Managed network vs. Managed Router: What Network Operators Don't Tell You

The typical corporate network today has been built piece by piece over several years, which meant that there was no comprehensive architectural plan. This makes administration extremely difficult and time consuming.

When companies try to move more applications to the cloud, they find that their networks are simply not ready to increase network traffic. And not only in terms of bandwidth, but also in terms of the ability to prioritize higher volume and different types of traffic.

How did this happen? One of the reasons is the companies' dependence on traditional telecommunications providers and their provision of services. Carriers often make the first sale through promising companies to a managed router, where carriers control and adjust the router remotely, at their own discretion.

In today's world of MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) networks, which should carry both voice and data with a variable quality of service (QoS), it is not enough to manage the router alone. Companies not only give up a lot of control, but also lose the ability to adapt their networks to their needs. For this reason, companies need a managed network to ensure the maximum performance of voice, video, data and cloud applications in companies.

Managed network, managed router ... what's the difference?

Today, network operators simply offer a network service and very little. For example, they do not provide the proactive monitoring and support services - including security monitoring - that many companies are looking for in their networks today. Network operators usually wait until the lines have failed to take action to resolve service issues. This means that companies run the risk of losing significant network availability while repairing lines.

In addition, network operators offer only a router with inflexible individual IOS standards, which allow only a small amount of user-defined configuration. This is essential to keep up with the dynamic development of today's cloud-based business applications. And since most devices are on site, the company is responsible for the costs of upgrading and replacing the hardware.

On the other hand, companies with a cloud-based approach to managed networks can prioritize and manage the performance of critical business applications from the router. This can improve a company's efficiency, execution and agility by being more involved in the overall network strategy - including network design, administration and monitoring, rather than focusing on pipeline packets.