Whether you have observed it or not, we have come a long way in the field of networking since its invention; from those slow and straightforward modems to faster wireless devices nowadays. Moreover, we have arrived at what will be known as the fastest networking system of all, the 5G, that is to be soon released; it has been a wild journey.
Now that technology is shifting daily, inventors and innovators are working day and night to make tech smaller and faster. Given the rate at which these advancements are coming, one might wonder what the future of networking is? What type of technology should we be expecting in the days to come?
That said, one cannot say that shifting tech has only helped boost the advancements in the networking sector; it has also made some things difficult. The elephant in the room is where or how to connect and what connection to use. Plus, the never-ending hunger for bandwidth adds to the difficulties faced by almost all the multinational corporations working on networking technology.
Although advancements will likely come to an end in the future, and this long journey of improvement will subside, one cannot say for sure when and how we will achieve this ending. To predict the future of networking, we must take references from its past.
History of Networking
The first intercommunication system was built in 1969. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPANET) was designed on the TCP/IP protocols principles. Presently known as the internet, it was designed to support the US defense system by improving its communication system, and it gave the US leverage over the USSR in case of nuclear war.
The next significant invention was made in 1986 when the Datapoint Corporation introduced its first LANs system, formerly known as the ARCNET. The ARCNET was the first system that did not require homogeneity of devices to connect. Because of the convenience it brought, it was one of the most well-known networking systems in the 80s.
What changed the game of bandwidth and blew all its predecessors and competitors out of the water was the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). This system used fiber optics as a physical layer to transmit signals across multiple LANs. It increased the internet speed to 100 Mbps, the fastest achieved until then.
These systems were later replaced by the Gigabit Ethernet’s even faster, much more efficient, and affordable design. Now the updates are minor compared to advancements in the past, but they are effective and much-needed ones.
Does Networking Have a Future?
Given the remarkable advancements we have made so far in networking tech, one might wonder what else there is yet to experience in this field. Apart from tech-thirsty nerds, all the other people who use it have never been more thankful for the networking tech. As networking is an evergreen domain, be it minor changes as minimal as adding a few bandwidths, we will always need them and forever be dependent on them.
Because networking is related to so many smaller domains such as security, web-based application, portable devices, and many more, one can never think of it ending sooner. Nobody knows what hurdles it might face in the future that might put some limitations on its advancements, slowing them down or, even worse, stopping them at once. We can predict the future of networking by assessing the current networking technology.
Wi-Fi 6
With a speed of over 9.6 Gbps, the Wi-Fi 6 is one of the leading wireless networking systems currently available on the market. Given that Wi-Fi 5 was 3.5 Gbps, the updates in Wi-Fi 6 are remarkable. In addition, it not only solves the speed problem but also increases the number of devices connected to this network. Furthermore, it can handle load much better than its predecessors. It may not be as fast once it connects to the maximum number of devices, but it will solve the instant degradation in Wi-Fi speed and response time. Even with Wi-Fi 6, things are not as satisfactory as customers want them. So, manufacturers have recently introduced the Wi-Fi 7, which will be quickly available on the market.
Wi-Fi 7
According to networking enthusiasts and analysts, Wi-Fi 7 is much faster, more efficient, and capable than Wi-Fi 6. In terms of sending data simultaneously on multiple frequencies, Wi-Fi 7 is far superior. In addition, it can use up to three bands at a time and increase the data it can send over a network.
5G
The next big thing in the networking field is 5G. It has been all the rage since its introduction to the market. Currently, most larger cities use 5G and ultra-wide 5G, offering more data coverage faster. With IoT services and some enhanced fiber networks backing them up, 5G applications can get a boost.
Apart from the mentioned networking technologies, there are also other upcoming technologies such as automation and AI. Given that we have made many improvements in robotics and automation and the fact that networking plays a crucial role in it, the automation of machines will play a huge role in the future of networking. Similarly, AI and machine learning will play a pivotal role in the future of networking.
What is the Future of Networking Technologies?
The best way to understand what the future holds for networking is by learning about some of the upcoming technologies. Despite many improvements being made so far, they are merely the tip of the iceberg. You will have Wi-Fi 7 in a year or two, but most of our devices cannot carry that kind of advanced networking system. As these new techs are raging the moment they are available, the technology market faces compatibility problems.
5G is another amazing invention that will forever change the “need for speed” game. That means now you can binge-watch your favorite TV show without any interruptions caused by the internet. It also has paved the way for new futuristic integrated and real-time systems, making them more applicable and efficient. Let’s look at some of the other technologies that will highly impact the upcoming networking technologies.
OpenFlow
OpenFlow was developed at Stanford University for network administrators to deploy innovative protocols into production networks. Numerous organizations use OpenFlow to centralize their network to run different services and easily partition. They achieve this by removing the router or the forwarding plane from the control plane. Another huge advantage of OpenFlow is that it allows communication between a switch and a particular controller. Furthermore, an OpenFlow controller can effectively derive a more intelligent network function.
NetFlow
NetFlow is the invention of Cisco Systems and has had a huge impact on modern-day and future networking technology. This network protocol enables administrators to monitor multiple network sessions at a time. NetFlow is relatively old, yet most present-day network management systems rely on its record. In addition, most tools that detect network loopholes use NetFlow records.
802.11ac
802.11ac is a widely deployed network protocol known for its speed. Because it is backward-compatible, most network administrators use it for present and upcoming devices. 802.11n has 40 MHz channels while 802.11ac has 80 MHz channels, increasing the spectrum in upcoming tech.
Moreover, 802.11ac is better because it is the first protocol to break the gigabit barrier. Its predecessor, the 802.11n, has a transfer rate of 250 megabits/second, while this protocol can transfer 1.3 gigabits/second, making it the fastest network standard to date. It is super-fast and has a lot more capacity than its predecessors, which will change the entirety of networking technologies in the future.
The Next Big Thing in Networking?
Recently various organizations have adopted SD-WAN technology to manage their applications and the network traffic they get easily. Businesses that adopted this technology on time have proven super-helpful at hard times, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Furthermore, it is much more flexible in managing the IT infrastructure of enterprises. Although it provides a better platform for remote users to access corporate assets, it doesn’t justify and satisfy their security. The key to safeguarding these assets is to wrap the distributed systems under a security umbrella. Here is how.
Zero Trust Network (ZTN) access
Nowadays, the best way to access a resource available on the cloud is by using the shortest route possible. Traffic routing through data centers can rarely achieve this phenomenon. Moreover, when there is no traffic flow through a data center, all the perimeter resource devices, such as a firewall, won’t protect the information. Regardless of the type of user, administrators require a mechanism to enforce efficient security policies.
We also need a Zero Trust Network access system that puts a thicker layer of security on assets available on our networks. It will only accept valid devices and will require users to verify them to give them access to the network. Traditional access credentials are risky, and hackers can easily find a way to hack them. Hence, we cannot rely on these basic security measures to protect our data. With Zero Trust, users will have to verify themselves before gaining access to sensitive data. This decreases the number of users and makes the network more secure. Intertwining ZTN with similar systems in networking or cybersecurity forms a more effective and reliable solution, dubbed as SASE, for the rising security problems we face. Businesses and organizations will likely use systems like these in their networks.
SASE
The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) was invented in 2019. Pronounced as “sassy,” it converges enterprise networking and security into a more secure plus effective cloud-based service. SASE is famous for its four game-changing features: global distribution, cloud-native, identity-driven, and the fact that it supports all edges. SD-WAN did not live up to people’s expectations. However, SASE does what it claims.
What makes SASE more preferable is the need for the highest level of security in emerging digital systems. Today’s and the upcoming networking technology highly depend on speed and agility, which is what SASE provides. Enterprise networking and security technology are rigid, static, and less reliable. Furthermore, it’s slowing down today’s businesses. That said, the architecture of SASE is still unknown. Most present and shortly-upcoming technologies will depend on traditional enterprise networking and security technology. However, we will see more speed, agility, and security in our technology in the future as SASE takes over.
Digital Transformation
Initially, tech enthusiasts and analysts expected the convergence of SD-WAN, cloud computing, and security several years down the road. Since this unfortunate global pandemic has grabbed everyone and everything by their throats, businesses are now more anxious to find a solution for their continuity. Consequently, we might experience the digital transformation of companies sooner than we expected.
More businesses will convert to SD-WAN as it has managed to keep a strong cybersecurity service position on the market. Furthermore, it has strong alliances with cloud providers, which is the key to finding a solution for current crises.
Data-heavy sectors where security is the top priority will rely on the SASE technology. SASE will enable companies and organizations to quickly respond to unpredicted crises such as the one the world currently faces. It will also allow companies and businesses to take advantage of technologies such as 5G.
Conclusion
There you have it – the most upcoming innovations in technology. While everyone is still adjusting to ordinary Wi-Fi and 4G, the world is coming up with far better advancements in networking. Every organization is looking for more compact and faster ways of networking, which is adding more competition among corporations.
We hope this guide helped educate you on the future of networking!