Creating an adaptive and secure network architecture

Often enterprise networks are architected around the 'inside/outside' paradigm, having strict controls and policies on the perimeter but a totally open core.

The advent of the Internet has altered the way you interact with customers, opening up new sales channels and the possibility to link directly to suppliers and Partners. Beyond that, the pace of business has accelerated, business ecosystems and supply chains are much wider, and companies are making intensive use of outsourcing and managed services.

The HP Adaptive Network Architecture (ANA) is HP's design of a flexible and responsive enterprise network - one that can keep pace with fast changing business requirements.

ANA essentially redesigns the network into business-oriented compartments that expose services and applications to users anytime, anywhere, while extending these compartments regardless of location and providing centralized policy management.

The result is a simple and sustainable network model - an enabler for an adaptive enterprise that can help you achieve a higher level of competitive advantage. You'll realize measurable improvement in time, range, and ease, which are the metrics HP uses to measure the agility improvements in your environment, so you can:

- Create rapid access for Partners, customers, and employees.
- Integrate or split infrastructure as required by mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, or reorganizations.
- Enable new business models.
- Integrate utility datacenters and networking solutions.
- Out-task business processes.

Start with a view of your networking needs and perspectives.

HP Services offers ANA as a complete end-to-end business solution - from an initial assessment to design, architecture, deployment, management, and support.

ANA is provided either as part of enterprise networking solutions, such as IP Telephony and network consolidation, or a network transformation. HP Services professionals will work with you to implement ANA through this phased approach:

Phase 1:

- Leave existing network unchanged.
- Identify first application or service based on potential business impact.
- Launch focused, limited deployment.

Phase 2:

- Identify another application or service based on potential business impact.
- Add to the initial compartment or create another compartments.

Subsequent phases:

- Continue process of identifying new applications or services
- Selectively migrate relevant systems in pre-defined compartments

'The value propositions for ANA are easy to understand,' according to David Passmore, Research Director, Burton Group.

'Complex changes to network security policies can be made in far less time, large groups of users and devices can be added or deleted from at network in a matter of hours instead of weeks, and no new networking gear is needed. ANA is a major advancement in managing network security as a system, rather than configuring individual devices.'

HP has five patents pending for the process and design elements that form the underpinnings of ANA.

We have also successfully deployed ANA within our own worldwide organizations. As a result, administration costs have been reduced, and we have been lowering operating expenses year after year, while dramatically shortening acquisition lead times and partner collaboration across our networks.

Chances are good that your organization is experiencing many of the same accelerating business requirements as HP: integrating Partners and suppliers easily and safely into the business ecosystem; swiftly enabling business process and organizational change; and bringing new business models to life.

Our skilled and experienced engineers and consultants are well prepared to help you improve your company's infrastructure with this simplified, modular approach to the network architecture.