Product Overview of Nuage Networks (Nokia)
Nuage Networks, a subsidiary of Nokia, is a leading provider of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) solutions. The company was established to address the challenges faced by enterprises undergoing digital transformation, particularly in managing complex IT and wide area networks.
What Nuage Networks Does
Nuage Networks’ primary objective is to make network resources as easily consumable as IT compute and storage. This is achieved through its innovative SDN and SD-WAN platforms, designed to simplify and automate network management, enhance security, and improve application performance.
Key Features and Functionality
Virtualized Network Services (VNS)
- SD-WAN Solution: Nuage Networks’ VNS is a comprehensive SD-WAN solution that extends the power of SDN to create a seamless Wide Area Network (WAN). It connects data centers, branch locations, and cloud services, providing flexibility and scalability. VNS supports multiple access technologies, including copper, fiber, and mobile broadband, allowing enterprises to mix and match networks from various providers.
Network Automation and Management
- Centralized Management: The Nuage Networks SD-WAN portal enables service providers and enterprise customers to configure, manage, and maintain their SD-WAN from a single interface. This includes features such as network and application visualization, fine-grain access control, and application and traffic control.
- Zero-Touch Provisioning: The Network Services Gateway (NSG), which is part of the VNS solution, can be easily deployed and managed centrally, reducing the need for on-site configuration.
Security and Performance
- Embedded Security: Nuage Networks’ SD-WAN 2.0 solution includes embedded security features, such as next-generation firewalls, voice-over-IP, and WiFi access, ensuring robust security across the WAN.
- Application Control and Performance: The solution provides enhanced visibility into business traffic and improved application control and performance through centralized application, security, and network policies.
Scalability and Flexibility
- Multi-Cloud Support: The VNS solution supports connectivity to multiple cloud providers, including public clouds and SaaS services, allowing enterprises to choose the best-fit connections for their locations.
- Hardware Independence: The software images for VNS are designed to run on a wide range of x86-based hardware platforms, eliminating vendor lock-in and allowing for a competitive procurement model.
Core Network Virtualization
- Telco Cloud: Nuage Networks’ SDN technology also powers the core networks of large service providers, enabling them to transition from traditional telecommunications platforms to virtualized network function environments. This is crucial for supporting next-generation 5G and broadband services.
Components of the Virtualized Services Platform (VSP)
- Virtualized Services Directory (VSD): Acts as the management plane, holding policies and service templates, and communicates with the Virtualized Services Controller (VSC) using XMPP.
- Virtualized Services Controller (VSC): Converts policies from VSD into instructions for the data plane, communicating with SD-WAN CPEs or data center virtual services.
- Virtualized Cloud Service (VCS): Nuage’s data center SDN solution, which includes features like micro-segmentation, data center interconnect (DCI), and service chaining.
In summary, Nuage Networks from Nokia offers a robust and flexible SDN and SD-WAN solution that simplifies network management, enhances security, and improves application performance. Its Virtualized Network Services (VNS) and Virtualized Services Platform (VSP) provide enterprises with the tools to manage their networks efficiently, scale with demand, and adapt to the dynamic needs of their businesses.