Riverbed Technology launched SteelConnect 2.0, an application-defined SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) solution that provides an intelligent and simplified approach to designing, deploying and managing distributed networks for today’s cloud-centric world.

SteelConnect 2.0 delivers major updates and enhancements, including native dynamic routing for simplified networking (with the ability to replace old legacy routers), end-to-end visibility with Riverbed SteelCentral integration, seamless WAN optimization with Riverbed SteelHead integration, and support for large-scale data center deployments via integration with Riverbed Interceptor.

SteelConnect unifies deployment and orchestration of hybrid WANs (Internet & MPLS), branch networks (LAN & WLAN), and cloud environments (IaaS & SaaS) such as AWS (available today) and Microsoft Azure (available in early 2017).

With a fully integrated line of secure WAN gateways, remote LAN switches and Wi-Fi access points, single-click instant provisioning and all managed centrally with zero-touch using an intuitive and graphical cloud console interface, SteelConnect delivers business-intent orchestration and enables organizations to modernize their network architecture to realize the full potential of cloud and digital transformation.

“Legacy hardware-based approaches to branch networking haven’t changed in 20 years, and are simply too rigid, complex and fragile to support the modern needs of businesses today, especially as it relates to complexities introduced by the adoption of cloud services and hybrid WAN topologies,” said Paul O’Farrell, SVP and GM of Riverbed’s SteelConnect, SteelHead, and SteelFusion business units. “A fundamental rethink is needed to bring networking into today’s cloud-centric world, and that’s what we’ve been doing with the launch of our application-defined SD-WAN solution SteelConnect 2.0.”

With a successful early-access launch of SteelConnect in April, Riverbed showcased a new approach to designing, deploying and managing distributed networks for both on-premises locations and single-click instant provisioning into cloud environments. Instead of managing networks through configuration of individual appliances, SteelConnect provides policy-based orchestration that is naturally aligned to the language and priorities of business (applications, users, locations, performance SLAs and security requirements). An IT network architect can now easily set up global or local policies such as: send all video application traffic over the highest-capacity circuits; send software updates over Internet broadband circuits; or send all business traffic over secure VPNs. Previously network operators needed to enter hundreds or thousands of lines of CLI (command line interface) code to make network and application changes, which is both inefficient and prone to human error.

Now, Riverbed is extending the power of SteelConnect with integration of Riverbed’s visibility and WAN optimization technologies, providing the most complete and unified application-defined networking solution built for today’s cloud era.

“Since its inception, we have seen enormous interest from enterprises to deploy SD-WAN solutions to better drive network agility, improve ROI and meet the demands of today’s cloud delivered applications,” said Daniel Conde, Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “Riverbed is well positioned to disrupt the SD-WAN market with its SteelConnect solution, and has placed a great deal of visionary thought and engineering behind its development. With a holistic view that goes beyond connectivity by offering orchestration and workflow, SteelConnect is a product that focuses on both application delivery and security for the enterprise and takes a distinctive approach from what other vendors are providing in the market.”

SteelConnect 2.0 features the following updates and enhancements:

- New Platform Integrations. Riverbed announces SteelCentral integration into SteelConnect Manager for advanced SD-WAN visibility with APM & NPM capabilities allowing IT Managers to be better able to make informed policy and deployment decisions, monitor and troubleshoot performance issues, and plan for network changes regardless of whether the application’s performance is optimized across hybrid WANs, remote LANs or cloud networks. In addition, SteelConnect integration into SteelHead CX platforms offers for a converged SD-WAN and WAN optimization solution, and integration of SteelConnect with SteelHead Interceptor for streamlined integration into larger enterprise data center deployments.

- Native Dynamic Routing. With native routing capabilities, SteelConnect Gateways can be used in place of legacy branch routers to reduce the cost and complexity of managing connectivity to remote locations.

- Enterprise Scale. Riverbed announces two new SteelConnect Gateway models with increased performance and high-availability and a new SteelConnect Switch with increased density and throughput. SteelConnect Gateway 1030 delivers up to 1 Gbps throughput at edge locations while the SteelConnect Gateway 5030 delivers up to 10 Gbps throughput and supports complex networks and high-availability configurations in the data center. These new Gateway models enable large-scale enterprise deployments for companies of all sizes.

SteelConnect 2.0 will be available starting October 2016, with feature enhancements released throughout the remainder of the year. SteelConnect will be fully available through the Riverbed partner network.