Inventory: Outstanding NaaS Providers in 2021

2021.05.03

NaaS, network as a service, the full name is Network as a service. NaaS is a service used for network transmission and connection. It optimizes resource allocation as a unified whole by resourceizing the network and computing power.

In layman's terms, NaaS is a business model. Through this model, users can access network transmission services provided by third parties via the Internet. The payment method used is often based on a subscription model.

As early as five years ago, many popular NaaS startups have been acquired by large companies. However, NaaS is still an emerging market at present, and Cisco's entry may mark NaaS's transition from early adoption to the mainstream stage of deployment.

This article counts the top NaaS providers in 2021.


Aryaka SmartServices

Aryaka provides managed network and security services based on SD-WAN and SASE architecture worldwide. Aryaka's SD-WAN-as-a-Service product enables companies to use network services through its cloud-first network infrastructure.


core advantages:

Global PoP points

Dedicated L2 connection, managed network and security services based on SD-WAN and SASE architecture

Provide performance guarantees for applications worldwide

Integrated regional multi-cloud connection to improve application performance

Provide a series of cloud edge services

Provide SD-WAN services globally within 48 hours

Aryaka Network Management Center (ANMC) provides scalable multi-tenant automation and orchestration to provision, configure and scale thousands of sites

Aryaka EagleEye monitoring functions include predictive analysis and machine learning

Aryaka's global NOC provides 24X7 operations to ensure the uptime of the corporate network


Perimeter 81

Perimeter 81's NaaS service integrates network management and security into local and cloud-based resources such as AWS, Salesforce, Azure and Google Cloud. This cloud-native NaaS includes a series of security tools for identity verification, Wi-Fi security, zero trust, DNS filtering, and violation prevention. By placing network resources closer to the demand, it helps to reduce network latency.

core advantages:

Multi-region support: Dedicated gateways can be deployed in different locations to ensure that the network can provide the best service with the least delay and the fastest speed

Split tunneling: IT administrators can control whether to tunnel all network traffic or specific subnets from the client application to Network as a Service

Use connectors to connect cloud environments and on-premises environments, or use IPsec site-to-site tunnels to create secure communication links between two different networks located at different sites

Create users, groups, and group profiles: You can add team members and create groups to segment network access

Administrators can configure according to role, device, location, operating system, etc.

Create specific access policies and enforce the use of security measures, such as single sign-on integration and two-factor authentication

Encrypt all data and traffic sent over the network

Enable zero-trust access policies based on qualifiers (e.g. user role, device, and location)


Cloudflare Magic WAN

Cloudflare Magic WAN can replace the traditional WAN architecture with Cloudflare's network, thereby providing global connectivity through an interface, cloud-based security, performance and control capabilities. It can securely connect any traffic source including data centers, offices, equipment, and cloud properties to Cloudflare's network. Users can configure public and private routing strategies to send traffic to where they need it.

core advantages:

Establish partnerships with network providers (such as VMware, Aruba) and data center providers (such as Digital Realty, CoreSite and EdgeConneX) to help companies migrate their networks to the cloud using existing hardware

The Magic WAN configuration exists on every server in every data center at the edge of Cloudflare

Service in more than 200 cities around the world

The wide distribution of edge sites provides performance and flexibility that other NaaS providers cannot provide

Users can choose any hardware they want to connect to Cloudflare

Cisco Plus NaaS

Cisco is determined to become the leader of NaaS, which is expected. After all, Cisco has occupied a dominant position in the networking field for decades. Its Cisco Plus brand covers a variety of cross-architecture solutions designed to provide services.


Cisco Plus NaaS includes intelligence from AI-driven visibility and automation to drive performance and cost optimization. For example, Cisco Plus Hybrid Cloud provides data center networking, computing, and storage technologies in a consumer model. Cisco has only recently launched this platform, and it is still in its early stages, but it still attracts the attention of competitors.

core advantages:

Able to adjust the scale according to changes in demand

Cisco's SASE architecture integrates network and security in the cloud

From user to application, end-to-end visibility on any cloud and any network

Akamai Aura Managed CDN

Akamai focuses on content delivery networks (CDN). Akamai provides a highly distributed server platform that can directly respond to end-user requests for web content. It acts as an intermediary between the content server and the end user or client. Akamai Aura Managed CDN is the SaaS version of the company's flagship CDN solution. Hosted CDN services include users providing video streaming services and optimizing their network content transmission, while reducing deployment time and upfront costs.

core advantages:


Provide multiple formats of HTTP video transmission to the network connection through the operator's network, and provide high-quality subscription content for the device

Reduce complexity with Akamai's 24/7 CDN turnkey solution for maintenance and monitoring

Expand online video library, accelerate web content, and apply streaming media to any device

Reduce costs by managing a single CDN infrastructure, offloading and controlling OTT traffic, and eliminating hardware

Operators can also interconnect or combine Aura Managed CDN with the global Akamai intelligent platform to provide CDNs beyond their own network coverage

Aura Operator Portal provides an analysis and reporting portal for network operators to monitor performance and behavior

Megaport MCR

Megaport Cloud Router (MCR) provides virtual routing functions for on-demand private connections at layer 3. It is pre-configured in data centers in key routing regions around the world to achieve data transmission. Without the need for physical infrastructure, users can take advantage of cloud-to-cloud networks, private peering between cloud providers.

core advantages:

Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments

Internet Service Provider

Cloud service provider

Connect directly to any provider on the Megaport software-defined network

No need to own or maintain equipment, and no need to purchase IP addresses or autonomous system numbers

Reduce latency by enabling direct connections between cloud providers

Inter-regional or inter-cloud connection to control and localize traffic

Speed ​​achieved from 1-10 Gbps


Amdocs NaaS

Amdocs' programmable NaaS can automate and orchestrate the design, ordering and management of network services. The company is committed to providing SD-WAN services to MSP, rather than directly to enterprises.

core advantages:

Instant deployment, multi-vendor and multi-domain pre-integrated business processes

Vendor independent

Each microservice constitutes an autonomous function and a DevOps method, and the service can be released in a short period of time

Comply with MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) SD-WAN service attributes and service definition technical specifications

Palo Alto Prisma

Palo Alto Networks Prisma helps simplify management, supports application-defined SD-WAN policies, and provides secure SD-WAN to branch offices through the cloud. It combines SD-WAN technology obtained from CloudGenix and Palo Alto's expertise in networking and security. Use cases include router modernization, cloud migration, and network operation automation.

core advantages:

In-depth visibility of the application

Smart 7-layer network strategy

Use machine learning and data science to automate operations

Can increase bandwidth by 10 times and reduce 99% of network failures

Improve branch security for cloud delivery and reduce network costs

Original link: https://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/data-center/top-naas-providers-of-2021/

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