10 April 2017

Riverbed says SteelConnect improves application performance by real-time routing using the optimum links available between different networks.

Orange Business Services (OBS) is strengthening its hybrid network offering with SD-WAN technology from its partner Riverbed.

The mobile company claims the new solution will enable its customers to simplify the management of their hybrid networks and optimise the performance of both corporate and cloud applications.

The launch is a key part of Orange’s network-as-a-service strategy announced last year (see News, Nov 2016) and will be available globally.

To deliver its SD-WAN service, Orange will integrate Riverbed’s SteelConnect platform into its hybrid network portfolio.

The two companies are working together to develop a VNF that customers will be able to deploy on universal customer premise equipment at their site.

The partners say full compatibility will be maintained with existing services as enterprises transition applications to the cloud.

The first Orange pilot customers will be connected using managed SteelConnect appliances during the second quarter of this year. The VNF of the service is scheduled to be available at the end of 2017.

Orange says it will provide full virtualisation and orchestration managed through an “easy-to-use” ‘self-care’ portal to administer and prioritise applications.

According to Riverbed, SteelConnect provides an “intelligent and simplified” approach to designing, deploying and managing hybrid networks. It claims application performance is improved by real-time routing using the optimum links available between different networks.

The vendor adds that SteelConnect also enables zero-touch provisioning, allowing enterprises to set-up global networks “quickly with easy management, providing a cost effective and superior end user experience”.