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Managers of large enterprise networks face two strategic issues-all IP networks and outsourcing. For many, the all-IP network is a pleasant issue. It offers interesting technical challenges, lower costs and reduced network complexity Outsourcing, or virtual networking, may be much less pleasant. Images of unemployment or a career transition from high technology to contract administration come to mind.
Networking industry supply and demand are driving both issues. All vendors have endorsed IP and are either shipping products or have some very nice slide presentations. The supplyside says we will get IP because little else is in the works. There is little complaint from the demand side either. A compelling business case can be made for an all-IP enterprise network.
The concept of turning over much of the operation, management and design of the enterprise network to a service provider is driven, as well, by supply and demand. In the search for improved profitability, many service providers are offering value-added IP-- VPN services. Their objective is to charge more for a value-added service offering. On the demand side, the shortage of skilled networking professionals and the difficulties of supporting IP connections to mobile workers, business partners and the general public are...