--- title: Data Center Networking Solutions description: Automate your software defined networking to increase efficiency in your data center. IE's data center networking solutions prepare you for the cloud. image: https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/Data%20Center%20Networking.png --- [Skip to main content](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking#maincontent) - [ CHALLENGES ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking?hsLang=en#CHALLENGES) - [ SOLUTIONS ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking?hsLang=en#SOLUTIONS) - [ BENEFITS ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking?hsLang=en#BENEFITS) - [ WHY IE? ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking?hsLang=en#WHYIE) - [ DC NETWORKING RESOURCES ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-center-networking?hsLang=en#RESOURCES) - Select One - CHALLENGES SOLUTIONS BENEFITS WHY IE? DC NETWORKING RESOURCES #### Why should you upgrade your data center networking infrastructure? Data Center networking is a high speed network for connecting data center components (compute, networking, and storage) so that users can quickly access applications and process data. It incorporates the use of hardware like switches, routers, servers, and controllers. As cloud computing becomes more prominent, Data Center Networks must provide greater bandwidth to accommodate data hungry users. New architectures like HCI and blade servers have paved the way for data center elasticity, while automated policy deployment has simplified consistent hardware onboarding with reduced configuration and security risk.   ## Common Data Center Networking Challenges #### Lack of Application-Specific Visibility #### Lack of consistent policy and deployment enforcement #### Inefficient and inconsistent data center operations #### Inability to Scale #### Security Issues from Configuration Errors #### Siloed Data Centers ## Data Center Networking Solutions and Partner Recommendations Our longstanding data center networking expertise means you'll have a modern network that's fast, flexible and secure so you can focus on your business. ### Cisco Simplify, optimize, and accelerate the entire application deployment life cycle. ** #### Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) [View More Partners](https://www.ineteng.com/about/customer-experience/technology-partner?hsLang=en) ## The difference the right technology solution can make in your data center. #### Greater Application Visibility #### Easily and Securely Connect to Multiple Clouds #### Require Less Manpower for Mundane Tasks #### Improved Reliability and Security Posture #### Stabilize Your Infrastructure and Simplify Troubleshooting #### Automated, Consistent Policy Deployment ## Why IE for Data Center Networking Hardware and software components are only a piece of the puzzle. You need experience on your side to help you deploy solutions to accommodate cloud migration, software defined applications, and bandwidth demand. Let us help you achieve your business goals through our holistic approach to the data center. Here's how we do it. #### Expertise and Depth We our experts in all the major data center components: networking, storage, and compute! We can help you build a scalable infrastructure that both your business and technical needs. #### ACI Implementation We are among the first adopters of Cisco ACI, and proud of it! Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure is a software defined network tool that controls your entire data center network.  It helps you improve elasticity, scalability, and overall infrastructure agility while enhancing reliability and security. #### Data Center Automation The key to secure data center scalability and management is consistent policy deployment. Configure your policies first, then we’ll help you automate the deployment process to ensure every device on your network is configured the same lowering your risk for vulnerabilities.  #### Development Services When you're ready for automation or orchestration, we offer custom development services. We can help you automate individual tech components, a data center or multiple data centers and cloud services. The possibilities are endless but the benefits are the same; a cheaper, faster and  more agile and secure infrastructure.  ## Need to Improve Your Data Center Infrastructure? IE has expertise in various Data Center solutions to help you build, scale, automate, and adopt an infrastructure that supports your business initiatives now and in the future.    Cloud Solutions Compute Data Storage Data Protection Converged Hyperconverged Select a tab Cloud Solutions Compute Data Storage Data Protection Converged Hyperconverged Scale into the Future ### Cloud Solutions Enhance business agility, flexibility, and elasticity. Build an infrastructure that can scale. The future is in the cloud so plan for multi-cloud adoption with an agile, secure infrastructure. [Be Future Ready with the Cloud Learn more about our Cloud Solutions. ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/cloud-solutions?hsLang=en) Simplify, Automate, & Scale. ### Compute Solutions Build a cloud ready server platform for tomorrow's applications. Reduce your data center footprint, combat configuration drift and simplify server management with the new generation of compute platforms.   [Scale Your Data Center for the Future Learn more about our Compute Solutions. ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/compute?hsLang=en) Support Your Digital Transformation ### Data Storage Improve Data Storage scalability to accommodate your digital business initiatives. A digital business requires more data storage, but stop the hoarding! Simplify your storage management and automatically spot commonalities in your data to save precious capacity. [Get Seamless Storage Visibility Across Your Enterprise Learn more about our Data Storage Solutions. ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-storage?hsLang=en) Analyze, Plan, & Defend. ### Data Protection Protect your data everywhere to mitigate business disruption. Identify your recovery-time objectives and build a plan to realize your goal! Your business continuity plan, incident response, and disaster recovery are all a part of your overall data protection strategy. [Keep Your Business Running Smoothly Learn more about our Data Protection Solutions ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/data-protection?hsLang=en) Scale Your Data Center Infrastructure. ### Converged Hyperconverged Easily and quickly scale your data center infrastructure. Simplify your data center with a converged (CI) or hyperconverged (HCI) infrastructure. Gain the knowledge you need to properly deploy these infrastructures and unlock the benefits that come with them. [Can Your Infrastructure Scale for Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Adoption? Learn more about our Converged Hyperconverged Solutions. ](https://www.ineteng.com/data-center-management/converged?hsLang=en) ## Frequently Asked Questions #### How do I adopt Software Defined Networking? Software Defined Networking or SDN, separates the physical hardware from the control software (think Operation System). You'll need identify the performance needs of your data center infrastructure and the resulting type of technology platform you want to support. Also consider ease of scalability, and determine if you are able to quickly add more nodes to your infrastructure and if you have the bandwidth to accommodate them. And most importantly, ensure the SDN solution meets your needs for securing traffic within the data center as many attacks are machine to machine without traffic leaving the data center. **Hardware Tips**  Start by incorporating chassis and blades to gain more bandwidth while taking up less data center real estate. This will help you accommodate a growing application portfolio and storage footprint while controlling data center sprawl. **Software Tips** Consider adopting a hyper-converged infrastructure. There are various solutions to choose from, but this option includes a virtualization layer and can help you more easily transition to the cloud while simplifying your data center management.   **Expertise **  If you are unsure of how to proceed, have a conversation with one of our data center experts. We have expertise in all data center components and can help you identify the solutions that would work best with your current infrastructure, or provide guidance for building from the ground up.   #### What are some best practices to Improve my data center security posture? There are many ways to improve your data center security posture. The first step is to identify current practices that introduce unnecessary risk. For example, manually deploying network policies opens the door to configuration errors. These inconsistencies make it more difficult and time-consuming to troubleshoot issues and slows deployment of new infrastructure.   **Automate your deployment process**. This saves time and ensures consistency, reducing risk. There are various solutions that can help you achieve this. Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) happens to be our preferred tool.   Find a **centralized management platform** that will provide full data center ecosystem visibility. You’ll be able to identify and mitigate risks, more easily troubleshoot, and get back to business faster.   Develop your **business continuity and disaster recovery **plans. The key is to reduce recovery time with regular data backups and testing of application and data restoration. Another best practice is to **have a plan**. Where are you and where do you want to go, do you have plans to scale into the cloud? Determine what you need and you can develop security policies that will support your goals and growth.   ## Data Center Networking Resources [![Image](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/assets/spacers/16x9.png) ](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/2020%20Tekfest/2020%20Tekfest%20IE%20Videos/2020_Tekfest_IE_Network_Guy_scripting_Chris_R_1080p.mp4?hsLang=en) Video #### ## [Network Guy Scripting: Python/Postman/Both?](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/2020%20Tekfest/2020%20Tekfest%20IE%20Videos/2020_Tekfest_IE_Network_Guy_scripting_Chris_R_1080p.mp4?hsLang=en) [Watch Now](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/2020%20Tekfest/2020%20Tekfest%20IE%20Videos/2020_Tekfest_IE_Network_Guy_scripting_Chris_R_1080p.mp4?hsLang=en) [![Image](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/assets/spacers/16x9.png) ](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/ipv4-to-ipv6-migration-why-the-wait?hsLang=en) Blog #### ## [IPv4 To IPv6 Migration: Why the wait?](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/ipv4-to-ipv6-migration-why-the-wait?hsLang=en) We've been told IPv6 is coming and to prepare our networks, so why haven't most people started the IPv6 migration yet? As it turn out, it's a little more complicated than flipping a switch. [Read Now](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/ipv4-to-ipv6-migration-why-the-wait?hsLang=en) [![Image](https://www.ineteng.com/hubfs/assets/spacers/16x9.png) ](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/technologys-changing-a-familiar-face?hsLang=en) Blog #### ## [Technology's Changing a Familiar Face](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/technologys-changing-a-familiar-face?hsLang=en) Will you recognize the data center in a few years? See the future face of the data center at this year's OktoberTekfest. [Read Now](https://www.ineteng.com/blog/technologys-changing-a-familiar-face?hsLang=en) [View All](https://www.ineteng.com/technology-resources?hsLang=en) ## Automate your Data Center Networking Infrastructure #### Speak with our expert team of technologists and learn how to achieve automation, elasticity, and agility in your data center.   [Contact Us](https://www.ineteng.com/schedule-a-meeting?hsLang=en)