Ask anyone who works in IT infrastructure, and they’ll all tell you the same thing—COVID accelerated the industry, pushing advancements by at least three years. Your current networking needs are probably unrecognizable from those of just five years ago. So, if you’re contemplating an upgrade, now is the perfect time to rethink what your network should look like to meet the demands of today and the future. Here’s a breakdown of key components to consider.
“The Network” – Ethernet
A modern Ethernet network is cloud-managed. This means that cloud management can automatically update your network, back up your configurations, and map your network topology. In many cases, this service is available via subscription for a nominal annual fee—well worth the investment considering the added efficiency. Another piece of good news: High-speed Ethernet networks have significantly dropped in cost. As WiFi and softphones continue to dominate, you might not even need as many switches as you once did.
The Firewall
With the rise of cloud services, your firewall needs have likely changed. VPN and SSL VPN usage has diminished as internal servers become a thing of the past. With fewer internal servers to protect, the volume of inbound traffic is likely much lower than before. Additionally, on an internet where encryption is the norm, the utility of Layer 7 inspection has also decreased. Even better, firewall hardware has improved—comparable models are now much more powerful, meaning you may not need the high-end firewalls of yesteryear. In other words, your company could run just fine with a more cost-effective, lower-end model.
WiFi
If you’re upgrading your WiFi, it’s wise to invest in access points that support the 6.0 GHz frequency—namely, WiFi 6E or WiFi 7. This is more of a future-proofing step, as it won’t make a huge difference today. But in a couple of years, when 6 GHz devices become standard, you’ll be glad you made the upgrade. The downside? WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 equipment can be hard to find or prohibitively expensive, depending on the manufacturer. Still, I recommend biting the bullet and going for the latest version—or postponing your WiFi overhaul for another year if you’re not ready to make that investment.
Miscellaneous: Smart PDU, Smart UPS, Smart KVM
No servers? No need for these. If your infrastructure no longer includes physical servers, the expense of smart PDUs (Power Distribution Units) and KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches probably isn’t necessary. That said, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units are still crucial for maintaining uptime on networking equipment, though you’ll find that smaller and cheaper UPS options will likely meet your needs just fine. Fewer servers also mean fewer UPS units overall.
Your Server Room
Speaking of servers, without them, your server room may soon become a relic of the past. With less hardware comes less power consumption, and you can probably cut back on HVAC requirements too. The space you’ve used for servers could be repurposed for other needs, freeing up valuable real estate.
Conclusion
Network replacements are inevitable and necessary at a certain point – generally every 5 to 7 years. It’s more important than ever to make thoughtful decisions about how network purchases are going to serve your organization in the 7 years to come. If this all seems confusing then consider consulting with a Fractional CTO.
