What is Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)?

Network as a Service (NaaS) is a cloud-based IT networking model that makes it easy to operate a network without the need to own, build, or maintain the infrastructure. It is a way to get the network outcomes you want without the headaches of managing hardware. Instead of dealing with physical equipment, you get everything as a service.

How NaaS works

NaaS replaces your traditional VPNs, load balancers, and firewall appliances with a cloud-managed network architecture. Users can quickly scale up or down as their needs change, deploy services rapidly, and eliminate the costs associated with hardware. In a sense, NaaS offers the flexibility to grow or shrink your network on demand.

With NaaS, you can forget about the labor-intensive process of maintaining your own hardware. There's no need to constantly monitor for updates, security patches, or manually configure equipment. For instance, provisioning a new service does not require a technician to physically deploy and set up hardware at different locations. This allows you to adjust your network easily with a few clicks.

The basic architecture and components of a NaaS network

Network as a Service (NaaS) fundamentally changes how companies manage their network infrastructure. At its core, NaaS architecture mimics traditional network components but delivers them via a cloud-based model. 

Virtualized network devices

NaaS virtualizes physical devices like routers, switches, and firewalls. In a typical setup, you'd need to buy and maintain these devices. With NaaS, these functionalities are provided as virtual services. 

For instance, instead of a physical firewall, you would have a virtual firewall. This is managed through a cloud provider, ensuring that the latest security updates are automatically applied.

Software-defined networking (SDN) architecture 

SDN decouples the control plane from the data plane. In simpler terms, the brains of the network are separated from the moving parts. This allows for more flexible and efficient network management. 

If you need to reconfigure your network, you don't have to manually tweak each device. Instead, you can use a centralized controller to manage the entire network. Imagine you're running a multi-site business; SDN makes it a breeze to manage network policies across all locations from a single dashboard.

Orchestration layer

Orchestration tools automate the deployment, management, and scaling of network services. For example, if your business experiences a sudden surge in traffic, orchestration tools can dynamically allocate more resources to handle the load, ensuring seamless connectivity. You don't end up with downtime or a scrambled network team rushing to add capacity.

Underlying network infrastructure

While NaaS abstracts much of the physical hardware complexity away, robust physical infrastructure still supports it. Data centers filled with high-performance servers and networking equipment underlie the virtual layer. Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure invest massively in these data centers, ensuring high availability and redundancy. 

Monitoring and analytics

NaaS providers offer advanced monitoring tools that give you real-time insights into network performance. For example, you can track bandwidth usage, detect anomalies, and predict potential issues before they become problems. These analytics tools allow you to make informed decisions about optimizing your network.

Through all these components, NaaS offers a flexible, scalable, and efficient way for businesses to manage their networking needs without the hassle of physical hardware and constant manual adjustments.

NaaS service delivery models

Network as a Service offers three primary service delivery models: public, private, and hybrid. Each offers its unique advantages, so it's important to understand what might work best for your organization.

Public NaaS model

This is the most common and widely adopted NaaS model. Think about traditional cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud, but for networking. You don’t have to worry about the underlying hardware; everything is managed by the service provider. 

The public NaaS model is scalable and highly flexible. You only pay for what you use, which can be a huge cost-saver. For example, if your business experiences seasonal spikes in network traffic, a public NaaS can easily scale to meet your needs without the overhead of maintaining extra hardware.

Private NaaS model

The private model is akin to having a dedicated lane on the highway just for your company's data. It’s hosted on private infrastructure, often on-premises or in a data center specifically reserved for your organization. 

While this model may require a higher initial investment, it provides enhanced security and performance. Financial institutions often opt for private NaaS to ensure that sensitive data is handled with utmost confidentiality and minimal latency.

Hybrid NaaS model

The hybrid NaaS model marries the best of both worlds. You can route sensitive data through a private network while using the public network for less critical operations. This model offers incredible flexibility. 

For instance, a retail business might use a hybrid model to manage internal communications on a private network while using a public network to handle customer traffic on their website. It’s all about allocation and optimization, depending on your specific needs.

Choosing between these models depends on your organization's priorities. Whether it's cost, security, or flexibility, NaaS has a model that can fit the bill.

Advantages of using the NaaS model in corporate networks

Cost efficiency

The NaaS model can save companies a ton of cash. Traditional networks require hefty investments in hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance. You need servers, routers, switches – the whole works. You also need to pay a specialized team to manage everything. That's a huge upfront investment and a continuous drain on your resources.

But with NaaS, you don’t need any of that. It operates on a subscription basis, so you only pay for what you use. Like a utility bill, your expenses can scale up or down depending on your needs. 

Imagine you’re a startup. Istead of sinking a large portion of your budget into networking equipment and staff, you could channel that money into product development or marketing. 

Maintenance is another cost the NaaS model removes. Traditional setups require ongoing updates, security patches, and troubleshooting, which often means hiring additional IT staff or expensive third-party consultants. 

With NaaS, the service provider handles all of that for you. It’s their job to keep the network running smoothly and securely. So, you're not just saving on upfront costs but also on the hidden costs of maintaining a complex network.

Take the use case of global enterprises as an example. When these companies expand into new regions, setting up a new network infrastructure can be a logistical nightmare and a huge expense. With NaaS, they can deploy network resources instantly in any location without the need for physical hardware. This not only cuts costs but also speeds up time-to-market.

In short, NaaS turns network expenses from capital expenditures into operational ones. You avoid the large initial investment and benefit from predictable monthly expenses, making budgeting easier and more flexible. 

So whether you’re a startup, a seasonal business, or a global enterprise, NaaS offers a financially savvy way to manage your network needs.

Flexible pricing

NaaS network models let you pay only for what you use, rather than committing to a hefty, long-term contract. Say you're running a seasonal business. During peak seasons, you might need more bandwidth and additional network services to handle the increased load. 

With a pay-as-you-go model, you can scale up your network capabilities without breaking the bank. And when things slow down, you can scale back and save money. This flexibility is ideal for businesses with fluctuating demands.

Some NaaS vendors use usage-based pricing where you only pay for what you use. Companies that only require high network performance during specific times of the day or certain projects can benefit from this model. 

Think about a tech firm that needs high-speed connectivity when deploying software updates globally. They can ramp up their network resources during those critical hours and scale them down once the updates are complete. This way, they optimize costs while ensuring performance.

Even those that prefer subscription-based pricing offer significant benefits. This model usually involves a monthly or annual fee for a set level of service. It's predictable and easy to budget for, which can be appealing for small to medium-sized enterprises. 

For instance, a startup might prefer a subscription model that offers a basic package with the option to add extra features as they grow. This way, they get a stable, reliable network without any sudden surprises in cost.

The third option is customized pricing. Plans under this model are tailored to fit the unique needs of each business. For example, an enterprise with multiple branches across the globe might require a complex blend of high-speed connections, secure VPNs, and dedicated customer support. 

NaaS providers can create a bespoke pricing plan that matches these needs precisely, ensuring that the company gets exactly what it requires without paying for unnecessary extras. 

These flexible pricing models make NaaS a compelling choice for modern businesses. These businesses can adapt to different needs, scale with changing demands, and offer cost-effective solutions tailored to specific requirements. This flexibility allows them to focus more on their growth and less on managing complex network infrastructures.