The ever evolving router

Adapting to the changing needs of

enterprises, the network router is quickly evolving from a device dedicated to

connecting disparate networks to an integrated services device capable of

multiple functions. Large enterprises are seeking a truly futuristic approach

for their router by moving towards deploying intelligent and optimized

hardware/software platforms to guarantee embedded security, VPN, and good

performance. At the same time, enterprises are also trying to enable their

router to provide other services such as covering VoIP, videoconferencing, WAN

optimization, and network analysis.

Given the boom in the Indian telecom space, carrier class

router, with the capability to handle and route data in terabits will be piloted

and deployed. IPv6 enabled router, access control by integrating the router with

dedicated anti-virus, IDS, IPS device, bandwidth bundling/load balancing with

multiple Internet links are some of the recent trends in the router space. WAN

is becoming a compelling need for banks, consumer companies, government, and IT

service companies. And, routers have a critical role to play as far as wide area

connectivity is concerned.

Changing With the Times



Few years back routers were only meant and used by enterprise players, and

they were complicated to configure and maintain. As times changed, there were

many technologies that evolved. And in the 80s people started using dial-up

modems with basic routing facilities, but they were really slow.

Secondly, the use of computers was limited. Since the 90s,

when the IT market became a booming one, Internet started becoming affordable

and cost of PCs/laptops started coming down. Thus, more people started to buy

computers. Then they needed to have networking between them as well as some

remote connections. 2000 onwards this trend spread like fire.

"As people had many computers and wanted to communicate with

the Internet world, they needed a device which could communicate efficiently to

and fro, and hence demand of router started picking up," says Rishi Samadhia,

executive director, channel, Zyxel Technologies.

But today the role of the router is evolving from mere

'simple boxes for data transfer' to a 'single device with multiple functions'.

By installing a complete solution and managing it centrally, companies are

protecting valuable corporate data using multiple types of protection such as

encryption, firewall filtering, anti-virus protection, and intrusion detection

and prevention.

Organizations are increasingly deploying integrated services

routers, or sophisticated network routers that can deliver voice, video, data,

and Internet access, wireless, and other applications. Growing companies,

especially those opening new offices, are taking advantages of integrated

network router solutions that are highly secure, flexible, and built to be

compatible with future technologies.

Fresh Demands



Businesses today demand more from their network than ever before. Networks

today need to support all forms of media, including data, voice, and video to

enhance business communications and lower operating costs. Access has also

changed, as thousands of new devices connect to the network via wireless and

wired connections.

To solve these pressing challenges, organizations need their

networks to contain intelligence and play an active role in integrating

applications in a way that is easy to manage. Now most enterprises demand multi

WAN router with failover and load balancing, integrated security, bandwidth

management, ACL, etc. At the same time they are cost-conscious as well as aware

about the technology.

According to Subhashini Prabhakar, chief technology manager,

Dax Networks, "End users demand products with high throughput along with

features such as multi-casting, multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), IPv6

compatibility, hot swappability, content processing, VPN, firewall, load

balancing, and access security. Manufacturers are striving towards bringing down

customers' total cost of ownership, and emphasize on providing enhanced product

reliability and better their service strategies."

Security is another major area attracting the attention of

enterprises. Networks are expected to offer increased and diverse functionality

as organizations face the demand for increasing scalability of their

infrastructure, the need to integrate new complex technologies, challenges of

new and daily threats from hackers and viruses, and the escalating costs of

system integration. Organizations need to find ways to increase the agility

needed to respond and capitalize on change, while decreasing costs.

Meeting these challenges require sophisticated systems and

tools that deliver greater capability with less complexity. The network plays a

crucial role because it touches everything from end users to middleware,

services, applications, and servers. Owing to the increasing security threats in

the recent past, buyers are going in for routers with reliable attack protection

and hacking protection solution. Routers that separate the routing and

forwarding functionality are in demand for they reduce the risk of downtime.

According to Prem Nithin, senior technical consultant, Cisco,

India and SAARC, "Network security must be pervasive and integrated into the

fabric of network infrastructure itself. The network becomes the main point of

control for preventing and responding to security threats from internal and

external sources. An integrated strategy includes multiple types of protection,

and dramatically improves the ability of network to identify, prevent and adapt

to security threats. Such a system helps to ensure information privacy, protect

against threats, and control access to corporate resources."

Emerging Trends



Globally and in India, the market is moving towards integrated devices with

built-in capabilities. Today, vendors are introducing routers that have the

capability to integrate key features. Wireless capabilities are also popular,

replacing the need of separate wireless access points for small office networks.

Security is a big focus area. With large telecom players attempting to

differentiate themselves, gigabit and terabit routers are expected to gain

popularity among Indian customers. Also with their broadband initiative

underway, vendors are offering a new category of broadband routers to service

providers.

The increasing data usage in the mobile networks,

particularly the third generation ones, as well as the growing acceptance of

fiber-to-home and fiber-to-curb and other options of optical connectivity, has

opened new avenues for the router market. Also, many service providers are

building large networks to increase their capacity to support residential

triple-play service, that has necessitated the use of routers to handle voice,

video, and data streams in massive volumes. The Indian government's e-governance

initiative is likely to drive the demand for routers, especially IPv6 and IPv4.

An Evolving Future



There is a huge possibility to grow in this segment, Internet cost will

further come down, high-speed Internet is still out of reach of the common man.

More than 80% of the population does not own computers. The near future would be

marked by carrier Ethernet, escalating bandwidth usage, and growing subscribers,

besides upgrades and replacements. Service providers are likely to steer the

future growth, as in the past, providing a huge opportunity for the global

router market. Routers comprise an essential part of the next generation

networks.

Commenting on the future, Subhashini Prabhakar of Dax

Networks says, "Ethernet based services undoubtedly will hold better than other

communication services during the global recession due to their performance

price advantages compared to legacy solutions, but Ethernet services growth

rates will be more modest, and that will translate into some delayed sales of

carrier Ethernet platforms."

Historically, adding a new application, such as wireless

networking, IP voice or IP video with end-to-end security meant adding more

devices and more costs and complexity to the network. Hence vendors are expected

to come up with integrated service routers combined with data, security,

wireless networking, and voice and video services into a single, resilient

platform that delivers secure, concurrent applications as fast as business can

operate. By providing multiple services with a single platform, integrated

services routers provide a one-stop solution for small offices, branch offices,

and tele-workers.

Arpita Prem



arpitap@cybermedia.co.in