Bigleaf Networks - Detailed Review
Networking Tools
Bigleaf Networks - Product Overview
Overview of Bigleaf Networks
Bigleaf Networks is a company that specializes in providing high-performance and reliable internet connectivity solutions, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and mid-market enterprises. Here’s a brief overview of what they offer:Primary Function
Bigleaf Networks focuses on improving the reliability, performance, and value of cloud-based applications by leveraging Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) principles. Their technology ensures that businesses can maintain seamless and reliable connections to their critical cloud-based software and applications, even in the face of internet outages or poor connectivity.Target Audience
The primary target audience for Bigleaf Networks includes SMBs and mid-market enterprises that heavily rely on cloud-based applications but may not have the extensive IT budgets or resources to manage complex networking solutions. This also extends to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who need to deliver reliable connectivity to their clients.Key Features
Redundancy and Load Balancing
Bigleaf’s technology mimics the natural architecture of a leaf, using multiple internet connections (or “veins”) to ensure redundancy. If one connection is disrupted, traffic is automatically routed through other available connections, minimizing downtime.Easy Installation and Management
The setup process is straightforward and quick, involving the installation of a pre-configured Bigleaf router outside the firewall. This router self-configures to optimize traffic without the need for manual policies or rule selection.Real-Time Monitoring and Adaptation
Bigleaf continuously monitors each internet connection, measuring metrics like latency, jitter, packet loss, and capacity. This real-time monitoring allows the system to adapt to changing circuit conditions and application needs, ensuring optimal performance.Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS)
Bigleaf’s Dynamic QoS system prioritizes critical traffic such as VoIP, SSH, and Remote Desktop, even over lower-cost internet connections. This ensures that real-time traffic is not degraded by ISP congestion, providing enterprise-grade QoS without the need for expensive SLA-backed circuits.Simplified Network Management
The platform offers detailed performance reports, active alerts, and troubleshooting tools through an intuitive network optimization dashboard called Bigleaf Cloud Connect. This allows for easy management and monitoring of all connections through a single interface.MSP Integration
Bigleaf has a Global MSP Program that provides resources, training, and support for MSPs to easily deploy and manage Bigleaf services for their clients. This includes Zero Touch Setup, updated reporting, and 24/7 support.Conclusion
In summary, Bigleaf Networks offers a user-friendly, high-performance SD-WAN solution that ensures reliable and optimized internet connectivity for cloud-based applications, making it an invaluable tool for SMBs, mid-market enterprises, and MSPs. Bigleaf Networks - User Interface and Experience
User-Friendly Interface
Bigleaf Cloud Connect features a streamlined design that prioritizes simplicity and intuitiveness. The interface is designed to be easy to use, even for those who may not be deeply technical. It includes intuitive navigation and self-help resources, ensuring a smooth user experience from the outset.
Real-Time Visibility and Control
The dashboard provides real-time visibility into network performance, allowing users to monitor and manage their wired and wireless circuits effectively. This real-time data refresh ensures that users always have the most up-to-date information, enabling swift troubleshooting and issue resolution.
Global and Multi-Site View
Bigleaf Cloud Connect offers a Network Operations Center (NOC)-inspired interface that gives a comprehensive view of the entire network infrastructure, regardless of the location. This global and multi-site view helps in managing multiple sites from a single pane of glass, making it easier for IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to support their clients.
Advanced Filtering and Data Insights
The platform includes advanced filtering, search, and data insights capabilities. Users can easily pinpoint specific data points and uncover valuable insights to optimize network performance. This feature helps in prioritizing issues and gaining a deeper understanding of network health.
Enhanced Security
Bigleaf Cloud Connect incorporates strong security features, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), to protect sensitive network data. This ensures that the network remains secure while providing easy access to authorized users.
Troubleshooting Tools
The dashboard includes a range of diagnostic tools such as ping tests, MTR, and tcpdump, which are accessible directly from the user interface. These tools help in quickly identifying and resolving network and application performance issues, making the troubleshooting process more efficient.
Performance and Responsiveness
The interface is optimized for performance, with rapid page load times and a responsive design. This ensures that users can work efficiently without delays, enhancing their overall productivity.
Multi-Tenant Capability
For MSPs, Bigleaf Cloud Connect offers a multi-tenant aspect, allowing them to manage multiple customers’ internet connections from a single dashboard. This simplifies the management process and provides each customer with their own access to monitor their internet connections.
Conclusion
In summary, Bigleaf Networks’ user interface is engineered to be intuitive, easy to manage, and highly responsive. It provides comprehensive visibility, advanced troubleshooting tools, and enhanced security features, all of which contribute to a positive and efficient user experience.
Bigleaf Networks - Key Features and Functionality
Bigleaf Networks Overview
Bigleaf Networks offers a range of advanced features and functionalities in their networking tools, particularly highlighted in their AI-driven products. Here are the key features and how they work:
Global and Multi-Site View
Bigleaf Cloud Connect provides a Network Operations Center (NOC)-inspired interface that gives a comprehensive view of your entire network infrastructure, regardless of the location. This feature allows for unified visibility and control of all circuits and traffic, ensuring real-time and continuous network reliability and optimization.
Real-Time Data Analysis
The platform offers real-time data refresh, enabling you to have the most up-to-date information on circuit-level performance. This real-time monitoring measures critical metrics such as latency, jitter, packet loss, and capacity 10 times per second in both directions, providing a complete picture of each circuit’s performance.
Enhanced Security
Bigleaf Cloud Connect includes enhanced security features such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect sensitive network data. This ensures that your network remains secure and accessible only to authorized users.
User-Friendly Interface
The dashboard is designed with a streamlined and intuitive interface, prioritizing ease of use. It includes self-help resources and intuitive navigation, making it easier for users to manage their network without extensive technical knowledge.
Advanced Filtering, Search, and Data Insights
The platform allows you to easily pinpoint specific data points and uncover valuable insights to optimize your network performance. Advanced filtering and search capabilities help in identifying and addressing network issues efficiently.
Intelligent Traffic Management
Bigleaf’s system uses AI to automatically identify and prioritize application traffic. It configures itself to optimize for circuit conditions and traffic makeup, and adapts instantly to changes in real-time. This improves call and video quality and overall application performance without the need for manual policies or configurations.
Dynamic QoS and Load Balancing
Bigleaf’s Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) detects and identifies traffic types in real-time and applies QoS policies based on circuit throughput. The system intelligently prioritizes and routes traffic across circuits to ensure smooth, uninterrupted connectivity. For example, voice and video calls are routed to the circuit with the lowest latency, jitter, and packet loss, while high-throughput tasks are directed to the circuit with the most available bandwidth.
Automatic Failover and Redundancy
In the event of an outage or circuit degradation, Bigleaf’s system automatically routes traffic over redundant paths within 4 seconds, ensuring seamless continuity of services like VoIP calls, downloads, and uploads. This failover is transparent to applications, preventing downtime or slowdowns.
End-to-End Monitoring
Bigleaf’s monitoring system provides end-to-end visibility of each internet connection, from the customer’s location through to the Bigleaf gateway clusters. This comprehensive monitoring helps in identifying and addressing issues in the last-mile and middle-mile of the internet, where problems most often occur.
Risk Monitoring
Bigleaf’s Risk Monitoring feature uses artificial intelligence to interpret high-volume network events into prioritized actionable risks. This reduces alert noise by up to 50% for average customers, helping IT teams focus on critical issues rather than being overwhelmed by numerous alerts.
AI Integration
AI plays a crucial role in Bigleaf’s products by automatically detecting application needs and network conditions, and intelligently adapting traffic in real-time. The system uses patent-pending algorithms to integrate application traffic flow data with real-time circuit monitoring data, ensuring optimal load-balancing and QoS for all applications. AI also helps in reducing risk alert noise by interpreting network events into actionable risks, making network management more efficient and proactive.
Conclusion
These features collectively ensure that Bigleaf Networks provides a powerful, intuitive, and highly efficient network optimization solution that enhances business productivity and reliability.
Bigleaf Networks - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Bigleaf Networks is renowned for its dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) system, which significantly enhances network performance. Here are some highlights:Real-time Path Capacity Determination
Bigleaf’s system continuously monitors network paths, detecting congestion and adjusting the maximum throughput to prevent packet loss and ensure smooth traffic flow. This real-time monitoring happens 10 times per second, making it highly responsive to network conditions.Full Control of Traffic
By routing all upload traffic through on-prem Bigleaf edge routers and all download traffic through Gateway Cluster servers, Bigleaf gains comprehensive control over traffic flow. This allows for precise QoS prioritization and packet flow management, even before traffic reaches ISP bottlenecks.Automated Traffic Management
Bigleaf’s QoS system automates traffic identification, classification, marking, prioritization, and shaping. It uses six priority levels to ensure critical applications like VoIP and real-time audio receive the necessary bandwidth, while other applications are managed accordingly.Adaptability and Self-Correction
The system adapts to circuit conditions in real-time, optimizing for the actual bandwidth available and adjusting shaping rates to protect high-priority traffic. This ensures that even in cases of circuit misconfiguration or congestion, the network remains optimized.Accuracy
The accuracy of Bigleaf’s system is rooted in its advanced algorithms and continuous monitoring:Precise Traffic Identification
Bigleaf uses heuristics and algorithms to identify and classify traffic based on application needs, protocol, port, flow size, and other factors. This ensures that each application receives the appropriate priority and bandwidth allocation.Real-Time Monitoring and Adjustment
The continuous monitoring of network paths and circuits allows Bigleaf to accurately detect and respond to changes in network conditions. This real-time adjustment helps in maintaining optimal network performance.Intelligent Alerting
Bigleaf’s Risk Monitoring feature uses AI to interpret network events and translate them into actionable risks. This reduces alert noise by up to 50%, providing IT managers with clear and relevant information to address potential issues before they impact users.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Bigleaf Networks offers significant advantages, there are some limitations and areas where improvements could be made:Limited Support for Hybrid Networks
Bigleaf’s SD-WAN solution does not support hybrid networks, which means it cannot be used with options like MPLS or point-to-point links. This restricts its deployment to internet-based WANs only.Latency and Throughput Overhead
There is a small increase in baseline latency and a slight throughput overhead due to the overlay tunnels used by Bigleaf’s SD-WAN solution.Security Functions
Bigleaf’s solution is not an all-in-one network-edge box with advanced security functions. It is designed to work alongside firewalls rather than replace them, which might be seen as a limitation for some users. In summary, Bigleaf Networks excels in providing dynamic QoS, real-time path capacity determination, and automated traffic management, making it a strong performer in the AI-driven networking tools category. However, it has some limitations, particularly in supporting hybrid networks and providing comprehensive security functions. Despite these, Bigleaf’s ability to optimize network performance and provide accurate, actionable alerts makes it a valuable tool for many organizations. Bigleaf Networks - Pricing and Plans
Bigleaf Networks Plans Overview
Bigleaf Networks offers a range of plans to cater to different needs and budgets, each with distinct features and pricing. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure and the features included in each plan:
Essential Location Services Plans
Pricing
Starts at around $159 per month, depending on the speed tier chosen.
Features
- Bigleaf Router configured and delivered at no extra cost.
- 24/7 direct technical support.
- Public static IP address or DHCP.
- Fully symmetrical upload and download speed tiers (e.g., 75/75 Mbps, 150/150 Mbps, 300/300 Mbps, etc.).
- Service Level Agreement (SLA) with guaranteed bandwidth.
- Unlimited users.
Premier Location Services Plans
Pricing
Generally higher than the Essential plan, with prices such as $229 per month for a 150/150 Mbps tier, and up to $1,485 per month for a 3/3 Gbps tier.
Features
- Includes all features from the Essential plan.
- High availability equipment with 2 pre-configured routers bridged together for immediate failover.
- 5 usable public static IP addresses.
Home Office Service Plan
Pricing
Starts as low as $125 per month.
Features
- Bigleaf Router configured and delivered at no extra cost.
- 24/7 direct technical support.
- DHCP handoff only.
- Includes 10 users.
- Quick plug ‘n play device.
Speed Tiers
Bigleaf Networks offers various symmetric speed tiers across all plans, including:
- 75/75 Mbps
- 150/150 Mbps
- 300/300 Mbps
- 500/500 Mbps
- 1/1 Gbps
- 2/2 Gbps
- 3/3 Gbps
There are also some asymmetric options like 150/20 Mbps and 1 Gbps /100 Mbps.
Additional Features and Options
- Bigleaf Wireless Connect: This is a wireless WAN solution that includes a 4G SIM card with flexible data packages (20 GB or 100 GB), no overage fees, and reliable high-speed connectivity via Verizon or AT&T 4G LTE networks. It co-terms with the Bigleaf SD-WAN service and includes a backup SIM card.
Free Options and Inclusions
- Router Delivery and Configuration: No extra fee for delivering and configuring the Bigleaf router.
- Technical Support: 24/7 direct technical support is included in all plans at no additional cost.
- IP Addresses: Each plan includes at least one usable IP address, with options to upgrade or acquire additional IP blocks for a monthly charge.
Volume Discounts
Bigleaf Networks offers volume discount pricing for organizations with multiple sites. Discounts range from 5% to 30% depending on the number of sites.
This structure ensures that users can select a plan that aligns with their specific needs and budget, while benefiting from the included features and support.
Bigleaf Networks - Integration and Compatibility
Bigleaf Networks Integration Overview
Bigleaf Networks integrates seamlessly with a variety of tools and platforms, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for its users.Integration with Firewalls
Bigleaf Networks is designed to work effortlessly with existing firewalls. The system installs outside the firewall and appears as a simple internet connection to the firewall, requiring only an update to the WAN IP address for installation. This ensures that the firewall’s functionality remains uncompromised, and security and compliance are maintained.Compatibility with Multiple ISPs
Bigleaf’s SD-WAN solution allows businesses to leverage multiple ISP connections simultaneously. The system aggregates traffic across these connections, providing high-performance and redundant internet connectivity. If one ISP connection is disrupted, Bigleaf automatically routes traffic over the other available connections, ensuring continuous service without interruptions.Integration with Cloud Applications
Bigleaf is particularly optimized for cloud-based applications such as Microsoft Office365, Teams, Skype for Business, and other cloud services. It creates an enterprise-grade connection to these applications over commodity broadband connections, ensuring reliable and high-performance access. The system intelligently routes critical cloud traffic over the best available connection in real-time, without requiring manual policy updates.Compatibility with Established Networks
The Bigleaf solution integrates seamlessly with established networks, ISPs, and applications. It takes only minutes to install and works unattended, providing immediate value and relief. This makes it easy for IT professionals to ensure reliable internet connectivity for their organizations without the need for extensive configuration or ongoing maintenance.Real-Time Adaptation
Bigleaf’s AI-driven technology auto-detects application needs and network conditions, adapting traffic in real-time to preserve application performance. This ensures that users experience optimal productivity even during circuit degradations or outages.Conclusion
In summary, Bigleaf Networks offers a highly compatible and integrative solution that works seamlessly with various firewalls, multiple ISP connections, and a range of cloud applications, making it a reliable choice for ensuring high-performance internet connectivity. Bigleaf Networks - Customer Support and Resources
Bigleaf Networks Customer Support Overview
Bigleaf Networks offers a comprehensive array of customer support options and additional resources to ensure users have the help they need to manage and optimize their network performance.
24/7 Technical Support
Bigleaf’s technical support team is available 24/7 to address any questions or issues related to network optimization and their services, including Wireless Connect. This round-the-clock support ensures that users can get immediate assistance for critical issues or outages.
Help Center and Resources
The Bigleaf Support website provides a Help Center with various categories such as “Getting Started,” “Frequently Asked Questions,” “Using Bigleaf Cloud Connect,” “Troubleshooting,” and “Release Notes.” These resources help users find answers to common questions and resolve issues independently. Users can also submit a request for further assistance if needed.
Contact Options
For urgent issues, users can call the support team directly at 1-888-244-3133. Additionally, there is a status page to check for any ongoing outages or maintenance, and a web dashboard for monitoring network performance.
High-Availability and Redundancy Support
Bigleaf offers high-availability options, including configurations with two pre-configured edge routers for immediate failover in case one router fails. This setup can also include a cellular Wireless Connect circuit as a secondary circuit for failover, active-active load balancing, or selective load balancing, ensuring continuous network reliability.
Connect Care
Bigleaf’s Connect Care ensures that every user has the support they need when they need it. This comprehensive support package is part of the overall service, providing users with the confidence that their network issues will be addressed promptly and effectively.
By providing these support options and resources, Bigleaf Networks ensures that users have the tools and assistance necessary to maintain optimal network performance and resolve any issues quickly.
Bigleaf Networks - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Bigleaf Networks
Bigleaf Networks offers several significant advantages, particularly for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) looking to enhance their internet connectivity and cloud application performance.Redundancy and Failover
Bigleaf’s system provides seamless failover, ensuring that if one of your Internet connections is disrupted, your traffic is automatically routed over other redundant paths. This process happens within 4 seconds, minimizing the impact on critical applications like VoIP calls and cloud services.Intelligent Load Balancing
Bigleaf uses Software Defined Networking (SDN) to load-balance traffic across multiple Internet circuits. The system continuously monitors each circuit’s performance metrics (latency, jitter, packet loss, capacity) and adjusts traffic flow in real-time to optimize application performance. This ensures that different types of traffic (e.g., VoIP, file transfers) are routed over the most suitable circuits.End-to-End Monitoring
Bigleaf’s monitoring system provides end-to-end visibility of internet connections, from the customer’s location to Bigleaf’s gateway clusters. This comprehensive monitoring helps identify and adapt to issues in the last-mile and middle-mile of the internet, insulating the user from common ISP problems.Application Traffic Identification and Prioritization
The system automatically identifies application traffic flows and determines their performance needs. It then applies Quality of Service (QoS) settings and rate limits in real-time to ensure optimal performance for each application, all without manual configuration.Simplified Network Management
Bigleaf simplifies network management by automating many tasks, such as traffic identification, prioritization, and failover. This reduces the need for manual policies and configurations, making it easier for SMBs with limited IT resources to manage their networks.Enhanced Security
Bigleaf’s router is positioned between the customer’s firewalls and ISP connections, ensuring a secure and stable network environment. The system maintains the customer’s security perimeter without compromising it.Disadvantages of Bigleaf Networks
While Bigleaf Networks offers several benefits, there are also some limitations and potential drawbacks.Lack of Hybrid Network Support
Bigleaf’s router does not support hybrid networks, which means it cannot deploy options like MPLS or point-to-point (P2P) links in an SD-WAN solution. This limits the flexibility for companies that might need these features.Limited Advanced Security Functions
Bigleaf’s solution is not an all-in-one network-edge box with advanced security functions. While it integrates well with existing firewalls, it does not replace the need for a comprehensive security solution.Baseline Latency and Throughput Overhead
There is a small increase in baseline latency and a slight throughput overhead due to the overlay tunnels used by Bigleaf’s SD-WAN solution.Upfront and Ongoing Costs
Implementing Bigleaf’s SD-WAN solution involves an upfront cost for hardware and setup, as well as ongoing monthly service charges. This can be a consideration for businesses with tight budgets. In summary, Bigleaf Networks is a strong option for SMBs seeking reliable, adaptive, and high-performance internet connectivity and cloud application management, but it may not be the best fit for every business due to its specific limitations. Bigleaf Networks - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Bigleaf Networks
Bigleaf Networks is notable for its Cloud-first SD-WAN platform, particularly its new AI-based feature called Risk Monitoring. This feature addresses the issue of high risk-alert noise by translating high-volume network events into prioritized, actionable risks, reducing alert noise by almost 50% through contextual alerting.- Dynamic QoS: Bigleaf’s Dynamic QoS uses intelligent software to prioritize internet traffic, adapting to circuit conditions and ensuring smooth performance for critical applications like VoIP and video, even on a single internet connection. This is achieved through its Same-IP Failover and patented Intelligent Load Balancing.
- Risk Monitoring: This feature highlights the top three risks at any site, providing easy-to-understand explanations and solutions, which is particularly beneficial for quick decision-making and resource allocation.
Potential Alternatives
Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform
Juniper’s platform is a significant competitor, offering a unified AI engine that manages campus, branch, and data center networking. It reduces networking trouble tickets by up to 90%, OpEx by up to 85%, and incident resolution time by up to 50%. The platform uses AI to ensure reliable, measurable, and secure connections for all devices and applications.Arista Etherlink AI Platforms
Arista’s Etherlink AI platforms are designed for optimal network performance, especially for demanding AI workloads like training and inferencing. These platforms focus on providing high-performance networking solutions tailored for AI-intensive environments.LogicMonitor
LogicMonitor uses AI-driven insights for automated anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and intelligent troubleshooting. It helps IT teams anticipate and address potential network problems proactively, reducing the time needed to resolve incidents and improving overall network performance.Auvik
Auvik integrates AI to enhance network monitoring and management by automating tasks such as network mapping, device discovery, and configuration backups. Its anomaly detection and predictive analytics features help IT teams identify and resolve issues before they escalate.Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN are strong alternatives, offering cloud-delivered overlay WAN architectures that facilitate digital and cloud transformation. Cisco Meraki is noted for its centralized dashboard management, while Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN provides a solution on cloud, physical, and virtual platforms.FortiGate SD-WAN
FortiGate SD-WAN replaces separate WAN routers, WAN optimization, and security devices with a single solution that is application-aware and offers automatic WAN path control and multi-broadband support. It improves application performance and reduces WAN operating expenses and management complexity.Key Differences
- AI Application: Bigleaf’s Risk Monitoring is unique in its focus on reducing alert noise and providing actionable risks, whereas Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform focuses on unifying all networking operations and ensuring reliable connections.
- QoS: Bigleaf’s Dynamic QoS stands out for its ability to adapt to circuit conditions and prioritize traffic over the public internet, a feature that is particularly beneficial for maintaining smooth performance of critical applications.
- Automation: While many tools like Auvik, LogicMonitor, and NinjaOne offer automated anomaly detection and predictive analytics, Bigleaf’s approach to automating risk monitoring and QoS prioritization is distinct in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Bigleaf Networks - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Bigleaf Networks, along with detailed responses:
What is Bigleaf Networks and what does it do?
Bigleaf Networks provides redundant and high-performance internet connectivity across commodity broadband connections for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and mid-market enterprises. It leverages Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) principles to improve the reliability, performance, and value of cloud-based applications.
How does Bigleaf Networks ensure internet connectivity reliability?
Bigleaf Networks ensures reliability by using multiple internet service providers (ISPs) and aggregating their bandwidth. If one internet connection is disrupted, the traffic is automatically routed over the other redundant paths, ensuring continuous connectivity. This is achieved through a unique adaptive load balancing system that monitors each internet connection in real-time and adjusts settings accordingly.
What is the Risk Monitoring feature in Bigleaf Networks?
The Risk Monitoring feature is an AI-based tool within Bigleaf’s Cloud-first SD-WAN platform. It addresses the issue of high risk-alert noise by translating high-volume network events into prioritized, actionable risks. This feature reduces alert noise by almost 50% and highlights the top three risks at each site, providing easy-to-understand explanations and solutions.
How much does Bigleaf Networks service cost?
Bigleaf Networks offers various service packages to fit different needs and budgets. For business locations, the service starts at around $160 per month, while home office versions start as low as $125 per month. The packages include features like configured and delivered routers, 24/7 technical support, public static IP addresses, and guaranteed bandwidth.
What are the key benefits of using Bigleaf Networks?
Key benefits include improved reliability and performance of internet connectivity, reduced risk-alert noise through the Risk Monitoring feature, and easy implementation with a plug-and-play device. Bigleaf also provides high availability equipment with immediate failover, load-balanced traffic across multiple ISPs, and real-time monitoring and adaptation to network conditions.
How does Bigleaf Networks integrate with existing network infrastructure?
Bigleaf’s solution integrates seamlessly with established firewalls, ISPs, and applications. The Bigleaf router installs outside the firewall, prioritizing application traffic in and out of the customer’s LAN. It connects to the Bigleaf Gateway Cluster, which tunnels multiple broadband circuits together as one pathway, providing bidirectional control and visibility of all traffic.
What kind of support does Bigleaf Networks offer?
Bigleaf Networks provides the highest level of 24/7 direct technical support at no additional fee. This support is included in both the Essential and Premier service plans. Additionally, Bigleaf uses independent telecom professionals to assist with ordering and ongoing support, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
How does Bigleaf Networks handle quality of service (QoS) for different applications?
Bigleaf’s system automatically identifies traffic types and determines which traffic flows require prioritization, such as VoIP. It applies QoS settings and rate limits in real-time based on changing circuit conditions and application needs, all without requiring manual configuration. Custom rules can also be set up for specific applications.
What awards and recognitions has Bigleaf Networks received?
Bigleaf Networks has received several G2 Winter 2025 Awards, recognizing its excellence in delivering innovative SD-WAN solutions. These awards include Best Estimated ROI, Best Results, Fastest Implementation, Most Implementable, Best Relationship, Leader in SD-WAN, Momentum Leader, Best Usability, and Easiest to Use.
How does Bigleaf Networks ensure network visibility and control?
Bigleaf provides real-time monitoring and visibility of all traffic through its Gateway Cluster and on-site router. The system continuously monitors each internet connection, adjusting QoS settings and rate limits based on circuit conditions to ensure the best possible network performance and user productivity.
Is Bigleaf Networks easy to implement and manage?
Yes, Bigleaf Networks is known for its ease of implementation and management. The service offers a plug-and-play device, and the setup and implementation process are seamless. The system is designed to work unattended, preserving application performance and user productivity despite circuit degradation or outages.
Bigleaf Networks - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Bigleaf Networks
Bigleaf Networks is a significant player in the Networking Tools and AI-driven product category, particularly within the Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN) sector. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what they offer and who would benefit most from their services.Key Features and Benefits
Risk Monitoring and Alerting
Bigleaf’s AI-powered Risk Monitoring feature is a standout, as it translates high-volume network events into prioritized, actionable risks. This reduces risk-alert noise by almost 50%, making it easier for IT teams to focus on critical issues rather than being overwhelmed by irrelevant alerts.
Dynamic QoS
Bigleaf’s Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) is unique in its ability to prioritize internet traffic intelligently using AI, rather than manual policies. This ensures smooth performance for critical applications like VoIP and video, even on a single internet connection.
Reliability and Performance
Their platform is built to provide reliable connectivity, addressing issues such as extended periods of elevated health alarm levels, critical traffic volume exceeding backup circuit capacity, and site outages. This is achieved through features like Same IP Failover and Intelligent Load Balancing.
Channel Partnerships
Bigleaf places a strong emphasis on its channel partners, providing them with tools to manage multiple customers effectively. This includes increased revenue opportunities through the need for additional internet circuits and reduced customer support due to fewer performance-based issues.
Who Would Benefit Most
IT Teams and MSPs
IT teams and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) would greatly benefit from Bigleaf’s Risk Monitoring and Dynamic QoS features. These tools help in managing the overwhelming volume of network alerts and ensuring that critical applications perform optimally.
SMBs and Enterprises
Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs) and larger enterprises with multiple branch and home internet connections can leverage Bigleaf’s solutions to maintain reliable and high-performance network connectivity. This is particularly useful for organizations heavily reliant on cloud applications.
Telecom Agents
Telecom agents and channel partners can benefit from Bigleaf’s solutions as they offer additional revenue streams and help in building value for their customers by providing reliable and performance-enhanced internet services.
Overall Recommendation
Bigleaf Networks offers a compelling suite of AI-driven networking tools that address some of the most pressing issues in network management, such as alert noise reduction and intelligent traffic prioritization. Their focus on reliability, performance, and ease of use makes them a valuable addition to any organization’s networking infrastructure.
For those seeking to improve their network reliability, reduce the noise from numerous alerts, and ensure optimal performance of critical applications, Bigleaf Networks is a strong contender. Their commitment to supporting channel partners and providing continuous support further enhances their value proposition.
In summary, Bigleaf Networks is a solid choice for any organization looking to streamline their network management, enhance performance, and reduce the burden on IT teams.