August 2013 The Cloudifi cation of the Network - Pertinopertino.com/assets/client_files/images/VoITReport-IAAS-Cloud... · The Cloudifi cation of the Network: A look into how SMB

The Cloudifi cation of the Network:

A look into how SMB IT pros are adopting, using and purchasing cloud networking solutions.

A u g u s t 2 0 1 3

Fre e I T re p o r t s o n to d ay ’s h o t te s t te c h to p i c s a n d t re n d s.

Sponsored by:

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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From hosted email to online backup, the cloud has forever altered the IT landscape. But today’s IT pros

are fi nding out there’s more to the cloud than just servers and storage. There’s a whole buff et of cloud

networking solutions available as well, bringing the benefi ts of the cloud to a critical corner of the IT

infrastructure.

Traditional networking has worked the same way forever, running on native hardware that was built

for speed but not necessarily for fl exibility or usability. The cloud networking solutions available today

extend the benefi ts of cloud technology to the network, making it easier than ever to build new

networks and manage existing ones.

Whether you’re hoping to offl oad specifi c network services like content fi ltering and DNS, or you’re

looking to host your whole network infrastructure, IT pros can now offl oad some of the network burden

to a third-party vendor – one that’s an expert on hosting and administering networking software and

appliances. This report provides a glimpse into how and why SMB IT pros are doing just that.

The spectrum of cloud networking

Cloud networking can span the gamut of:

While some network services like content fi ltering and DNS have been running in the cloud forever,

some of the more advanced infrastructure off erings are just now coming into play.

Cloud-based networking

Network-as-a-service (NaaS)

Cloud-enabled networkingInfrastructure, management, policy

and data forwarding/switching

are all in the cloud (i.e., virtual

network in the cloud).

Management and/or policy elements

are cloud-based while the data is stored

and actions are performed locally,

usually via an appliance or client.

Managed networking solutions delivered

as a service which may or may not be

cloud-based but are consumed via

an on-demand model.

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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How are IT pros using cloud networking tools? Of those respondents currently running them, a

third are using them for content fi ltering. DNS is another popular use, as are VPN and security.

Identity and access management (IAM) trails the pack in fi fth place.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

33%

28%

22%

21%

6%

11%

6% 66%

67%11%

8%

56%

71%

85%

Content filtering

DNS

VPN/Remote access

Security

Identity and access management

Currently Plan to implement in the next year

No and no plans to implement

9%

Cloud networking solutions and how they’re used:

Respondents: 344-350

72%28%

Yes

No

Familiar with cloud networking?

Respondents: 493

Who’s doing what?

The majority of IT pros we surveyed (72%) are familiar with cloud networking. However, not

quite as many are using it. Only 45% say they’ve either already adopted cloud networking

solutions or have plans to implement them.

Respondents: 493

Cloud networking adoption

45%55%Currently using or

plan to adopt in the

next 12 months

No plans to implement

in the next year

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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So... why bother?

Respondents give a handful of compelling reasons for using cloud networking tools, and topping

that list is easier maintenance and management – a benefi t that’s driven IT pros to move all kinds of

services to the cloud.

Easier maintenance/management

Provide access from anywhere

Disaster recovery

Dynamic scalability

Reduced or no capital investment required

Faster provisioning

Pay-as-you-use-billing

Global reach

Other

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

68%

58%

51%

44%

43%

32%

31%

19%

2%

Reasons for using (or planning to use) a cloud networking solution:

What exactly are IT pros looking for in a vendor? Cost stands out as the top consideration.

Data protection and security come in second followed by available feature set.

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Cost/billing options

Data protection and security

Feature set

Vendor reputation

Performance and availability SLAs

Architecture/OS support

Time to configure

Audit/compliance support

Vendor time in market

Vendor location

Other

14%

23%

28%

39%

55%

60%

60%

67%

70%

87%

Main factors when choosing a vendor:

Respondents: 222

Respondents: 222

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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There are fi ve heavy-hitting features IT pros are looking for: Security, administrative tools, redundancy/availability,

performance, and ease of setup and maintenance.

Security (encryption, NAT, authentication, etc.)

Administrative tools

Redundancy/availability

Performance

Easy to set up and maintain

Flexibility to create instant and temporary networks

Subscription pricing

Global reach

Software-only solution

Not very or Not at all important

1%

2%

1%

1%

1%

23%

20%

35%

42%

Very orExtremely important

94%

88%

87%

85%

80%

45%

44%

33%

15%

Features IT pros look for in a cloud networking solution:

Respondents: 219-222

Cloud Networking in Action:

A real IT pro’s take

For Alan Byrne, IT pro at Cogmotive Reports, the cloud

is more than just a buzzword – it’s where his company is

headquartered. Cloud networking was a natural choice

for Cogmotive, which provides in-depth Offi ce 365

reports and analytics for companies around the globe.

“We’ve been in the cloud from the ground up,” he says.

“All of our infrastructure runs

in the cloud.” In addition to

hosted email and a web-based

application on Amazon Web

Services, their cloud-based infrastructure includes critical

network services such as web and email content fi ltering,

web app fi rewalls, and DNS.

“The decision we made was basically around speed

of delivery and the ability to scale it as we got new

customers on board,” Byrne explains. It has also enabled

the company’s three-man team to accomplish things they

otherwise couldn’t aff ord. “All of the functionality is out

there – we just leveraged it. Saved us a lot of money, too.”

Alan Byrne, IT pro Cogmotive Reports

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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Wrap-up: Cloud networking on the horizon

Most IT pros have cloud on the brain, and many are already using a colorful assortment of cloud services.

Why? To save money, save time, avoid trouble, or all of the above. They’re using hosted business apps,

storing tons of backup data, and spinning up test servers – all in the cloud. Now cloud networking is

poised to be the next big mover and shaker, and SMB IT pros are taking notice.

For a young start-up, cloud networking can provide a scalable infrastructure without all the network

gear and headaches. For old dogs looking for a few new tricks, cloud-based networking tools can

help reduce the burden of providing services like content fi ltering and DNS. Whether your network

is young, old, or somewhere in between, today’s cloud networking options are worth exploring.

What’s the hold up?

Like all IT services where a third-party is introduced, cloud networking presents an added element of risk that

not all IT pros are comfortable with. For the many respondents who still aren’t on board with cloud networking,

increased risk was the biggest factor holding them back.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Risk of security breach

Lack of control over infrastructure

Risk of service outage or degradation

Risk of data loss

Risk of compliance violations

Not cost-effective

Difficulty integrating with our environment

Lack of industry standards

Don’t have any concerns

Other

61%

53%

42%

41%

37%

37%

27%

15%

13%

9%

Primary concerns about using a cloud networking solution:

Respondents: 150

THE CLOUDIFICATION OF THE NETWORK

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This report was sponsored by Pertino.

Pertino is reinventing networking for the mobile and cloud era by enabling

businesses of any size to build a virtual private network in the cloud in minutes

connecting people and IT resources from anywhere in the world. The company’s

Cloud Network Engine is a cloud-based network-as-a-service that provides secure,

LAN-like connectivity to the growing number of mobile users, their devices, and

cloud-based IT resources that exist outside the office. Founded in 2011, Pertino is

venture-funded and headquartered in Los Gatos, Calif.

Learn how to build your own Pertino network for free.

Follow Pertino in the

Spiceworks Community.

Company Size Region

Industry (Top industries shown.)

Respondents: 488

Manufacturing Healthcare Government Retail

IT Service Provider Education Non-Profit Consulting Construction

15% 10% 8% 8% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 4%

Finance

19%

36%26%

19%

68%

North America

EMEALess than 20 employees

20-99 employees

100-249 employees

250 to 999

employees

36%

Details on the data

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glimpse into tech you can’t get anywhere else!

Data in this report comes from a Spiceworks survey conducted with nearly 500 IT pros from small

and midsize organizations from North America and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).

Respondent Profile

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