Azure gets managed SD-WAN

Configuration of routing tables, security, gateways and hybrid connectivity within a public cloud continues to be a problem area.

CLOUD computing has provided cheaper digital resources for end-users, but must be on guard against security threats.

As cloud complexity continues to grow, enterprises are grappling with the many functions, gateways, configuration, segmentation and monitoring of virtual private clouds (VPC) across infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) data centers, regions and worldwide deployments.

Configuration of routing tables, security, gateways and hybrid connectivity within a public cloud continues to be a problem area for most enterprises and information technology managers.

Additionally, as the cloud expands to the edge, including managed network connections between the clouds and service providers, cloud complexity will be even more challenging to configure and operate.

With these issues, Tata Communications Transformation Services Limited (TCTS) and Fortinet, working with Microsoft Azure, has launched a fully managed SD-WAN (software defined wide area network) offering for Azure Virtual WAN.

The TCTS SD-WAN product will help service providers create solutions to further enable enterprises with seamless migration to Azure, thereby helping to accelerate their revenue in IT migration to public clouds.

This will enable inter-branch connectivity for customers using the Microsoft backbone and help them meet targets while securing access to applications running on Azure.

It is one of the first industry solutions of native hybrid SD-WAN coupled with traffic steering and security protection for Azure’s cloud.

“Wide Area Network (WAN) requirements for the enterprise are becoming more cloud centric. Microsoft Azure Virtual WAN (VWAN) is addressing these needs by allowing devices and sites to connect to Azure’s public cloud more easily and globally,” added Ross Ortega of Microsoft Corp.

John Maddison, EVP Products and CMO, Fortinet said: “Enterprise cloud adoption is driving a global WAN transformation by leveraging SD-WAN technology, but this increases security risks.”