Enterprise networking is faced with an enormous array of challenges. Everything from security to speed is critical, but what is most important? In a world where data reliability and security are becoming paramount, end users seem to be benefitting most as the enterprise lags behind.

Bill Norton, VP of research of IIX, Inc., joined John Furrier and Jeff Frick, cohosts of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, at Console Connect Live 2015. Norton shared with the hosts what his research has indicated about enterprise networking needs, and some of the challenges facing major industry providers as they attempt to bring their content to users.

The problems and risks

Norton explained that the fundamental problem in networking today is that the “value of the data is far greater than the cost of getting the bits onto the wire.” In essence, enterprise consumers are looking first to have a secure, simple connection with the least amount of complexity and the greatest amount of control, a theme expressed by businesses in the market and congruent with the research conducted by Norton.

He noted that large data companies don’t want their traffic being mixed up with other negative traffic that could cause latency problems, packet loss and other data disruption, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks, which clog routers and slow down connections, for example. Companies looking to secure themselves from this traffic may take advantage of a direct connection.

‘Interclouding’ — the solution?

There does seem to be some sunshine on the horizon for enterprise networking in the form of “interclouding,” a new term floating around that describes the interconnection of cloud environments. Norton saaid that Console, Inc.’s ecosystem and partners take it from the current “1.0” to a “2.0” model of networking where they provide “software-defined interconnect,” consistent with the movement toward networking controlled by software.

Overall, an extension and indicator of the success of the DevOps movement as a whole. Furrier referred to this shift as a “re-platforming of the Internet.” This new ecosystem where enterprise consumers can set up direct connections with the click of a button takes away the need for end-to-end professionals and expertise. Norton stressed that the automation Console’s ecosystem provides allows for this re-platforming and provides an easy way for the enterprise to get off of the commodity Internet.

Watch the full interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of Console Connect LIVE 2015.

Photo by SiliconAngle