Single IP Address Control: Arista Networks Revolutionizes Campus Network Management

Campus network management offers a constant challenge to network administrators especially when they are implemented without optimized tools. The world of information technology is constantly evolving and those who fail to keep up often find themselves at the wrong end of network stability and security. Fortunately, as the demand for connectivity, security and stability increases, network management advances are also keeping up with powerful tools.

Arista Networks, a publicly traded company that specializes in providing enterprise level network solutions, recently announced two new features that would help network administrators especially those working with campus networks.

Single IP Address Control

As reported by Network World, Arista will soon roll out Switch Aggregation Group and CloudVision Leaf Spine Stack Management. Each feature has their own advantage specially made to ensure network administrators work seamlessly on campus networks.

The Switch Aggregation Group or SWAG is a system feature that will allow campus network control using only a single IP address. SWAG can work with up to 48 switches - allowing control to a large network without additional use of IP addresses. This feature is very important because normally, an IP address has to be assigned to each network switch for them to be properly identified and maintained. Aside from simplified management, this feature is also cost efficient because it will remove the need to purchase IP addresses - and they are becoming expensive.

The SWAG feature will be implemented on Arista’s own network operating system (EOS) and they already offer an integrated approach in ensuring smooth operations between switches. Managing them through a single IP address makes the already simplified operation even simpler.

Complementing SWAG is ClouVision LSS Management which ups the ante when it comes to network management. Through CloudVIsion LSS Management, stacking becomes a possibility without the need to physically stack switches. Imagine the manpower hours required to set up an extensive network no longer required to ease the communication between switches.

Combined, SWAG ensures powerful control of the campus network using only a single IP address while LSS removes the physical requirement to optimize use of switches within the network. These are powerful features that don't just help companies save money but also ensure better management as a whole.

Upgrading the Experience from CLI

Network communication and maintenance traditionally run through CLI or command line interface. It’s a robust and powerful interface that allows network administrators complete control with the network from the ground up.

There also lies the challenge of CLI - complete control from the ground up means manual control from the ground up. Every switch has to be configured from the ground up to ensure it will communicate well with other switches and networks in general. There’s the advantage of easily pinpointing the problem during breakdowns by simply checking the switches through CLI but maintaining them is always a challenge.

Arista’s latest SWAG and Cloud LSS features practically removes that challenge. A single IP address to control everything with a smart, cloud-based LSS is a perfect combination of control and troubleshooting capability.

It should be noted as well that Arista EOS or Extensible Operating System also uses CLI to work with the OS - an added advantage to network administrators because it will limit the learning curve. While pushing to improve network securing and stability through technology, the “old school” method of working with it still works.

Using a single IP address with cloud and logic based, leaf spine stack management offers a smart solution to extensive campus networks. Aside from ease of deployment and increase in security, it also helps in limiting acquisition of additional IP addresses. The use of CLI within EOS also helps in ease of migration for experienced network administrators.