Networks Unlimited has signed a distribution agreement with Uplogix to expand the distribution of its remote network management platform to the sub-Saharan region.
Anton Jacobsz, MD of Networks Unlimited, says: “Uplogix offers a highly reliable and secure out-band-platform and is like having a ‘techie in a box’, enabling customers to remotely connect to devices in order to monitor these and take automated corrective action directly over the console port.”
He adds that Uplogix was founded on the observation that “the problem with network management is that it relies on the network itself to operate”.
The Uplogix solution is well-defined in its ability as an automated network management platform designed to monitor and execute initial recovery actions typically performed by network technicians. It utilises console port connections, thus reducing dependence on the network itself to retrieve state and performance information as well as reliably execute predefined tasks.
“To really manage network infrastructure, you need to operate from an ‘out-of-band’ perspective, which is more than just a remote secondary connection to devices – it means monitoring devices and taking automated actions directly over the console port,” says Jacobsz.
He notes that Uplogix offers more options for linking to a customer’s gear over a secondary network path.
“Uplogix local management solutions deliver the widest array of on-demand WAN alternative network connection options, including dial-up, cellular, fibre or satellite modems, and provide a reliable management connection to remote gear. There is also a secondary Ethernet connection that can be used for an out-of-band connection such as a DSL modem. This connection can route primary traffic using the WAN Traffic Failover feature and a high-bandwidth OOB connection like an LTE modem,” explains Jacobsz. “In addition, with the Uplogix rules engine, you can configure multiple options and use rules to decide which one to use and when.”
The solution is available from Networks Unlimited immediately and can be deployed in a variety of ways depending on the customers’ existing infrastructure and network management needs.
“We have two hardware versions of our purpose-built Local Managers, the Uplogix 5000 and Uplogix 500. Each provides a local platform for running the Uplogix Local Management Software (LMS), and shares features like an option slot for internal modems, dual management Ethernet ports and on-board storage,” adds Jacobsz. “The Uplogix LMS has also been virtualised, and can be run as a VM, letting you take advantage of an existing investment in extensible Cisco Integrated Services Routers with support for SRE Modules and HWIC serial port adapters, or on a local server with connections to devices through a console server.”
He emphasises that the geographic size of Africa has an impact on high IT operational costs as well as the length of time it takes to address a network problem for organisations with offices spread across the region.
“We’re excited to partner with Networks Unlimited to expand our deployments in Africa,” said Lisa Frankovitch, Uplogix CEO. “Rapidly expanding and evolving network architectures across all vertical markets benefit from a solution like Uplogix to deploy faster, control support costs and operate more securely.”
Immediate benefits that local customers are set to realise are the wide variety of modular out-of-band options offered by Uplogix, including LTE cellular modems that can serve as an automated failover network for the primary traffic, allowing customers to pick the right option for each site.
In addition is the focus on security with Uplogix taking secure encryption to the edge of a customer’s network, ensuring protection against both internal and external threats. “The result, priceless peace of mind,” notes Jacobsz. “This is further achieved by Uplogix identifying, isolating and solving network problems before a customer even knows there’s a problem.”
Also advantageous is that the solution offers an automated configuration safety net that allows customers to confidently make changes remotely plus implement mass changes across their entire network with less effort.
“Uplogix offers an innovative product that reliably automates routine tasks that ordinarily consume a big chunk of IT time. This effectively saves our customers on operational costs. By adding Uplogix’ solution set to the Network Unlimited product offering — we’re filling that void within the African market,” Jacobsz adds.
