Computer networking is on the rising edge of transformation as it steps up to meet the challenge of a world where communication is virtual and the perimeter includes everything — and enterprises had better be paying attention.

“For the first time in history, business leaders need to look at their network strategies,” said Zeus Kerravala (pictured), founder and principal analyst at ZK Research. “Without a sound network strategy … [companies] are going to really struggle to survive, because they’re not going to be able to do a lot of these advanced things.”

Kerravala joined John Furrier, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on the networking industry and the role of software-defined wide-area networks, with a focus on network giant Cisco Systems Inc.

A unified network for the multicloud

Businesses are starting to spend in order to prepare for exiting the COVID-19 restrictions, according to Kerravala, and they are realizing that the role of networking within a company has changed.

“You have to start thinking of your network not in pieces of having a campus network, Wi-Fi network, data center network, but a single network,” he said. “Cisco’s really one of the few companies, maybe the only company, that can actually deliver that end-to-end network that starts in the company, extends to people’s homes, and goes up to the cloud.”

Software-defined wide-area networking is maturing, and more companies are installing the technology to take advantage of its agility, ease of use and increased security. “The time has never been better for SD-WAN,” Kerravala said.

He forecasts “a huge growth curve” as the wireless area network extends out into “internet of things” devices. “SD-WAN, so far, has been transitional, moving away from the old thing,” he said. “Now it’s time to transform the way our entire network operates.”

Cisco’s multicloud report card: More effort needed

Despite being in the best market position to deliver that end-to-end network, as well as a strong third-quarter performance report, Cisco has challenges to overcome as it makes the journey from application-centric infrastructure and intent-based networking to multicloud, according to Kerravala.

“If the end state is true hybrid multicloud, we have to get there in chip shots, not moon shots,” said Kerravala. He warned that Cisco should take it slow as it guides customers through the complexities of SD-WAN, secure access service edge, data center software-defined networking, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G.

“Put the infrastructure in place to be able to just have the visibility across your cloud,” he advised. “Then maybe automate movement from private to public cloud. Then automate some of the processes that give you the most headaches. Then move to a bigger automation framework.”

Another challenge is getting engineers and resellers up to speed with the skills needed to work with software-defined networking, especially with application programming interfaces. “Did you know that only about a quarter of network engineers have ever made an API call?” Kerravala asked. “Look at all of Cisco’s new gear; it’s all API-driven.”

Cisco can overcome this thanks to its strong DevNet team, headed by Susie Wee, he said: “If they can transition that engineer base, then it helps the adoption of the new technology.”

Here’s the complete video interview, one of many CUBE Conversations from SiliconANGLE and theCUBE:

 Photo: SiliconANGLE