One thing that struck me about today’s Apple iPhone OS4 announcement is the addition of networking vendor Juniper to the list of upgrades. 

Juniper Networks just posted about their role in working with Apple to add software to the OS 4 release – also known as Junos.  Recently Juniper announced a $50m venture fund dedicated to fund startups building on their Junos platform.  Smart move now I can see why Juniper did this.  Like Kliener Perkins Juniper see’s this ecosystem as not only relevant but inportant to the future of the Internet and the future of the datacenter.  As we say back east "wicked smaart".

I commented on the Juniper blog but wanted to share my opinion here.  Here is some of Brendan Lewis’ post on why Juniper on the iPhone OS 4

Role of Software: Forget Web Apps. How ‘Bout Them Networking Apps?

Marc Andreesen recently said that some of the best apps that will emerge in the startup ecosystem will be from apps that one one will know that they are using. He’s is referring to the innovation around the enterprise, datacenter, infrastructure, and networking not just the popular apps that consumers use (gaming, social networking, etc).

Case in point: Juniper Networks on the iPhone and iPhone OS 4.

Juniper on the iPhone how cool is that.  One thing about this announcement that struck me was that no one was talking about is the role of software.  Here’s my angle. Basically, Apple ships out the iPad (with all the hype) and it has some serious limitations like multitasking among others…

The beauty here with respect to the new software model in this new network model is that Apple can turn around and offer and upgrade to "make whole" all those buyers of the iPad (soon to be called iPad original) with must needed new features without replacing the hardware.

This new model was precisely the notion that Pradeep Sindu mentioned in my chat with him in Barcelona. If your interested in this new network model listen to my interview with Pradeep. He’s amazing and authentic verses say John Chambers who’s more of a sick salesman.

Juniper gets it with their software approach in Junos.  The software is the brains behind it all from iPhone to networking routers.

Here is the post from Juniper Networks on the role of their software in the iPhone

In addition to a myriad of new and exciting end-user tools, including over 100 new features such as games and multitasking, Apple is taking a few steps to improve the iPhone’s ability to help enterprises manage the information flowing to and from their networks.  One such feature will be the OS 4 support of SSL VPN applications, including Juniper’s.

Juniper and Apple are already working together to develop our previously announced Junos® Pulse solution for OS 4. Today’s announcement is obviously very exciting for us – we are working hand-in-hand with Apple to pioneer SSL VPN support on yet another mobile platform.

A little background on Junos Pulse: It is the industry’s first downloadable client software that provides secure connections across smartphones, notebooks, netbooks as well as non-mobile devices to a broad range of corporate applications. Leveraging the world’s most scalable SSL VPN technology, Junos Pulse ensures a better, simpler experience for users where they may be.  At Mobile World Congress 2010, we announced Junos Pulse support for Microsoft Windows phones and Nokia Symbian OS devices.

When fully released, OS 4 will have integrated, world-class SSL VPN capabilities versus just supporting IPSec VPNs.  All the advantages of an SSL VPN, decreased deployment and support costs while delivering identity-enabled, secure mobile network access, will be available on the iPhone.

At Juniper, we talk a lot about “The New Network” and taxing load new, ubiquitous mobile devices and video place on the network infrastructure carrying them. However, the problem with protecting those networks, and the sensitive information transported on them, is just as paramount. Today’s announcement is the first step in a process that will assure a user’s corporate managed and personal iPhone meets corporate policies prior to network access. This means increased productivity by enabling the secure access of company applications and assets via their iPhones.