Making the most of NSX-T in a hybrid cloud environment

Simon Edward • 16 December 2024

Want to optimise costs, management and security in a hybrid cloud environment? Learn how NSX-T can help.

Complexity breeds complexity. The more balls you're juggling, the harder you have to work. The larger the venture, the more possible points of failure there are.

But what if the above wasn't true? What if a complex system could be handled from a single console?

This is what VMware NSX-T does for cloud environments of all shapes and sizes. It takes even the most sprawling and complex network and applies micro-segmented, distributed security policies.

The need for Alcatraz-style security is nothing new. But the fact of the matter is that networks are more complex than ever. In the age of hybrid working, there are simply more links in the chain. And each link presents a new point of entry for bad actors.

This is true of all kinds of cloud environments – and hybrid clouds are no exception. By leveraging the administrative control of your private cloud and the flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness of the public cloud, you're unlocking all sorts of efficiencies for your company. But you're also creating new gaps in the wall for wily intruders to explore.

NSX-T is the solution. It lets you enforce networking and security policies across the different parts of your hybrid cloud and deploy and manage applications quickly and seamlessly.

It also has enterprise-grade security features built in. Micro-segmentation, distributed firewalls and more mean that your network can maintain its size and flexibility without introducing new security threats.

How can you make the most of NSX-T in a hybrid cloud environment?

NSX-T is a tool like any other. It needs to be used with care to achieve results.

First of all, you should apply consistent security policies across both your on-premises and cloud environments. Consistency is all. There's no point in using a platform like NSX-T if you don't let it work its magic over all available workloads. All these features are baked in and ready to deploy.

Microsegmentation is key. A useful analogy would be the safes in a bank. In the old days, you'd chuck all your workloads into one big vault marked "DO NOT ENTER". Today, each workload has its own safe, making it hard for intruders to move from east to west through your network.

Workloads can be isolated within applications. This drastically shrinks the attack surface, giving attackers far fewer opportunities to penetrate your defences.

The NSX-T distributed firewall implements security controls directly on the hypervisor. This gives you super-secure, granular protection for workloads, wherever they are on the network.

But security isn't the end of the story. NSX-T can also accelerate deployment time for virtual networks, security groups and load balances. By reducing manual intervention, the provisioning process is streamlined.

Using container networking? You can integrate NSX-T with your container orchestration platform to manage network connectivity consistently across your hybrid cloud environment.

NSX-T can also improve application performance and reliability through its load-balancing features. These distribute traffic across multiple instances in both your public and private cloud environments.

Finally, you can make the most of NSX-T by monitoring the health and security posture of your network across your entire hybrid environment. This enables you to proactively spot and contain threats across your whole infrastructure.

What are the benefits of using NSX-T in a hybrid cloud?

In our view, there are four key benefits to using NSX-T in a hybrid cloud.

First, it simplifies management. Like a general surveying a battlefield, NSX-T oversees your network, no matter how complex, all from a single pane of glass. But unlike the general of old, NSX-T has the eyes and reflexes of a hawk. It provides you with visibility that's both panoramic and granular.

Secondly, it can improve your security. Microsegmentation, distributed firewalls and more enforce security across your hybrid environment. This reduces the chances of a data breach, whether caused by an internal or external actor.

Thirdly, it helps you deploy and scale applications at speed. By automating network provisioning and management, the gap between idea and execution is all but eliminated.

Finally, it can help you optimise costs. Of course, NSX-T is going to cost you. But in the long run, it can save you money by dynamically allocating network resources. In other words, you pay for what you need, not what you might need on some theoretical rainy day.

What are the advantages of a hybrid cloud?

Private clouds provide businesses with full administrative control and security responsibility. Public cloud providers offer flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness at the click of a button.

A hybrid cloud environment can give you the best of both worlds. It's especially suitable for companies that handle workloads with dramatically different levels of sensitivity. Confidential data can be stored on-premises, while less critical workloads can be stored in the public cloud.

Of course, combining two or more clouds introduces security threats and complicates management. That's why a platform like VMware NSX-T can be so useful.

How can a cloud consultant help?

NSX-T simplifies hybrid cloud management. But that doesn't mean it can be run by anyone.

It could well be that your internal team has the niche know-how that NSX-T requires. But if not, you're faced with a choice.

You could sink money into training your team to become a dab hand at NSX-T. But there are two disadvantages to this. First, it will delay the deployment of NSX-T and all the benefits it brings. And secondly, it's going to cost you at a time when you've just splashed out on a high-end bit of software.

Your best bet is to work with a cloud consultant. By leveraging their expertise and expertise, you take the fast lane to deployment and business benefits.

So, if you're looking for a cloud consulting firm to help you make the most of NSX-T, get in touch with Ascend Cloud Solutions for an expert consultation. We'd love to help you unlock the potential of this powerful piece of software.

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