Next Generation Networks and Performance Management

Over the last twelve months I have been witnessing many network refresh projects being planned or implemented. Folks often refer to it as their "next generation network" project. These networks are providing the bandwidth and technologies necessary to support the convergence of voice, video, and data services ("triple-play" in the Service Provider space). In some cases its simply time to refresh... the decrease in IT spending over the last couple of years is finally catching up with them and impacting their business. The reasons vary but there is definitely momentum in this area.

In many cases, these networks are moving away from traditional technologies such as Frame Relay and ATM and moving towards MPLS/QOS. QOS is a must when adding VoIP to your data network. MPLS based VPNs are also popular for secure peer-to-peer connectivty over the public internet. MPLS has been hot in Europe and the Service Provider market over the last couple of years. To customers it's about faster, better, cheaper services. To service providers it's more efficient, enables a non-disruptive migration path, and improved IP service delivery.

Interestingly, I am seeing Cisco vs Juniper competing for the high speed core backbone. These core designs are typically 10G Ethernet. Juniper seems to be capable of doing this with fewer devices in the network diagrams that I have seen. Folks are not just handing the business to Cisco. This is not to say that Cisco is not winning more than it's share of the deals, but they need to earn it!

We have had many customers visit NetScout's corporate office to share their network refresh plans/goals. These folks consider it crucial to design in performance management as opposed to it being an after thought. These customers are validating that NetScout supports the technologies they are planning to implement, such as MPLS, VoIP, 10G Ethernet, OC48 ATM POS, Ethernet based WANs, etc...

I will be continuously updating this post with more info regarding these refresh projects and how it relates to application and network performance management. I wanted to start the ball rolling and have folks weigh in on their next generation network project and the technologies being used or considered.