Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, has announced its Software-Defined Branch (SD-Branch) solution, a new approach designed to help customers modernise branch networks for evolving cloud, IoT and mobility requirements. The integration of new cloud-managed SD-WAN, wired and wireless networking solutions, secured with context-based policy enforcement, significantly advances IT professionals’ ability to deliver improved network availability and application performance, while dramatically reducing management time and operational and capital expenditures.
Aruba’s SD-Branch solution integrates new Aruba Branch Gateways to provide a single point for SD-WAN, wired and wireless networking, policy enforcement with Aruba’s enhanced Aruba Central cloud management platform to deliver secure, simplified branch connectivity at scale. This purpose-built, unified solution marks a significant advancement beyond pure-play SD-WAN offerings by delivering reduced device footprint, streamlined deployment of large-scale distributed installations, and lower WAN connectivity costs for branch customers.
Aruba says its SD-Branch solution enables IT organisations to effectively manage more branch locations with less staff while leveraging a consistent approach for security and compliance across locations.
To solve security vulnerabilities outside the branch perimeter, Aruba has expanded its Aruba 360 security exchange technology partner programme with the addition of Zscaler and new integrations with Check Point Software Technologies and Palo Alto Networks. These ecosystem partners provide cloud-based firewall functionality and unified threat management to secure organisations’ sensitive traffic heading for public Internet-bound destinations.
Without having to upgrade Aruba access points or switches, IT professionals can integrate new SD-WAN capabilities into their branch networks. Aruba’s SD-Branch solution is delivered as a part of Aruba Central with subscription-based licenses applied to a branch gateway at each site and a headend gateway hosted centrally. Hardware list prices start at $1,495 per gateway. Subscriptions prices start at $450 per gateway per year. Initial customer shipments begin in July 2018.
