Read on for insights from Phil Mottram, executive vice president at HPE and general manager of its Intelligent Edge (HPE Aruba Networking) business, on how networks enable AI innovation for enterprises.
NETWORKING FOR AI
How Do Networks
Unlock AI Everywhere?
Wi-Fi and private 5G are complementary network technologies essential for supporting AI operations. HPE Aruba Networking offers robust connectivity solutions to connect the edge to the cloud, including turnkey private 5G and powerful Wi-Fi 7 access points.
Wi-Fi Is Ideal For Dense, High-Bandwidth Environments
Wi-Fi is a reliable method for connecting devices in places like office buildings, retail stores and large public venues, and Wi-Fi 7 is the newest and most advanced set of technical standards for connecting routers and devices to the internet.
HPE Aruba Networking is among the first enterprise networking vendors to announce access points that support Wi-Fi 7. These AP-700 Series access points are designed for high-speed connectivity and enhanced security, with dual BLE/Zigbee radios and dual USB ports to support more devices at the edge.
Lower latency—less lag time—ensures real-time data processing, while reduced signal interference provides stable and reliable connectivity, optimizing the access points for demanding enterprise AI tasks.
Private 5G Is Effective For Fast-Moving Devices And Outdoor Areas
Private 5G connectivity is just like regular 5G but connects devices on frequencies reserved specifically for enterprise use. This results in reduced network traffic and enhanced stability, leading to lower latency and higher speeds.
These characteristics make it ideal for AI-driven environments with rapid device movement. “Think about warehouses where there are no people, and you've got robots whizzing up and down, taking packets off shelves,” says Mottram. “Those sorts of environments favor cellular technology like private 5G versus Wi-Fi.”
Traditional private 5G setups can require components from up to seven companies, whereas HPE Aruba Networking offers an end-to-end solution. Mottram says the company aims to “make private 5G as easy for customers to buy and support as Wi-Fi.”
HPE’s Phil Mottram Describes How Private 5G Connects Sprawling Outdoor Facilities
AI FOR NETWORKING
How Does AI Streamline Networks?
HPE Aruba Networking Central is a cloud-native tool that simplifies network management with AI-driven insights and automation for secure and efficient connectivity from edge to cloud.
HPE’s Mottram Outlines How A Shared Platform Puts Network Managers On The Same Page
Rather than navigating a patchwork of different tools provided by various vendors, HPE Aruba Networking Central allows customers to manage all aspects of their network on one platform. When everyone in a company uses the same system, explains Mottram, it's like being able to speak the same language.
This all-in-one solution is bolstered by a Gen AI-powered natural language interface that responds to user questions and offers quick and easy configuration and troubleshooting tips for every skill set.
Understanding Network Questions Like A Human
You don’t want your networks running at full power when they’re not being used at full capacity.
HPE Aruba Networking Central uses AI to analyze a customer’s entire network, anticipating when parts of it won’t be busy and adjusting the power usage accordingly.
“If it becomes apparent that on a Friday afternoon in a particular part of your office, the [Wi-Fi] network is never used because there's hardly anyone there, the access points in that part of the office can be adjusted,” says Mottram. “Putting the access point into idle mode or deep sleep mode as opposed to having it fully lit up could help companies reduce their energy consumption, which is great for saving costs, but also [for] supporting sustainable IT efforts.”
Identifying Power-Saving Opportunities
When network issues arise, HPE Aruba Networking Central highlights them. However, it goes further, giving network managers clear suggestions for rapid fixes to avoid outages.
A low-performing connection might be pinpointed, along with a suggestion to adjust the Wi-Fi access point. Intermittent wireless issues may be flagged, along with a tip to replace a faulty cable between an access point and a switch.
These potential solutions are determined through AI analysis of data gathered from thousands of deployments and millions of devices and endpoints.
Suggesting Solutions To System Problems
SECURITY
How Does AI Make
Networks More Secure?
HPE Aruba Networking Central delivers secure, reliable connectivity that uses AI and machine learning to make it easy to automate your networks and enhance protection.
AI Can Flag A Compromised Temperature Sensor, Explains Mottram
When building an AI model and pulling in data from across your organization, you may need to connect to cameras or other IoT devices that may be older and don’t have built-in security protection. “Those old devices are often connecting to the internet and [may] have more of a security exposure,” says Mottram.
HPE Aruba Networking Central uses AI to scan the entire network intelligently, monitoring connected devices and flagging suspicious traffic patterns for quick resolutions.
AI analysis is used to ensure that all devices on the network have the correct permissions and restrictions, continuously verifying each device to maintain a secure environment.
Hunting The Telltale
Signs Of Hackers
Watch Phil Mottram’s
HPE Discover Session, Including Three Real-Life Customer Stories
See HPE President And CEO Antonio Neri’s Visually Enthralling Keynote From HPE Discover Las Vegas