Back

network-as-a-service (NaaS)

Network as a Service (NaaS) is an innovative model that allows organizations to consume network infrastructure and services on a subscription basis, rather than investing in and managing physical network components themselves. This model is part of the broader trend towards “as-a-service” offerings, which aim to provide businesses with more flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency in managing their IT resources.


Key characteristics of NaaS:


  1. Flexibility and Scalability: NaaS enables organizations to easily scale their network services up or down based on current demand, without the need for significant upfront investments in hardware. This adaptability is crucial for businesses in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape[1].
  2. Cost Efficiency: By transitioning to a NaaS model, organizations can shift from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operating expense (OpEx), making costs more predictable and manageable. This shift is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, for whom the upfront costs of networking hardware can be prohibitive[7].
  3. Simplified Management and Maintenance: NaaS providers take on the responsibility for maintaining and updating the network infrastructure, freeing up internal IT teams to focus on other strategic areas. This can lead to improved network performance and security, as well as reduced need for in-house expertise[2][12].
  4. Enhanced Security and Compliance: With NaaS, businesses benefit from the expertise and resources of their service providers to ensure that their networks are secure and compliant with relevant regulations. This is especially important in industries where data security is paramount[12].
  5. Global Coverage and Connectivity: NaaS solutions can provide enterprises with global coverage, ensuring low-latency connectivity and minimal packet loss when connecting to SaaS applications and other cloud services. This is critical for businesses with a worldwide presence or those that rely on cloud-based tools and platforms[1].


Applications and Use Cases

NaaS is particularly suited for businesses looking to modernize their network infrastructure without the complexities and costs associated with traditional networking models. It finds application across various scenarios, including:


  1. Remote Work and Mobile Connectivity: NaaS facilitates secure and reliable access to corporate networks from anywhere, catering to the needs of today’s mobile workforce and remote work arrangements[1].
  2. Digital Transformation Initiatives: Organizations undergoing digital transformation can leverage NaaS to quickly deploy new services and applications, supporting innovation and agility[2].
  3. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Some NaaS solutions include integrated disaster response and automatic failover services, ensuring business continuity in the event of network failures[4].


Network as a Service represents a significant shift in how businesses approach networking, offering a more flexible, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to traditional network infrastructure. As the demand for agile and efficient IT solutions continues to rise, NaaS is poised to become an increasingly important component of enterprise IT strategies.


Citations:

[1] https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/enterprise-networks/network-as-service-naas.html

[2] https://www.kelsercorp.com/blog/top-8-benefits-of-implementing-network-as-a-service-naas

[3] https://krispcall.com/blog/top-naas-providers/

[4] https://www.fusionconnect.com/blog/4-business-use-cases-network-service-naas

[5] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-software-defined-network-and-traditional-network/

[6] https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/network-as-a-service-naas/

[7] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-network-service-naas-7-benefits-9fk1f

[8] https://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/data-center/top-naas-providers/

[9] https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/feature/NaaS-use-cases-include-hardware-refreshes-pop-up-sites

[10] https://epsilontel.com/cloud/naas-and-sdn-understanding-the-difference/

[11] https://www.arubanetworks.com/faq/what-is-naas/

[12] https://www.insidepacket.com/the-top-5-naas-benefits-for-improved-network-performance-and-security/

[13] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-companies-network-as-a-service-naas

[14] https://www.networkworld.com/article/970044/what-is-network-as-a-service-naas.html

[15] https://www.kyndryl.com/ca/en/learn/sdn-vs-traditional-networking

[16] https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/network-as-a-service

[17] https://www.paralleltech.com/5-benefits-of-network-as-a-service/

[18] https://www.techfunnel.com/information-technology/network-as-a-service/

[19] https://www.securew2.com/blog/network-as-a-service-naas-explained

[20] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_as_a_service

[21] https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/Network-as-a-Service-NaaS

[22] https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/networking/articles/network-as-a-service/amp/

[23] https://www.sdxcentral.com/networking/naas/definitions/what-is-network-as-a-service-naas-its-benefits-its-features-and-what-it-replaces/

Share: