konklone
commented
7 years ago [Inlining a best-effort version of the attached comment below. If there were links in the original, they are not maintained in the below version. Download the original attachment in the issue above to see the original comment.]
Submission by Viptela - a Cisco Company
September 20, 2017
Request for Comment to: Report to the President on Federal IT Modernization
- Network Modernization and Consolidation
COMMENTS: The Federal IT Modernization effort should address legacy networks and moving the federal network infrastructure to a software defined wide-area network (SDWAN). This includes moving away from higher cost dedicated MPLS circuits to other connectivity options such as Broadband and LTE to provide additional cost savings and efficiencies to the federal government.
- Conclusions & summary of Requests for Engagement
COMMENTS: Addressing the unwieldy and out-of-date federal IT infrastructure with SDWAN can quicky modernize and secure the federal network with a low cost subscription(SaaS) based service. In addition, SDWAN networks are designed to address the move to cloud based applications while using a shared services and commercial capabilities.
- Security?
A. Timely Patching / Enhanced Security Posture COMMENTS: Leveraging an SDWAN solution allows for easy patching across the entire WAN based on the centralized architecture. The ability to quickly provide software updates to protect against cyber threats is one of the best ways to improve security posture. SD-WAN shifts the timeframe down from weeks and months to hours for networkwide patching. Complex solutions are inherently more challenging to secure. Reducing the complexity of a network environment immediately reduces the potential for misconfigurations, human error, and vulnerabilities.
Viptela – A Cisco Company. On August 1st, 2017, Cisco announced it had completed the acquisition of Viptela Inc., a privately held software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) company based in San Jose. Viptela will expand Cisco's SD-WAN portfolio with increased flexibility and simplicity delivered through the cloud.
Viptela provides a compelling SD-WAN solution that simplifies management, increases agility and reduces costs of interconnecting dispersed enterprise networks. Its network management, orchestration and overlay technologies make it easy to deploy and manage SD-WAN. This cloud-first approach also aligns with Cisco's Digital Network Architecture (DNA) transition to software-driven, automated networks that are more flexible, responsive and dynamic.
In the federal government, Viptela is currently working with GSA to convent their legacy wide-area network environment to Viptela SDWAN. This effort will be in support of over 600 remote sites within GSA’s network. GSA is anticipationg the Viptela rollout to be complete within a twelve month period to provide additional capability, security, cloud access and costs saving across GSA’s network.
John Phillips Vice President Viptela – A Cisco Company
Viptela, a Cisco company, appreciates the opportunity to present our comments (attached) to President Trump’s American Technology Council regarding the draft IT Modernization Report. We would welcome the opportunity to provide additional feedback on the report going forward.
We stand ready to provide the Trump Administration with our help in support of federal network modernization. Along these lines, please see our comments for a brief description of the work we are doing to support GSA's network modernization initiative. We believe the steps GSA is taking to modernize its network through the implementation of SD-WAN technology can be replicated throughout government with huge cost savings and measurable increases in network security.
Regards, John Phillips Vice President, Public Sector Viptela - a Cisco Company Comments Federal IT Mod Ver 2.docx