Riverbed SteelConnect

Riverbed SteelConnect is the cornerstone of Riverbed’s strategy for next-generation, application-defined enterprise networking. SteelConnect is a complete SD-WAN system for securely connecting users and business to the applications they need, wherever they reside - on a remote LAN, in a data center, or in the cloud. SteelConnect offers several differentiators - ubiquitous and unified connectivity across LAN, WAN, and the Cloud; business aligned orchestration for fast, agile, and secure application delivery; and unique cloud-centric workflow, easy menu-driven network design of sites, zones, uplinks, and rules, and centralized, business intent-based policy management—all within a simple graphical user interface - for ease of use and greater business agility. SteelConnect provides:

• WAN optimization and SD-WAN capabilities
• Identification and classification of over 1300 applications with deep packet inspection
• Optimization and acceleration of applications—on-premises and cloud—leveraging data (scalable data referencing or SDR), transport, and application streamlining
• Centralized network management capabilities based on a single intent-and user-based “plain-language” global business policy
• The ability to enforce application policy (path quality, path selection, network QoS, and security)
• Pre-defined Application Groups (for example, business critical) for traffic path rule and security policy creation, as well as scalability with fewer policy rules. Add custom applications and leverage a constantly updated catalog of public applications to identify applications for advanced classification
• Instant, single-click provisioning to the cloud with SteelHead™ CX for Cloud to automate cloud networking and accelerate cloud performance
• Automated zero-touch provisioning of devices
• Dynamic Native Routing – branch-  and WAN-side—to eliminate routers and reduce complexity
• Path monitoring and quality-based, Hybrid WAN path selection
• Integrated and third-party security providers
• Scalability (up to 1000 branches/sites)
• Cloud (AWS and Microsoft Azure) and self-hosting in a physical or virtual data center (for example, VMware)
• End-to-end visibility with unified views, plus reporting and troubleshooting of application and network performance

With SteelConnect, Riverbed is integrating its centralized, policy-based management and core SD-WAN capabilities with its industry-leading network and application optimization, enterprise-class scalability and end-to-end visibility into clouds, thus extending Riverbed’s Application-Defined Networking and End-to-End Unified Visibility for large-scale enterprises. Benefits:

• Agility: Faster IT response times based on deep automation and intuitive GUI design.
• Efficiency: High ROI and quick payback delivered through network infrastructure savings and operational ease.
• Security: Native security capabilities supplemented with deep automation with 3rd party security vendors for cloud-first security.
• Flexibility: Ability to integrate into complex, secure, enterprise environments while catalyzing successful digital transformations.