F5’s MCN solutions simplify operations for distributed application deployments

F5 has announced multi-cloud networking (MCN) capabilities to easily extend application and security services across one or more public clouds, hybrid deployments, native Kubernetes environments, and edge sites. F5 Distributed Cloud Services are differentiated in providing connectivity and security at both the network and application layers.

As an overlay across separate cloud provider offerings (including native-cloud services), Distributed Cloud Services let F5 customers easily integrate network operations, application performance optimization and troubleshooting, and visibility through a single management console.

F5 delivers a platform-based approach that is cloud-agnostic and purpose-built to meet the needs of traditional and modern apps—all without increasing complexity or losing granular control and necessary visibility. Specifically, today’s introduction of Distributed Cloud App Connect and Distributed Cloud Network Connect unlocks enhanced MCN use cases.

"The rapid adoption of cloud-based technologies and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats have made it increasingly difficult for businesses in India to secure their applications and data", said Dhananjay Ganjoo, Managing Director, India and SAARC, F5. "At F5, we understand the challenges faced by Indian organizations. Our market-leading products, including our multi-cloud application services and security solutions, are designed to help these businesses enhance performance and security of their applications, irrespective of where they're deployed. With our new Distributed Cloud App Connect and Network connect capabilities, customers will gain deeper visibility and control over their application infrastructure, reduce risks, and be able to rapidly respond to emerging threats."

F5 is uniquely positioned to deliver necessary enabling technologies for MCN by connecting and securing any app and any API anywhere, ensuring fast network-to-network and workload-to-workload connectivity across different cloud locations, data centers, hybrid environments, and enterprise edge sites. In the year since the introduction of Distributed Cloud Services, F5 has continued to expand the capabilities delivered as SaaS and managed services, including the recent addition of Distributed Cloud Application Infrastructure Protection.

F5’s announcement furthers the reach of Distributed Cloud Services through the following new SaaS offerings -

· Distributed Cloud App Connect provides an integrated stack approach through a single console to combine comprehensive app networking with full app security, faster provisioning, and ease of use.

Advanced app networking services including load balancing, API gateway, ingress/egress control, and end-to-end visibility.

Automated or one-click provisioning of additional web application and API protection (WAAP) services such as web application firewall, DDoS, bot mitigation, and API security.

Native Kubernetes integration with fine-grained control on app-to-app and even specific API-to-API communications without exposing the underlying network, greatly reducing security risks and increasing speed of app delivery.

· Distributed Cloud Network Connect makes it highly secure and simple to deploy connectivity across cloud locations and cloud providers.

Automated provisioning and orchestration of cloud provider connectivity services to reduce management complexity and increase visibility.

Secure connectivity and extensibility with intent-based micro-segmentation and service insertion of third-party network functions virtualization (NFV).

Optional fully private F5 Global Network to optimize app performance and provide high-speed private connectivity to public cloud providers.