Network simplification a common theme

A Network World report analyzing the Infonetics Research study explained that simplicity is a contributor to the ADC market's rise, as an ADC investment achieves an extremely specific purpose, making it easier for IT managers to identify the best time and method for investment.

Jim Frey, research vice president for Enterprise Management Associates, explained that ADCs are gaining an edge over WAN optimization and similar solutions because of how organizations use the technology.

"ADCs are much more closely aligned with specific application projects and budgets, and thus when there are new applications being rolled out (and there always are) there are new needs for ADCs," Frey told the news source.

Achieving meaningful network simplicity
Specific network solutions that alleviate complexity can pay dividends, but innovation can still be stifled if the underlying infrastructure is so complex that it limits how an organizations can make strategic upgrades. Fiber to Ethernet media converters can ease some of this infrastructure-level complexity. Many companies run into complexity problems when they face major bandwidth challenges, but try to get by using multiple copper links to alleviate performance problems. Turning to fiber can simplify this architecture, and media converters let you easily establish an interoperable network layout that combines fiber and copper seamlessly.