Tag: Edge

SASE: Revolutionizing Network Security for the Modern Era

The digital landscape is rapidly changing. The traditional approach to network security is facing new challenges because of this. With the proliferation of cloud services, mobile devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT), enterprises are grappling with the complexities of securing their networks while ensuring seamless connectivity and performance. This is where SASE comes in, but what exactly is this? How does SASE work and why is it important? 

What is SASE?

SASE (pronounced “sass-E”), which stands for Secure Access Service Edge, is an architectural framework that combines network security and wide-area networking (WAN) capabilities into a single, cloud-native solution. This concept was coined by Gartner in 2019 to address the evolving needs of modern digital enterprises. SASE integrates the functions of secure web gateways (SWG), secure sockets layer (SSL) inspection, firewall as a service (FWaaS), cloud access security broker (CASB), and software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) under one umbrella.

At its core, SASE aims to provide secure and optimized access to applications, data, and services regardless of the user’s location, device, or network. It is an identity-driven approach to network security that follows users and devices rather than forcing them to access traditional data centers.

How Does SASE Work? 

Let’s take a closer look at SASE in more simple terms. Imagine you and your friends are planning a big trip to a theme park. You need to get there from your homes, and you also need to have fun once you arrive. In this scenario, think of your journey to the theme park as data traveling from different devices (like phones or computers) to a central server, and having fun at the theme park as accessing different services or resources on the internet.

In the traditional way, when you access the internet or online services, your data takes a long journey, just like having to drive a long distance to the theme park. It goes from your device to your home’s internet router, then through various networks (like your internet provider, other service providers, and the website’s server) before reaching the final destination.

Now, imagine if you had a magical shortcut that instantly teleports you and your friends directly inside the theme park, without going through all the traffic and stops. That’s what SASE does for your data. Instead of following the traditional long route, it takes a super-fast and secure shortcut, so your data can reach its destination (the internet or specific services) quicker and safer.

Key Components of SASE

  • Cloud-Native Architecture: SASE operates as a cloud-native service, taking advantage of the scalability, flexibility, and global reach of cloud infrastructure. This allows for rapid deployment, easy updates, and efficient management.
  • Security as a Service: SASE combines multiple security services, such as secure web gateways, firewalls, and threat detection, into a unified, cloud-delivered model. This approach ensures that all network traffic is inspected and secured, regardless of the user’s location.
  • Software-Defined Networking: SD-WAN is a critical component of SASE, enabling intelligent routing and dynamic traffic management across the network. This ensures that data takes the most efficient and secure path to its destination.
  • Zero Trust Model: SASE adopts the zero-trust security model, assuming that no user or device should be inherently trusted. Instead, every user and device must continuously verify their identity and comply with security policies before accessing resources.
  • Identity-Centric Security: User identity becomes a central element of SASE’s security framework. It allows for granular access controls, based on user context and behavior, ensuring that access is granted only to authorized individuals and devices.

Benefits of SASE

  • Enhanced Security: By consolidating various security functions into a single cloud-delivered service, SASE minimizes security gaps and provides consistent protection across the entire network.
  • Improved Performance: SASE’s intelligent routing capabilities and SD-WAN technology optimize network traffic, leading to improved application performance and reduced latency.
  • Simplified Management: With a cloud-native architecture, organizations can easily deploy and manage SASE, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing operational complexity.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: SASE’s cloud-based nature allows for effortless scaling to accommodate the changing needs of an organization, whether it’s expanding globally or handling varying workloads.
  • Cost-Effective: By eliminating the need for on-premises security hardware and appliances, SASE can potentially reduce infrastructure costs, making it an attractive option for organizations of all sizes.

Challenges and Considerations

While SASE offers numerous benefits, there are some challenges and considerations to be aware of. Firstly, SASE relies heavily on consistent and secure internet connectivity. Organizations must prioritize establishing and maintaining reliable connections to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Additionally, integrating SASE with existing legacy systems or reshaping current security strategies to align with the zero-trust model can present significant hurdles in terms of both technical implementation and organizational adaptation. With the increasing routing of data through cloud services, organizations must meticulously address concerns surrounding data privacy, compliance with regulations, and adherence to data residency requirements in different regions. 

Another pivotal aspect involves vendor selection; making the right choice among SASE vendors is of paramount importance. Organizations must thoroughly assess potential vendors based on their security capabilities, global presence, and their capacity to effectively fulfill specific and unique business prerequisites. In navigating these challenges and considerations, organizations can harness the true potential of SASE while proactively managing its complexities.

Last Thoughts

SASE represents a paradigm shift in network security and connectivity, offering a comprehensive, cloud-native solution to meet the demands of the modern digital era. As enterprises continue to embrace cloud services and distributed workforces, SASE can provide the necessary tools to secure and optimize access to applications and data, thereby enabling organizations to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. However, successful implementation requires careful planning, vendor selection, and an in-depth understanding of an organization’s specific needs and goals.

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Revolutionizing Connectivity: The Power of Edge Computing

In our everyday lives data is generated at an unprecedented rate. Traditional cloud computing infrastructure is facing challenges in meeting the demands of real-time applications. Enter edge computing, a groundbreaking paradigm that promises to reshape the way we process and analyze data. By bringing computation and storage capabilities closer to the data source, edge computing offers faster response times, reduced latency, enhanced security, and improved reliability. In this article, we will delve into the world of edge computing and explore its transformative potential across various industries.

What is the “Edge,” or “Edge Computing?”

Edge computing is a decentralized computing model that enables data processing and analysis at or near the edge of the network, closer to where data is generated. Unlike conventional cloud computing, where data is sent to a centralized server for processing, edge computing distributes computational resources to local devices, such as routers, gateways, and IoT devices. This approach reduces the need for data transmission to distant data centers, minimizing latency and enabling real-time decision-making.

What Makes Edge Computing So Important? 

Edge computing is crucial because it enables computing processes to take place at the edge of networks, in locations like hospitals, factories, and retail stores, where sensitive data is processed and critical systems need to function reliably and independently of a network connection. This low-latency, on-site processing capability excites businesses as it has the potential to revolutionize various industries and functions. Edge computing allows the integration of the digital world with physical environments, leading to improved customer experiences, enhanced worker training, and the creation of smart, safe, and comfortable environments. By running applications with high reliability and real-time data requirements on-site, businesses can innovate faster, launch products and services more efficiently, and explore new revenue opportunities.

Key Benefits of Edge Computing

  • Reduced Latency: By processing data at the network edge, edge computing significantly reduces latency, allowing for near-instantaneous response times. This is crucial for applications that require real-time data processing, such as autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare monitoring, and industrial automation.
  • Improved Reliability: Edge computing improves system reliability by reducing dependence on a centralized cloud infrastructure. By distributing computational resources across multiple edge nodes, it minimizes the risk of single points of failure. This resilience is particularly vital for critical applications that cannot afford downtime.
  • Enhanced Security: Edge computing offers increased data security by reducing the exposure of sensitive information to potential cyber threats. By processing data locally, it minimizes the need for data transmission over public networks, mitigating the risk of interception and unauthorized access.
  • Bandwidth Optimization: With the exponential growth of data, transmitting all information to a centralized cloud can strain network bandwidth. Edge computing allows for local processing and filtering of data, transmitting only relevant information to the cloud. This optimization reduces bandwidth requirements and minimizes associated costs.

Applications of Edge Computing

Edge computing plays a vital role in unlocking the potential of various applications, starting with the Internet of Things (IoT). By processing data locally, IoT devices can quickly respond to local events and make timely decisions, promoting seamless communication and adaptation within a smart home environment without excessive reliance on cloud connectivity. Moreover, edge computing is crucial for the advancement of autonomous systems like vehicles and drones. These systems heavily depend on real-time decision-making capabilities, achieved through processing vast amounts of sensor data at the edge, which in turn reduces latency and enhances responsiveness, leading to safer and more efficient operations. 

In the realm of healthcare, edge computing shows immense promise, particularly in applications such as remote patient monitoring and real-time diagnostics. By deploying edge devices in hospitals or even patient residences, critical health data can be analyzed locally, enabling faster response times and easing the burden on centralized healthcare infrastructure. With regards to industrial automation, edge computing empowers real-time analytics and control within factories and plants. Manufacturers can leverage edge devices to monitor and optimize operations, detect anomalies, and improve efficiency. This facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces downtime, and ultimately enhances overall productivity in industrial settings.

Challenges and Considerations

While edge computing brings significant advantages, it also comes with its fair share of challenges that require careful attention. One such challenge is scalability, as managing numerous distributed edge nodes can be intricate and demands efficient coordination. Scaling the edge infrastructure to handle expanding workloads and seamlessly integrating it with existing cloud systems presents both technical and logistical hurdles. Additionally, data privacy and governance become critical concerns with edge computing. The local processing of data requires meticulous adherence to data protection regulations and the establishment of secure transmission channels between edge devices and centralized systems to protect sensitive information. Furthermore, the lack of standardized protocols and interfaces in the edge computing ecosystem poses interoperability challenges. The establishment of industry-wide standards becomes essential to fully unlock the potential of edge computing and facilitate smooth integration across a wide array of devices and platforms.

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How 5G and Edge Computing Can Change Broadcasting

The broadcasting industry is looking to evolve by leveraging 5G and edge computing. This is because broadcasters are searching for ways to change content delivery methods, boost revenue opportunities, and personalize their offerings.

Bloomberg Media recently started a trial partnership to work on this project with Verizon, Zixi, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). They are trying to uncover how 5G and edge computing could transform the broadcasting industry. The end goal is to find ways to deliver improved live feeds and other content, and different ways in which viewers can consume news and broadcast content.

As time goes by, more of us consumers expect to have on demand content that is available to them 24/7. This is why we’re seeing more content via mobile applications. The key is to streamline the process while also providing high-quality video with low buffering requirements. 

The team has taken to performing trials that leverage products from each company. The products include Verizon 5G Edge, AWS Wavelength (a real-time computing platform), and Zixi’s SDVP and ZEN Master control plane (to reduce latency). These proof-of-concept trials demonstrate how 5G and edge computing rollouts could create a new generation of streaming and broadcast services. Also, by deploying content straight to 5G-enabled user devices, it could significantly reduce the strain for media companies.

Bloomberg media conducted trials using Bloomberg TV+ and 4K ultra-high-definition content that was streamed directly to 5G connected user devices. These tests are meant to help discover the edge of broadcast capability with 4k UHD.

If tests are successful media companies could then decide to stream ultra-high-definition content without the use of satellites. This is certainly something that could speed up capability. Bloomberg will also demonstrate how these products allow companies to split video into multiple streams for broadcast across multiple platforms. 

Another future trial will hopefully help to open content up to more consumers, by demonstrating real-time translation, subtitles, and transcription services.

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What Are AT&T and its Partners Doing to Improve 5G Networking

As 5G coverage and usage continues to grow, AT&T is focusing on partnering with some companies like Rakuten Symphony, Nokia, and IBM to help address the ever changing needs of service providers and the way in which different industries operate. 

Rakuten Symphony, a comms platform provider, has something called Rakuten Symworld. This platform is designed to offer one-touch access to a suite of next-gen network software apps, which can update and automate any mobile network.  Industrialized automation and data-driven solutions are available for planning, designing, deploying, operating, securing and maintaining new and existing networks – all at the speed and scale of the cloud. 

Together, they will utilize experience and expertise from technologies currently being used by AT&T in the US and Rakuten Mobile in Japan. Efforts will be focussed on accelerating network planning and deployment in greenfield and brownfield environments. They eventually plan to develop new capabilities and offer additional solutions to mobile network operators across the globe to simplify, digitize and automate their mobile network deployments.

AT&T’s deal with Rakuten comes just days after it was announced they had entered into a partnership with Microsoft. A world with smarter, simpler private 5G networks with more flexibility for businesses is their focus.

In another major partnership, AT&T extends its relationship with IBM to help enterprise users navigate the transitioning of their industry along with new technologies. The partnership has lasted more than 20 years at this point and they’ve done quite a bit together in that time. At this time however, the two companies plan on showing the digital transformation potential of 5G wireless networking and edge computing. 

Edge computing has proven to be capable of enabling faster, improved data analysis, along with creating an opportunity for deeper insights, faster response times and enhanced customer experience.  

“Together, AT&T and IBM have created simulated environments for enterprise clients to physically experience the power of AT&T’s connectivity with hybrid cloud and AI technology from IBM. Businesses across all industries—including the public sector, manufacturing, and financial services — can tap into this collaboration to quickly and securely innovate and tackle challenges gripping several industries today – from supply chain disruptions to cyber threats and ransomware to demand for frictionless services in the world of 5G,” said the AT&T announcement.

AT&T noticed there was demand from new users requiring greater uplink performance from 5G networks, which led them to a partnership with Nokia’s Bell Labs. They have been working to develop distributed massive multiple input, multiple output (DmMIMO) technology. This can significantly increase uplink capacity and speeds in 5G networks without requiring an overly complex solution.

Per the announcement from Nokia, “DmMIMO allows devices to leverage signal propagation to multiple cells or antenna panels in a network when establishing a link, thereby turning noise into a useful signal and increasing the uplink throughput. The data transmission is pieced together from multiple antenna panels and cell sites through distributed baseband processing. The processing load between the cell site radio units and the central processing unit is split in a novel way, reducing the fronthaul capacity to cell sites and hence lowering the cost.”

Testing the proof-of-concept technology is being done by Nokia in AT&T’s labs. The simulations were shown to have “demonstrated increases in 5G uplink capacity between 60% and 90% compared to similarly configured systems with a single panel.” Together, the partners have also determined that while other techniques come at the expense of downlink capacity, DmMIMO produces sizable increases in uplink capacity without sacrificing performance.

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What Can Drones Do with 5G?

Verizon’s 5G Edge is now working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) with the help of a group of aerospace, robotics and software development engineers and former military personnel. Their company, Easy Aerial, uses autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) solutions, or drones, to protect and save lives.

Together with AWS Wavelength, they’ve created technology to enable near-real-time object detection for drones. The Easy Guard ground station, one of Easy Aerial’s product offerings, is described by the company as a “smart” aircraft hangar for takeoff, landing, and charging, and this “drone-in-a-box” solution was selected for exploring 5G integration. 

The 5G-enabled Easy Guard system allowed for a successful transmission of telemetry data from Easy Aerial drones. This made it possible to monitor flights in near-real-time. They were also able to reduce the data transmission rates of the drones by leveraging 5G for communications. This also provided reduced latency via use of 5G and mobile edge compute (MEC) on “AI-powered data processing,” Verizon notes in a description of the collaboration with Easy Aerial and AWS.

Per Verizon’s announcement, the integration of 5G and mobile edge computing for drone operations provided a savings of about 10% in drone costs. Flight time was also increased by about 40%.

Ivan Stamatovski, CTO of Easy Aerial, explained that a demonstration like this has not been attempted before, in part because of a lack of actual 5G coverage in the U.S.; however, Easy Aerial is optimally positioned to utilize both AWS and Verizon’s 5G Edge. 

Integrating 5G, according to Stamatovski, “opens up a lot of avenues for using small unmanned aircraft systems [sUAS] for all kinds of applications,” he told Avionics International. The team at Easy Aerial had developed the Easy Guard ground station and, after joining the 5G studio, began working on possible applications for 5G within the Easy Guard system.

Stamatovski explained that “typically, we would have our AI for people recognition and car detection, and we would run it on a local computer, but we said, ‘Since there’s limited space and limited power for it, let’s see if we can put that all on Amazon Edge.’” It was also important to have low latency for object detection so that processing would happen in real-time or near real-time. “We decided to go with Amazon Edge,” he said, “because the cloud is too far out there. The whole setup was made so that the drone talks to Amazon directly, and Amazon does the processing and AI with our algorithms that were deployed on the Edge. Then it communicates back to another 5G unit that is inside our Easy Guard.”

Stamatovski also commented on the benefits from using the high bandwidth for UAVs that Verizon 5G Edge and AWS Wavelength are able to provide. By processing data at the edge of the network—in near-real-time—“it shifts the paradigm on what is possible to achieve with airborne sensors,” he said.

“I was surprised with how fast it was. I don’t think many people have had a chance to really experience that speed,” Stamatovski shared. “The transfer speed was higher than when we had direct communication via ground link. It opens up possibilities to do all kinds of processing; there is no limitation on the size and weight of the computer that runs on the drone. You can have a whole room of servers running and use all of that processing power for your aerial vehicle.”

The partnership formed between Easy Aerial and Verizon seems to be one that will last, as they are already looking into new opportunities to demonstrate 5G integration.

“We’re working on a couple of demos with their development center and are going to deploy the same setup, just on the tethered variant of our drones,” Stamatovski remarked. “We’re now exploring all the variations that [Easy Aerial] has made, and seeing how much more we can do with 5G.”

Stamatovski addressed the IoT industry as well. He predicts that within the next five years, there will be new hardware developments available for Internet of Things (IoT) devices with high bandwidth consumption.

“This is really what 5G is all about: giving high bandwidth to all the IoT devices. It will enable a new crop of IoT companies [including Easy Aerial] that can provide real-time situational awareness and all kinds of sensor data to be harvested. It’s something that does not exist today.” For Easy Aerial, he said, the coming developments will help them to stay connected and utilize more of the computing power in the cloud.

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Inseego 4G/5G Routers Now Available at 5Gstore

Think back to the first time you saw or used a mobile WiFi hotspot. That’s where our new partner, Inseego got its start. For the past 25 years, they’ve been leading the way by creating entirely new types of devices that allow users to connect wherever they are. 

By staying at the front of innovation, Inseego has earned the trust of leading wireless operators, technology titans, business users, government agencies and consumers.

From 2G to 5G, they’ve been through it all. In the 1990s, they started with Industry’s First Modems for Mobile Broadband.

In the 2000s,  they invented MiFi® hotspots, enabled the First Cellular Amazon® Kindle®, and the First USB Memory Stick Modem Combos for nationwide and global use. 

In the 2010s, they came out with the First Touchscreen Mobile Hotspot, with Advanced Enterprise Features and were known to have the “Highest Performance in the Market.”

Now, Inseego has released its First Commercial Mobile Hotspots and its First Complete 5G Portfolio. This includes the S2000e Enterprise 5G, FX2000e Enterprise 5G, FW2000e Enterprise 5G (Outdoor), and the FG2000e Enterprise 5G.

Inseego also invents new technologies, which make their products work more efficiently. The company holds key patents for antenna designs, thermal performance, quick response algorithms and other know-how that sets them apart from the rest of the industry. They also work with industry leaders to design, develop, test and deploy successful, end-to-end solutions.

Something else we really favor Inseego for is the simple fact that they are designed and developed in the USA. Per Inseego, “That translates into the highest quality, security, performance and reliability that service providers, enterprises and government users demand.”

We’re happy to announce that we will be carrying these new 5G products along with a LTE solution, at 5Gstore – most of which we have available today! So let us not delay our introduction any longer. 

First, for 4G LTE support only, look at the compact Skyus 160. With a small, rugged design and multi-carrier support, it keeps you connected almost anywhere for both primary and failover communications. Its Cat 6 LTE modem supports speeds up to 300 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload. It also comes with a built-in battery for backup, so the Skyus 160 can support your most important workloads. 

Popular use case applications include mobile applications like creating a vehicle hotspot, setting up a temporary job site, or working from home. It’s also ideal for fixed environments such as SD-WAN installations for retail locations or branch offices.

Next, we have the S2000e Enterprise 5G. The Inseego Wavemaker™ 5G industrial gateway S2000e brings the best of 5G to a wide range of enterprise environments, from factories and warehouses to ports, fleets and smart city networks. This powerful, high-performance gateway can deliver multi-gigabit speeds, low latency and secure, reliable connections for facilities and distributed operations in virtually any location, from urban centers to rural areas. Use the S2000e to bring 5G to an existing router, or to connect remote surveillance cameras, kiosks, digital displays and other IoT endpoints.

Combining six antenna ports and 4×4 MU-MIMO with Inseego’s proprietary thermal mitigation technology, it delivers sustained high throughput even at the edge of the network. The S2000e provides ethernet, USB and I/O ports along with multiple power options and mounting options, offering the flexibility for almost any deployment scenario. 

Pair your S2000e with the Inseego mobile app and simplify self-installation. Inseego Connect™ cloud management makes it easy to configure, monitor and maintain the S2000e remotely. With unsurpassed RF performance and device-to-cloud intelligence, the S2000e industrial gateway opens the door to many new business solutions.

Whether you’re an operator providing high-performance fixed wireless access to your small business and residential customers, or an enterprise organization with distributed offices and remote employees, the FX2000 series is a great solution. It works well in homes, retail stores, restaurants, branch offices, medical clinics, dormitories, apartments and more.

In particular, check out the FX2000e Enterprise 5G. This is a compact indoor router that delivers fast, reliable 5G/LTE broadband to homes and businesses. It offers support for private networks, including CBRS, and boasts Wi-Fi 6 technology and ethernet with secure connections for up to 30 devices. A host of smart security and management features let users connect with confidence in their data privacy and protection.

The Inseego Mobile app makes it easy to find the best location to set up and remotely manage settings like network name and password. Users can also use the Inseego Connect™ platform to monitor, configure and troubleshoot a single FX2000 or an entire deployment of FX2000 series devices from one user-friendly platform. You can set alarm rules, schedule and run reports for data usage, signal quality, and alarm history, and group devices together to push widespread configurations.

The FX2000e offers dual SIM support and allows for auto-switching between SIMs based on signal strength, data usage, service availability, and quality. Multi-carrier firmware allows the FX2000e to be used on most major global carriers.

Look at the FW2000e Enterprise 5G (Outdoor) for more rural and suburban customers who might be at the edge of network coverage. Or, use this to provide 5G connectivity for private enterprise networks. In either case, the FW2000 series outdoor Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) uses high-gain directional antennas to extend the reach of carrier networks, providing 5G fixed wireless access (along with 4G LTE fallback at LTE CAT 22 speeds) to serve customers in more places.

The intuitive Inseego Mobile app makes it easy to find the strongest network signal and best mounting location for the FW2000 series outdoor CPEs. Once up and running the, IP67-rated FW2000 series is designed to stand up to harsh weather conditions and temperature extremes while protecting your network with enterprise-grade security.

Lastly, we have the FG2000e Enterprise 5G. The Inseego Wavemaker™ indoor router FG2000 series delivers blazing-fast internet access to homes and businesses worldwide with breakthrough 5G and 4G LTE speeds. From fast streaming to lag-free video conferencing, the FG2000 series delivers a superb 5G user experience with best-of-network performance anywhere.

The FG2000 series offers support for private networks, including CBRS, and boasts Wi-Fi 6 technology with gigabit-class data speeds with secure connections for up to 128 Wi-Fi devices. An optional RJ11 port provides VoLTE-enabled high-definition voice service. A host of smart security and management features let users connect with confidence in their data privacy and protection.

The FG2000e offers dual SIM support and allows for auto-switching between SIMs based on signal strength, data usage, service availability, and quality. Multi-carrier firmware allows the FG2000e to be used on most major global carriers. The Inseego Mobile app and Inseego Connect™ platform is also available with this device. 

If you have any interest in mobile broadband, fixed wireless access, IIoT (Industrial IoT), Enterprise SaaS, or Edge Computing, look no further than to the specialty products from Inseego.  

Contact our sales team today if you have any questions!

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