Essential Guide: Application-aware networking

Introduction

1. An introduction to AAN

This Essential Guide addresses application-aware networking (AAN), an evolving networking approach in which network environments adapt to meet the needs of applications rather than traditional network configuration and provisioning methods. AAN can rely on software-defined networking (SDN) and other forms of network virtualization, so its need for network resources is managed using software rather than hardware.

• In software-defined networks, applications define the network

  The operative word in the term "software-defined network" isn't "software." It's "defined." SDN could redefine the way companies and service providers deploy applications and services. In an SDN future, the application itself will tell the network directly what it needs and the network will oblige. Continue reading for a not-improbable vision of an SDN future.

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• How SDN applications will change Layer 4-7 network services

  SDN applications won't just affect Layer 2/3 Ethernet switching and routing hardware; they will also have a major impact on Layer 4-7 network services. This quick tip from Doyle Research principal analyst Lee Doyle offers his expert advice on this critical element of SDN.

  Expert Tip

• After much talk, network virtualization is finally becoming a reality

  We've come a long way from the static virtual LANs of just five years ago. True network virtualization is finally starting to materialize. Flexible, virtualized platforms allow virtual network segments to be automated and provisioned on demand, along with compute and storage. Read on to explore how network virtualization and software overlays will be crucial in networking hybrid clouds for total orchestration.

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• SDN applications move beyond the data center

  SDN is already changing the data center network, but it could also make tomorrow's LANs and WANs more simple, secure and powerful than ever before. Read on to explore how today's SDN professionals are preparing for these inevitable changes, and why we may need to start rethinking the role of the network administrator.

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Laying the proper groundwork

2. Network virtualization and applications

AAN might be the next big thing in networking, but there are a lot of prerequisites. Your network needs to be virtualized and integrated, and many disparate components must be able to effectively communicate with each other. And on top of all that, you need to make your security measures are sufficient and up to date. For AAN to succeed, it is imperative to make sure you do the preliminary work to ensure a successful deployment.

• Ten essential network virtualization definitions

  Network virtualization is here, but we still don't have a singular/single network virtualization definition. Not to worry. We've listed 10 key definitions for understanding the basics of network virtualization, including virtual switch, overlay network, network hypervisor, and multi-tenant networks.

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• Essential tips for virtualized network integration and management

  Network configurations can be frustratingly complex, and often become a barrier to a fully virtualized network. In order to truly reap the benefits of a virtualized network, your organization will have to comprehensively define and understand these configurations. In this helpful tip, network configuration guru Henry Svendblad reveals some key tips you'll need to know to move your organization's network virtualization effort forward.

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• Integrating physical and virtual networks: Virtual switching tactics

  As virtual networks proliferate, manual configuration for virtual machines (VMs) will no longer be an option. Not only are engineers being forced to better integrate physical and virtual infrastructures, but they also have to be able to move VMs across both physical and virtual networks with their security and management policies intact. Continue reading to learn about the different strategies that vendors are deploying for virtual switching and overlays for virtual network bridging.

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• Setting a network security policy for a virtual environment

  Virtualization is helping many organizations slash costs, streamline processes, increase efficiency and simplify management. But with all the benefits that virtualization brings, there are also some very important network security issues to address. Read on to learn what a comprehensive network security policy should entail in a virtual environment.

  Expert Tip

• Using network virtualization to simplify WAN management

  Virtualization typically increases IT complexity; but if you're a WAN manager, you're in luck! WAN virtualization actually simplifies WAN management. In this expert tip, Ted Ritter explains how network virtualization simplifies WAN management in terms of availability, visibility, convergence and security.

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• Virtualization demands a full IT infrastructure audit

  No infrastructure will succeed if it hasn't been tailored to handle specific applications. You must create a unified IT department that can build an application-aware infrastructure to create an inventory system that reflects all of the resources that were once held in silos. Continue reading to learn the seven key questions your organization must be able to answer before you can successfully create a unified IT department that can build an application-aware infrastructure.

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The growing importance of ADCs

3. Application delivery controllers

As network complexity grows, so too does the importance of application delivery controllers (ADCs). These controllers can help alleviate many management headaches that a virtual network can bring and ensure you have the right level of application performance. But ADCs also have limitations that you need to be aware of, and it's very important to choose the right ADC for your organization's particular needs.

• ADC technology plays many roles

  In order to improve application performance in virtual environments, many IT organizations are utilizing ADC technology, which can improve application performance by delivering service requests to servers based on such criteria as the load each server is currently processing. Continue reading to explore how ADCs can help organizations realize the full value of server virtualization.

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• Application delivery optimization: Five tips for success

  Users expect optimal WAN performance no matter where they are or what platform they're using. But some applications are written in such a way that they perform badly over longer network links. Application delivery optimization (ADO) can alleviate these delivery problems without fixing the applications or limiting end users' options. Read on to learn five key tips for ADO success.

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• Using WAN optimization controllers for application delivery: An introduction

  Ensuring acceptable application delivery hasn't always been at the top of the list of priorities for most IT organizations. But with AAN, it has become more important than ever. This introduction to application delivery explains early app delivery factors that drove the initial deployment of WAN optimization controllers, and how these factors will continue to drive optimization controller implementation in enterprise networks.

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• Can ADCs support virtualization?

  As we've touched upon already, ADCs can enhance VM performance by enabling smoother dynamic creation and movement of VMs. However, ADCs can fall short in meeting other challenges. Enterprises should be aware of these potential shortcomings so as to anticipate them in their virtualization deployment. In this tip, network technology and applications expert Jim Metzler delves into just how ADCs support virtualization and their limitations.

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• Next-generation ADCs: Cloud and mobility

  Workers are becoming increasingly mobile and using many more devices for communication. This makes ADCs more and more valuable because they can understand the difference between applications, as well as Layer 2-7 traffic, allowing them to provide security that can change based on the user, device, network, application and traffic. Read on to explore how the cloud and the proliferations of mobile devices will shape the next generation of ADCs.

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Terms to know

4. Definitions