A NetDevices Case Study

Download the PDF

Regional Bank Case Study

A major U.S. bank is struggling with the cost and complexity of managing its branch office networks. Each remote office has several different point network products from several different vendors. Each of the products performs different functions and has a different management interface.

Making matters worse, the branch offices have extremely limited IT resources. This reality, coupled with the knowledge that new technology usually means at least one onsite visit and higher maintenance and support costs, the bank’s IT director resists introducing new technology into the remote offices, even when there is a serious need.

Figure 1 shows the network diagram of one of the bank’s branch offices. A switch and router provide WAN and LAN communications. A print server enables local printing services. Computer workstations, security systems and VoIP handsets enable day-to-day bank
operations.

The IT director delayed adding an intrusion detection system (IDS) to the remote locations for more than six months, but she can no longer afford to do so. She has numerous concerns about an IDS launch, including training her IT staff on the new interface and system and dealing with inconsistent configuration methods that will require some devices to be upgraded onsite.

NetDevices Solution:
By utilizing a new class of branch office equipment called the services gateway, the bank will be able to solve some of the existing problems associated with the current network topology. Instead of placing multiple devices at the branch location, a single high-availability appliance provides all the required functions in the branch.

One immediate benefit of this approach is the ability to have a single management console for all functions and capabilities within the branch office. A single unified web administration tool enables administrators to provide remote visibility into any aspect of the network within the branch.

NetDevices’ SG-8 services gateway takes remote manageability a step further by providing out-of-band management capabilities.
This feature, called Lifelineâ„¢, provides remote access to the device, even in case of misconfiguration. For example, if someone inadvertently adds a firewall rule to block all incoming traffic, an on-site visit is normally required to fix the configuration. With Lifeline, the administrator can automatically connect to the device in an out-of-band method and remove the incorrect configuration.

NetDevices leads the industry with its unique approach of creating architecture from the ground up to support multiple applications and services on a single unified platform. NetDevices’ SG-8 enables the remote addition and removal of network services on the fly, without affecting the other network services within the branch location. For example, when the administrators need to add IDS/IPS, they add the capabilities by remotely installing an IDS/IPS services module to the services gateway. Because there is no service interruption, the administrator can even provide the addition during normal business hours, without any effect on the branch’s business.

The NetDevices services gateway offers a number of benefits, including simplifying the branch office network, minimizing network downtime and reducing operating expenses while delivering 100% network availability. By leveraging the power of a services gateway, the bank is able to deploy necessary services at its branches without sacrificing manageability.