Most business leaders know how important it is to leverage the right tools and technologies for effective, reliable networking. Unfortunately, the enterprise networking landscape has grown increasingly complex in recent years.
A rising number of crucial applications leveraged in modern workplaces, and the evolution of the remote, distributed workforce have presented new challenges for organizations. Choosing the right branch office routers can help business leaders to navigate some of the core connectivity issues their teams face today. These tools are specially designed to offer comprehensive routing, hosting, switching, and security capabilities to companies from all industries.
In some cases, branch office routers can also empower companies to unlock new strategies for network management, such as SD-WAN routing, and edge computing.
The challenge is in determining which branch office router is best suited to your organization.
The most effective branch office router for any business is the one capable of delivering innovation, efficiency, and consistency in the networking environment. Today’s technologies can help businesses to leverage the benefits of intent-based networking while securing branch ecosystems against data threats and fraud attempts. Some solutions are even introducing access to more advanced connectivity capabilities, thanks to the rise of 5G and application acceleration services.
As today’s branch routers continue to evolve in throughput and performance, the number of available features companies can access is consistently growing. Some solutions even come with their own dedicated spam filters, smart encryption systems, and traffic shaping controls.
If you’re struggling to determine what kind of branch network router you might need, start by considering the following factors:
Now that you have a clear plan in mind for how you’re going to choose the ideal branch office router for your business, it’s time to start sorting through some of your available options. There are a handful of fantastic router solutions available today from network hardware vendors.
Some of the best options include:
Cisco is one of the most popular vendors in the network hardware landscape, offering an incredible combination of branch office security, routing, and connectivity tools. The Cisco 4000 Integrated Services routers provide companies with access to routing, hosting, switching, security, and application visibility, all in a trustworthy and fast platform.
With the 4000 Integrated Services routers, companies can rapidly adopt advanced technologies, such as edge computing and SD-WAN, while still meeting with the heavy demands on network performance driven by digital transformation and cloud applications.
One of the core benefits of the Cisco 4000 Integrated Service routers is that they come with simplified management tools, so you can monitor your network and enforce business policies through the Cisco DNA center. You’ll also gain access to comprehensive security and threat protection integrated into the router technology.
Cisco 4000 Integrated services models also come with dual integrated power supplies for backups, failover, and reliability. Plus, they’re ideal for reducing telephony costs with high-performance analog/digital gateways and integrated IP PBX solutions.
Users of the Cisco 4000 router technology love features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
The Meraki sub-brand for Cisco also offers a wide range of valuable routing tools. The MX series of branch office routers are fantastic for companies branching out into a remote and hybrid work structure. You can connect users at any location to private and public cloud environments and data centers, using an all-in-one ecosystem. There’s also access to comprehensive security for both on-premises and cloud network needs.
The Meraki MX series supports SD-WAN connectivity with integrated cellular and wired WAN, switching, and Wi-Fi. It’s also possible for companies to optimize traffic over all available paths between sites and multi-cloud public or private environments.
Meraki MX Series routers come with access to comprehensive security add-ons from leading technology teams. Plus, you get comprehensive machine-learning enhanced analytics to help you keep track of web application and WAN health. There’s even built-in root cause analysis.
The Meraki MX series also comes with support for summary reports for every user, device, and application. There are load balancing tools built-in to improve speed and quality of service (QOS). Plus, MPLS to VPN failover is included, to minimize downtime.
Users of the MX Family of branch office routers appreciate features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
Another well-known brand in the enterprise networking space, Juniper offers a host of phenomenal router solutions for business leaders. The MX Series is powered by Junos OS, and includes a custom Trio 5 silicon chipset, for powerful switching, security, routing, and services.
The MX Series routers support a huge selection of L2/L2.5/L3 VPN services, to ensure SLAs are consistently met under all networking conditions. There’s support for internet peering and gateways, to ensure high-performance reliability, scale, and consistent connectivity. Additionally, with the MX series, companies can leverage a universal SDN gateway, with comprehensive network configuration protocols and access to the cloud edge.
For agile companies, the Modular MX Series platforms are particularly valuable. Options like the MX960, MX480, and MX240 provide direct access to a range of cable, mobile, and data center networks, with integrated technologies that can evolve at the same pace as your company.
Juniper also offers access to a range of add-on solutions available alongside their routers, such as managed DDoS protection, in collaboration with Corero. The automated DDoS mitigation solutions provides advanced protection from common attacks, and offers a multi-tenant portal for visibility.
Users of the Juniper MX Series love access to features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
Ideal for smaller companies and brands with limited budgets, the HPE MRSR95x router series delivers exceptional performance and branch routing without a huge price-tag. The solution comes with integrated routing, switching, wireless connectivity, and security components, as well as voice features, with no need for any additional licensing. This ensures companies can boost their service delivery rapidly, while simplifying network technology management.
The series is designed to be agile and easy to deploy, with WAN and zero-touch provisioning options, as well as LTE connectivity. This makes it a great choice for companies looking to scale and add new branches to their environment quickly. Comware v7 and fiber connections also ensure the MSR95X can bring the performance and advanced services you’d get from modular routers, like high encryption and IPS into a fixed system.
The HPE FlexNetwork MSR95x Router Series minimizes complexity for business leaders and simplifies the network, while simultaneously boosting agility and resiliency. The technology offers fiber connectivity for higher performance, while still ensuring companies can manage everything from a single, unified interface.
HPE routers also offer multiple network continuity options including dual gigabit WAN, 3G/4G LTE WAN, and built-in WLAN. Plus, users can easily deploy advanced features and add-ons with no need for additional licensing.
Users of the HPE FlexNetwork routers appreciate access to features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
Best-known for its innovations in the communication world, Avaya has its own range of router solutions to offer modern companies. The Avaya Secure Router 2330 is a powerful modular system which combines voice gateways with routing, security, and multi-media traffic forwarding. The fast and reliable solution ensures scalable WAN access with exceptional speed.
Targeted specifically at enterprise branch and remote site environments, the Avaya Secure Router 2330 is ideal for high-speed internet access, IP telephony, private line WAN connectivity and multi-media. It comes with access to stateful firewall and data applications, as well as a range of comprehensive and simple-to-use software tools for bandwidth management.
The routing services include a full protocol set for IPv6, IPv4 and BGP-4 and multicast capabilities. There’s also the option to deploy the technology into multiple environments which require extended IP addresses. Low-latency and high-packed throughput is also included for phenomenal VoIP and multimedia transport, ideal for the UC world.
The Avaya Secure router also supports best-in-class MLPPP and MFR technologies, for bonding of T1/E1, T3, as well as additional WAN interfaces. This allows companies to build a comprehensive virtual interface ready to transmit data at the fastest bandwidth available.
Users of the Avaya branch office systems love features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
One of the most popular branch office routers for modern companies, the FortiGate 200E series aligns AI-powered security with machine learning capabilities, for exceptional router control and threat protection. The solution is powered by a rich set of AI capabilities, for secure networking that’s broad and automated. Companies can also leverage SD-WAN connections to reduce complexity.
The Universal ZTNA included within the system automatically verifies, controls, and facilities access to user application, and reduces threats by supporting only validated users. Built-in threat protection and SSL inspection also delivers phenomenal security on the edge.
The Fortigate 200E series comes with access to the FortiOS software, which allows business leaders to actively monitor and control their networking solutions from anywhere. The software provides consistent, context-aware security across all networks, including multi-cloud environments.
Additionally, FortiGate offers various value-added services to support businesses, including web security support, migration services, and device security for distributed team members. There’s even support for SOC-as-a-service, with tier-one hunting and automation.
Users of the Fortigate 200E love features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
The Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro router is a comprehensive all-in-one solution for security and routing. It comes with a built-in UniFi network application, for monitoring and configuration, as well as various WAN and LAN ports for connectivity. The impressive tool is ideal for companies looking to remotely manage and access their network from anywhere, with a remote portal.
The system allows companies to tailor role, user, and group-level network use, with a variety of management features. Plus, it can be enhanced with smartpower accessories, such as a managed switch system and smart cable. Ubiquiti combines firewall security and network routing into one convenient product with its Dream Machine ecosystem.
Users can install new UniFi apps in seconds and maintain them on a single control panel. There’s access to SSO support, and user access management. Plus, the functionality of the router can be easily extended with flexible access points.
The Dream Machine Pro comes with a firewall and VPN system already installed, as well as integrated next-gen gateway control. There’s a touchscreen display option for the operating system, and available add-on storage with an HDD bay.
Users of the Ubiquiti Dream Machine love features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
VyOS takes a slightly different approach to branch network routing than most of the options on this list. The virtual router operating system runs on a wide variety of different hardware solutions, from large servers to small office routers, and virtual machines.
With VyOS, companies gain access to full-level routing, via RIP and RIPing, BGP, and OSPF. There’s also access to VPN support with IPSEC, VXLAN, VIT, L2TPv3 and other models. The technology comes with access to Firewall and NAT capabilities, as well as network services such as DCHP and DCHPv6, DNS forwarding, PPPoE access and more.
Additionally, VyOS promises high availability for IPv6 and IPv4, as well as the ability to execute custom health checks and transcription scripts, stateful load balancing strategies, and ECMP. As a fully open-source codebase, it’s also open to any company for auditing, customizing, and developing.
When paired with virtually any hardware solution, VyOS offers excellent accessibility to business leaders, and state-of-the-art upgrades. However, it does require access to a lot of initial setup support and some developer knowledge.
Users of VyOS love features like:
Some of the main issues users have with these routers include:
Choosing and installing the ideal branch office router for your business can be a complex process. Even if you manage to select the ideal router from the leading vendors on the market today, you may still need help configuring and implementing the technology effectively.
All I.T. is a leading IT Field Services provider, offering everything from server integration and network upgrades to hardware procurement for multi-site companies. Our brand portfolio of top-rated offerings is sure to include the router technology you need.
Connect with us today to find out how we can help you select and implement the ideal branch office routing solution for your company.
