NaaS: The future of networks

This cloud-based networking paradigm is here to stay and transform modern IT, enhancing flexibility, security, and efficiency for businesses globally.

Network as a Service (NaaS) is a cloud-based service model that enables users to easily operate the network and achieve the outcomes they expect from it without owning, building or maintaining their infrastructure. NaaS represents a paradigm shift in networking, providing organisations with a powerful tool to address challenges such as recurring capital costs, staffing and skills shortages, and the increased complexity associated with securing remote access for employees and managing multi-cloud environments.

"NaaS has the potential to drive innovation and efficiency in the telecom industry and beyond, making it a technology to watch closely in the coming years."

It brings software-defined networking (SDN), programmable networking, and API-based operation to WAN services, transport, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, Private Network Interconnect and Internet exchange points. NaaS is capable of replacing several legacy network configurations such as multi-protocol label switching or MPLS and virtual private networks or VPNs, as well as on-premises networking hardware like firewall hardware and load balancers.

NaaS providers enable their customers to set up their networks without hardware, instead, using software delivered over the Internet. NaaS services can range from managed software-defined WAN and network access including wireless to security, unified communications services and more.

WHY DO WE NEED NAAS?

To appreciate NaaS fully, it’s essential to trace the evolution of networking. Traditional networks relied heavily on physical components like fibre optics, copper cables, routers and switches. However, the advent of SDN introduced a transformative approach, enabling the management of network traffic through software and orchestrating the interactions between network components. This, coupled with the emergence of Network Function Virtualisation (NFV), which allowed network functions to be executed through software rather than dedicated hardware, laid the foundation for NaaS. The synergy between SDN and NFV ushered in an era where service providers could offer NaaS, heralding a new era of networking possibilities.

By offering a flexible, scalable and efficient networking solution, NaaS is poised to become a cornerstone in the modern IT landscape.

NaaS offers a multitude of benefits to businesses. One of its key advantages lies in IT simplicity and automation. By continuously integrating new features and capabilities, NaaS keeps businesses updated with the latest technological advancements. Additionally, it ensures enhanced security by integrating network and security solutions, creating a robust defence against cyber threats with advanced firewall capabilities.

Moreover, NaaS provides valuable visibility and insights through proactive network monitoring, powered by AI technologies. This allows businesses to gain crucial insights into network performance and user behaviour. The service also guarantees an improved application experience through AI-driven network optimisation, ensuring seamless user interactions with critical applications.

Flexibility is another major perk of NaaS. It offers the agility required to promptly adapt to changing business requirements, enabling businesses to stay responsive in dynamic market environments. Scalability is simplified with NaaS, allowing for the effortless expansion of network infrastructure without the need to acquire new hardware. This streamlined scalability process makes expanding operations smooth and efficient.

Furthermore, NaaS’s cloud-based nature ensures accessibility from any location worldwide. This means businesses can access their network services from anywhere, providing a level of convenience and connectivity crucial in today’s global business landscape.

CORRELATION OF NAAS AND 5G

The intricate correlation between 5G and NaaS represents a transformative shift in the telecommunications sector. At the heart of this synergy lies the ability of NaaS to amplify the inherent capabilities of 5G through dynamic network configurations, enabled by SDN. This agility ensures rapid service deployment and optimal resource allocation in real time.

Furthermore, by harnessing Network Functions Virtualisation, NaaS eliminates the dependency on dedicated hardware, making 5G deployments more cost-efficient. The convergence of NaaS and 5G also shines in the realm of edge computing, where NaaS provisions resources closer to end-users, enhancing the performance of latency-sensitive 5G applications.

A reliance on specific features from a single NaaS provider can result in vendor lock-in, inhibiting the flexibility to switch to alternative providers.

This collaboration extends to 5G network slicing, with NaaS dynamically managing slices to cater to diverse service requirements, from IoT to high-definition streaming. Security, a paramount concern in 5G, is bolstered by NaaS’s integrated security features, ensuring robust data protection and resilience against threats. Additionally, in Multi-access Edge Computing or MEC environments within 5G, NaaS’s ability to manage computational resources further optimises latency and localised data processing.

Additionally, NaaS is instrumental in realising the “network as a sensor” concept. By virtualising sensing capabilities, NaaS transforms networks into adaptive sensors, enabling real-time data collection and the 6G vision of creating authentic digital twin representations of the physical world with multi-layered maps of our environment. In short, NaaS acts as a bridge, seamlessly connecting the present capabilities of 5G with the future potential of 6G.

THE FUTURE PROPOSITIONS

The future of NaaS appears exceedingly promising. A report by Forrester reveals that nearly two-thirds of IT leaders are actively transitioning to NaaS and other “as-a-service” models. Much akin to the meteoric rise of SaaS, NaaS is poised to revolutionise networking functions in the decade ahead, ushering in an era of heightened connectivity and efficiency.

Challenges in NaaS implementation: While NaaS offers a plethora of benefits, it is not without its challenges. Compatibility issues may arise when attempting to integrate legacy systems with NaaS infrastructures. On-premise data centres may not seamlessly mesh with cloud-based NaaS models, leading to potential operational hiccups. Furthermore, a reliance on specific features from a single NaaS provider can result in vendor lock-in, inhibiting the flexibility to switch to alternative providers.

NaaS vs. other service models: It’s crucial to distinguish NaaS from other service models like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Unlike IaaS, which provides infrastructure resources, or PaaS which offers software platforms, NaaS’s primary focus is on delivering networking services. It does not encompass the provision of business software or data storage, thus carving its unique niche within the realm of cloud services.

NaaS can amplify the inherent capabilities of 5G through dynamic network configurations, enabled by SDN.

Relation with SASE: Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) aligns seamlessly with NaaS infrastructures. SASE focuses on securing individual applications, making it an ideal complement to NaaS. NaaS providers can secure specific applications without compromising performance, thereby ensuring a seamless and secure networking experience.

NaaS stands as a transformative force reshaping how businesses approach networking. By offering a flexible, scalable and efficient networking solution, NaaS is poised to become a cornerstone in the modern IT landscape. Its potential to drive innovation and efficiency in the telecom industry and beyond is undeniable, making it a technology to watch closely in the coming years. With NaaS, the future of networking is brighter and more adaptable than ever before.

Lt Gen Dr S P Kochhar

The author is the Director-General of COAI.

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