Cloud computing, IoT and SDN pose the biggest challenges to enterprise networks

According to a new report released by Kentik, cloud computing adoption remains the most vexing factor causing network complexity. The survey report is based on a survey of 203 IT professionals attending Cisco Live 2017. Cloud computing ranked first, followed closely by IoT, SDN and network function virtualization (NFV).

The report shows that even though machine learning is considered an "important technology for network management," most organizations are still not ready for network automation through machine learning.

More than a third (36%) of respondents said cloud computing has created the greatest network complexity for their organizations, but there is still room for improvement in operational visibility of cloud computing and digital business networks. The report shows that organizations need to do a better job of detecting DDoS attacks, with a third (32%) of respondents saying they are using DDoS detection technology.

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Most organizations (70%) say they use the same tool stack to manage network performance and security, which is hampering operational efficiency to some extent. However, more than half of respondents (59%) said their organizations are not yet using the same tools.

“Dozens of our largest users tell us that the industry is currently divided on the ability of intuitive systems and emerging machine learning to monitor, identify, and react to network conditions before problems occur,” said Avi Freedman, co-founder and CEO of Kentik. “Recent survey results from Cisco Live show that key business priorities for 2016 and 2017 are gaining full visibility into the complexity of hybrid networks; detecting and preventing DDoS; and integrating tools that can deliver operator and business value from network analytics. Full automation outside of constrained data center and cloud topologies remains a user vision, but network operators say they need a deeper and more comprehensive view of network performance and security to make their networks autonomous.”

"Real-time network traffic intelligence is a key indicator for network operators to support their digital transformation," he said.