Network simplicity key to solving security, efficiency issues

By Khoo Boo Leong | Nov 18, 2008

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In an economic slump, simplifying the network can help IT organizations do more with limited resources. “We want to get to the point where the network just works,” said Spencer Greene, senior vice-president of Customer Advocacy at Juniper Networks Inc. “Today, networks can be complex and very difficult to operate and manage.”

“The principal sources of network security breaches and downtime are human errors,” added Greene. “Reducing network complexity is the way to reduce human errors. By reducing the complexity, you can make the network more effective, easier to operate and harder to make mistakes leading to fewer failures and security breaches.”

Greene believes that if the auto industry works the same way as the networking industry, then car owners will have to test their cars for compatibility with roads, bridges, gas stations and toll booths before using them. “It’s a big step from where we are to a network that just works and a further step beyond that to a network that anyone can operate.”

One step in that direction is Juniper’s JUNOS strategy of one operating system, one release and one network architecture which are aimed at achieving higher network availability and security simply and at a lower cost. So, despite the economic situation, “nothing has changed for us. Customers [still want to achieve that].”

Nonetheless, an added advantage is that “customers do not have to change everything [immediately] to get the benefits [of simplicity and efficiency],” Greene pointed out. “As you have new needs or a network that needs to be replaced, every incremental step you take gives incremental benefits along the way.”

Regarding benefits, one key customer consideration is energy efficiency. A recent test on Juniper’s T1600 core router using the new Energy Consumption Rating (ECR) Initiative methodology yielded a performance-per-energy unit rating of 9.1 watts per Gbps.

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