Riverbed SteelConnect - Detailed Review

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Riverbed SteelConnect - Detailed Review Contents
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    Riverbed SteelConnect - Product Overview



    Riverbed SteelConnect Overview

    Riverbed SteelConnect is a comprehensive enterprise SD-WAN solution that addresses the networking needs of modern hybrid IT environments. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:

    Primary Function

    Riverbed SteelConnect EX is designed to provide agile and cost-effective WAN connectivity. It integrates best-in-class routing, application acceleration, network visibility, and advanced security services. This solution helps enterprises streamline the deployment and management of remote sites and applications, boost network uptime and reliability, and secure user access and data.

    Target Audience

    The primary target audience for Riverbed SteelConnect EX includes large and medium-sized enterprises with multiple branch locations. These organizations often have complex networking requirements and need to manage hybrid IT landscapes that include cloud, on-premises, and remote environments.

    Key Features



    Agility and Management

    SteelConnect EX allows for quick responses to business needs through application-defined, business intent-based policies that are centrally managed. It features zero-touch provisioning and rapid change management, making it easy to manage global networks.

    Performance

    The solution delivers superior application performance through industry-leading application optimization, end-to-end unified visibility, and network performance monitoring (NPM). It also offers high availability, dynamic native routing, and integrated security.

    Security

    SteelConnect EX includes integrated security services such as next-generation firewalls (NGFW), unified threat management (UTM), content/URL filtering, secure web gateways, and web proxy capabilities. This ensures the secure delivery of applications across the hybrid enterprise.

    Components

    The solution consists of SteelConnect EX appliances, SteelConnect Director (a centralized management console), and SteelConnect Analytics (for real-time and historical insights into network performance, capacity, and security).

    Cost Efficiency and ROI

    Implementing SteelConnect EX can lead to significant cost savings, including reduced WAN circuit costs, improved IT productivity, and enhanced network uptime. According to Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), the solution can pay for itself within a few months and provide a substantial return on investment (ROI).

    Conclusion

    In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect EX is a powerful tool for enterprises looking to optimize their WAN connectivity, enhance application performance, and ensure robust security across their hybrid IT environments.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - User Interface and Experience



    User Interface

    The user interface of SteelConnect is characterized by a simple and graphical design. It features a menu-driven network design that allows users to easily configure sites, zones, uplinks, and rules. This interface is part of the SteelConnect Manager, a cloud-based, multi-tenant management portal that can be hosted on popular cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure, or self-hosted on the customer’s premises.



    Ease of Use

    SteelConnect is designed to be highly accessible, even for users without extensive technical expertise. It enables a workflow based on plain-language business requirements, allowing IT managers to translate business needs into network policies easily. For example, a manager can define a policy like “restrict debit transactions to authorized devices and servers globally” using a single, easy-to-use global policy, without the need for complex router configurations.



    Overall User Experience

    The overall user experience with SteelConnect is streamlined and agile. It integrates with other Riverbed tools, such as SteelCentral Insights, to provide comprehensive visibility into network usage and performance. This integration allows network managers to make informed decisions, monitor and troubleshoot issues, and plan for network changes efficiently. The system also supports automated VPN, extended reporting, and policy enforcement, all managed through a centralized and intuitive interface.



    Centralized Management

    SteelConnect Manager provides a centralized platform for managing all aspects of the network. It includes features like automated LAN deployment, network trunking, and traffic prioritization with Quality of Service (QoS), all of which can be managed through a single, unified interface. This centralized management reduces manual configuration errors and enhances security by minimizing attack surfaces.



    Conclusion

    In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect offers a user-friendly, graphical interface that simplifies the design, deployment, and management of SD-WAN environments. Its ease of use and centralized management capabilities make it an attractive solution for organizations looking to modernize their network architecture and improve business agility.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Key Features and Functionality



    Riverbed SteelConnect Overview

    Riverbed SteelConnect is a comprehensive SD-WAN solution that offers several key features and functionalities, particularly in the context of networking and application management. Here are the main features and how they work:



    Unified Connectivity

    SteelConnect provides ubiquitous and unified connectivity across LAN, WAN, and cloud environments. This allows businesses to securely connect users and applications regardless of their location, whether on a remote LAN, in a data center, or in the cloud.



    Business-Aligned Orchestration

    The solution features business-aligned orchestration, enabling fast, agile, and secure application delivery. This is achieved through a simple graphical user interface that allows for easy network design and policy management based on business intent. Administrators can design the network before deploying any hardware and push configurations to devices without the need for on-site engineers.



    Centralized Management

    SteelConnect Manager (SCM) is a web-based management portal that orchestrates network health, deployment, and policy changes. SCM resides in the global Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and manages all appliances, including firmware upgrades. It provides network visibility for manageability and troubleshooting, and all communication between appliances and SCM is authenticated through x509 certificate validation.



    Cloud-Centric Workflow

    SteelConnect offers a cloud-centric workflow that simplifies network design and management. It allows for easy menu-driven configuration of sites, zones, uplinks, and rules. This streamlined approach helps in quickly setting up and managing global networks and connecting to cloud environments like AWS and Microsoft Azure with one-click connectivity and optimization.



    Integrated Visibility

    SteelCentral Insights for SteelConnect integrates with SteelConnect to provide visibility into the software-defined WAN environment. It collects data using SteelFlow (a Riverbed-specific form of NetFlow) and REST APIs, offering insights into network usage, availability, and performance. This helps network managers make informed policy and deployment decisions and troubleshoot performance issues effectively.



    Security Integration

    SteelConnect integrates seamlessly with security solutions like Zscaler’s cloud security platform. This integration allows businesses to securely connect users to applications from any location without compromising network security. The solution dynamically chooses the optimal Zscaler Data Center for each site, ensuring advanced protection for networks and end-users.



    AI and Automation

    While the primary features of SteelConnect do not inherently include AI, Riverbed’s broader platform does incorporate AI through other products. For instance, Riverbed IQ, part of the new AI-powered Observability and Acceleration platform, enhances automation by enabling workflow processes to be scheduled or run on-demand. However, this AI integration is more relevant to the broader Riverbed platform rather than being a direct feature of SteelConnect itself.



    Conclusion

    In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect is a powerful SD-WAN solution that simplifies network management, ensures secure and unified connectivity, and provides comprehensive visibility and control over network performance. While AI is not a direct feature of SteelConnect, it is part of Riverbed’s broader suite of tools aimed at enhancing IT operations and network management.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Performance and Accuracy



    Performance



    Network Efficiency and Application Acceleration

    Riverbed SteelConnect EX, the SD-WAN solution from Riverbed, is known for its agile and cost-effective WAN connectivity. SteelConnect EX combines with Riverbed SteelHead acceleration to optimize application performance over SD-WAN links. This combination can reduce file transfer times by up to 91% for branch-to-cloud connections and up to 86% for branch-to-branch connections.

    Traffic Optimization

    SteelHead acceleration streamlines data transfer by reducing the impact of high latency, packet loss, and other network issues. It also reduces bandwidth utilization through advanced data deduplication and compression, including support for SSL/TLS/HTTPS protocols.

    Path Quality and Selection

    SteelConnect EX features quality-based path selection, which ensures applications are routed through the best available paths based on link status, packet loss, latency, and jitter. This dynamic routing helps maintain high application performance and availability.

    Accuracy and Visibility



    Analytics and Reporting

    SteelConnect Analytics provides real-time and historical insights into network performance, usage patterns, trends, security events, and alerts. It analyzes data from virtual network functions (VNFs) to present actionable analytics and reports, ensuring accurate and timely decision-making.

    Unified View

    The integration with SteelCentral’s NetProfiler offers a centralized view of application and SD-WAN performance, allowing IT to monitor and report on application-specific performance by network, site, and user. This unified view helps in quick identification and resolution of issues.

    Multi-Tenancy and Scalability

    SteelConnect Analytics supports multi-tenancy, enabling a single cluster to serve hundreds of sites, customers, or organizations. This scalability ensures accurate and reliable data analysis across diverse environments.

    Limitations and Areas for Improvement



    Technical Issues

    There have been reported issues with certain versions of the SteelConnect Manager, such as tunnels going offline due to incorrect routing paths or key installations, and performance reductions in specific gateway models after upgrades. These issues require careful management and sometimes Riverbed support to resolve.

    Compatibility and Integration

    While SteelConnect EX integrates well with other Riverbed solutions like SteelHead and SteelCentral, ensuring compatibility with third-party services and existing SIEM, monitoring, and reporting systems is crucial. The platform supports standard protocols and log formats like Syslog and IPFIX, but any new integrations may require careful testing.

    Conclusion

    Riverbed SteelConnect EX and its associated analytics and acceleration solutions demonstrate strong performance and accuracy in optimizing network and application performance. The platform’s ability to provide real-time insights, dynamic path selection, and significant reductions in file transfer times make it a valuable tool for organizations. However, users should be aware of potential technical issues and ensure thorough testing during integration with other systems to maximize the benefits of the solution.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Pricing and Plans



    Pricing Structure for Riverbed SteelConnect

    The pricing structure for Riverbed SteelConnect, particularly in the context of its SD-WAN solutions, can be broken down into several key components and plans.



    Free Trial

    Riverbed offers a free trial for its SteelConnect Gateway (SD-WAN) solution, allowing users to try the product at no cost for 30 days. This trial is available through the AWS Marketplace and includes the full features of the product during the trial period.



    Usage-Based Pricing

    After the free trial, the pricing is usage-based. Here are the costs associated with different instance types on AWS:

    • t2.micro: $0.082 per hour (includes $0.07 for the product and $0.012 for EC2 costs)
    • t2.small: $0.113 per hour (includes $0.09 for the product and $0.023 for EC2 costs)
    • t2.medium: $0.196 per hour (includes $0.15 for the product and $0.046 for EC2 costs)
    • t2.large: $0.483 per hour (includes $0.39 for the product and $0.093 for EC2 costs)
    • c4.large: $0.30 per hour (includes $0.20 for the product and $0.10 for EC2 costs)
    • c4.xlarge: $0.789 per hour (includes $0.59 for the product and $0.199 for EC2 costs)
    • c4.2xlarge: $1.288 per hour (includes $0.89 for the product and $0.398 for EC2 costs)
    • c4.4xlarge: $2.146 per hour (includes $1.35 for the product and $0.796 for EC2 costs)
    • c4.8xlarge: $3.581 per hour (includes $1.99 for the product and $1.591 for EC2 costs).


    Additional Costs

    In addition to the hourly usage costs, there are other infrastructure costs to consider:

    • EBS Magnetic volumes: $0.125 per GB/month of provisioned storage and $0.065 per 1 million I/O requests.


    Features and Plans

    The features available in Riverbed SteelConnect include:

    • SD-WAN Functionality: Secure hybrid WAN and internet-only WAN connectivity, dynamic traffic conditioning, application path control, quality of service features, and zero-touch provisioning.
    • Network Visibility and Management: Full visibility of AWS VPCs, subnets, and instances via a single management console. The SteelConnect Director provides centralized management, and SteelConnect Analytics offers real-time and historical insights into network performance and security.
    • Security Capabilities: Integrated security features such as next-generation firewalling, URL and IP filtering, intrusion prevention, antivirus, malware protection, and SSL inspection.
    • Flexible Topology: Support for full mesh, partial mesh, and hub-and-spoke topologies.


    Hardware Appliances

    For on-premises deployments, Riverbed offers various SteelConnect EX appliances with different pricing tiers:

    • SteelConnect EX685: Prices start at $1,250 for a basic model and $1,480 with LTE and Wi-Fi AP options.


    Refund Policy

    Riverbed does not currently support refunds, but users can cancel their subscription at any time.

    This structure provides a clear outline of the costs and features associated with Riverbed SteelConnect, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Integration and Compatibility



    Riverbed SteelConnect Overview

    Riverbed SteelConnect, a Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) solution, is designed to integrate seamlessly with various tools and platforms, enhancing network management, security, and performance.



    Integration with Cloud Services

    SteelConnect integrates well with cloud services, particularly with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. It allows for one-click connectivity and optimization into these cloud environments, creating a secure fabric between your Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) and branch sites. This integration enables easy deployment and management of your network across different cloud accounts and regions.



    Security Integrations

    SteelConnect has a notable integration with Zscaler’s cloud security platform. This joint solution streamlines networking and security, enabling enterprises to securely connect users to applications from any location. The integration is managed through the SteelConnect graphical user interface (GUI), which orchestrates traffic steering to the Zscaler Security Cloud, ensuring optimal security and simplicity in managing hybrid WANs.



    Network Visibility and Management

    SteelConnect is integrated with Riverbed SteelCentral Insights, which provides granular network visibility. This integration allows for performance monitoring and visibility across all applications, devices, sites, and users. It helps in making policy decisions, monitoring, and troubleshooting performance issues within the network.



    Compatibility with Hypervisors and Devices

    SteelConnect supports a wide range of hypervisors, including VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, and Xen, allowing for the deployment of virtual gateways. This flexibility makes it compatible with various virtualized environments. Additionally, SteelConnect appliances (gateways, switches, and access points) can be preassigned to an organization and managed through the SteelConnect Management Console (SCM).



    Integration with Other Networking Solutions

    SteelConnect can work in conjunction with Riverbed Acceleration solutions to optimize network performance. While SD-WAN improves network efficiency, Riverbed Acceleration addresses issues like latency and high traffic, ensuring the best possible user experience for cloud, SaaS, and on-prem applications.



    VPN and Overlay Networks

    SteelConnect can be integrated with other VPN solutions, such as Prisma Access from Palo Alto Networks. This integration involves configuring VPN tunnels to establish secure connectivity between sites, using either internet or MPLS cloud connections. The solution forms an overlay network that abstracts the underlying network infrastructure, simplifying the management of VPN connections.



    Conclusion

    In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect offers comprehensive integration capabilities with cloud services, security platforms, network visibility tools, and various hypervisors and devices, making it a versatile and compatible solution for managing and optimizing enterprise networks.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Customer Support and Resources



    Customer Support Options

    When you are using Riverbed SteelConnect or other Riverbed products, you have several customer support options and additional resources available to help you manage and troubleshoot your network.

    Contacting Support

    You can reach Riverbed’s technical support team through various channels. For immediate assistance, you can call the support numbers provided, which vary by country. Here are some key contact details:

    Global Support Email

    You can email support@riverbed.com for support inquiries.

    Phone Support

    Riverbed offers toll-free and toll numbers for different regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and more. For example, in the U.S., you can call 1.888.782.3822 (1.888.RVBD.TAC).

    Online Support Resources

    Before contacting the support team, you can explore other support options that might provide quicker solutions:

    Online Case Submission

    You can submit a support case online, and a member of the support team will respond as quickly as possible.

    Knowledge Base and User Documentation

    Riverbed provides a comprehensive knowledge base and user documentation that can help you troubleshoot common issues and understand product functionality.

    24/7 Support Availability

    Riverbed’s trained technical support staff is available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist with using, managing, and troubleshooting Riverbed products.

    Additional Resources

    For more detailed information and management of your SteelConnect appliances:

    SteelConnect Management System (SCM)

    This cloud-based management system provides integrated tools for managing SD-WAN gateways, Wi-Fi access points, and Ethernet switches. It includes features like performance monitoring, policy decisions, and troubleshooting through SteelCentral Insights.

    Global Infrastructure

    SteelConnect resides in the global Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure and includes services such as management consoles, SD-WAN controllers, global certificate authorities, NTP, DNS, and IP address reflectors. These resources are designed to help you optimize your network performance, manage your appliances efficiently, and resolve any issues promptly.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Pros and Cons



    Advantages of Riverbed SteelConnect

    Riverbed SteelConnect offers several significant advantages that make it a compelling choice for organizations looking to enhance their network infrastructure:

    Unified Connectivity and Management

    SteelConnect provides ubiquitous and unified connectivity across LAN, WAN, and cloud environments, allowing for seamless integration of hybrid networks. This includes one-click connectivity and optimization into cloud services like AWS and Microsoft Azure.

    Simplified Network Design and Deployment

    The solution features a user-friendly, graphical user interface that enables easy menu-driven network design of sites, zones, uplinks, and rules. This simplifies the process of designing, deploying, and managing distributed networks, reducing the need for complex CLI coding.

    Enhanced Security

    SteelConnect allows for the creation of security zones with policy-driven, dynamic segmentation of LAN and Wi-Fi users. It integrates with Zscaler’s cloud security platform to ensure advanced protection for networks and end-users, enabling secure access to cloud-based services and Internet broadband.

    Application Performance and Optimization

    The platform includes Riverbed’s industry-leading WAN optimization for application acceleration, SaaS/cloud acceleration, and web proxy for direct-to-the-cloud access. It also offers dynamic routing and quality-based path selection to ensure applications perform optimally regardless of the user’s location.

    Visibility and Troubleshooting

    SteelConnect integrates with SteelCentral for comprehensive network visibility, allowing IT teams to monitor application performance, detect issues, and make informed policy decisions. This includes minute-by-minute consumption monitoring and application-specific performance reporting.

    Scalability and Flexibility

    The solution supports large-scale deployments with enterprise-class SD-WAN capabilities, including integration with Azure and AWS for high availability. It also offers zero-touch provisioning, enabling quick setup of global networks and easy ongoing management.

    Business Agility

    SteelConnect enhances business agility by allowing IT managers to quickly respond to changing business needs and troubleshoot problems efficiently. It enables the creation of business intent-based policies, which can be managed centrally and applied uniformly across the network.

    Disadvantages of Riverbed SteelConnect

    While Riverbed SteelConnect offers numerous benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

    Initial Investment

    Implementing SteelConnect may require a significant initial investment, especially for large-scale deployments. This includes the cost of new hardware such as SteelConnect Gateways and Switches, as well as potential subscription fees for cloud-based services.

    Integration Challenges

    Integrating SteelConnect with existing network infrastructure and other tools can be complex, particularly if the organization has a diverse set of legacy systems. This may require additional resources and time to ensure seamless integration.

    Learning Curve

    While the graphical user interface is designed to be user-friendly, there may still be a learning curve for IT teams to fully utilize all the features and functionalities of SteelConnect. This could require training and support to ensure optimal use.

    Dependence on Cloud Infrastructure

    Since SteelConnect can be hosted in the cloud (e.g., AWS), any issues with cloud infrastructure, such as outages or connectivity problems, could impact the performance and availability of the network. In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect offers a wide range of benefits that can significantly enhance network performance, security, and management. However, it is important to consider the potential costs, integration challenges, and learning curve associated with its implementation.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Comparison with Competitors



    Riverbed SteelConnect



    Overview

  • Riverbed SteelConnect is primarily an SD-WAN solution that unifies deployment and orchestration of hybrid WANs, branch networks, and cloud environments. While it is not inherently AI-driven, it integrates with other solutions to enhance network management and security. For example, it integrates with Zscaler’s cloud security platform to provide advanced security and simplify network traffic steering.


  • Features

  • SteelConnect offers features like zero-touch provisioning, dynamic routing, and integration with other Riverbed solutions such as SteelHead for WAN optimization and SteelCentral for visibility and insights.
  • It does not have built-in AI capabilities but focuses on providing a robust SD-WAN solution with extensive management and optimization features.


  • Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform



    Overview

  • Juniper’s platform is a more direct competitor in the AI-driven networking space. It uses a common AI engine and the Mist Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA) to unify campus, branch, and data center networking operations. This platform is trained on seven years of insights and data science development, ensuring reliable, measurable, and secure connections for all devices and users.


  • Benefits

  • The benefits include significant reductions in networking trouble tickets, operational expenses, and incident resolution time.


  • Nile AI Services Platform



    Overview

  • Nile offers an AI services platform that automates network design, configuration, and management. It includes AI-based network design, automated network deployment, and AI-powered network monitoring and operations. This platform integrates security, cloud-native service delivery, and AI-powered closed-loop automation, making it a strong alternative for enterprises looking for comprehensive AI-driven network management.


  • LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne



    Overview

  • These tools are more focused on AI-driven network monitoring rather than SD-WAN or WAN optimization. LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne use AI for anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and automating routine network tasks. They provide real-time monitoring, proactive issue resolution, and improve overall network performance.


  • Unique Features and Alternatives

  • Riverbed SteelConnect is unique for its seamless integration with cloud security platforms like Zscaler and its extensive SD-WAN capabilities. However, it lacks the inherent AI-driven features that platforms like Juniper and Nile offer.
  • Juniper Networks AI-Native Networking Platform and Nile AI Services Platform are stronger alternatives if AI-driven automation and predictive analytics are key requirements. These platforms offer integrated AI capabilities that automate and optimize network operations more comprehensively.
  • LogicMonitor, Auvik, and NinjaOne are better suited for organizations focusing on AI-driven network monitoring and management rather than SD-WAN or WAN optimization.


  • Conclusion

    In summary, while Riverbed SteelConnect is a powerful SD-WAN solution with strong integration capabilities, it does not compete directly with AI-driven networking tools. For organizations seeking AI-native networking solutions, Juniper Networks, Nile, LogicMonitor, Auvik, or NinjaOne might be more appropriate alternatives.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Frequently Asked Questions



    Frequently Asked Questions about Riverbed SteelConnect EX



    What is Riverbed SteelConnect EX?

    Riverbed SteelConnect EX is a powerful enterprise SD-WAN solution that integrates best-in-class routing, application acceleration, network visibility, and advanced software-defined security. It enables enterprises to provide agile and cost-effective WAN connectivity across the modern hybrid IT landscape.

    What are the key benefits of using Riverbed SteelConnect EX?

    The key benefits include reduced WAN circuit costs through the use of hybrid and internet-only WAN topologies, improved network uptime and reliability, accelerated application performance, and enhanced security features such as next-generation firewall (NGFW) and unified threat management (UTM). Additionally, it offers increased bandwidth, streamlined deployment and management of remote sites, and significant productivity gains within the IT organization.

    How does Riverbed SteelConnect EX improve network performance and visibility?

    SteelConnect EX delivers superior application performance through industry-leading application optimization, end-to-end unified visibility with network performance monitoring (NPM), and dynamic native routing. It also provides real-time and historical insights into network performance, capacity, and security through SteelConnect Analytics.

    What security features are included in Riverbed SteelConnect EX?

    The solution includes integrated security services such as next-generation firewalling, URL and IP filtering, intrusion prevention, antivirus and malware protection, and SSL inspection. It also supports the integration with third-party security services hosted on-premises or in the cloud via flexible service chaining.

    How does the management and deployment of Riverbed SteelConnect EX work?

    SteelConnect EX uses a centralized management console called SteelConnect Director, which allows for GUI-based network engineering and operations tasks. This console enables zero-touch provisioning, rapid change management, and template-based policy management. The SteelConnect Manager (SCM) lets administrators design the network before deploying any hardware and provides network visibility for manageability and troubleshooting.

    What is the return on investment (ROI) for implementing Riverbed SteelConnect EX?

    According to an ROI analysis by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), a Riverbed investment for a 100-branch company would pay for itself within 4.6 months and return a 3.7x ROI, while for a 1,000-branch company, it would pay for itself within 4.3 months and earn a 3.9x ROI. This is due to reduced WAN circuit costs, improved uptime, and productivity gains within the IT organization.

    How does Riverbed SteelConnect EX support hybrid and cloud environments?

    SteelConnect EX supports hybrid WAN and internet-only WAN connectivity, allowing enterprises to leverage cloud and self-hosting management. It also integrates with cloud services and can create site-to-site tunnels to cloud service gateways, enabling seamless connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments.

    What are the components of the Riverbed SteelConnect EX architecture?

    The architecture includes SteelConnect EX appliances (gateways, switches, and access points), SteelConnect Director (the centralized management console), and SteelConnect Analytics (for real-time and historical insights into network performance and security). These components work together to provide a comprehensive SD-WAN solution.

    How does Riverbed SteelConnect EX simplify network configuration and management?

    SteelConnect EX simplifies network configuration and management by allowing administrators to manage networks based on business-relevant parameters such as applications, users, locations, performance, and security. It also reduces configuration errors through significant levels of automation and policy-based management.

    What kind of support and management does SteelConnect Manager (SCM) provide?

    The SteelConnect Manager (SCM) is a web-based management portal that allows administrators to design the network, push configurations to devices, and provide network visibility for manageability and troubleshooting. SCM also manages firmware upgrades for all appliances and ensures secure communication through x509 certificate validation.

    How does Riverbed SteelConnect EX impact IT productivity and costs?

    The solution reduces network downtime and the costs associated with it, allowing advanced network engineers to focus on strategic IT projects. It also accelerates typical network deployment and management tasks, leading to significant productivity gains and cost savings over time.

    Riverbed SteelConnect - Conclusion and Recommendation



    Final Assessment of Riverbed SteelConnect

    Riverbed SteelConnect is a comprehensive software-defined networking (SDN) and SD-WAN solution that offers a wide range of features and benefits, making it an attractive option for enterprises looking to optimize their network performance, security, and management.

    Key Benefits

    • Unified Connectivity: SteelConnect provides ubiquitous and unified connectivity across LAN, WAN, and cloud environments, enabling seamless communication and application delivery regardless of the location.
    • Application Optimization: It includes advanced application optimization capabilities, such as WAN optimization, deep packet inspection, and acceleration of both on-premises and cloud-based applications. This ensures that applications perform optimally, even in hybrid network environments.
    • Centralized Management: The solution offers centralized, business intent-based policy management through a simple graphical user interface. This allows for easy network design, automated zero-touch provisioning, and dynamic native routing, which simplifies network management and reduces complexity.
    • Security: SteelConnect integrates advanced security features, including next-generation firewalls (NGFW), unified threat management (UTM), and other security services to ensure secure application delivery across the network.
    • Visibility and Analytics: The solution is complemented by SteelConnect Analytics, which provides real-time and historical insights into network usage, security events, and performance trends. This helps in making informed policy and deployment decisions.


    Who Would Benefit Most

    Riverbed SteelConnect is particularly beneficial for large-scale enterprises with multiple branches, remote sites, and a significant presence in cloud environments. Here are some key groups that would benefit:
    • Large Enterprises: Companies with extensive networks spanning multiple locations can leverage SteelConnect’s scalability (up to 1000 branches/sites) and centralized management to streamline their network operations.
    • Organizations with Hybrid IT: Enterprises transitioning to or already operating in hybrid IT environments (combining on-premises, cloud, and SaaS) will find SteelConnect’s unified connectivity and application optimization features highly valuable.
    • Businesses Requiring High Security: Organizations that need robust security measures, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies, can benefit from SteelConnect’s integrated security features.


    Overall Recommendation

    Riverbed SteelConnect is a strong choice for enterprises seeking to enhance their network efficiency, security, and visibility. Here are some key points to consider:
    • Ease of Use: The solution offers a user-friendly interface and automated features like zero-touch provisioning, making it easier for network administrators to manage and deploy network services.
    • Performance and Security: SteelConnect’s ability to optimize application performance and integrate advanced security measures makes it a comprehensive solution for enterprise networking needs.
    • Scalability and Flexibility: With support for both physical and virtual environments, including major cloud platforms like AWS and Azure, SteelConnect can adapt to the evolving needs of an enterprise.
    In summary, Riverbed SteelConnect is a powerful tool for enterprises looking to streamline their network operations, enhance application performance, and ensure robust security across their entire network infrastructure. Its centralized management, advanced optimization capabilities, and integrated security features make it a highly recommended solution for large-scale and hybrid IT environments.

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