What is software-defined networking and why is it important for businesses?

Connect locations and support data-heavy applications.
Change bandwidth in real time to meet business demand.

Connect two or more locations with AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand

Woman in a black dress working on a laptop standing near serversWoman in a black dress working on a laptop standing near servers
Organizations of all sizes, ranging from small business to enterprise, are undergoing digital transformation. The mission is to streamline operations, improve customer service, and arm users with the tools and information needed to make data-driven, informed decisions in real-time. Transformation is challenged as workforces are spreading out across the globe to better serve customers and open new markets. The need for secure access to large files and datasets has expanded from corporate headquarters to a vast network of branch offices and corporate offices separated by hundreds if not thousands of miles.

Within a complex business environment, how can organizations ensure that geographically distributed resources are able to access the tools and information needed to execute on their mission and achieve common goals through collaboration?

This guide will discuss:

  1. What is AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand?
  2. What kind of businesses would need AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand?
  3. What is the difference between AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand and AT&T Dedicated Internet?
  4. What is the difference between Switched Ethernet and Shared Ethernet?
  5. What is software-defined networking and why is it important for businesses
  6. Why is AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand more secure?
 

What is AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand?

Engineers working on two laptops and collaboratingEngineers working on two laptops and collaborating
AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand is a self-service, on-demand, intelligent networking solution that connects two or more business locations through a private lane across AT&T’s nationwide broadband network.

With speeds up to 100 Gbps, software-defined networking, and a dedicated connection, companies of all sizes with large data needs can facilitate the seamless transfer of large files and data between locations. An intuitive web-based dashboard allows companies to scale services and bandwidth immediately with just a few clicks, without involving an AT&T customer service agent. This self-service model allows businesses to adjust capacity and functionality as demand ebbs and flows seasonally, monthly, or even daily.

What kind of businesses would need AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand?

AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand gives organizations a lightning-fast, high-security network on demand to connect two or more business locations.

This is especially critical for organizations who:
  • rely on large files such as medical imaging and CAD files;
  • small businesses or home businesses with distributed locations and staff;
  • businesses that have remote workforces needing to access large databases such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions;
  • research institutions such as universities;
  • and companies that rely on data-heavy systems such as video conferencing, remote backup, cloud sync, and other Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms.

What is the difference between AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand and AT&T Dedicated Internet?

Servers stacked in racks connected with wiresServers stacked in racks connected with wires
AT&T Dedicated Internet provides a non-shared access line between business locations to AT&T’s nationwide broadband network. By not sharing a connection point to the internet, dedicated internet service isn’t susceptible to the latency and bandwidth issues related to heavy traffic loads from nearby businesses.

AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand also provides a non-shared access line—but the connection is between two or more business locations rather than directly to the internet. Connecting locations through a private connection across AT&T’s nationwide broadband network enables highly secure, lightning-fast data transfer and data access while giving organizations complete visibility and control over their network services.
  • Organizations that currently have one location and have no plans to expand to other locations are best served by AT&T Dedicated Internet.
  • Organizations that have multiple branch offices or have plans to grow locations should consider AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand for the performance, flexibility, scalability, and security benefits that having a dedicated point-to-point, hub and spoke, or fully-meshed network provides.

What is the difference between Switched Ethernet and Shared Ethernet?

Ethernet has traditionally been a cost-efficient way to connect multiple devices to each other through the internet, in which all hosts are connected to the same bus and compete with each other for bandwidth.

In contrast, Switched Ethernet has one or more direct point-to-point connections between hosts or segments. Devices connected to Ethernet with a switch do not compete with each other and therefore have dedicated bandwidth. This enables fast data access across the distance without impacting the performance of other systems.

What is software-defined networking and why is it important for businesses?

Software-defined networking uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to route traffic through the best path between two locations. Much like road traffic, network traffic can be susceptible to congestion and maintenance. AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand constantly analyzes network traffic to determine the best route for speed and efficiency.

AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand also lets businesses manage their networks in near real-time, quickly order new ports, change or update classes of service, prioritize data traffic, and quickly scale bandwidth to meet demands for extra capacity.

Why is AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand more secure?

This traffic runs on a private connection between sites across AT&T’s nationwide broadband network—making it inherently more secure than traditional shared Ethernet networks that connect through the public internet.

Why is AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand more cost-effective than MPLS connectivity?

Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) establishes pre-determined, highly-efficient routine between hosts, but these routes are painstakingly provisioned—making MPLS highly complex, time-consuming (weeks or months), and expensive to set up and maintain.

With Switched Ethernet networks, the routine is automatic and in real-time, allowing companies to add locations, provision servers and order new ports with just a few clicks without getting the ISP involved.

The bottom line

  • AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand gives data-reliant organizations a lightning-fast, very flexible, high-security network on demand that they can use to connect two or more business locations.
  • Organizations can quickly self-serve to scale bandwidth and services up or down in near real-time with just a few clicks to meet seasonal, monthly or even daily demands.
  • Businesses that have multiple offices or have plans to grow locations should consider AT&T Switched Ethernet on Demand for the performance, flexibility, scalability, and security benefits it provides.