2024 Showcase

2024 Campus NaaS


Welcome to the NextGenInfra Campus Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) Showcase! We've captured videos from leading thinkers on the evolution of enterprise campus networks and the advent of NaaS. Watch and learn about the latest wave to hit enterprise networking and drive change in business models. We've had SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and it looks like it's time for NaaS. What do you think?
Also available and complimentary to download: our inaugural 2024 Campus NaaS Report! We discuss how incumbent vendors are reacting to the market forces driving enterprises to consider NaaS. And how NaaS upstarts, who've collectively raised ~$500M in venture financing, aim to disrupt the $35B campus networking market. For enterprise IT leaders, the report provide guidance on how to proceed with NaaS.
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2024 Campus NaaS

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Analysis by AvidThink

What the 2024 Campus NaaS report finds

These interviews cast Campus Network-as-a-Service as reaching a tipping point, bringing a cloud-like, OpEx-based experience to enterprise networks. Recurring themes are the CapEx-to-OpEx shift, convergence of networking and security with SASE, AI-native operations, and a warning that NaaS means different things to different vendors.

  1. CapEx converts to OpEx

    Dell'Oro, Juniper, and MEF frame NaaS around zero or minimal upfront capital, provider-managed operations and upgrades, and consumption-based models that eliminate large initial investments.

  2. NaaS and SASE converge

    Dell'Oro's Mauricio Sanchez anticipates convergence between NaaS and Secure Access Service Edge, and theCUBE's Bob Laliberte likewise highlights the convergence of networking and security.

  3. AI powers network operations

    Juniper touts AI-native solutions for faster deployment and scale, Nile ties NaaS's rapid evolution to AI networking, and the Linux Foundation flags NaaS's dependence on automation and AI management.

  4. Vendor types and definitions vary

    Dell'Oro's Siân Morgan categorizes turnkey, MSP-enabler, and LAN-as-utility vendors, while Verizon's Beth Cohen warns NaaS has multiple, sometimes ill-defined meanings.

  5. Integration beats NaaS-washing

    Meter's Anil Varanasi warns against NaaS-washing and promotes a vertically integrated stack spanning ISP, wired, Wi-Fi, security, SD-WAN, DNS, and cellular services.

  6. Who adopts first

    MEF's Sunil Khandekar points to mid-sized and smaller companies and remote offices as early beneficiaries, while HPE Aruba's David Hughes counters that NaaS is not just for greenfield deployments.

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Highlights from industry thought leaders

Video interviews

Dell'Oro Group

Early Innings for Campus NaaS

  • Dell'Oro's Mauricio Sanchez predicts significant NaaS growth, bringing a cloud-like experience to networks.
  • He anticipates convergence between NaaS and SASE, driving scalability, cost efficiency, and advanced security.
Abstract
Mauricio Sanchez, Sr. Director of Enterprise Security & Networking Research at Dell'Oro Group, predicts significant growth for NaaS, bringing a cloud-like experience to networks. Sanchez anticipates a convergence between NaaS and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), leading to a future where NaaS revolutionizes business operations through scalability, cost efficiency, and advanced security features.
Dell'Oro Group

Differentiating the Types of Campus Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) Vendors

  • Dell'Oro's Siân Morgan outlines three Campus NaaS vendor categories: turnkey offers, MSP enablers, and LAN as a utility.
  • These vendors differ by business model and technology integration, aiming to convert CapEx to OpEx.
Abstract
Siân Morgan, Research Director at Dell'Oro Group, outlines three categories of Campus Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) vendors: turnkey offers, Campus NaaS enablers for MSPs, and LAN as a utility services. These vendors distinguish themselves through business models and technology integration, aiming to convert CapEx to OpEx and address advanced goals beyond the capabilities of traditional systems.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

NaaS is about Flexibility

  • HPE Aruba's David Hughes emphasizes NaaS adaptability to customer needs and partners' role in scaling solutions.
  • He expects the NaaS market to grow as barriers fall, overcoming the notion that NaaS is only for greenfield.
Abstract
David Hughes, Chief Product Officer at HPE Aruba Networking, highlights the potential of NaaS to transform business operations, emphasizing its adaptability to customer needs and the role of partners in scaling NaaS solutions. Hughes predicts that the NaaS market will grow as barriers are removed, overcoming the idea of NaaS being relevant only for greenfield deployments.
Join

Network-as-a-Service: Driving Enterprise Cloud Connectivity and Innovation

  • Join's Karl May says the as-a-service model is now pervasive across IT and NaaS is reaching the same tipping point.
  • He identifies three classes of NaaS early adopters wanting richer experiences integrating IoT devices and sensors.
Abstract
Karl May, CEO of Join observes that the “as-a-service” model is now pervasive across IT segments and NaaS is reaching the same tipping point. May identifies three different classes of of businesses that are NaaS early adopters and explains how these businesses want solutions that offer a richer experience, integrating with IoT devices and sensors. He discusses how the rise of AI and decision support systems will impact and shape NaaS.
Juniper

The Power of AI in Campus NaaS

  • Juniper's Gordon Mackintosh highlights an OpEx-based networking model that eliminates upfront investment.
  • Juniper's partner-first, AI-native approach helps partners speed deployment and achieve scale via the cloud.
Abstract
Gordon Mackintosh, Group Vice President of Juniper's Partner Organization, highlights the flexibility of consuming networking in an OpEx-based model, eliminating upfront investments. He emphasizes how Juniper's partner-first approach to NaaS, combined with their AI-native solutions, allows partners to deliver excellent customer experiences, speed up deployment, and achieve scale through the cloud.
Linux Foundation

NaaS has many Network Dependencies

  • Linux Foundation's Arpit Joshipura ties NaaS to key dependencies like automation and AI management.
  • He discusses NaaS benefits for businesses across productivity, cost, and security.
Abstract
Arpit Joshipura, GM Networking + Edge IOT at Linux Foundation, discusses the evolution of NaaS and its transformative impact on enterprise and service provider networking. Joshipura points to the dependence of NaaS on many key capabilities like automation, and AI management. He also discusses key benefits for businesses adopting NaaS across productivity, cost, and security.
MEF

Campus NaaS Comes of Age

  • MEF's Sunil Khandekar highlights zero-to-minimal upfront capital and provider-managed operations and upgrades.
  • Mid-sized and smaller companies, plus remote offices of larger firms, are early NaaS beneficiaries.
Abstract
Use cases are expanding for Campus NaaS. Sunil Khandekar, Chief Enterprise Development Officer at MEF, discusses the appeal of zero to minimal upfront capital expenditure and provider-managed operations and upgrades. He points to mid-sized and smaller companies as early beneficiaries of a NaaS approach, and suggests that remote offices of larger companies can also likewise benefit.
MEF

MEF GNE24 Shaping the Future of Enterprise Connectivity

  • MEF's Sunil Khandekar discusses the rise of NaaS and previews the GNE flagship event in Dallas in late October.
Abstract
Sunil Khandekar, Chief Enterprise Development Officer at MEF, discusses the rise of Network as a Service (NaaS) and gives a preview of the upcoming GNE flagship event in Dallas in late October.
Meter

The Future of Networking: True End-to-End 'As-a-Service' Solutions

  • Meter's Anil Varanasi ties the shift to as-a-service models to desire for capital and operational efficiencies.
  • He stresses full integration and warns against NaaS-washing by vendors.
Abstract
Anil Varanasi, Co-founder and CEO of Meter, discusses the shift towards 'as a service' models in the networking industry driven by desire for capital and operational efficiencies. He also discusses the importance of full integration and warns against NaaS-washing by vendors.
Meter

Reinventing Commercial Networking: Meter's Integrated Infrastructure Solution

  • Meter's Anil Varanasi describes a vertically integrated approach to modernizing enterprise networking.
  • Meter offers a full-stack hardware and software solution combining routing, switching, and wireless.
Abstract
Anil Varanasi, Co-founder and CEO of Meter, discusses the company’s vertically integrated approach to modernizing enterprise networking infrastructure. Meter aims to simplify network deployment by offering a full-stack hardware and software solution that combines routing, switching, and wireless capabilities.
Meter

Bringing Cellular to Enterprise Wireless

  • Meter's Charlie Cobb introduces Meter Cellular, in-building connectivity installing like a Wi-Fi access point.
  • It delivers coverage from existing carriers, supports CBRS frequency, and uses a neutral host model.
Abstract
Charlie Cobb, Head of Cellular at Meter, introduces Meter Cellular, a new approach to in-building connectivity that installs as easily as a Wi-Fi access point. Meter's solution provides seamless coverage from existing carriers, supports CBRS frequency, and operates on a neutral host model, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to improve indoor cellular coverage.
Meter

Hardware Redesign for Campus Wireless

  • Meter's Joshua Markell outlines a holistic network design focused on a cohesive system over individual devices.
  • The strategy optimizes performance, reduces materials, and future-proofs with capabilities like cellular.
Abstract
Joshua Markell, Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Meter, outlines the company's holistic approach to network design, focusing on creating a cohesive system rather than individual devices. This strategy enables Meter to optimize performance, reduce materials, and incorporate future-proofing elements like cellular capabilities across their network offerings.
Meter

Customers Demand Integrated Solutions

  • Meter's Anil Varanasi says customers demand well-integrated, scalable connectivity solutions.
  • Meter's platform covers ISP, wired, Wi-Fi, security, SDWAN, DNS, and cellular for lean management.
Abstract
Anil Varanasi, Co-founder and CEO of Meter, discusses how customers desire well-integrated, scalable connectivity solutions. Meter's platform meets this demand by providing a comprehensive offering that includes ISP, wired, Wi-Fi, security, SDWAN, DNS, and cellular services, enabling efficient management of connectivity needs with limited resources.
Nile

Network as a Service: The Future of Enterprise Connectivity by 2030

  • Nile's Pankaj Patel likens NaaS adoption to the gradual uptake of electric vehicles.
  • He sees NaaS evolving rapidly with AI networking, which improves network operations and management.
Abstract
Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-founder of Nile, discusses the transition of major markets to new technologies like cloud services, and likens the adoption of NaaS to that of electric vehicles, which has been more gradual. At the same time, Patel points to the relatively rapid evolution of NaaS, especially with the advent of AI networking. He emphasizes the importance of AI in improving network operations and management.
theCUBE

Rapid Evolution with Campus NaaS

  • theCUBE's Bob Laliberte stresses understanding the range of NaaS offerings and its role in campus environments.
  • He highlights CSP/MSP involvement, networking-security convergence, and freeing IT for transformational projects.
Abstract
Bob Laliberte, Principal Analyst for theCUBE, emphasizes the importance of understanding the range of NaaS offerings and its critical role in campus environments. Laliberte highlights the involvement of CSPs/MSPs, convergence of networking and security, and suggests that NaaS can enable organizations to work on transformational projects by freeing up internal IT resources.
Verizon

Network as a Service (NaaS) as a New Business Model

  • Verizon's Beth Cohen frames NaaS as a business model that revolutionizes operations.
  • She notes NaaS carries multiple meanings and its attributes are sometimes ill-defined.
Abstract
Beth Cohen, Security and Networking Technologist at Verizon, discusses the varying interpretations and benefits of NaaS in the market. Cohen emphasizes that from Verizon's perspective, NaaS is a business model that revolutionizes operations. She also points out that as a term, NaaS has multiple meanings and the attributes of NaaS are sometimes ill-defined.
Reader feedback on our 2024 Campus NaaS Report: "Best report on NaaS I've read to date", "Well organized and researched", "Comprehensive and thoughtful". Grab your copy now and send us your feedback!
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