By embedding technology in the network, Cisco says it can provide secure application communication.
The Cisco Application-Oriented Network approach reads messages as they flow from application to application. As it identifies each message, the AON can apply rules and filters to enhance message security.
The AON technology works in an intelligent fashion. It can determine from a message’s context and content how it should be routed and who should have access to it on their systems.
Even if the messages start and end at different applications, AON can translate the message between them and deliver the message in a format expected by the program.
Security offered by AON includes encryption for e-mail messages. That encryption can use 3DES or AES to secure an entire e-mail, or just elements like a message header.
“There is a growing need for this from a technology point of view,” said Sandra Rogers, an analyst at market research firm IDC. And, Gartner Research believes the entire applications field could be worth as much as $7 billion USD four years from now.
Cisco CEO John Chambers announced the formation of the AON business unit at a Cisco Networkers conference in Las Vegas.
“If you think about where we were before, you thought about applications and they were completely separate from the network. Quote, the network was transport. But it shouldn’t be,” Mr. Chambers said. “There’s a large part of the application that should be embedded in the network.”
“But I would call these regular services if you will, services that are better performed in the network. The ability to ask, how do packets and applications come together in this intelligent network is what the Application Oriented Networking is all about.”
Presently, Cisco offers two devices ready to support AON, the Catalyst 6500 AON module, and the 2600/2800/3700/3800 Series AON module.
David Utter is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
