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Rachel Rothwell, regional director Southern Europe and UK at Zyxel, discusses the challenges organisaons face in understanding which part of their network needs to be upgraded to achieve the fastest and most reliable cloudmanaged infrastructure connecons


requirements and seamless connection has very much become a fundamental part of the infrastructure. In commercial buildings this translates into a growing fleet of networking devices being set up to avoid dead spots and dropping connections. The new standard, especially when we’re looking away from the traditional office, has arisen in the use of mobile technologies and wireless networks. Businesses, individuals and the devices themselves are driving this change. Moving away from the physically connected world of cables is undoubtedly giving us greater flexibility, however the trend also presents its own challenges to the network manager.


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Networks in commercial buildings not only need to provide a reliable connection, they must also be set up to deal with large numbers of unknown connected devices and ensure high levels of security. Yet, despite the excitement around new technology, including the rise of smart buildings, the connectivity, speed, security and indeed management of the supporting network to make it work is often an afterthought. This is where the capabilities of cloud-managed infrastructure come to the fore.


The scope of the challenge


Commercial buildings that cannot deliver or achieve an optimum connection are risking relationships with customers and likely hindering their own day-to-day operations. Generally speaking, we expect technology to enhance user experience and any lack of connectivity can lead to frustrations, stress, mistrust in the network and, in a business setting, reduced productivity.


In addition to the mission-critical element of the network, there is also increased demand for businesses and the buildings they use to be ‘smart’. The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more prevalent in the way we operate, and there is an expectation for commercial building networks to manage ever-increasing numbers of devices. According to Strategy Analytics, there were approximately 22 billion devices connected to the Internet worldwide at the end of last year and the analyst predicts that 38.6 billion devices will be connected by 2025, and 50 billion by 2030*. With the proliferation of connected devices and the increasing amounts of data these are producing, it is crucial that networks are advanced enough to process the large amounts of traffic at high speeds.


However, a big challenge organisations face is understanding which part of their network needs to be upgraded to achieve the fastest and most reliable connection. Taking steps to enhance the wireless network in a given building is not always straightforward and in fact, many are in the dark about the cheapest and easiest way to do so. Ripping out cabling is simply too disruptive and expensive.


This is why networking shouldn’t be seen as a ‘bolt on’ when it comes to the actual


n today’s digital age, we all expect to be continuously connected without any dropouts, no matter our location or device. From offices and homes to commercial venues, our networks are challenged with growing data


CLOUD TECHNOLOGY Taking network management to the cloud


construction of buildings, it should be seen as the foundation for any modern building. Although this is a role that falls upon architects, it is an attitude that should be replicated by everyone responsible for the construction and, later, management of the building.


Once the infrastructure is in place, there are additional requirements on the network, especially if it’s open to the public. UK law requires providers of public Wi-Fi networks to be able to track activity back to the user to mitigate the risk of these networks being used for illegal activities. Content filtering also needs to be in place for these networks that can be accessed freely.


The power of cloud technology


Managing and future-proofing what can be a very complex set of connections and networking infrastructure can be difficult, but the answer could be closer than you think. Just as business operations, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, are increasingly moving to the cloud, so can network and IT professionals unlock the potential of cloud-based management solutions.


The cloud offers many benefits to businesses and managing the network via this channel is no exception. A cloud-based solution can help to easily monitor who is on the network, at what time – from anywhere and at any time, providing greater flexibility, security and insight into what is going on. Real-time information about what is happening on the network can also help IT managers to deal with extra demand placed on it or to fix problems remotely, such as boost an access point or scale-up, or down network capacity as the demands change.


While moving a network infrastructure to the cloud can be time and resource intensive, the resulting network will provide the much-needed stability, scalability and security. A cloud-based management software is also easier to deploy as


the processing power is outsourced, easily scalable and available at any time.


Security tools and measures


The cloud not only enables cost-effective management, but also delivers improved security tools and measures. It would be foolish to think of the cloud as a safe haven for data as malware attacks the cloud too, however the power lies in the platform’s capability to aggregate and share knowledge, including information on security threats. Data protection reaches new heights with Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) on cloud. ATP provides real-time monitoring and protection of the network, which is crucial for any open network that is more vulnerable to the frequently novel threats that are able to infiltrate and spread within a network at lightning speed and are incredibly difficult to get rid of.


Today, efficiency is at the heart of any successful organisation and digital technology is a vital enabler to deliver this. Flexible and low-cost cloud managed network solutions are a prime example of how cloud technology helps drive productivity and improve business performance through giving greater visibility, gaining further insight and managing networks on the go.


Adopting the cloud in this aspect allows us to better assess weaknesses, mitigate network vulnerabilities and ensuring there is zero downtime. By today’s standards, this is becoming a necessity rather than a ‘nice touch’ that gives commercial buildings a competitive advantage.


www.zyxel.com/uk/en *


https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2019/05/23/connected -devices-growth


28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2019 Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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Networking shouldn’t be seen as a ‘bolt on’ when it comes to the actual construcon of buildings, it should be seen as the foundaon for any modern building


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