Network-as-a-service startup Nile has added an AI-based tool aimed at helping enterprise customers provision and operatethe vendor’s Campus Network-as-a-Service deployments.
Founded by former Cisco CEO John Chambers and Pankaj Patel, Cisco’s former chief development officer, Nile’s subscription-based NaaS offering, Nile Access Service, lets customers set up and manage campus network operations without requiring them to purchase and maintain their own networking infrastructure.
Nile Access Service includes a core package of wired and wireless campus infrastructure components and sensors. For management, Nile AI software automates installation and other steady-state controls and includes management and observability capabilities that are tailored for customer installations.
The new feature, Nile Nav is aimed at reducing the complexity of network provisioning to save money and time, according to the company.
“Traditional network deployments demand labor-intensive configuration and validation. Nile Nav automates these steps, handling everything from device models that are part of deployments to AI-driven setup and installation,” wrote Karthik Kannan, chief of product strategy with Nile in a blog about the news.
“The app verifies each device’s status and ensures the necessary software versions are running before provisioning and activation. Automated validation and activation go beyond basic provisioning to prevent common deployment issues, significantly improving accuracy and efficiency,” Kannan stated.
Other features in Nile Nav offer real-time deployment data and visibility as well as instant feedback during setup and activation ensures IT teams can monitor progress and address issues promptly, Kannan stated.
“Post-deployment, the app offers insights into network health and performance, enabling swift diagnostics and resolution,” Kannan stated.
Nile Nav’s integration with the Nile Services Cloud AI-enabled Cognitive Decisions module actively monitors deployments against the site’s Digital Twin and predefined plans, Kannan stated. Incorrect device installation, cabling errors, or power supply issues are flagged immediately as deviations, allowing on-site teams to address those issues.
Nile also announced a new training and qualification program for customers and partners to ensure they receive the knowledge and skills to build secure, high-performance networks based on the Nile architecture.
Nile recently added Nile Trust Service, a zero-trust architecture featuring end-to-end encryption and automatic updates to ensure security patches are up to date. Built-in Layer 3 support eliminates the need for VPNs and other security add-ons to ensure granular microsegmentation.
The security service is designed to prevent lateral movement inside office systems and eliminate ransomware attacks. Nile isolates each device by default to prevent vulnerabilities and denies lateral movement to prevent unauthorized communication between two devices. All traffic is forwarded to a centralized policy enforcement point for precise inspection and routing.
The security features include built-in access control for basic authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Customers can set universal security policies for remote and in-office users, as well as IoT/OT devices.
Source:: Network World