As Cloud technologies have advanced, it’s now far easier to access, manage and report on your entire operation’s network performance from anywhere in the world!
But what is this new world of Cloud-based network management? We’ve created this page to explain just that! Here’s a summary of everything we’ll take you through:
- An introduction to Cloud-managed networking
- Your guide to Cloud-based network management
- How to pick the right wireless solution for you
- Nuclias Connect and Nuclias Cloud
So, put the kettle on (and your feet up), and let Mooncomputers take you through everything you need to know about Cloud-managed networking…
An introduction to Cloud-managed networking
In an increasingly complex world, businesses want simpler, more efficient tools. That’s why so many organisations – large and small – are turning to Cloud-based applications and services.
Your own organisation might use a Cloud-based communications system like hosted voice, or a suite of Software as a Service (SaaS) productivity tools like Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce or Quickbooks. You might store data in the Cloud, or use Cloud services to connect a new army of remote or hybrid workers.
There are very good reasons why you do. Cloud applications tend to be easily and instantly Scalable, meaning you can add or remove users in a couple of clicks. They’re often cost effective, because you don’t have to buy, manage and maintain expensive hardware. They update and add features automatically.
These are all very good reasons to invest in Cloud services, and the same benefits apply to the tools you use to manage your wired and wireless network. The adoption of Cloud managed networking is set to double by the end of 2023 according to Gartner, made even easier by increasingly being offered as an SaaS model, meaning a monthly subscription instead of a massive one-off payment.
Traditional network management
Cloud managed networking is a relatively new innovation. In the past, larger enterprises would deploy a hardware-based solution for network management, and many of them still do.
Hardware-based networking uses a central controller to manage multiple Access Points (APs) and switches across a single site or multiple sites. All network traffic passes through the controller, which means it has a holistic view of the entire network and everything happening on it.
Which is great. You need a complete view of your network status. The problem with a hardware-based solution is that it requires significant IT expertise to implement, configure and manage. Like other on-premise IT Infrastructure, it’s also inflexible, meaning scaling your solution up and down is a time-consuming task.
The alternative is a software-based model, that does away with the hardware controller and replaces it with a software-based alternative. This has the major advantage of not requiring you to buy and manage complex equipment.
It also lets you manage your entire network from a central platform. If your organisation is not blessed with wide networking expertise, it’s good to know that network management software interfaces are usually designed with ease-of-use as an abiding principle.
Cloud-based network management is similar to its software-based cousin, but takes the logical next step. It puts all that network management Infrastructure in the Cloud, making it accessible from anywhere (or at least anywhere with an internet connection) and on any device.
The right time for Cloud managed networking
That accessibility helps to explain the growing popularity of Cloud managed networking. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, we’re used to business tools and services that we can connect to in our back bedrooms, in the local coffee shop and on the train, as well as when we’re at work.
The advent of hybrid working means that the need for “work anywhere” solutions isn’t going anywhere. Many staff will no longer be in the office full time, spending several days a week working from home. Those with responsibility for the smooth running of your network may also demand the option of remote or semi-remote working.
So, the first and most obvious benefit of Cloud managed networking is that it allows you to manage your network wherever you are. All you need is a smartphone, laptop or tablet and an internet connection.
But it’s far from the only benefit. In the next section we’ll look at the other reasons behind Cloud managed networking’s soaring popularity.
The far-reaching benefits of Cloud managed networking
As we’ve seen, Cloud managed networking lets you manage and maintain your IT Infrastructure from anywhere, and it has a wealth of other advantages for small businesses. Here are some of them:
Ease of use
Cloud-based network management solutions like Nuclias Cloud are a breeze to implement, configure and maintain. Zero touch deployment means technical staff don’t even have to be on site to configure new devices. All management hardware and software is hosted in the Cloud, and accessed via a user-friendly interface that has been designed to make running your network easy. Businesses without any in-house IT support can adopt Nuclias Cloud and create more effective, efficient and secure networks.
Scalability
Because it’s hosted in the Cloud, Nuclias Cloud is almost infinitely Scalable. You can respond accurately and instantly to new circumstances by configuring new APIs, adding new users at will.
Cost-effective
Nuclias Cloud is a highly cost-effective network management solution, for two reasons. First, like other software-based networking tools it lets you do away with the hassle of maintaining and upgrading expensive on-premise equipment. Second, a pay-as-you-go model means you only ever pay for capacity you need, and never for what you don’t.
Network insight
Cloud-based solutions like Nuclias Cloud gather insight from across your network, giving you an at-a-glance view of the health of wired and wireless services. That lets you deal with issues before they become problems. For retail and hospitality businesses, it also lets you collect valuable data on customer behaviour, letting you tailor services in a way that drives sales and promotes loyalty.
Security
Many businesses cling to on-premise solutions on the basis of security. But Nuclias Cloud offers the latest security protocols, from the end-to-end Encryption of all data travelling between Nuclias servers and devices, to encrypted web communication and role and privilege-based access controls. Simply put, you can assign different privileges to different users, tightly controlling the scope of internal and guest access.
Other benefits
Nuclias Cloud offers a raft of other benefits, from automatic monitoring and alerts to over-the-web firmware upgrades and Cloud-based RF communications…
We could go on, but the core message here is that Cloud-managed networking solutions like Nuclias Cloud give complete visibility and control over data networks to every organisation, regardless of whether they have in-house networking expertise or not. They ensure that anyone can operate a network that is secure, efficient and perfectly optimised to meet their needs.
Typical use-case scenarios
Despite that, it’s true that some organisations – especially large enterprises – value the hands-on control that hardware-based solutions afford. But for smaller businesses, a solution that gives them the network they need and largely stays in the background of their business is ideal. Here are some typical use case scenarios…
Small businesses
Nuclias Cloud is a robust, affordable and easy-to-use solution for small businesses that want to future-proof their network. It keeps your business running without you having to worry about IT.
Cafes and shops
Nuclias Cloud makes managing multiple branches easy. At the same time, it offers seamless and secure Wi-Fi for payment systems and guest use, and real-time analytics that let you tailor guest Wi-Fi experiences.
Boutique hotels
Create a secure and fast Wi-Fi experience for guests and use analytics to improve and tailor your service and drive front of house innovation.
Schools
Create a powerful and secure network to support a digital learning experience, while protecting students and staff from inappropriate material.
Your guide to Cloud-based network management
More and more businesses are moving to the Cloud. Many core business services – from communications and Collaboration tools to back office functions and e-commerce – are now hosted in distant Server centres run by third-party operators.
Many of the applications your own business probably relies on, like Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce, Teams or Zoom, are Cloud services. As more organisations transition to remote or hybrid work models, more and more services will be transferred to the Cloud.
In the modern business landscape, Cloud simply makes sense. For many business services, Cloud negates the need to buy, house and maintain on-premise equipment, creating tangible cost savings. Cloud-based communications are an obvious example.
But perhaps the most obvious benefit of moving to the Cloud is the “work anywhere” culture it promotes. Cloud services tend to be accessible wherever employees have an internet connection, and on any device. That makes them perfect for the new world of remote, mobile and hybrid work.
With all your services moving to the Cloud, it makes sense to employ a Cloud-based network management solution, too. As more and more of your network is focused on facilitating smooth and efficient Cloud access, it stands to reason that Cloud-based network management is the best tool for the job.
What is Cloud-based network management?
Network management is the process of administering, managing and operating a data network.
It is increasingly essential to modern, digital-first businesses, regardless of size or sector. We all rely on our digital Infrastructure, and especially Connectivity, more than ever. Network management makes sure your network is working optimally for the good of your business. It can pinpoint issues before they become problems.
That used to be the role of an on-premise network management system, but increasingly businesses are switching to Cloud-based services.
According to the Cloud Managed Networking Market Growth 2021 report, the global Cloud-managed networking market is projected to reach $14.61 billion (£10.7 billion) in 2021, up from $3.32 billion (£2.4 billion) in 2019.
How does Cloud-based network management work?
To put it simply, Cloud-based network management allows you to operate and maintain your business network entirely through resources hosted in the Cloud. It is usually offered as a service rather than a product.
Data is continually collected from network devices, like routers, switches and wireless controllers. It’s also gathered from what are called network endpoints, which simply means the computers, smartphones, sensors and other equipment your business uses every day.
When it has this data, your network management system can automatically make configuration changes that optimise the network, send reports to your IT team and troubleshoot issues. In a word, it ensures all parts of your network, and the network as a whole, are in healthy working order.
Any good network management service can do this, but Cloud-based services allow IT staff to access all your network information from anywhere, and make any necessary changes, using a web browser or mobile app.
And there are other benefits to Cloud-based solutions, too. We’ll take a closer look at those in the next section.
Upsides of Cloud-based network management
Why choose a Cloud-based platform over an on-premise equivalent? We’ve already mentioned them, but so you’re not having to scroll back up, here are the four key benefits of managing your network from the Cloud:
Simplicity
When your network management system sits in the Cloud, you can configure new and replacement network devices using Zero Touch Deployment. When you plug in a device it automatically downloads configuration settings from the Cloud, and is operational in seconds, with no on-site expertise required.
Your IT staff can manage the network using the app or web browser wherever they are. Monitoring and management tasks can be carried out through the platform for any device, site, or network anywhere in the world. Scaling up your network is simplicity itself.
Value for money
With Cloud-based network management, you get a powerful service with no upfront hardware costs and an as-a-service-based payment model. That means you pay a predictable monthly fee, with no add-ons and surprises. Maintenance and support is usually included as part of your monthly payment. Upgrading your system also becomes the responsibility of the service provider, ridding you of a time-consuming task.
Visibility
Cloud-based network management gives you deep visibility, providing end-to-end control over every access point, switch and site on your Cloud-managed network. It all happens via an intuitive customisable interface that is designed to minimise the time it takes to carry out tasks, while enabling an at-a-glance understanding of your network status. It all frees up your time for more productive work.
Automation
Cloud services update themselves, automatically. And automation is a key benefit in other ways, too. You can automate alerts based on bespoke parameters, so your IT team always knows about potential network problems before they impact your business. Reporting can also be automated, providing real-time analytics and insights that drive business value.
Downsides to Cloud-based network management
Security and access is a concern with any Cloud tool, and more so with one that gives direct entry to your data network.
The answer is to make sure your service supports different levels of admin privileges so you can determine who has access to your network and to what extent. Multi-factor authentication and end-to-end Encryption are also important.
The only other potential downside to Cloud is around Connectivity. If your Connectivity drops out, so does your service. Similarly, if your provider has an outage it could potentially affect your business.
With that in mind, look for strict service level agreements (SLAs), and ideally network uptime guarantees of 99.9% or more. If your provider also offers standalone operational Backup for your network devices, so much the better.
Which sectors will benefit most from Cloud-based network management?
If you have a data network, you’ll benefit from Cloud-based network management. Here’s how it affects different types of business.
SMBs
With easy network deployment and management, and central control, small and medium sized businesses can fully embrace digital transformation. Simple Cloud management lets you deploy more Cloud services, and experiment with new technology like the Internet of Things, without having to invest in new IT expertise.
Retail
Cloud-based network management also gives you a new level of control over staff and guest Wi-Fi, making it ideal for retail businesses. Tailor your customer Wi-Fi experience using real time traffic analytics, and drive sales. At the same time, digital signage and Point of Sale (PoS) devices require the kind of stable, robust network that Cloud management delivers.
Hospitality
Give your guests secure and easily accessible Wi-Fi, and use real time data to better understand customer behaviour. Use a customisable captive portal to enable multi-channel marketing.
Education
Easily create and support a network that covers multiple campuses and supports data intensive applications like digital whiteboards and surveillance cameras. Use web content filtering and Application control to ensure your network is only used for legitimate purposes.
How to pick the right wireless solution for you
A fully functioning wireless network has become essential to the success of organisations of all kinds. Whether you operate from an office, shop, cafe, hotel or educational establishment, giving staff, students and guests the ability to connect to Wi-Fi is a business-enhancing opportunity.
Employees now connect to the internet via laptops, smartphones and tablets. They need to be able to walk around your premises – from desk to meeting room to staff canteen – and stay connected to your network. With services like hosted voice now becoming popular, they need to be available anywhere, on any device.
Wi-Fi is also a boon for guests. In an office environment, a visiting client may want to log on to share details of a new report, or go over a PowerPoint presentation. The easier that’s achieved, the better their experience will be.
In an educational setting, seamless Wi-Fi Connectivity lets staff and students fully exploit the potential of digital learning.
And for retail and hospitality customers, guest Wi-Fi is increasingly seen as a standard and expected service. It also presents businesses with an excellent opportunity to get to know customers better and tailor their experience in a way that drives loyalty and sales.
The importance of a managed network
The importance of your wireless network is such that – even for small businesses – installing a Wi-Fi router and keeping fingers crossed is no longer enough.
You need to manage your network to ensure mobile devices can connect effectively, efficiently and securely. You need to optimise the network for your specific circumstances, and monitor it to make sure it’s always working optimally.
The underlying technology behind effective wireless networks can be complex, but managing them shouldn’t be. Gone are the days when network management required top-tier IT and networking skills. New software-based solutions bring sophisticated wireless networking capabilities to businesses with limited budgets and little or even no in-house expertise.
The wireless solution you need will depend on a number of factors, including the size and scale of the network, whether your operation is single- or multi-site, the number of users and the amount of traffic it has to support, and the presence – or otherwise – of an in-house network administrator. In the rest of this article, we’ll discuss the various options available.
The basics of wireless network management
In essence, wireless network management is about making sure your staff, guests and – in an educational environment – students have the right level of performance to meet their needs, wherever they are on your premises.
The network needs to be easy to configure for use by everyone who needs it, giving each user appropriate and secure access. A network management solution needs to be able to distinguish between user types and determine which applications and information can be accessed by who. It also needs to be able to dedicate Bandwidth to different uses.
The solution should run and maintain the network with minimal manual intervention. The easiest way to do that is to manage every network Access Point (AP) individually, via its web-based management interface. But that is simply too time consuming for most modern networks with multiple APs. Instead, the solution is a dedicated network management Application.
A hardware-based wireless solution
Larger businesses with many APs often take a hardware-based approach to network management. They install a wireless controller as part of an on-premise set-up, and all traffic passes through it. This sophisticated piece of equipment then has a complete view of your network and everything that is happening on it.
These hardware controllers mean that numerous APs can be set up, configured and managed centrally. But it takes real technical expertise to do it. For that reason, the hardware solution is often used in the business-grade networks of larger organisations that want complete control of their wireless environment, and have the in-house expertise to achieve it.
A software-based wireless solution
An alternative is a software-based controller that can configure and manage multiple APs from a central portal.
The big advantage here is that you don’t have the costs associated with buying, housing and securing a complex piece of equipment. The requirement for in-house expertise is also greatly reduced, with potentially hundreds of APs configured and centrally managed from either an intuitive on-premise software management platform or a Cloud equivalent.
D-Link’s Nuclias Connect is a software-based solution that can be used for single or multi-site networks and allows up to 1000 APs to be centrally managed. It’s free of charge, because it comes bundled with the necessary D-Link APs.
It’s also a perfect solution for small and medium sized businesses with up to 100 APs. In that scenario organisations also have the option of using the Nuclias Connect Hub, a standalone device preloaded with Nuclias Connect management software, offering a ready-made solution that is cost-effective, easy to install and ideal for organisations with minimal in-house IT support.
A Cloud-based wireless solution
The simplest and most flexible approach of all is a Cloud-based network management solution like D-Link’s Nuclias Cloud. With a Cloud solution, setup, configuration and management can be carried out remotely through a web browser on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Cloud-based solutions are easy to install and use, making them perfect for small businesses without in-house IT support. Network configurations and software updates are automatically pushed out to devices through the Cloud, meaning technical staff don’t have to be onsite for network installs or ongoing management.
Nuclias Cloud can manage both your wireless and wired network, simplifying your IT estate. It can manage an unlimited number of supported APs, making scaling the network simple and cost effective. A subscription payment model means you only ever pay for the capacity you need, and you can scale back and expand your network easily as your needs change.
Nuclias Connect and Nuclias Cloud
The world is changing, and organisations have to change with it. As more services and applications move to the Cloud, it’s natural for network management to move to the Cloud, too. Benefits of scalability, affordability and anywhere access are as important for small business network management as they are for communications, productivity or back office functions.
But many small businesses don’t know where to start with network management. It might not be something they’ve ever seriously considered.
So, what is the right wireless solution for your needs?
What’s clear is that wireless network management is essential in the modern, digital-first world. But the exact solution will depend on your size, ambitions and what exactly you use your wireless network for.
Nuclias Connect and Nuclias Cloud both give you visibility of your network and easy ways to configure and manage multiple APIs from a central platform. They offer enterprise-grade security, single- or multi-site networking and valuable business insight.
If you want to keep an on-premise solution, Nuclias Connect is the one to choose, though it can also be accessed via Cloud. It offers a little more hands-on control than Nuclias Cloud, and may be more appropriate for larger SMEs with in-house IT staff.
Nuclias Cloud is the simplest and most cost-effective solution for businesses that simply want a network that largely stays in the background and works, offering an effective and secure wireless experience for staff and guests, with little fine-tuning required.
Mooncomputers and Nuclias Cloud
We’ve partnered with D-Link to offer Nuclias Cloud, a powerful and affordable Cloud managed networking solution created for small and medium sized organisations. We can implement Nuclias network management in your business and configure it to your precise requirements. We’ll support the service with our knowledgeable, 24/7 service team.
Benefits of Nuclias Cloud
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End-to-end
A complete WLAN Infrastructure solution that can be deployed and managed with minimal in-house expertise
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Cloud management
Unlimited scalability, zero touch deployment and admin access from anywhere
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Real-time analytics
And automated reporting produce insights that drive business value
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Peace of mind
With a 99.9% SLA, end-to-end Encryption and comprehensive automation, you can worry about your business, not your network
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Ease-of-use
An intuitive, customisable interface saves you time while giving an at-a-glance understanding of your network status
Cloud-based network management with Nuclias Cloud is simple, cost-effective and gives even small businesses the tools they need to optimise wired and wireless networks, creating more effective and customer-focused businesses.
Together, Mooncomputers and D-Link can ensure your business has a healthy and hardworking data network with reliable Wi-Fi access, no matter the size or scope of your site. We’ll monitor your network, leaving you to focus on your business.
Mooncomputers has long experience in Cloud and network management, and employs over 20 dedicated engineers whose role is to design tailored services to meet our customers’ needs.
If you’d like to know more about how Mooncomputers could help your organisation, then please, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
