The Alkira and Aruba solution is a joint offering that combines Alkira’s Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS) with Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN capabilities. This integration enables enterprises to deploy and operate global, high-speed cloud networks with end-to-end segmentation and integrated stateful security services. The solution is designed to accelerate cloud transition and simplify network operations by eliminating the complexity of traditional networking models. [Source]
How does Alkira integrate with Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN?
Alkira integrates with Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN by leveraging Alkira SD-WAN connectors to attach the Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN fabric to Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs). These CXPs are multi-cloud virtual points of presence with advanced networking and security capabilities. Alkira deploys, connects, and monitors Aruba EdgeConnect virtual appliances inside the CXPs, while Aruba Orchestrator manages configuration and operations. This ensures seamless SD-WAN integration, regional optimization, and unified management. [Source]
What are Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs)?
Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs) are geographically distributed, multi-cloud virtual points of presence that provide advanced networking and security capabilities. They serve as the integration point for SD-WAN fabrics like Aruba EdgeConnect, enabling seamless connectivity, segmentation, and security across cloud and on-premises environments. [Source]
What is the main topic addressed in the Alkira and Aruba solution webpage?
The Alkira and Aruba solution webpage focuses on the seamless integration of Alkira's cloud networking platform with Aruba's technologies to deliver multi-cloud networking capabilities. It highlights how this partnership enables businesses to simplify their network operations, enhance security, and achieve scalable connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. [Source]
Features & Capabilities
What are the key features of the Alkira and Aruba solution?
The Alkira and Aruba solution offers several key features:
Seamless SD-WAN Integration: Redundant instantiation and management of Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN appliances within Alkira CXPs.
Regional SD-WAN Optimization: Multiple SD-WAN fabrics can connect to the nearest Alkira CXP, interconnected via Alkira’s high-bandwidth, low-latency global backbone.
End-to-End Segmentation: Business Intent Overlays and micro-segmentation for granular security controls and cross-segment communication.
Unified Management & Visibility: Alkira Portal for provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting; Aruba Orchestrator for SD-WAN operations.
Integrated Security: Uniform security policies, stateful firewalling, and micro-segmentation across all environments.
Auto-detect and Recovery: Automated failure recovery, full mesh routing, and automated rerouting.
No Hardware or Software to Install: Fully as-a-service, with no need for specialized cloud expertise or colocation.
Does the Alkira and Aruba solution require hardware installation or specialized cloud expertise?
No, the solution is fully delivered as-a-service. There is no hardware to install, no software to deploy, no complex configurations required, and no need for specialized cloud expertise or colocation arrangements. [Source]
What integrations are supported by Alkira?
Alkira supports integrations with a range of technology providers, including:
ServiceNow, Infoblox, Aruba SD-WAN, Terraform, and Itential Automation Platform
These integrations ensure seamless connectivity, enhanced security, and simplified management for enterprises. For more details, visit Alkira's Technology Partners Page.
Does Alkira provide APIs for integration and cost management?
Yes, Alkira provides APIs, including billing APIs that offer real-time cloud network cost data. These APIs can be integrated with other cost management tools and dashboards, enabling automated synthesis of billing data from various sources. For more details, visit this page.
Security & Compliance
How does the Alkira and Aruba solution enhance security?
The solution implements uniform security policies across all environments, with end-to-end segmentation and micro-segmentation capabilities. Integrated stateful security services and next-generation firewalls ensure secure connectivity for distributed workforces and applications. [Source]
What security and compliance certifications does Alkira have?
Alkira is SOC 2 compliant and adheres to PCI-DSS standards, demonstrating a commitment to securing customer data and maintaining robust operational controls. These certifications ensure the protection of sensitive data and compliance with industry standards. For more details, visit Alkira's Compliance Page.
Pain Points & Business Impact
What problems does the Alkira and Aruba solution solve for enterprises?
The solution addresses several key challenges:
Complexity in cloud and multi-cloud networking: Eliminates the need for hardware, complex configurations, and specialized expertise.
Slow deployment times: Reduces network provisioning from months to minutes.
High operational costs: Lowers TCO by up to 40%.
Security vulnerabilities: Provides integrated, uniform security across all environments.
Scalability constraints: Enables on-demand scaling without capacity planning.
Who can benefit from the Alkira and Aruba solution?
The solution is ideal for mid-to-large enterprises across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology, software technology, retail, media & entertainment, and aviation. It is designed for both technical (network/cloud/security architects, IT managers) and business (CIO, CTO, CISO, VP) personas. [Source]
What are some real-world examples of customers using Alkira solutions?
Notable customer success stories include:
Michaels: Transformed its network across 1,400 stores in record time.
Koch Industries: Simplified multicloud networking and improved agility.
Warner Hotels: Enhanced networking efficiency and visibility.
Chart Industries: Improved agility and enabled global expansion.
SITA: Integrated on-premises and cloud environments for aviation.
Consumption-Based Pricing: Pay-as-you-go based on actual usage of provisioned elements (sites, cloud instances, network services, network traffic).
Commitment-Based Pricing: Fixed pricing options for predictable budgeting.
Pricing is determined by the quantity and size of network elements, connectors, next-generation firewalls, and data egress. Customers can view pricing details live from the portal or through APIs. For more details, visit Alkira's Pricing Page.
Implementation & Support
How long does it take to implement the Alkira and Aruba solution?
Customers can implement a proof of concept in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment typically taking around 8 weeks. The solution is designed for rapid onboarding and minimal operational disruption. [Source]
What training and support resources are available for Alkira customers?
Alkira provides a dedicated training platform with detailed guidance, demos, and resources (Alkira Training Platform). Customers also benefit from 24×7 monitoring, a diagnostics dashboard for troubleshooting, and dedicated support via support@alkira.com or support tickets. These resources ensure smooth adoption and ongoing operational success.
How does Alkira handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?
Alkira provides proactive notifications for planned or emergency maintenance, a diagnostics dashboard for live troubleshooting, 24×7 monitoring to meet SLA commitments, and dedicated support for issue resolution. This comprehensive support minimizes downtime and operational disruptions.
Competition & Differentiation
How does Alkira compare to competitors like Aviatrix, Prosimo, Nefeli, and Cato?
Alkira differentiates itself from competitors in several ways:
Aviatrix: Focuses on orchestration overlays and requires deep cloud expertise. Alkira provides a true abstraction layer, single-click provisioning, and end-to-end solutions without requiring deep cloud expertise.
Prosimo: Focuses on application-centric networking. Alkira offers full-stack networking and security, addressing both cloud and traditional network use cases.
Nefeli: Uses agent-based solutions and manual configurations. Alkira eliminates manual configurations with automated routing and provides a unified platform.
Cato: Focuses on SD-WAN, limited in multi-cloud environments. Alkira provides a global backbone-as-a-service for multi-cloud and hybrid environments, with integrated security features.
For more details, see the competitor comparison table in the company context.
The joint Alkira and Aruba solution transforms enterprise networking in the cloud era by combining Alkira’s Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service with Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN capabilities. This revolutionary approach enables enterprises to deploy and operate enterprise-grade global high-speed cloud networks with end-to-end segmentation and integrated stateful security services, accelerating cloud transition without the complexity of traditional networking models.
The Challenge
Modern businesses can no longer tolerate networks that drag down AI and cloud initiatives. As enterprises embrace cloud adoption, they face significant challenges transitioning established networking models to new cloud infrastructure. The rigid nature of traditional private line networks like MPLS complicates transformation strategy and efficiency.
While SD-WAN platforms like Aruba EdgeConnect have emerged to secure and simplify edge-to-cloud connectivity, this only solves half the challenge. Enterprises still need advanced networking and security capabilities to support application transition from on-premises data centers to cloud, multi-cloud, and SaaS environments. Traditional approaches require hardware installations, complex configurations, cloud expertise, and costly colocation arrangements that slow deployment and increase operational overhead.
Benefits
The joint Alkira and Aruba solution delivers significant measurable business outcomes:
80% Reduction in Network Provisioning Time
Deploy network infrastructure in minutes instead of months, eliminating lengthy procurement and installation cycles.
40% TCO Reduction
Eliminate hardware costs and reduce operational complexity through as-a-service delivery model.
Enhanced Security Posture
Implement uniform security policies across all environments with end-to-end segmentation and micro-segmentation capabilities.
5X Business Growth
Scale network infrastructure on-demand to match business needs without capacity planning constraints.
Additional Benefits
No hardware to install, no software to deploy, no complex configurations required, no specialized cloud expertise needed, and no colocation dependencies.
Solution
The solution leverages Alkira SD-WAN connectors to attach the Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN fabric to geographically distributed Alkira Cloud Exchange Points (CXPs) – Alkira’s multi-cloud virtual points of presence with advanced networking and security capabilities.
Seamless SD-WAN Integration – Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN virtual appliances are redundantly instantiated by Alkira inside the CXPs. Alkira deploys, connects, and monitors the appliances while Aruba Orchestrator accepts and configures them, maintaining full support for EdgeConnect features including Aruba Boost WAN Optimization.
Regional SD-WAN Optimization – Multiple Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN fabrics can attach to their closest Alkira CXPs, with regional fabrics interconnecting through Alkira’s high-bandwidth, low-latency global backbone, eliminating dependency on costly long-haul private circuits.
End-to-End Segmentation – Network segmentation defined by Business Intent Overlays extends through Alkira, with application traffic further segregated into micro-segments for granular security controls. The solution supports cross-segment communication between different SD-WAN environments and cloud applications, with NAT capabilities to resolve IP address conflicts.
Unified Management & Visibility – Alkira Portal provides an intuitive interface for provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting, while Aruba Orchestrator remains the single pane of glass for SD-WAN operations. Industry-leading visualization offers complete visibility into cloud network infrastructure health with comprehensive application traffic flow analysis and diagnostics.
The Alkira and Aruba joint solution provides the foundation for successful cloud adoption by delivering full-stack networking and security, horizontally and vertically scalable networks, auto-detect capabilities for failure recovery, full mesh routing with automated rerouting, comprehensive segmentation capabilities, and seamless integration with third-party network and security services.
This partnership enables enterprises to overcome the limitations of traditional networking approaches and embrace the agility, security, and operational simplicity required for modern cloud-first business strategies. By eliminating infrastructure complexity while maintaining enterprise-grade capabilities, organizations can focus on driving business outcomes rather than managing network infrastructure.
Ready to modernize with Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service? Learn how this partnership delivers comprehensive SD-WAN optimization and network automation through service-based architecture. Download the solution brief. For more information or to speak with a network specialist, contact us.
