Archive for month: December, 2021

Intent-based networking consists of a software-defined automation process. It uses high intelligence, analysis, and orchestration levels to improve uptime and network operations.

This means operators define the business results they wish to achieve. The network then interprets the goals and translates them into the configuration required to ensure they can be achieved without manually coding or executing tasks.

Intent-based networks are network operation models. They differ from traditional imperative networks, in which network engineers must specify the sequence of actions needed on individual network elements, which can lead to potential errors.

What Problems Do They Solve?

Traditionally, networks rely on manual command-line interface (CLI) operations and basic element management systems (EMS) or, similarly, on automation scripts. This can lead to disruptions caused by human errors. Intent-based networks help reduce these errors and risks.

But how do intent-based networks help improve operational efficiency? Here are some of their benefits:

• They allow validation of intent objects before applying them to the network. Intent objects are general representations of the properties or results the operator wishes to achieve in the network.
• They can instantly switch to earlier or later versions.
• They limit the impact and scope of errors when implementing new intentions through well-defined policies.
• They establish intent-based alternatives. In addition, they maintain those results even if there are blackouts or device errors by reconfiguring other network elements.

Using network analysis we can readily see that modern orchestration systems allow for commercial intent-based network systems for critical implementations and escalations.

Intent-based networks help shorten the required implementation time frames, enabling the provision of reliable services in just minutes instead of days or weeks.

How Do I Implement Intent-Based Networking in my Organization?

Although intent-based networks are not new, many companies have not yet fully embraced them. There are increasingly automated and straightforward methods for network operation within the process at every stage.

• Manual:

The operations team manages the data center’s network devices using CLI, SNMP, and basic, specific tools.

• Semi-automatic:

Rule- and command-based management is combined with traditional tools for basic automation.

• Software-defined data center:

Software in the network infrastructure enables faster and more secure deployment of services and applications.

• Intent-based data centers:

Continuously collects and converts relevant data to perform automatic actions for the network.

Intent-based networks ensure intent. Through network analysis, networks can meet the company’s original intent throughout the service lifecycle. These analyses provide valuable information about network services and thus allow teams to view network services as a complete service.

At NGIN Services, we offer solutions based on network analysis to improve your organization’s performance. Contact us today. We are confident that intent-based networks can help improve your company’s processes.

Optical and IP networks are demanding increasing performance. This forces us to think about a new era of network management, visibility, and automation. This requires intelligent network orchestration spanning multi-layered networks.

The two most immediate reasons for this discussion are cloud services and 5G technology. That is why the impact on network operations goes beyond capacity scalability. A whole generational upgrade of network management, visibility, and automation is needed.

Cloud services have considerable growth potential. For this reason, more terminals for services and additional bandwidth can be added. Ever since these services have been accessible from anywhere, critical services have had to be migrated to a cloud model. Today, CSPs need greater visibility into service performance and improved network orchestration to meet latency requirements.

In the case of 5G, network visibility is also required. Stringent latency specifications and improved network visibility are even more critical in the 5G era. 5G needs visibility from layers 0 to 3 to the base station.

Cloud services and 5G will operate on an IP/optical converged infrastructure requiring intelligent orchestration. Optical networks continue to expand, as does the number of coherent optical ports. Companies need intelligent network orchestration to meet the growing needs for the densification of 5G and cloud terminals.

Network Orchestration and the Challenges for CSPs

Proper network orchestration helps improve network management, visibility, and automation. It also supports fundamental requirements. For this reason, it sustains the growth of cloud services, 5G RAN, and the expansion of optical capacity at the edge.

Intelligent orchestration allows the technology layers of IP/Optical networks to work closely together. Thus, there is also greater interoperability between providers regarding network management with greater multi-layer integration. The reason is that CSPs typically work with at least two providers at each network layer. CSPs are trying to switch from a manual, human-operated era to one that is automatically assisted or even automated.

CSP Evolution

On the other hand, CSPs must also evolve from a merely reactive mindset to a fault management reactive mindset to prevent the service from being affected. Network orchestration can help CSPs use the latest predictive capabilities enabled by network telemetry and data analytics algorithms.

CSPs can take advantage of network orchestration for advanced control. In addition, future management solutions must be aligned with the broader vision of the CSPs.

The next-generation, multi-vendor IP/optical network management platform is built on progress in three key areas, doing away with manual methods and instead adopting an automated, data-driven operations approach:

• Have more network performance data coming in from the hitherto obscure optical layer.
• Open APIs provide a common language for communication among multiple layers and providers.
• An increasingly practical set of applications that take advantage of interoperability between layers 0 and 3.

CSPs are eager to adopt a more automated environment with detailed network visibility. Their ultimate goal is fully autonomous network management, including auto-detection, auto-adjustment, auto-optimization, and fully closed-loop capabilities.

At NGIN Services, we have various options for optimal network orchestration as a solution to manage a multi-layered network in your organization. Contact us today.

Increasingly, more sectors and companies are affected by DDoS attacks. However, one sector is one of the cybercriminals’ favorite targets: the financial services sector.

The pandemic and remote work have encouraged significant increases in DDoS attacks on financial services since the first half of 2020. The trend continues. Such attacks have prospered with the interruption they can cause by launching an attack against a bank. That is why they give rise to slower response times on the site or even prevent clients from accessing their online banking or applications.

Why are financial institutions the favorite targets of attacks?

While the main target of cybercriminals is to give a poor experience for the user while using banks and their services, the truth is that some of those attacks aim not only at central IT banking systems but also at the accounts of clients and a broader payment ecosystem.

Banks, insurance companies, and financial service firms, in general, are still the main targets of cybercriminals. These criminals intend to steal money, interrupt operations, destroy or intervene with critical infrastructure, and steal information.

Additionally, at the end of 2020, Ransom-type threats, such as Denial of Service (DDoS) Ransom-type threats, were used against many organizations in the financial sector. This type of threat is based on extortion to launch DDoS attacks. Here is where agents of threats are motivated by financial profits and demand for payments to prevent attacks.

Why is it important to talk about the mitigation of DDoS attacks in the financial sector?

According to a study published by Deloitte, 88% of cyberattacks in this sector are successful for at least one day. However, less than 21% are detected in such same period. The economic impact and the impact on reputation compel us to think about more effective ways to mitigate DDoS attacks. This impact may escalate to millions of dollars if not detected on time.

Although the financial industry has been implementing strategies for several years to mitigate DDoS attacks, the truth is that more advanced methods are necessary to allow them to monitor “that which is unknown to them.” This, through thorough observation and predictive analytic intelligence.

That is why financial firms need true solutions to mitigate DDoS attacks to mitigate their impact. Financial firms need faster, more efficient, and more reliable solutions to be fully protected. You must choose a provider who is a leader in security and has the necessary capacity to defend from cybercriminals. At the same time, you must buffer the impact of such threats regardless of the size.

With improved security, you can ensure continuity of the organization’s operations and the confidence to clients that their money, investments, and personal data are safe.

At NGIN Services, we feature technology to prevent DDoS attacks. We work with financial institutions and all types of institutions to prevent cyberattacks and reduce the impact on your organization.

We invite you to contact us and ask for a quote today.

Other resources:

Advice to prevent DDoS attacks

IP convergence allows you to perform different functions in one single platform. That way, telecommunication companies obtain great benefits. Let’s learn how it works and the benefits it has for you.

Data travel across the Internet through several sets of rules called protocols. Collectively, these rules make up the Internet Protocol or IP. The standardized set of rules is what allows computers to communicate through networks.

How does IP convergence work?

IP convergence refers to the capacity of Internet to act as a unique database for different functions which traditionally had their own platforms. The telephone system is a good example. The public switched telephone network (PSTN) is compatible with the traditional telephone system, the network of copper wires, circuit plates and switches that transmit analog voice data from one telephone to another. In this way, engineers later transformed most PSTN into a part of a digital system.

However, the invention of  voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) made it possible to make phone calls using Internet as a telephone network. All it needed was an adapter for a traditional phone, a special VoIP telephone or a computer with a VoIP interphase installed.  Suddenly, consolidation of two networks (voice and data) in one platform was possible. That is IP convergence.

Benefits

• Even though companies take many considerations into account while analyzing intellectual property convergence strategies, there are two main factors to focus on. The first one is cost. Consolidation of all your services (telephone, data, video, etc.) into one platform, means you’ll have to maintain only one account. There are a number of solutions which offer IP convergence packages specifically designed to drop operating costs for companies.
• The second thing to consider is that all traditionally discrete services will group into one single delivery system. This comes with its own set or pros and cons. The positive side is that you have only one network to maintain. You do not need services from several technicians to keep your different systems up and running because everything uses the same basic network.
• Another benefit is that IP convergence allows companies to create a more mobile labor force. For that reason, employees can have access to corporate functions through the company network, often through a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN helps maintaining corporate security and separating business traffic from the rest of the Internet traffic. Remote employees can use Internet to access to everything, from corporate files to voice messaging.

If you are interested in migrating to an IP convergence system, at NGIN Services we have the solutions that will bring agility and innovation to your company. Contact us and find out about the array of solutions we have for you.