With an extensive update for the LANCOM Management Cloud (LMC), the German network infrastructure provider LANCOM Systems gives a fresh stimulus to SD-WAN and SD-Branch. As a central management instance, the LMC now provides powerful SD-WAN functions that take the scalability and efficiency of wide area networks to the next level for medium-sized and large companies. With regards to SD-Branch, the update provides a new Wi-Fi hotspot service that is rolled out across locations with just a few mouse clicks.
The key benefit from the update to the cloud is the central management of multiple WAN connections at different locations. This enables SD-WAN functions such as automatic load balancing as well as application- or quality-based routing including dynamic path selection. The bandwidth available at the individual locations is increased, and the quality of connections for preferred applications is improved.
High Scalability VPN (HSVPN)
Developed by LANCOM, the next-generation SD-WAN technology High Scalability VPN (HSVPN) delivers a significant increase in scalability and efficiency for LANCOM VPN and SD-WAN architectures that serve multiple remote sites and applications. Until now, virtualization required a separate VPN tunnel for each service, but HSVPN now provides securely separated transmission within a single tunnel. User companies benefit from a more efficient use of existing connection resources.
Dynamic path selection
With Dynamic Path Selection, another SD-WAN optimization feature is now available that dynamically routes applications over what is the best connection at any given time. Up to 4 WAN lines can be used in parallel, including connections implemented via 4G or 5G. This feature continuously monitors all WAN connections for load, packet loss, latency or jitter and, depending on the current connection quality, dynamically decides which line to use for certain applications. This benefits, for example, mission-critical applications as they can be rerouted dynamically over alternative connections in the event of a DSL line failure.
Dynamic DNS service for the Public Cloud
With the latest update, the LMC also becomes a DynDNS provider. In the location settings, the gateways can be set with a sub-domain of your choice (mycompany.dyndns-lmc.de), which can be stored in VPN peers such as the LANCOM Advanced VPN Client. This allows gateways with dynamic WAN IP addresses to be reached at any time at this domain name.
Cloud-managed hotspot in SD-Branch
In parallel to enhancing the classic SD-WAN features, LANCOM has upgraded the LMC into an intuitive Wi-Fi hotspot platform for SD-Branch installations. The service is set up with just a few clicks and rolled out securely and separately via existing WLAN access points. Options include a customizable hotspot welcome screen with its own logo and CI as well as publisher’s details and usage guidelines for hotspot users. No additional hardware in the form of a hotspot gateway is required.
Data protection & IT security “Made in Germany”
The LANCOM Management Cloud is completely developed and hosted in Germany. It meets the rigorous data-protection requirements of the GDPR and helps companies, administrations and organizations to minimize compliance risks in cloud-managed networks. Users with higher security requirements can operate the LMC as a Private Cloud “on-premises” at their own data center.
The new SD-WAN functions are automatically available in the cloud: Routers and SD-WAN gateways support the functions as of firmware version LCOS 10.42. The SD-Branch function “Cloud-managed hotspot” works with all LANCOM access points as of firmware LCOS 10.42 or LCOS LX 5.30.
All firmware versions are available for free download from the LANCOM web site: https://www.lancom-systems.com/products/firmware/lcos-release/
The key benefit from the update to the cloud is the central management of multiple WAN connections at different locations. This enables SD-WAN functions such as automatic load balancing as well as application- or quality-based routing including dynamic path selection. The bandwidth available at the individual locations is increased, and the quality of connections for preferred applications is improved.
High Scalability VPN (HSVPN)
Developed by LANCOM, the next-generation SD-WAN technology High Scalability VPN (HSVPN) delivers a significant increase in scalability and efficiency for LANCOM VPN and SD-WAN architectures that serve multiple remote sites and applications. Until now, virtualization required a separate VPN tunnel for each service, but HSVPN now provides securely separated transmission within a single tunnel. User companies benefit from a more efficient use of existing connection resources.
Dynamic path selection
With Dynamic Path Selection, another SD-WAN optimization feature is now available that dynamically routes applications over what is the best connection at any given time. Up to 4 WAN lines can be used in parallel, including connections implemented via 4G or 5G. This feature continuously monitors all WAN connections for load, packet loss, latency or jitter and, depending on the current connection quality, dynamically decides which line to use for certain applications. This benefits, for example, mission-critical applications as they can be rerouted dynamically over alternative connections in the event of a DSL line failure.
Dynamic DNS service for the Public Cloud
With the latest update, the LMC also becomes a DynDNS provider. In the location settings, the gateways can be set with a sub-domain of your choice (mycompany.dyndns-lmc.de), which can be stored in VPN peers such as the LANCOM Advanced VPN Client. This allows gateways with dynamic WAN IP addresses to be reached at any time at this domain name.
Cloud-managed hotspot in SD-Branch
In parallel to enhancing the classic SD-WAN features, LANCOM has upgraded the LMC into an intuitive Wi-Fi hotspot platform for SD-Branch installations. The service is set up with just a few clicks and rolled out securely and separately via existing WLAN access points. Options include a customizable hotspot welcome screen with its own logo and CI as well as publisher’s details and usage guidelines for hotspot users. No additional hardware in the form of a hotspot gateway is required.
Data protection & IT security “Made in Germany”
The LANCOM Management Cloud is completely developed and hosted in Germany. It meets the rigorous data-protection requirements of the GDPR and helps companies, administrations and organizations to minimize compliance risks in cloud-managed networks. Users with higher security requirements can operate the LMC as a Private Cloud “on-premises” at their own data center.
The new SD-WAN functions are automatically available in the cloud: Routers and SD-WAN gateways support the functions as of firmware version LCOS 10.42. The SD-Branch function “Cloud-managed hotspot” works with all LANCOM access points as of firmware LCOS 10.42 or LCOS LX 5.30.
All firmware versions are available for free download from the LANCOM web site: https://www.lancom-systems.com/products/firmware/lcos-release/
