Cisco Unveils Intent-Based Networking Solutions

The traditional way of networking is simply not sustainable as more devices become connected, security threats mount, and applications and end users demand better service faster. So networks need to become more agile, more automated, more secure, and smarter.

Cisco says it’s addressing all of the above with its new intent-based networking solutions for the enterprise.

“The new network delivers a world where you can connect billions of devices, identify them almost instantly, know what’s trustworthy and what isn’t, and draw exponential value from the connections – and you can do it in hours instead of weeks and months,” explains Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins in a June 20 blog. “This capability is so new and so vital, that in our view, it will free up businesses to pursue new opportunities — because big changes will seem less daunting and less risky.”

With this intent-based networking strategy statement, Cisco also announced the rollout of new Catalyst switches, a new management dashboard for IT teams, a software-defined access solution, an encrypted traffic analytics solution, and network data platform and assurance solutions. All of these solutions are part of what the company calls the Cisco Digital Network Architecture, or DNA.

DNA Center is the name of the new dashboard that provides IT team members with a centralized way to do design, provisioning, and policy and

assurance. SD-Access leverages policy enforcement and network segmentation to automate configuration, provisioning, and troubleshooting. That way, network services can be available more quickly, and IT teams can focus more on value-added efforts as opposed to repeatable tasks.

Cisco’s new Encrypted Traffic Analytics employs the company’s Talos cyber intelligence to detect known attack signatures even in encrypted traffic. And Cisco says it does so without compromising privacy. And the new network data platform and assurance solution from Cisco uses network data and machine learning to deliver business intelligence and allow for predictive analytics through the DNA Center Assurance service.

The company is in early field trials with 75 global organizations based on these new solutions. DB Systel GmbH, Jade University of Applied Sciences, NASA, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Scentsy, UZ Leuven, and Wipro are among those involved in the trials.

“From a technology standpoint, our cruise ships are like small cities,” said Royal Caribbean Cruises CIO Michael Giresi. “Cisco’s intent-based networking is transformational in how our IT can securely and remotely provision cruise ships around the world.”