requirements drive the selection of the edge location, which can be the enterprise premise, CSP access or regional data center or even the extended public edge such as content delivery networks (CDN) content provider or a hyper cloud provider’s (HCP) edge data center. For example, a mobile gaming application can be located in the CSP regional data center or HCP edge, whereas video processing and AI for a factory automation application is located on the factory premise.  Also edge distribution can be accounted by CSP for those use cases which produce significant amount of data such as fixed wireless access (FWA) to optimize backhaul costs.

Ericsson has a vast experience supporting and driving the ecosystem to realize time critical communication use cases at scale and has conducted detailed latency analysis for different type of deployments.  The RAN deployment needs to be carefully planned according to the specific use case performance characteristics. Some use cases can be achieved with existing macro RAN environment -4G or non-standalone 5G-, with macro RAN standalone 5G with or without dedicated quality of service (QoS) profiles or even may require network slicing to partition macro RAN. In contrast, some other use cases will need dedicated RAN deployments. In addition, most use cases will benefit from a dedicated edge user plane function, as it provides a higher level of performance and robustness.

In summary, the concrete edge use cases to be offered and CSP’s own solution preferences drive the type of network solution and deployment, which can be a private 5G network, a virtual or a hybrid 5G private network using existing macro or dedicated RAN, with or without network slicing.

The edge 5G user plane function should allow for such deployment flexibility and enable the different edge use cases characteristics. Ericsson Local Packet Gateway (LPG) addresses this by:

Supporting any access technology, radio deployment model and RAN vendor
Seamlessly integrating with Ericsson’s existing dual-mode 5G Core. which is prepared for slicing, efficient routing to edge (also called edge breakout) and advanced QOS and many other 5G edge features described in more detail in next section.
Supporting a fast time to service, deployment simplicity and a very low footprint enabling deployment at scale in any type of edge location, up to on enterprise premises. See our previous LPG 5G edge user plane: key requirements for success for details.
Providing a high level of robustness and failure resilience by means of a cloud native user plane application designed for high availability and fault resilience, support of geo-redundancy and support of 3GPP control plane and user plane split (CUPS) interface which can be deployed in full mesh with multiple control planes. User plane can also be deployed as a dedicated function within a slice to secure further characteristics and isolation or as a shared function for various slices.


5G edge user plane should enable transition from 4G to more sophisticated 5G connectivity
Most of CSPs are embracing edge opportunities. They are viewing the opportunities as an evolution of their existing offerings rather than a revolution, meaning existing 4G enterprise use cases will still need to be supported for some time as the ecosystem matures to support time-critical communications type of use cases. This means 5G edge user plane should be dual-mode and support such a wide breadth of technology.

5G edge user plane should support both 3GPP compliant serving/packet gateway user function (S/PGW-U) and user plane function (UPF) and evolve with advanced UPF features for time-critical communications, such as more stringent end to end QoS and transmission robustness for ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) or Ethernet connectivity for advanced edge industrial use cases. It should also support 5G peak rates and do not degrade use cases performance characteristics.   It should also support dynamic edge routing solutions which are efficient, deployable by multipurpose terminals and mobility proof such as dynamic network slice selection which is preferrable to UPF as uplink classifier as starting solution until standardization evolves.

5G edge user plane should work in conjunction with the CSP’s dual-mode core system, which supports dynamic slicing orchestration, dynamic slice selection, ultra-reliable low latency communications and advanced 5G edge connectivity features such as different service continuity and user plane re-anchoring modes depending on mobility and application resilience needs. Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core with Local Packet Gateway provides such advanced 5G connectivity in a pre-verified manner. In fact, the Ericsson Local Packet Gateway Cloud Native Function (CNF) is based on the same software as the Ericsson Packet Core Gateway (PCG), the market leading cloud-native user plane, which is deployed in 5G live networks today.

Such deployment flexibility in edge user plane allows CSP to offer distinct use cases. For example, CSPs can offer mobile gaming service by deploying a cloud virtual reality (VR) gaming center application in their regional data centers. Connectivity with guaranteed low latency QoS can be provided by a dedicated 5G network slice with the dedicated Ericsson Local Packet Gateway, deployed close to the gaming application and connected to the CSP’s existing central core network. The mobile gaming application can use a portable device such as VR glasses or use a multi-purpose smartphone or tablet that supports dynamic slice selection. CSP can reuse their existing public network and macro 5G RAN. As another example, CSP can offer 5G edge connectivity to factories or logistic centers for augmented reality (AR) quality inspection. The AR application is deployed on the factory premise and needs an ultra-reliable and low-latency QoS connection to process in real time all the factory images. This is provided by a dedicated Ericsson Local Packet Gateway with ultra-reliable low latency QoS and redundant configuration being deployed on premises.

Edge use cases will require user plane services beyond 3GPP
There is a set of non-standardized user plane functions deployed in today’s networks (also called GI/N6 LAN functions) for mobile broadband service that would be also relevant for edge use cases.  These functions can be categorized as:

Traffic acceleration and optimization of access resources e.g., transport layer optimizers or advanced video traffic shapers
Network services e.g., carrier grade NAT devices or external load balancers
Service aware traffic monitoring and enforcements needed to realize customized CSP charging data plans or comply with some country regulatory such as content filters
Network security functions protecting CSP infrastructure and UEs of security attacks such as subscriber firewalls or distributed denial (DDoS) mitigation systems, and
Service chain policers and forwarders to chain and offload these GI/N6 LAN functions. Those can be integrated with operator policy framework to compose and program a unique data pipeline which addresses the specific connectivity needs of a given subscriber and application in the context of a certain use case

The current GI/N6 LAN market is very fragmented and addressed by many different vendor specific user plane functions. These functions are deployed as separate appliances or virtualized functions, each with their management system, policy integration and cloud orchestration system which significantly increases CSP’s total cost of ownership (TCO) when deploying and managing them. As CSPs start their edge journey they will need to bring some of these GI/N6 functions to the edge. A very simple and cost-efficient strategy to consolidate these functions in one single edge user plane function. This approach is being adopted by Ericsson Local Packet Gateway: it integrates these functions, including advanced integrated Packet Core Firewall, together with the UPF/S/PGW-U functions. This dramatically reduces the TCO and provides a single hop to the end application, which reduces further the latency. Ericsson Local Packet Gateway also allows to compose and tune the set user plane functions applied to a given traffic in one configuration click, which allows to customize the connectivity for each edge use case. 

Another consideration is that these GI/N6 functions were designed for legacy mobile broadband. This means they will need to evolve to support 5G peak user throughput rates and new 5G segment requirements, e.g., traffic optimizations should focus on optimizing the throughput of uplink transmissions and reducing the overall jitter and latency. Service aware charging models will evolve as 5G gets monetized, security for edge enterprise connectivity will keep evolving as well.  Technological innovation in this space is a must for any edge user plane vendor and should be holistic considering the entire ecosystem and end-to-end solution behavior. As one example, edge user plane can leverage 3GPP exposure interfaces for application detection, use collaborative solutions with content providers or RAN to optimize traffic delivery or even adapt traffic optimizations to new end to end rate adaptation mechanisms such as low latency low loss scalable throughput (L4S). Ericsson, as an end-to-end network provider and key contributor to 5G standardization, is working actively in this space.

Edge connectivity needs to be monitored and assured
CSPs need to monitor, troubleshoot, and assure the edge user plane connectivity. In many cases the CSP organizations dealing with enterprises services have their own analytic and management systems. Those systems need to evolve to provide visibility of the 5G encrypted communication, up to on enterprise premise and without compromising 5G security and provide advanced insights to meet the stringent service level agreements of edge use cases.  Example of user plane data feeds are traffic packet and patterns statistics, key performance indicators at transport level or service quality of experience estimates per application, area of interest, slice and subscriber type. CSP analytic use cases will also evolve, meaning network assurance and service experience management use cases will increasingly adopt AI/ML models with distinct and very demanding UP data sets running in parallel.

External probing solutions were not designed for these requirements. The cost of evolving and deploying such solutions to thousands of edges is unaffordable. Ericsson Local Packet Gateway addresses this challenge by supporting integrated dual-mode probing capabilities which includes rich, granular data with pre-processed data and advanced data collection profiles avoiding the need of deploying external taps, packet broker and probes at edge. Software probes are a unique Ericsson dual mode 5G Core feature – a feature that’s very popular with our customers for public network and enterprise solutions.

CSP will also introduce network data analytics function (NWDAF) function to enable 5G analytics for further 5G automation, new exposure APIs for verticals and data efficiency. An NWDAF can collect edge user plane and public network data to provide real time analytics which can be consumed by the network functions or by the end edge application to improve further the edge connectivity. Example of those analytics are user mobility, network congestion, quality of service, service experience or abnormal user behavior. Ideally, the NWDAF should be distributed at the edge and deployed co-located to the edge user plane for data efficiency, security and lower actuation latency.

Ericsson NWDAF  supports such distributed and co-located deployment and analytics and can collect pre-standard data from the Local Packet Gateway data until 3GPP rel-18 specifies UPF event exposure. 

Edge exposure for advanced edge connectivity
Exposure through APIs on the edge is becoming increasingly important for CSPs to enable new services, increase their relevance in the 5G ecosystem and become more attractive partners for hyperscale cloud providers, application ecosystems and other players.

Edge applications will be able to consume network capabilities and data to provide advanced services and innovate. Data extracted from edge user plane function will be of high value. For example, to determine the exact UE sessions being anchored by a given edge user plane, the actual monitored QoS, etc.  Such exposure capabilities in edge user plane allows application to adapt the content delivery or reconfigure dynamically the connectivity, e.g., change dynamically the negotiated QoS or influence edge routing.  As mentioned previously, NWDAF user plane analytics can be also exposed for advanced edge use cases.

Ericsson is already working with our customers to create new edge use cases using Ericsson Local Packet Gateway and Edge Exposure Server. Stay tuned!

Summary:
In this blog post we’ve explained the different considerations that need to be taken into account when selecting the 5G edge user plane, and how it enables flexible virtual private and hybrid 4G private solution deployments and address the user experience idiosyncrasy of myriads of edge use cases. The 5G edge user plane has to be small, cost efficient, easy to deploy but still extremely powerful and advanced in terms of dual connectivity and added value features.

Ericsson Local Packet Gateway is designed with all these capabilities in mind and integrates seamlessly with existing CSP dual-mode 5G Core, delivering edge use cases was never that easy.

Spotlight

FilesAnywhere.com

FilesAnywhere is a leading provider of web-based file storage, one of the web's original online storage services. FilesAnywhere was officially released on July 4th, 1999. The company was founded in 1995, and Mark Cuban became a co-owner in 2006...

OTHER ARTICLES
Wireless, 5G

10 Leading Network Monitoring Companies to Consider in 2023

Article | May 18, 2023

Enhance network performance, strengthen security, and minimize downtime with the curated network monitoring companies list. Ensure proactive problem detection for business success with top solutions. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business operations, effectively monitoring network components is paramount. network monitoring is a vital process that involves overseeing crucial elements like routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and more. To ensure seamless network management and control, organizations rely on specialized network monitoring tools that gather valuable insights. Adopting a proactive approach, network monitoring empowers businesses to identify and address potential issues early, preventing costly downtime and failures. By leveraging the power of network monitoring, organizations can safeguard their operations, optimize network performance, and drive overall success. This article will explore the top 10 network monitoring companies that excel in providing advanced solutions for network security, analytics, and performance management. These companies have established themselves as industry leaders, delivering comprehensive network monitoring tools that empower businesses to achieve optimal network functionality, bolster cybersecurity defenses, and ensure continuous operational excellence. 1. Arete Arete is a renowned global cyber risk company for network security and analytics. With a focus on transforming how organizations prepare for, respond to, and prevent cybercrime, Arete is a leader in cyber incident response. Its expertise lies in providing rapid access to world-class cybersecurity professionals worldwide, enabling organizations to mitigate cyber threats within hours. In collaboration with insurance carriers and legal counsel, the company's data-driven approach helps businesses recover from cyberattacks and strengthen their systems for future resilience. Its commitment to collective defense and sharing best practices reinforces its position as a trusted provider of the best network monitoring software. 2. Nuspire Nuspire, a prominent network monitoring company, emerged as a visionary managed security services provider (MSSP) is driven by a commitment to bridging security gaps and inspiring positive change in the industry. It helps recognize the unique cybersecurity needs of each business. Using a partnership approach, the company works closely with clients to deliver tailored solutions beyond expectations. Nuspire's global reach is impressive, with two offices in the United States and 12 global processing centers and security operations centers (SOCs). Nuspire is trusted by many brands to manage their cybersecurity programs daily. With one of the highest client retention rates in the industry, standing at an impressive 99%, Nuspire has built enduring relationships based on trust and exceptional service. 3. cPacket Networks With Network-Aware application performance and security assurance solutions, cPacket Network empowers enterprises, governments, and service providers to effectively manage and secure its distributed hybrid environments. Its AIOps-ready analytics platform offers deep network visibility, enabling proactive identification of performance issues before it impacts business applications or end-user experience. It provides reliable, integrated, and user-friendly solutions. cPacket helps organizations reduce complexity, increase security, and enhance operational efficiency. Whether monitoring physical or virtual networks, handling north-south or east-west traffic, or managing hybrid environments, cPacket's cutting-edge technology and AI-enabled predictive monitoring capabilities make them a reliable partner for businesses pursuing digital transformation. 4. CSPi Technology Solutions CSPi Technology Solutions is an exceptional network monitoring company that sets itself apart with its extensive IT expertise, proven track record of delivering results, flexible approach, and comprehensive service scope. By partnering with leading technology providers and adopting a vendor-agnostic approach, the company ensures the right solutions for its client's unique requirements. Its team of experienced engineers, with specialized certifications in networking, wireless and mobility, unified communications and collaboration, data centers, and advanced security, enables it to deliver superior services across major industries. With a comprehensive portfolio covering the entire IT lifecycle, including vital managed IT services, professional IT services and cloud services, CSPi Technology Solutions is well-equipped to provide proactive network monitoring and address businesses' evolving security and analytics needs. 5. IR IR is an exceptional network monitoring company at the forefront of the industry, offering innovative solutions in predictive and prescriptive analytics, along with cutting-edge automation capabilities. Its solutions simplify the management of modern communications, payments, and infrastructure environments, ensuring real-time performance issue identification and resolution for seamless user experiences. Used by over 1,000 organizations across 60 countries, including major banks, airlines, and telcos, IR's solutions provide critical insights and ensure high availability and performance for millions of customers worldwide. With a global presence and corporate headquarters in Sydney, Australia, IR continues to create excellence when it matters most, making them a top choice among network monitoring companies. 6. Witbe Witbe, a leading network monitoring company focusing on innovation in the quality of experience (QoE) industry, offers an acclaimed solution to monitor and ensure seamless user experiences across various interactive services, devices, and networks. Over 300 clients in 50 countries, including broadcasters, operators, content providers, and app developers, rely on Witbe's Robots to guarantee flawless services. As a public company listed on Euronext Growth (ALTWIT.PA) and with a global presence in major cities worldwide, Witbe is renowned for its commitment to delivering exceptional network monitoring solutions for optimal QoE. 7. Radiflow Radiflow is one of the top network monitoring companies to go to for network security and analytics in 2023. With a focus on uncompromising ICS (Industrial Control Systems) and OT (Operational Technology) security, Radiflow emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity from the beginning. Providing industrial threat detection and risk management solutions empowers customers to make informed decisions and take proactive actions based on data. Known for their cybersecurity expertise and reputation in the OT world, Radiflow's team combines extensive research with innovative approaches to meet industry-specific needs. Additionally, the network monitoring solution provider is a trusted partner by prioritizing visibility and effective management of critical systems. 8. Virtual1 Virtual1 stands out as the UK's most advanced network. Its software-defined infrastructure ensures scalability to meet evolving customer demands while providing exceptional control and empowerment to its partners. Virtual1's team of passionate experts, spread across various locations, consistently pushing industry boundaries to deliver cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, it offers high-capacity connectivity with top-notch security, and the networking provider's solutions guarantee fast, secure, and reliable internet access, which is crucial for business-critical operations. With real-time control, customizable service propositions, and value-added capabilities like firewalls and cloud, Virtual1 is a trusted provider of network monitoring software that seamlessly integrates with critical business systems. 9. Doherty Associates Doherty Associates stands out for its intelligent IT solutions and services, offering a unique combination of cutting-edge tools and expert skills. Its proactive approach to cybersecurity, coupled with 24/7 support from its London and Kuala Lumpur teams, ensures reliable network monitoring. With a strong focus on sectors prioritizing risk management, such as financial services, law, insurance, and mining, Doherty Associates has offers exceptional customer satisfaction with top solutions to secure and monitor network seamlessly. This network monitoring company’s long-standing client relationship are a testament to its ability to unlock business potential through secure and efficient network monitoring, making them a leading choice in the network monitoring companies list. 10. Wifi SPARK WiFi SPARK stands out for its SPARK Solution, which caters to over 80 National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in the UK. This comprehensive solution offers secure WiFi for patients, visitors, and staff while integrating tailored patient engagement and analytics solutions with clinical and administrative systems. Significant features include access to entertainment, educational content, dementia support, surveys, and a wide range of applications. With exceptional 24/7 support, WiFi SPARK ensures seamless network monitoring, making it an essential choice among other network monitoring companies. Key Takeaway Network monitoring is essential in ensuring the smooth functioning of modern business networks. Organizations utilizing specialized network traffic analysis tools can effectively manage and control network components, detect performance issues, identify faults, and monitor user accounts. Proactive monitoring helps in early problem detection, reducing downtime and preventing failures. To empower business success, partnering with top network monitoring companies that offer advanced solutions for network security, analytics, and performance management is essential. These companies provide comprehensive tools enabling businesses to optimize network functionality, enhancing cybersecurity, and maintaining uninterrupted operations.

Read More
5G

Top 10 Network Monitoring and Management Certifications

Article | November 25, 2021

Enhance your network monitoring and management expertise. Learn from the industry-recognized network monitoring certifications and courses to boost your career potential with advanced solutions. As the demand for robust and secure networks continues to rise, organizations seek professionals with specialized network monitoring and management skills. Individuals can pursue industry-recognized certifications that validate their expertise and provide a competitive edge to demonstrate proficiency in this field. This article presents a curated list of the top 10 network monitoring certifications. These network monitoring and management certifications cover various technologies, methodologies, and tools, equipping professionals with the knowledge to monitor, optimize, and secure network infrastructures effectively. 1. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty course is an essential credential for network monitoring experts seeking to excel in cloud-based environments. It validates expertise in designing and maintaining network architectures within the AWS product portfolio. This is one of the best network certifications for individuals with at least five years of hands-on experience in implementing complex networking solutions. Completing this course will enhance your understanding of advanced network architectures, interconnectivity options, routing, high-availability connectivity solutions, and network security features. The certification exam requires a solid grasp of AWS technology, scripting development, and automation tools. Opting for this course will equip you with the necessary skills to implement cloud initiatives and meet the organizations' networking challenges. 2. GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON) Enhance the ability to detect intrusions and safeguard the network against anomalous activity with GIAC Continuous Monitoring (GMON) certification. As one of the top network monitoring certifications designed for experts to validate proficiency in defensible security architecture, continuous diagnostics and security monitoring, it will offer readers core knowledge of security architecture, endpoint security, and network monitoring. CyberLive testing ensures both theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise for this certification. You will be able to improve your organization's security posture and respond more quickly to threats with the GMON certification. Technical managers, SOC analysts, and CND analysts must opt for the course to enhance their knowledge of implementing best network monitoring solutions and demonstrate the measures for threat protection. 3. CompTIA Network+ Learn from CompTIA Network+ skills to become a successful network engineer and security practitioner. It is one of the leading IT networking certifications that equips professionals with the skills to troubleshoot, configure, and manage networks on any platform, making it highly versatile and applicable to various environments. Completing this course and attaining the certification can enhance IT infrastructure and improve network management. CompTIA Network+ prepares you to support networks on any platform, unlike other vendor-specific network certifications. This certification is valuable for network monitoring experts looking to enhance networking fundamentals, implementations, operations, and security. Moreover, for those new to the industry, achieving this certification can open up job opportunities as a business analyst, systems administrator, MSP personnel, data center manager, IT server technician, data architect, or network security specialist. 4. PRTG Network Monitoring Course with LAB The PRTG Network Monitoring Course with LAB is a comprehensive training program designed for network monitoring experts seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in deploying and managing the PRTG tool. The industry experts will be able to deploy the tool and monitor all infrastructure, including network, server and applications. It is one of the best network monitoring courses that will help you learn about IT operations management solutions that allow monitoring proactively. By opting for this course, readers will benefit from 6-5 hours of practical and condensed knowledge, immediate access to videos and files, Q&A support, downloadable installation media, and valuable links and resources. Overall, the course offers three benefits: rapid detection of network issues and identification of who needs to fix it, better allocation of IT resources with network monitoring, and providing baseline data for automatic data comparison. 5. ManageEngine OPManager Plus Network Monitoring Course This is one of the top network certification courses that trains individuals to monitor the network for performance storage, bandwidth, configuration changes, compliance and security. MachineEngine OPManager Plus is a complete course offering lab material to download. The uniquely designed course includes all key elements to understand the process of practicing VMware Workstation lab. It is a seven hours, thirty minutes course combined with practical and condensed knowledge. You will be given immediate access once you enroll for the course to collect videos, files and downloadable installation media. The required skill set to opt for the OPManager training video includes basic knowledge of Ethernet TCP/IP and the basics of Windows servers. Network monitoring experts can build a LAB-like real network through this course, analyze dashboards and graphs, and configure NCM and NTA modules. 6. Ultimate PRTG Network Monitoring with Full Lab GNS3 Learn to monitor network devices, applications, servers, and cloud and deploy custom sensors with the Ultimate PRTG network monitoring with a full lab GNS3 certification course. The course begins with an overview of PRTG's main features, covering important concepts like sensors and sensor states, as well as licensing information. It also guides participants in preparing their IT infrastructure for monitoring and provides recommendations for PRTG hardware and operating systems. This ensures a solid foundation before diving into the advanced aspects of PRTG. Opting for this course will help you delve into advanced PRTG sensors, including custom, receiver, and aggregate sensors. It will allow one to explore how to set up custom SNMP sensors, custom script sensors, and flow sensors. The course also focuses on monitoring specific areas of infrastructure, such as virtualization environments, enabling participants to gain expertise in administering PRTG effectively. 7. Network Monitoring Basics Network Monitoring basics is a course designed to learn how to use network monitoring, it helps you gain ground level base knowledge and guides you on where to start. This course, led by expert instructor Josh Werner, equips beginners entering the networking industry with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilize network monitoring tools. Participants will gain practical expertise in using these open-source solutions for efficient network monitoring and management with a focus on popular software such as Wireshark, Zabbix, Nagios, OpenNMS, Obiko, and NetDisco. This certification is ideal for those seeking to establish a strong foundation in network monitoring, enabling them to monitor and optimize their network infrastructure effectively. By mastering these in-demand skills, learners will be equipped to make informed decisions and ensure the smooth operation of their networks. 8. Network Monitoring Using Nagios Monitoring infrastructure equipment using Nagios requires training and acquiring the necessary techniques. The 'Network Monitoring Using Nagios Course' enables network monitoring experts to delve into knowledge related to Nagios deployment and configurations within IT infrastructure. To opt for the course, one must fulfil the basic requirements, including familiarity with Linux basic commands and networking essentials. Both network and system administrators, as well as IT students, can benefit from this highly regarded networking certification. The Network Monitoring Using Nagios course consists of three sections and spans two hours and four minutes. It is divided into eleven lectures covering crucial aspects of Nagios implementation and operation. 9. Junos, Associate (JNCIA-Junos) Junos, Associate (JNCIA-Junos) course is one of the most valuable IT networking certifications for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of Juniper Networks Junos OS. This certification is suitable for individuals with beginner to intermediate networking expertise. The JNCIA-Junos exam evaluates your understanding of the core functionalities of Junos OS, serving as a foundational certification for various tracks, including enterprise routing and switching and service provider routing and switching. By opting for this certification, candidates understand Junos OS comprehensively, enabling them to configure and troubleshoot Juniper devices effectively. The course covers essential topics such as routing protocols, switching concepts, security features, and network management 10. CCNA certification The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification is a credential that enhances your expertise in navigating the dynamic world of IT. This certification encompasses a comprehensive range of topics, including networking fundamentals, IP services, security fundamentals, automation, and programmability. It equips professionals with the skills to effectively manage and optimize advanced networks prevalent in today's technology landscape. The CCNA training course provides a solid foundation for individuals seeking to advance their careers in network monitoring. It caters to network administrators, technicians, and other IT professionals involved in network operations and support. Additionally, as a CCNA-certified expert, you become part of a renowned community recognized for maintaining the highest standards of excellence in networking. Key Takeaway The recommended network monitoring certifications discussed in this article provide valuable insights and guidance for networking experts in the B2B sector. These resources cover various aspects of monitoring network performance, enhancing network visibility, and addressing security concerns. By delving into these monitoring courses, professionals can gain a deeper understanding of effective network performance monitoring techniques, ensuring optimal visibility across their infrastructure. With the ever-evolving networking landscape, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices is crucial for maintaining a high-performing network. These courses offer industry-relevant knowledge and empower networking experts to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to a robust and efficient network infrastructure.

Read More
5G

Top 10 Network Traffic Analysis Tools for Enhanced Network Monitoring

Article | May 13, 2022

Discover the effective tools for analyzing network traffic to improve monitoring efficiency. Enhance the network's performance and raise the network's potential by choosing the appropriate tool. Automation adoption has become critical for companies in the dynamic fields of manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management. By minimizing costs, enhancing efficiency, and reducing downtime, automation delivers optimal value for manufacturers. However, selecting the right partner can be challenging with numerous warehouse automation companies available. This article provides the features and benefits of top ten warehouse automation tools, offering expertise in improving business operations. These data warehouse tools provide comprehensive solutions to meet diverse needs, whether through software solutions or tools. 1. Network Performance Monitoring Datadog Network Performance Monitoring is an exceptional software tool that enhances network monitoring capabilities, providing comprehensive visibility into all components of on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments. With minimal overhead, the tool monitors the performance of connections among hosts, services, virtual private clouds (VPCs), and other elements, enabling quick identification of network-related issues. It tracks essential network metrics such as TCP retransmits, latency, and connection churn. It also allows monitoring of traffic health between any endpoints at the app, IP address, port, or process ID (PID) layers. Datadog aids in isolating network issues within Envoy-powered service meshes and troubleshooting inefficient load balancing. The software also helps manage cloud networking costs by identifying the responsible services and teams for significant traffic spikes. Deep DNS visibility allows system-wide analysis of DNS performance without SSHing into individual machines. For granular insights, users can explore S3 buckets or RDS databases. 2. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a powerful and user-friendly real time network monitoring tool that helps enhance network traffic analysis for industry experts. It offers central monitoring for a comprehensive view of the entire IT infrastructure in one place. With on-premises installation, users have full control over data and configuration. The software supports various technologies and protocols, with automatic network discovery simplifying setup. Feature like custom maps, real-time alerts, and customizable reports provide an overview of the network and facilitate proactive monitoring. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor allows distributed monitoring across remote locations and offers a user-friendly interface for easy installation and use. With full administrative control and perpetual licenses, users have flexibility and cost-effective access to all monitoring features. It is a reliable solution trusted by businesses worldwide for efficient network monitoring, providing industry experts with enhanced visibility, control, and peace of mind. 3. OpManager Plus OpManager Plus is a robust enterprise network monitoring software that optimizes network performance and ensures an error-free network. It offers real-time health, availability, and performance monitoring, enabling proactive and reactive monitoring techniques. OpManager Plus provides critical metrics for traffic analysis, such as packet loss, response time, resource utilization, errors, and network traffic via SNMP. It includes in-depth server monitoring features, enabling efficient monitoring of servers, routers, switches, and firewalls. The software leverages Cisco IPSLA for WAN and VoIP monitoring, visualizing paths, resolving outages, and diagnosing poor performance. OpManager Plus also offers built-in network troubleshooting tools like ICMP Ping, Traceroute, Switch Port Mapper, SNMP MIB Browser, and Telnet/SSH, empowering industry experts with the necessary tools for first and second-level troubleshooting. It is one of the best network monitoring tools for industry professionals that enhance performance, ensure network availability, and enable efficient troubleshooting. 4. Domotz A powerful network performance monitoring tool, Domotz revolutionizes network monitoring and management. With its streamlined IT operations, it enhances efficiency and strengthens security measures. As one in many top network monitoring tools, it offers unmatched visibility into digital assets and data flows, empowering users with critical insights from their networks. Its feature-rich software including network autodiscovery, automated mapping, IT asset inventory, and SNMP-based device monitoring caters to MSPs, System Integrators, IT and Security Professionals. These features facilitate effective traffic analysis and resource monitoring. Domotz also offers integrated capabilities like configuration management, versioning, backup, and seamless integrations with PSA systems. By leveraging Domotz, industry experts gain a powerful tool to monitor network traffic, optimize performance, and strengthen overall security. 5. checkmk checkmk is a powerful network performance monitoring tool that enhances network monitoring and management. Its latest version, checkmk 2.2, provides a comprehensive solution for monitoring hybrid IT infrastructures, including native cloud applications and OpenShift support. The software offers real-time monitoring of dynamic cloud workloads, allowing users to map their cloud infrastructure, monitor cloud-native services, and track resource consumption and costs. checkmk seamlessly integrates with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, offering cloud-specific dashboards and easy cloud deployment. The monitoring agents of checkmk support push mode for autonomous data transmission and auto-registration for real-time host addition and service discovery. Industry experts benefit from the robust features of checkmk for effective traffic analysis, improved cloud monitoring, and simplified implementation in dynamic cloud environments. checkmk is a reliable choice among network management tools for optimizing network performance and ensuring efficient cloud monitoring. 6. NinjaOne RMM NinjaOne RM, recognized as the top-rated network performance monitoring tool. It offers powerful and user-friendly RMM software that efficiently manages client endpoints. With NinjaOne, industry experts can monitor, support, and control a wide range of devices, servers, virtual machines, and networking devices from a single interface. The real-time network monitoring software features include alert notifications, automated patching for enhanced security, one-click device actions for streamlined management, secure remote access for fast support, endpoint task automation to optimize workflows, and a self-service portal for client end-users. Its scalability, intuitive UI, and comprehensive support make it one of the best network monitoring tools. Industry experts benefit from improved technician efficiency, reduced complexities, and enhanced service delivery, leading to greater profitability and customer satisfaction. 7. Fortra’s Intermapper Fortra's Intermapper is an intuitive network mapping tool to monitor network traffic autodiscovery features. The network map is constantly refreshed, ensuring an up-to-date representation of any network. This software offers SNMP-based network monitoring, performance alerts, and a capacity planning tool. By implementing Intermapper, industry experts can efficiently analyze network traffic and detect performance issues in real-time. The tool allows users to set performance threshold levels and receive alerts via email or text, ensuring proactive monitoring and reducing the need for constant screen monitoring. 8. Site24x7 Network Monitoring Site24x7 is one of the leading tools to monitor network traffic that enhances network monitoring capabilities with its comprehensive features. With granular visibility at the device and interface levels, Site24x7 enables thorough network performance monitoring. The tool offers intelligent features for deep observability, proactive insights, and root cause analysis, all within a single window. This cloud-based solution help users have complete control over their network. It monitors network traffic, allowing users to analyze traffic, packets, errors, and discards, providing actionable insights for optimizing network performance. Additionally, Site24x7 offers automatic network discovery, real-time application and device monitoring, and powerful reporting, analytics, and alerts. 9. Nagios Core Nagios Core is one of the top network security monitoring tools that serves as an event scheduler, processor, and alert manager. It offers a robust architecture and extensive scope for monitoring various elements. With its APIs, Nagios Core allows easy extension and customization to meet specific monitoring requirements. Implemented as a highly efficient C-based daemon, it delivers optimal performance on Linux and Unix systems. Nagios Core provides a solid foundation for network security monitoring, enabling industry experts to analyze network traffic, detect issues, and receive timely alerts. Its scalability and flexibility features make it a valuable tool for enhancing network traffic analysis and ensuring the security and stability of IT infrastructures. 10. Catchpoint Network Experience Catchpoint Network Experience, part of the Catchpoint platform, is a comprehensive network performance monitoring tool that ensures the successful delivery of web applications. It offers key features such as internet connectivity checks, BGP assessments, and the ability to assess ISPs and other services. By monitoring network performance, Catchpoint helps identify the root cause of performance issues and ensures optimal delivery of web systems. It analyzes virtual networks, identifies performance issues with remote access and site-to-site VPNs, and traces connections from LAN to web servers. Industry experts can benefit from its website delivery performance tracking, root cause analysis, and virtual network performance monitoring capabilities, making it an invaluable tool for enhancing network monitoring and optimizing web application performance. Final Thoughts Maintaining a robust and efficient IT infrastructure relies heavily on effective network monitoring. Integrating server, application, storage, and network management functions enables companies to deliver services seamlessly to end users. A comprehensive suite of network monitoring tools is essential for addressing various aspects of networking technology, including physical components, security measures, and environmental conditions. The ultimate goal is to proactively identify and mitigate potential network issues, reducing their impact on user productivity. In the event of failure, prompt detection and resolution become crucial, and a responsive help desk plays a valuable role in quickly receiving user alerts and uncovering previously undetected problems. By leveraging top network traffic analysis tools, businesses can elevate their network monitoring capabilities and establish a solid foundation for optimal performance and unwavering reliability.

Read More
Data Center Networking

Enhancing Network Resilience in the Healthcare Sector to Prevent Downtime and Unusable Uptime

Article | July 5, 2023

Your patients have grown to trust your expertise and recommendations in matters regarding their healthcare. As the sector transitions into a more digital playing field, uninterrupted network connectivity is more than just a bonus; it’s a necessity. While there are many different challenges to completely integrating your practice into the digital world, internet outages are the costliest. Downtime can be caused by various factors, which can compromise patient safety, the faith your team instills in you, and your practice’s reputation and revenue. However, investing in the means to maintain a resilient network lets you maximize your network uptime to optimize resources. We'll look at four different strategies and their benefits for your infrastructure so you can focus on what you do best: providing healthcare excellence to your patients. Strengthening Network Infrastructure The traditional way of doing things may be great for your remedies and techniques. Still, with a growing number of patients and their contextually relevant demands, your network needs to be able to accommodate many different booking requests, increase user activity on your server, and store sensitive patient information. High-speed internet connections enhance your network performance and let you, your team, and your patients make the most of your uninterrupted uptime. Fiber-optic networks, when combined with load balancing and proper segmentation, can diffuse and direct network traffic efficiency and prevent congestion, which prevents downtime due to overload. Implementing Network Monitoring and Management Tools Much like your patients visit your practice to ensure everything is all right with the current state of their health, your network must also receive the same treatment. Identifying and pre-emptively resolving potential issues and vulnerabilities will prevent much more destructive or expensive problems from occurring. Use real-time tools to monitor your bandwidth usage and gain visibility of potential bottlenecks. Tools that offer risk monitoring deliver alerts about critical events that pose a threat to your business continuity. Your IT team will be better equipped to troubleshoot issues promptly and optimize performance. Conducting Regular Network Assessments and Audits Once you have the proper monitoring tools to manage your network topology better, proactive troubleshooting is a great way to spot-check whether your current solution is working as it should. A network audit is much like proactive troubleshooting; you are looking to see if anything could harm the overall system and catch it before it can develop. When auditing a network, the primary focus should be security measures. If patient and confidential data is not secure, the smooth operations of your business are the least of your worries. When conducting an audit, consulting with a network service provider will help identify issues with your protocols, data encryption, and firewall configuration. Establishing Redundancy and Disaster Recovery Plans Backing up private and confidential data is crucial to ensuring that sensitive information is not lost or exposed. Minimizing network downtime can often be achieved by having backup systems that will keep running in the event of an attack or outage. For example, a dedicated Cloud Access Network, power supplies, and switches will go a long way. When creating an internet contingency plan, outline steps and protocols with your team that you will take in the event of a complete failure, including things such as brand reputation management, customer service, and data loss prevention. Looking Forward As the lines between in-person and digital are blurred, navigating the complexities of implementing a robust network is paramount to your business. Strengthening your infrastructure, integrating redundant systems, and conducting regular audits and assessments with the proper monitoring and management tools will help you maximize uptime usage and minimize network downtime. Although overwhelming, working with a reputable network service provider can help you embrace your network topology to remain competitive.

Read More

Spotlight

FilesAnywhere.com

FilesAnywhere is a leading provider of web-based file storage, one of the web's original online storage services. FilesAnywhere was officially released on July 4th, 1999. The company was founded in 1995, and Mark Cuban became a co-owner in 2006...

Related News

Mobile Infrastructure,Network Infrastructure

T-Mobile’s 5G Network Slicing Beta is Revolutionizing Video-calling

T‑Mobile | September 06, 2023

T-Mobile launches network slicing beta targeting developers, with an initial emphasis on elevating video calling applications. Network slicing, enabled by 5G SA, offers tailored network performance based on specific use case requirements. This opportunity is geared towards developers seeking to enhance video calling apps, leveraging its exclusive nationwide 5G SA network. T-Mobile, a leading 5G network provider, has launched a network slicing beta for developers, initially targeting video calling applications. The network slicing beta is available for iOS developers in Seattle and San Francisco, with Android expansion expected later this year as device manufacturers slice. This solution aims to enhance video calling applications by leveraging the capabilities of 5G standalone architecture (5G SA). Developers engage with the capabilities at T-Mobile's 5G Hub for comprehensive testing and validation. Through the solution, video calling app developers can experience the beta by registering through T-Mobile's developer platform, DevEdge. Considering the rising demand for video calling applications fueled by remote work and the need for seamless connectivity, the company recognizes the importance of optimizing network conditions. It plans to expand the beta program to include more application types and use cases. T-Mobile is aggressively expanding its 5G coverage, offering developers the ability to create customized network slices that help enhance their applications by ensuring consistent uplink and downlink speeds, lower latency, and increased reliability. The Un-carrier's 5G network serves 326 million people across two million square miles—surpassing the combined coverage of AT&T and Verizon. Furthermore, T-Mobile's high-speed Ultra Capacity 5G is accessible to 285 million people nationwide. Notably, T-Mobile has set ambitious plans to extend Ultra Capacity 5G to an even broader audience, with a target of reaching 300 million individuals within the current year. This ambitious undertaking solidifies its standing as a dominant force in 5G coverage. Additionally, T-Mobile allows developers to work closely with the company's engineers at the 5G Hub for rigorous testing and validation. This collaborative endeavor brings together developers from renowned industry leaders such as Dialpad Ai, Google, Webex by Cisco, Zoom Video Communications and many others. It symbolizes a collective effort to push the boundaries of innovation in video calling applications and the broader landscape of 5G technology. “The wireless industry has talked about 5G network slicing for years and at T-Mobile we’ve been putting in the work to bring it to life. Thanks to our nationwide 5G SA network, T-Mobile is the only operator in the country capable of unlocking this technology so developers can immediately begin creating applications that can one day provide tangible benefits to wireless users everywhere.” -Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile

Read More

Wan Technologies,Wireless,5G

Spitfire Takes Business Connectivity to the Next Level With Full MVNO Agreement Using EE Network in Partnership With BT Wholesale

Businesswire | July 04, 2023

Spitfire Network Services Ltd (Spitfire), the award winning provider of fixed line voice, internet and wide area network services to business, has today announced a full mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement with BT Wholesale. Spitfire will interconnect its advanced latest generation core network with BT Group’s award-winning EE 4G and 5G Radio Access Network. With ‘Enhanced Mobile’, the new ‘Spitfire Unified Network’ will offer first class connectivity, better security and, flexible and innovative billing plans, to SME, enterprise and IoT customers across the UK with the potential for greater efficiency via the integration of fixed and mobile networks. Spitfire already provides customers with significant choice and the ‘best fit’ of available next generation fixed line fibre and private network connectivity, including direct access into Amazon AWS/Microsoft Azure and other cloud providers through Spitfire’s Cloud Connect solution. This will now be expanded to include 4G voice and 4G/5G, data and IoT connectivity with Enhanced Mobile. Spitfire customers can now obtain a single unified network across their entire mobile and fixed line estate, for a true end-to-end solution without the need for data to traverse the public internet, improving security and manageability. The requirement for IPSec VPNs or similar networking security technology is potentially avoided, allowing for less equipment configuration time. Another technical benefit is that customers can specify a private APN network and bring their own IP address range. The full MVNO gives Spitfire greater control of core network functionality, providing customers with enhanced services for IoT and mobile data connectivity, and will enable future integration with its leading hosted telephony solution FireSwitch™. Spitfire is now well positioned to provide businesses with next level unified network solutions that meet its evolving connectivity needs. The Spitfire Customer Portal provides comprehensive easy-to-use online access to view and manage all provided services in one location, including provisioning and support updates. The customer only has to engage with one connectivity supplier for all sales and support and will receive a single invoice for all services and sites. All providing for the straightforward adoption of the latest IoT and mobile network technology. Harry Bowlby, Managing Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd, said: “This new agreement is extremely exciting for Spitfire. By adding Enhanced Mobile to our service offering, we complete the jigsaw by enabling our customers and partners to benefit from easy access to one unified network solution for all of their connectivity needs. In conjunction they will continue to benefit from our experienced and highly trained UK based team providing the best levels of business class customer service.” The solution will offer businesses access to EE’s award-winning 4G and 5G network. EE is the UK’s best network as shown by RootMetrics®, offering great coverage, fastest median speeds and most reliable mobile connectivity – including 5G availability in nearly every UK town and city. EE’s 5G network covers more than 68% of the population and expanding into more rural populations. Its 4G network already covers 99% of the population and is on track to reach 90% of the UK’s geographic landmass by the mid-2020s. Alex Tempest, Managing Director, BT Wholesale, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Spitfire as they launch this new full MVNO service. “BT Wholesale has worked with Spitfire for more than 20 years and this has led to Spitfire reaching our Elite Partner status. Spitfire prides itself on its engineering capability to deliver innovative propositions and tailored customer service. We are excited for this next stage in Spitfire’s evolution, combining its end to end communications portfolio with the UK’s best mobile network in EE. We’re proud that Spitfire has recognised the value of our network and our ongoing investment, with our ambition to provide 5G anywhere in the UK by 2028.” About Spitfire Network Services Ltd Spitfire has been providing business internet and telecoms services from our central London offices for 35 years. With an emphasis on engineering skills and customer service, we aim to build long-term business relationships with our clients – delivering innovative, award-winning solutions and significant cost savings.

Read More

Wireless

UScellular Selects Casa Systems for Self-Install 5G Outdoor Fixed Wireless Access Devices

GlobeNewswire | September 12, 2023

Casa Systems (Nasdaq: CASA) today announced that UScellular selected the Company’s new AurusLINK Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) outdoor device to provide a high-speed broadband internet solution for homes and businesses. Casa Systems’ AurusLINK was selected for its compact, self-install outdoor design that quickly and reliably connects to the 5G network for a superior FWA broadband internet experience. With nearly five million customers nationwide, UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States. Its Home Internet customer base has doubled over the past 18 months, and it recently celebrated passing 100,000 customers. As UScellular looks to accelerate its Home Internet growth, Casa Systems’ AurusLINK – which is being branded as the ‘UScellular Outdoor Receiver’ – will expand the operator’s addressable market with an FWA device that is simple to install by customers across diverse urban, suburban, and rural markets. In addition, it reliably and consistently delivers true broadband speeds – eliminating the challenge many in-home 5G gateways face with poor signal strength and slower speeds. “With its nationwide 5G footprint and diverse spectrum assets, UScellular is an innovative wireless operator that selected the AurusLINK as a complete, self-install solution to fuel the expansion of its Home Internet service to more customers,” said Steve Collins, SVP of Access Devices at Casa Systems. “UScellular’s customers will enjoy superior coverage and seamless connectivity as our devices and smartphone app ensure the optimal signal and performance to reduce product returns and churn issues associated with more traditional in-home 5G gateways. We look forward to working with UScellular to continue to provide access devices that maximize the capacity, reach and performance of their 5G network.” Similar in size to a smartphone, the AurusLINK/UScellular Outdoor Receiver addresses the needs of today’s customers with its compact design and simple, self-install device that provides immediate internet service. Leveraging over a decade of fixed wireless expertise including several large deployments with Tier 1 operators around the world, Casa Systems’ FWA offerings deliver an unmatched user installation experience with the world’s most advanced tools. This complete solution equips customers with everything necessary for installation in various locations including an easy-to-use app with step-by-step instructions and network intelligence to locate the best 5G signal. “Adding a self-installed external device to our in-home connectivity solutions gives our customers more flexibility to choose the option that provides the best performance for them,” said Eric Jagher, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at UScellular. “We are committed to providing our customers with fast, reliable connectivity, and Casa Systems offers proven technology that delivers reliable, high-performance 5G services that will make a real difference in our customers’ lives.” Beyond FWA, the two companies are collaborating on bringing innovative hardware and software solutions to market to support UScellular’s growth strategies. For more information about Casa Systems’ extensive FWA portfolio, visit https://www.casa-systems.com/product-categories/fixed-wireless/ About Casa Systems, Inc. Casa Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASA) delivers the core-to-customer building blocks to speed 5G transformation with future-proof solutions and cutting-edge bandwidth for all access types. In today’s increasingly personalized world, Casa Systems creates disruptive architectures built specifically to meet the needs of service provider networks. Our suite of open, cloud-native network solutions unlocks new ways for service providers to build networks without boundaries and maximizes revenue-generating capabilities. Commercially deployed in more than 70 countries, Casa Systems serves over 475 Tier 1 and regional service providers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.casa-systems.com/.

Read More

Mobile Infrastructure,Network Infrastructure

T-Mobile’s 5G Network Slicing Beta is Revolutionizing Video-calling

T‑Mobile | September 06, 2023

T-Mobile launches network slicing beta targeting developers, with an initial emphasis on elevating video calling applications. Network slicing, enabled by 5G SA, offers tailored network performance based on specific use case requirements. This opportunity is geared towards developers seeking to enhance video calling apps, leveraging its exclusive nationwide 5G SA network. T-Mobile, a leading 5G network provider, has launched a network slicing beta for developers, initially targeting video calling applications. The network slicing beta is available for iOS developers in Seattle and San Francisco, with Android expansion expected later this year as device manufacturers slice. This solution aims to enhance video calling applications by leveraging the capabilities of 5G standalone architecture (5G SA). Developers engage with the capabilities at T-Mobile's 5G Hub for comprehensive testing and validation. Through the solution, video calling app developers can experience the beta by registering through T-Mobile's developer platform, DevEdge. Considering the rising demand for video calling applications fueled by remote work and the need for seamless connectivity, the company recognizes the importance of optimizing network conditions. It plans to expand the beta program to include more application types and use cases. T-Mobile is aggressively expanding its 5G coverage, offering developers the ability to create customized network slices that help enhance their applications by ensuring consistent uplink and downlink speeds, lower latency, and increased reliability. The Un-carrier's 5G network serves 326 million people across two million square miles—surpassing the combined coverage of AT&T and Verizon. Furthermore, T-Mobile's high-speed Ultra Capacity 5G is accessible to 285 million people nationwide. Notably, T-Mobile has set ambitious plans to extend Ultra Capacity 5G to an even broader audience, with a target of reaching 300 million individuals within the current year. This ambitious undertaking solidifies its standing as a dominant force in 5G coverage. Additionally, T-Mobile allows developers to work closely with the company's engineers at the 5G Hub for rigorous testing and validation. This collaborative endeavor brings together developers from renowned industry leaders such as Dialpad Ai, Google, Webex by Cisco, Zoom Video Communications and many others. It symbolizes a collective effort to push the boundaries of innovation in video calling applications and the broader landscape of 5G technology. “The wireless industry has talked about 5G network slicing for years and at T-Mobile we’ve been putting in the work to bring it to life. Thanks to our nationwide 5G SA network, T-Mobile is the only operator in the country capable of unlocking this technology so developers can immediately begin creating applications that can one day provide tangible benefits to wireless users everywhere.” -Ulf Ewaldsson, President of Technology at T-Mobile

Read More

Wan Technologies,Wireless,5G

Spitfire Takes Business Connectivity to the Next Level With Full MVNO Agreement Using EE Network in Partnership With BT Wholesale

Businesswire | July 04, 2023

Spitfire Network Services Ltd (Spitfire), the award winning provider of fixed line voice, internet and wide area network services to business, has today announced a full mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement with BT Wholesale. Spitfire will interconnect its advanced latest generation core network with BT Group’s award-winning EE 4G and 5G Radio Access Network. With ‘Enhanced Mobile’, the new ‘Spitfire Unified Network’ will offer first class connectivity, better security and, flexible and innovative billing plans, to SME, enterprise and IoT customers across the UK with the potential for greater efficiency via the integration of fixed and mobile networks. Spitfire already provides customers with significant choice and the ‘best fit’ of available next generation fixed line fibre and private network connectivity, including direct access into Amazon AWS/Microsoft Azure and other cloud providers through Spitfire’s Cloud Connect solution. This will now be expanded to include 4G voice and 4G/5G, data and IoT connectivity with Enhanced Mobile. Spitfire customers can now obtain a single unified network across their entire mobile and fixed line estate, for a true end-to-end solution without the need for data to traverse the public internet, improving security and manageability. The requirement for IPSec VPNs or similar networking security technology is potentially avoided, allowing for less equipment configuration time. Another technical benefit is that customers can specify a private APN network and bring their own IP address range. The full MVNO gives Spitfire greater control of core network functionality, providing customers with enhanced services for IoT and mobile data connectivity, and will enable future integration with its leading hosted telephony solution FireSwitch™. Spitfire is now well positioned to provide businesses with next level unified network solutions that meet its evolving connectivity needs. The Spitfire Customer Portal provides comprehensive easy-to-use online access to view and manage all provided services in one location, including provisioning and support updates. The customer only has to engage with one connectivity supplier for all sales and support and will receive a single invoice for all services and sites. All providing for the straightforward adoption of the latest IoT and mobile network technology. Harry Bowlby, Managing Director, Spitfire Network Services Ltd, said: “This new agreement is extremely exciting for Spitfire. By adding Enhanced Mobile to our service offering, we complete the jigsaw by enabling our customers and partners to benefit from easy access to one unified network solution for all of their connectivity needs. In conjunction they will continue to benefit from our experienced and highly trained UK based team providing the best levels of business class customer service.” The solution will offer businesses access to EE’s award-winning 4G and 5G network. EE is the UK’s best network as shown by RootMetrics®, offering great coverage, fastest median speeds and most reliable mobile connectivity – including 5G availability in nearly every UK town and city. EE’s 5G network covers more than 68% of the population and expanding into more rural populations. Its 4G network already covers 99% of the population and is on track to reach 90% of the UK’s geographic landmass by the mid-2020s. Alex Tempest, Managing Director, BT Wholesale, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Spitfire as they launch this new full MVNO service. “BT Wholesale has worked with Spitfire for more than 20 years and this has led to Spitfire reaching our Elite Partner status. Spitfire prides itself on its engineering capability to deliver innovative propositions and tailored customer service. We are excited for this next stage in Spitfire’s evolution, combining its end to end communications portfolio with the UK’s best mobile network in EE. We’re proud that Spitfire has recognised the value of our network and our ongoing investment, with our ambition to provide 5G anywhere in the UK by 2028.” About Spitfire Network Services Ltd Spitfire has been providing business internet and telecoms services from our central London offices for 35 years. With an emphasis on engineering skills and customer service, we aim to build long-term business relationships with our clients – delivering innovative, award-winning solutions and significant cost savings.

Read More

Wireless

UScellular Selects Casa Systems for Self-Install 5G Outdoor Fixed Wireless Access Devices

GlobeNewswire | September 12, 2023

Casa Systems (Nasdaq: CASA) today announced that UScellular selected the Company’s new AurusLINK Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) outdoor device to provide a high-speed broadband internet solution for homes and businesses. Casa Systems’ AurusLINK was selected for its compact, self-install outdoor design that quickly and reliably connects to the 5G network for a superior FWA broadband internet experience. With nearly five million customers nationwide, UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States. Its Home Internet customer base has doubled over the past 18 months, and it recently celebrated passing 100,000 customers. As UScellular looks to accelerate its Home Internet growth, Casa Systems’ AurusLINK – which is being branded as the ‘UScellular Outdoor Receiver’ – will expand the operator’s addressable market with an FWA device that is simple to install by customers across diverse urban, suburban, and rural markets. In addition, it reliably and consistently delivers true broadband speeds – eliminating the challenge many in-home 5G gateways face with poor signal strength and slower speeds. “With its nationwide 5G footprint and diverse spectrum assets, UScellular is an innovative wireless operator that selected the AurusLINK as a complete, self-install solution to fuel the expansion of its Home Internet service to more customers,” said Steve Collins, SVP of Access Devices at Casa Systems. “UScellular’s customers will enjoy superior coverage and seamless connectivity as our devices and smartphone app ensure the optimal signal and performance to reduce product returns and churn issues associated with more traditional in-home 5G gateways. We look forward to working with UScellular to continue to provide access devices that maximize the capacity, reach and performance of their 5G network.” Similar in size to a smartphone, the AurusLINK/UScellular Outdoor Receiver addresses the needs of today’s customers with its compact design and simple, self-install device that provides immediate internet service. Leveraging over a decade of fixed wireless expertise including several large deployments with Tier 1 operators around the world, Casa Systems’ FWA offerings deliver an unmatched user installation experience with the world’s most advanced tools. This complete solution equips customers with everything necessary for installation in various locations including an easy-to-use app with step-by-step instructions and network intelligence to locate the best 5G signal. “Adding a self-installed external device to our in-home connectivity solutions gives our customers more flexibility to choose the option that provides the best performance for them,” said Eric Jagher, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at UScellular. “We are committed to providing our customers with fast, reliable connectivity, and Casa Systems offers proven technology that delivers reliable, high-performance 5G services that will make a real difference in our customers’ lives.” Beyond FWA, the two companies are collaborating on bringing innovative hardware and software solutions to market to support UScellular’s growth strategies. For more information about Casa Systems’ extensive FWA portfolio, visit https://www.casa-systems.com/product-categories/fixed-wireless/ About Casa Systems, Inc. Casa Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASA) delivers the core-to-customer building blocks to speed 5G transformation with future-proof solutions and cutting-edge bandwidth for all access types. In today’s increasingly personalized world, Casa Systems creates disruptive architectures built specifically to meet the needs of service provider networks. Our suite of open, cloud-native network solutions unlocks new ways for service providers to build networks without boundaries and maximizes revenue-generating capabilities. Commercially deployed in more than 70 countries, Casa Systems serves over 475 Tier 1 and regional service providers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.casa-systems.com/.

Read More

Events