Enterprises are evaluating and adopting hosted or cloud WAN solutions for selected applications, such as Voice over IP (VoIP), Unified Communications, storage, and video.

Communication service providers, or CSPs, with advanced Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks that enable a flexible MPLS VPN service, will be well-positioned to deliver a broad and compelling range of enterprise class IP-based services, including virtual private cloud-based services.
Enterprises’ expectations for service quality for their MPLS VPNs are becoming increasingly important as applications, such as VoIP, are delay sensitive and require lower latency. To execute Class of Service (CoS), an enterprise must identify its most business-critical or delay-sensitive applications and then assign priorities through CoS settings.

But what about the other cloud-provided services?  Since time sensitive applications like VoIP have the most prioritized CoS, then those other cloud-based services will take a back seat to security and latency concerns, right?

Wrong.  Enterprises will have the benefit of bundling a suite of managed MPLS VPN services and emerging on-demand private cloud services to meet their changing networking needs and enable business agility when they choose a communications service provider that offers the flexibility of offering both.  Here is a brief video from Nav Chander, Research Manager, Enterprise Communication Services, IDC, that summarizes delivering virtual private cloud services more effectively via MPLS-VPNs.

Is your enterprise ready for managed MPLS VPN services? How will you take advantage of the cloud?

A threat in its own right, the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack has been a hacker’s mainstay for years, and it shows no sign of going away anytime soon. In fact, DDoS attacks are becoming larger, more sophisticated, and more disruptive than ever. Since September 2012, several U.S. financial institutions have found themselves under almost constant attack.

As a result of these attacks, and the publicity they’ve generated, interest in DDoS security solutions is rising.  As IT leaders evaluate their options, they are finding themselves confronted with a choice: should they implement a do-it-yourself solution, or choose a cloud-based solution?

I don’t work at the hardware store and I’m certainly not an expert on zombies.  But the experts at Nemertes Research do know about the realities of DDoS attacks on your network and how to prevent them. To help you plan and prepare for a potential cyber threat, register for this webinar available on demand:

Defending Against DDoS Attacks — Weighing the Pros and Cons of DIY and Cloud Solutions

ON DEMAND

Does your company have a security plan in place? Join me at the webinar to learn more about how to defend against a possible attack.

Specifically, we’re focused on moving from managing multiple disparate networks to one converged network with MPLS. Our last post was a funny little look that tied together WAN Acceleration and the struggles associated with helping your child avoid tears competing in a Pine Wood Derby Race.

I recently found myself watching the movie from way back in 1996 with the very peculiar cable TV installation service technician. The movie was pretty funny, although I’m not much into dark comedies. But there is one scene that struck me, where the technician is standing in one of those huge earth satellite stations talking about the evolution of technology and information collaboration without borders.

Again, that scene was from 1996 when we were still using beepers and migrating from cellular bag phones to phones that could actually fit into our pocket.

You don’t have to see it to believe it

So it’s 2012 now, and we really do live in a connected world. We have moved from going to the library to surfing the Web at fast speeds on our smartphones. We can work from the office, home, and on the go. But what does all this connectivity look like? It’s a little hard to visualize. Does anyone know what the Internet looks like? What about “The Cloud” and other applications? We know it’s there, but we can’t see, smell, or touch it. But we know it’s there because we use it. So that’s been the challenge: How do we visualize something we know is there but can’t see?

That is why I’m reaching out to you on this blog. The Cans-and-Strings Team has created a video that visualizes how “The Office Has Evolved” using an MPLS IP VPN, including application enablement, integration with wireless, and management capabilities. Take a look.

Want to know more about Network Transformation? Visit www.att.com/networktransformation.

Hello and welcome to our

Have you or someone you know ever talked about all the drama associated with a pinewood derby race?  This is an event where parents help their children carve and paint a race car out of a chunk of wood.  Let’s just say that Lon Jr. didn’t get a trophy last year.  There is a lot of pressure on parents to prevent possible tears of disappointment in the annual race.  Then there are other concerns, like how do we make this car so it doesn’t look like I did all the work.  Where do I find all the tricks of the trade to balance the weight and make the car’s wheels spin better than the competition?

The pressures for speed and performance transcends to the business world.  We have been talking about benefits of technical convergence in this blog series. One example of how we can fine tune our business vehicles can be seen with your MPLS network. Can it run better?  Enterprises can make their network “Better than it was before…. We can make it Better, Stronger, Faster”—like the Six Million Dollar Man– through implementing Wan Acceleration or WANX.

WANX: better, stronger, faster

Simply put, WANX are the methods and processes used to prioritize and relay traffic in a way that makes your MPLS VPN run “Better, Stronger, and Faster.”  Some folks call WANX, “Applications Performance Management.”  While speed and bandwidth of your network are at the forefront, you also want to have the tools in place to detect, diagnose, remedy and report application performance issues.  Underutilized networks are costly, and bottlenecks can cause lost data.  You want faster video, file sharing, emails, Web access, and collaboration so your business will be more efficient and productivity will increase.  Compromising any one of those network needs can bring a business to tears, like not winning a trophy at the pinewood derby race.

For Lon Jr., my fear of tears ended after the first heat in my son’s age group. He actually took third place in his age group, and 20^th out of 140 overall.  The difference between Lon Jr.’s time and the first place overall     winner was 4.6 hundredths of a second. In business and on the race track, every millisecond counts.

Below is a video that will help moms and dads get their child’s pinewood derby car to the finish line. Below that is a white paper on WAN Acceleration for business users whose network may need some fine tuning:

Want pinewood derby wheel preparation?

This white paper link presents a product brief on WAN Acceleration for business users whose network may need some fine tuning: Applications Performance Product Brief

Fortunately, today’s U.S.-based and multinational enterprises have better options for keeping employees, applications, and customers connected. As an April 2012 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consultingon behalf of AT&T pointed out, many multinational companies (MNCs) are taking a close look at MPLS IP VPNs for their global WAN needs.

MPLS IP VPNs are emerging as the networking technology of choice for many reasons. To start, earlier cost barriers are quickly eroding, more clearly revealing MPLS’s benefits. In fact, while MPLS’s advantages are numerous, the majority of them fall under two overarching ideas: a single point of access and complete network flexibility.

In order to provide a more comprehensive perspective of MPLS IP VPNs, I’ve put together an overview of some of most compelling advantages and attributes they offer:

A single, secure IP network — Connect disparate global locations over a single, highly secure network. MPLS provides a single gateway for everything from technologies like VoIP, Unified Communications, and advanced data and video applications, including teleconferencing and telepresence.

Complete flexibility — MPLS allows virtually anytime, anywhere, any device, connectivity. It enables access to public and private clouds in addition to conventional IP network functions, such as Web.

Fully scalable — MPLS IP VPNs are designed to scale quickly as needed.

Cost-effective to deploy — Early adopters faced a higher point of entry cost than most companies experience today. Coupled with the elimination of the need to deploy multiple networks, this creates significant cost savings.

Is your company’s network experiencing growing pains as you expand into new markets? MPLS may offer you the solution you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in learning more about the role that an MPLS IP VPN can play in your organization’s growth initiatives, register and join us for:

MPLS WANs: The gateway to advanced applications

June 26, 2012

Time: 1:00 PM ET US / 10:00 AM PT US

Register now >

I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like calling for customer service.  You remember me chatting about my Dad’s house in the country in Alabama?  That house has gone from a Party Line to having a regular line, cell phone, satellite TV, and Wi-Fi which he doesn’t use.  But the volume on the remote control for the satellite receiver didn’t work.  I went down to visit him last weekend (actually to buy a used go kart for my kids).  Since I work for the phone company, it was up to me to fix this dastardly problem.  We’re all technical, right?

Reluctantly I sprung into action.  How many prompts was I about to traverse?  What will be the hold time?  How many times would I have to say “Representative” before my IVR request was to be satisfied?  And last but not least, would I be able hear the representative over all the chatter from hundreds of other call center reps helping poor souls like me?  Finally it happened…  “Good afternoon, this is Ethel.  How may I help you?”  I heard her clearly.  Where was all the background chatter?

Traditionally call center representatives were all placed in a big room with two lines hardwired for them from a large PBX and computer from which to handle customer calls.  These representatives would have to commute each day to perform their duties at work.  Tirelessly taking the next call, the next call, and the next call with constant buzzing from the other worker bees.  But I could hear Ethel and no other noises.  What has changed?

IP Based MPLS Networks have changed the way we work. This series has covered how this network solution frees us from the traditional office environment. We can access this network from any Internet enabled device. Your workers can now perform their duties from the corporate office, satellite office, home office, or while traveling. Ethel had the IP “hook up” and could perform her duties from home.  In no time was she able to review my father’s account, billing, subscriptions, loyalty offerings, and the necessary codes to make the remote control compatible with the manufacturer of this new television.  I thought I could faintly hear a soap opera in the background, but who cares!  Ethel enabled me to be the technical hero to overcome this huge technical challenge.

I was able to meet the seller of the used go kart at the local city hall where my Dad lives. The super center isn’t close so that was the best landmark for him coming from two counties away.

(Here’s a picture of the Town Square)

Unfortunately this is a massive go kart and my three kids are all under 10 years old.  I felt sorry the guy came from so far away so I bought his teenager’s machine anyway.  Now I have to find a way to get a governor to slow this thing down and larger petals.  I hope the next Ethel will be as effective……

Want more on contact center solutions? Click Here.

For more in this series please select from the list below:

• Can it!…OK Dad
• Lock that Up… Can Tight
• Daddy, What’s a Phone Booth?

So, tell us what you think.  We’d love your comments on this video and the posts about cans and strings.

We learn about security and safety as children. Do you remember crossing guards at school? Ever earn a safety badge? What about the kids with the envious power statement with their yellow hall monitor sashes? Ok, that’s a little overkill. Do you remember your first bicycle lock or combination for your locker? As children we learned the importance of safety and protection our possessions. “Don’t forget to lock the dog’s fence gate!…Yes Sir.

We learn safety is an ever emerging and bigger concern as we grow up.  But as we get older, safety habits turn to protecting what was important to us. To many of us now, as professionals, we need to protect our corporate assets, our information… our competitive edge. 

Computer attacks and hacking techniques grow exponentially. This year has seen many publicized events in the media. 70 Million Playstation users had their credit information compromised. In May Lockheed Martin announced it was attacked by hackers using stolen SecurId codes taken from the RSA.  (RSA makes the dohicky’s with revolving codes for us to log in, right?). And don’t get me started on the Wikileaks fiasco.

From this series we have explored the benefits of MPLS and how we have collapsed our legacy disparate networks into one IP based VPN (Virtual Private Network). But one of the greatest benefits of AT&T Network Based VPN’s are the inherent security features woven into the service. The security offerings help predict and proactively prevent breaches by spotting suspicious activity in Internet activity. There are predictive capabilities that can save precious time to patch or mitigate threats in the cloud before they reach your network. You can manage your core policies while AT&T can help manage your security concerns.  There are managed options and consulting services that help prevent attacks like Phishing.

I remember learning to fish on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Emerald Isle. There was a pier down from our summer home where I learned how to bait a hook and to cast.  (I say there WAS a pier because I saw it on the news recently torn apart from a hurricane)  Sometimes we caught grouper and sometimes an occasional small sand-shark. My Dad and I would walk back together carrying our gear talking about our day. When we got back to the shed we would clean our gear with fresh water.  “Remember to lock that up son…. Yes Sir.”

Locking up and securing are always important.  So, how are you protecting your VPN?  What steps do you recommend others take to insure a properly secured VPN?  We look forward to hearing from you.

My how things have changed! We have covered in this series the evolution of Convergence.  This is what happens when we combine all of our voice needs and data needs into one network with MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching).  We can now communicate and collaborate on one network.

I have worked with AT&T for 16 years and have always been a fan of the phone company.  I remember touring the old Central Office in Chattanooga with my class in the fourth grade.  I have a collection of old glass transformers that used to sit on top of telephone poles.  My favorite piece is a turn of the century oak wall phone with the crank and handset.  It’s very old fashion!  So you can tell I’m definitely proud to be a part of AT&T and believe AT&T is the network of choice.

For those who know me or have read this series, I’m not very technical.  Here are 3 ways you can use technology today to help your business productivity.

Applications Enablement – Let’s connect more doohickeys to our watchamacallits and let the thingamajigs collaborate.  With aVPN (Virtual Private Network) your company has the foundation to build upon its network investment.  You can combine your local, long distance, and data infrastructure into one network.  Then add on/bolt on Voice over IP, Universal Connectivity, and Cloud Computing to name a few.

Integration with Wireless – We have just about run out of IP addresses, but don’t worry there is a fix .  More and more devices are becoming connected to the network and mobile devices are leading the way.  You can now access your VPN safely and with security enhancements with your mobile device.

Management Capabilities – Whether you are at the office or on the road, there are online management capabilities to keep you connected. These online services provide you with network monitoring, performance reporting, billing and network asset inventories.  I could go on and on but I would then need a telecom dictionary.  This is not a technical discussion.

Technology’s major benefit is the way it helps change real lives in practical applications. As an example, I recently called home from The Grand Bizarre in Istanbul to my wife and kids.  There was free wi-fi and I enabled face time with my smartphone.  My son was able to show me where he lost his first tooth the night before.  The locals seemed to be very impressed by the technology.

In another example,  just the other day I was on a TelePresence video call with a colleague on the West Coast.  The interaction and quality of connection was amazing.  It was as if I was sitting across the room!

As I left that building from the TelePresence session and was walking toward Peachtree Road for my car, I noticed a wall where you could see the old holes from a long lost phone bank.  I thought to myself , “When was the last time I noticed a pay phone or even a phone booth?”  Oh yeah, it was in Istanbul.  BTW – my dad still thinks making a long distance call is an expensive crime.

Your Turn: What are some ways you use technology to enhance your business productivity? What are some ways you use technology  helps you in everyday real world experiences? Leave a comment below and join in on the discussion!

In our continuing discussion on Convergence we uncover all the extra things your MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network investment can deliver.  Our networks used to only deliver data between our business locations or to our customers.  With the AT&T VPN (Virtual Private Network)you can also add Class of Service or COS.  This is where we take advantage of Internet Protocols and prioritize network traffic.

OK, but what does that mean?  Simply put, you can slice up different types of traffic, categorize them and then broadcast them by what’s most important.  Typically voice traffic is the most important followed by video as you want the video-stream to play with limited or no interruption. The next would be software applications.  Then other services would follow that can rebound efficiently based on availability like web surfing and email.

Let’s revisit those two cans tethered by a string.  That is a conversation that is transmitted by the wavelength of any frequency signal.  That is how electronic voice transmissions first evolved.  A long distance phone call would tie up a single channel, typically 56Kbs per second with 8Kbs for echo cancellation.   Don’t worry, I promise to keep my promise of not being technical.  But the call would eat up a whole connection for the entire length of the phone call.  That can be expensive and historically it was pricey.

Have you ever heard of Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP?  Now voice traffic can be packetized (COS) using Internet Protocol.  Instead of one conversation choking down one continuous connection, many conversations can be prioritized and sent over a single connection. With your AT&T VPN you can move from traditional long distance platforms and  audio conferencing to VOIP.

AT&T can show you how to add on/bolt on emerging technologies to your existing network.  These services added to your network reduce calling expenses and the number of networks to be managed. VoIP technologies should erase the old memories and budget concerns of the historically expensive traditional long distance voice call.

Dad now lives in the house where Grandma used to live.  I remember visiting that house as a child and even in college.  The house had a “party line” where the neighbors all shared one “Connection”  and you would have to wait your turn to make a call.  The “Cans” continue to evolve.  Dad is more hip than he even knows.  He lives in the country with satellite TV, a separate IP TV subscription via high speed, a landline, and a cell phone.  Dad has more local and long distance minutes than he will ever use on his AT&T plan.  But he often concludes our calls by stating, “Well this is a long distance call so we better wrap it up.” “ Love you Dad, you too son.”