Tips to simplify global network scaling
Scaling a network to meet global demands is no easy feat. As you scale the network to accommodate new locations and sites, transformative technologies, or to meet other demands, it can easily get more complex. Complexity leads to a lack of visibility, performance bottlenecks, and security challenges as you try to expand connectivity across regions. The solution? A smart and simplified approach to network scaling.
What is network scaling?
At its core, network scaling refers to the process of expanding a network's capacity to handle increased traffic, users, and devices. It involves building a resilient, adaptable network that supports business growth while maintaining performance, reliability, and security, no matter where your teams and operations are located.
But what is network scaling in the context of global businesses? It’s more than just adding bandwidth or hardware. As remote work, cloud applications, and IoT devices increase, networks must evolve to meet rising demands. A scalable network ensures your infrastructure can adapt to these demands with minimal disruption.
The essentials of a network scaling strategy
Crafting a solid network scaling strategy is essential for smooth and sustainable growth. When done right, you can minimize the risk of slowdowns, downtime, or security vulnerabilities.
The most important element is building scalability into every layer of your network approach. Retrofitting a network to scale is far more complex than building scalability into the design from the outset.
When implementing new solutions, ensure they support future growth with:
- Capacity planning: Effective capacity planning ensures your network scales proactively rather than reactively. To do this, you should analyze current network traffic, user numbers, and performance metrics. Identify when and where network strain is likely to occur and prepare accordingly.
- Network automation: Manual configuration can’t keep up with global growth. Automation simplifies network scaling by streamlining tasks such as provisioning, updates, and monitoring. Tools like software-defined networking (SDN) and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) enable IT teams to make consistent changes quickly and efficiently.
- Flexible infrastructure: A scalable network needs a foundation that adapts easily to change. Incorporating solutions like Software Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), Fixed Wireless Access or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity provide the flexibility to add or modify connections based on demand. This adaptability reduces the complexity of expanding into new regions, adding more cloud services, and staying secure throughout.
- Security integration: Security shouldn’t be an afterthought. A robust network scaling strategy includes integrated security measures, such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). Combining security and networking ensures that growth doesn’t compromise protection.
- Performance optimization: Scaling isn’t just about handling more traffic—it’s about doing it without sacrificing speed. Optimize performance through intelligent routing and traffic prioritization through solutions like Enhanced Internet.
How to simplify scaling your network
On top of the best practices for scaling your network, you need to ensure every update is tailored to reduce complexity and streamline processes, rather than adding to them. Adopting the right approach can help you side step the main pitfalls of network scaling, which include:
- Unknown providers in-region.
- Technology availability and suitability.
- Local regulations and compliance.
- Contracts and suppliers to manage.
- Invoice review and cross-checking.
- Talent shortages to navigate.
- Deployment, transition and support resources and expertise required.
The main goal is to enable business growth without the friction of the above complexities.
Our advice to simplifying your network scaling efforts include:
- Leverage cloud-based solutions: Cloud networking reduces the reliance on physical hardware, making it easier to scale. Services like cloud-based firewalls, load balancers, and virtual private networks (VPNs) allow you to expand capacity on demand without significant infrastructure investment.
- Adopt SD-WAN for intelligent management: SD-WAN transforms network management by providing centralized control, traffic optimization, and easier scalability. It simplifies network scaling by enabling IT teams to deploy new sites or applications quickly without configuring each device manually. For global operations, SD-WAN helps manage diverse connections—whether MPLS, broadband, or wireless—while maintaining consistent performance.
- Prioritize security as you scale: Traditional security models can’t keep up with modern networks. Simplify security by adopting SASE solutions, which merge networking and security into a single framework. This approach ensures secure connectivity for users, devices, and applications, regardless of location.
- Integrate Fixed Wireless Access and LEO services: If scaling your network requires adding new sites in locations that are hard to reach or under supported by existing infrastructure, then connecting them via Fixed Wireless Access or LEO satellites is a great way to achieve reliable, scalable connectivity. Alternatively, they can also be deployed to support network resilience in a scalable way by operating as automatic network failovers.
- Use a centralized network visibility platform: Managing a global network is complex when you’re juggling multiple interfaces and tools. A centralized platform, like Expereo’s intelligent Internet platform expereoOne, brings visibility, control, and analytics into a single pane of glass. This unified view helps IT teams identify issues, optimize traffic, and scale operations efficiently.
- Partner with a Managed Service Provider: Working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), like Expereo, can dramatically simplify network scaling for global enterprises. An MSP brings expertise, tools, and round-the-clock, in-region support to handle the complexities of network growth. From managing the strategic elements of network design, to the technical aspects of connecting new sites, to continuous optimization for reliable performance and uptime, working with an MSP significantly reduces the burden on internal IT teams. This allows your business to scale faster and focus on core operations without getting slowed down by network challenges.
Simplify scaling, accelerate growth with Expereo
Global enterprises need networks that grow seamlessly alongside their operations. But the very act of scaling your network can lead to a complicated network that’s difficult to scale in the future. Working with an MSP, like Expereo, can ensure this does not happen.
We understand how your enterprise works and what it takes to succeed globally. We know you need a new level of adaptability, scalability and creativity to manage new business demands on the network, meet competitive threats, embrace change, and swiftly take advantage of opportunities to thrive.
When you partner with us, you gain access to the knowledge, expertise, and the insights to help you imagine, choose, and deploy the technology solutions you need everywhere to connect, operate, and grow your business today and tomorrow.
Get in touch today to discuss your networking needs.