FINAL WORD
Dr Thomas King , CTO , DE-CIX
It optimises data pathways by routing locally instead of routing all traffic back through the company infrastructure . SD-WAN achieves this by being a software-based overlay that separates the control plane from the underlying network infrastructure , the Internet connectivity . As IT is technology agnostic , it can function with agility over multiple network technologies , such as last-mile Internet connectivity via broadband or 4G LTE / 5G .
Internet Exchanges have the potential to evolve into SD-WAN Exchanges , meaning that they will provide different SD-WAN endpoints . Enterprises can then use their SD-WAN technology of choice to connect to SD-
being developed and is now becoming available in an experimental form .
Quantum key distribution ( QKD ) is required in order to communicate quantum key material to a communication partner . One challenge with QKD lies in how far the key material needs to travel . The reason is that decoding a quantum signal is vastly more difficult than decoding signals with traditional network technology . As a result , only completely unobstructed fibre can be used for the networks to function effectively and quantum repeaters will be needed every 80 kilometres .
Following initial testbeds , in 2024 we will see productive quantum networks being built in Europe to test QKD over longer distances , a challenge yet to be solved conclusively . New approaches to the interconnection of participants in quantum networks will also emerge , which will ensure the optimisation of data pathways to minimise distances .
5 . Network-as-a-Service goes global
Quantum encryption technology is being developed and is now becoming available in an experimental form .
WAN Exchanges to either consume interconnection services like cloud connectivity or the Microsoft Azure Peering Service ( MAPS ), or to route between different SD-WAN technologies . We are expecting to see the first SD-WAN Exchange solutions in 2024 .
4 . Private communications in the post- Quantum era
With the increasing availability of quantum computing over the last few years , significant challenges have emerged in securing confidential communications . To ensure private communication channels in the post-quantum era , quantum encryption technology is
Network-as-a-Service ( NaaS ) enables enterprises to outsource the building and management of their Wide Area Network ( WAN ) to a service provider . The approach unifies the concepts of pay-as-you-go , API-based operation , self-service portals , automated ad-hoc provisioning and a broad set of interconnection services , all in one bundle . Having emerged around a decade ago , NaaS has developed especially strongly in the enterprise sector , with the main focus until now being placed on local and regional WAN connectivity .
Today , NaaS is coming of age . Alongside traditional carriers , the first NaaS providers have now built their global networks to support multi-national organisations in connecting their many branch locations , manufacturing plants and distributed workforces and enabling them local access to the Internet , clouds and partner networks . In 2024 , we will see Network-as-a- Service offerings becoming a global phenomenon .
The bottom line
These are exciting times . Technology is being developed to deliver better performance , enable competitive advantages and tackle long-standing challenges . The expansion and evolution of digital technology is bringing the world closer together and allowing more people better access to content , applications and services . Organisations the world over need to ensure that their infrastructure and processes keep pace with their digital evolution , their geographical growth and the changing demands of their customers . p
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