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UC and UCaaS Optimization

The Cato Solution:
Global Optimization and Security for UC and UCaaS Traffic

Cato Cloud, built on a global private backbone of 50+ PoPs, is the perfect complement to any UC or UCaaS deployment. With Cato, UCaaS traffic is optimally routed to the UCaaS provider instance anywhere across the globe. Cato’s last- and middle-mile optimizations minimize latency and packet loss, and protect against call failures caused by network brownout and blackouts. UC and UCaaS components connected to Cato Cloud are protected against network attacks without additional dedicated appliances or security services.

“As part of our partner certification process, we tested Cato’s ability to deliver high-quality voice even under extremely poor network conditions. We found that Cato was able to accommodate more than 15 percent packet loss and still maintain a high-level of voice quality, which is a significant achievement in providing superior customer experience.”
avatar
Curtis Peterson,
Senior Vice president, cloud operations, RingCentral

Challenge

Broadband Internet connections, such as DSL and cable, provide the affordable bandwidth and rapid deployment needed by WAN transformation initiatives. But alone they fail to address all the factors that can degrade the Quality of Experience (QoE) of UC and UCaaS. Broadband Internet services are oversubscribed, resulting in congestions that drive high rates of packet loss. Blackouts also present a problem due to cable cuts and equipment failures. For global organizations, packet loss and latency turn into an even bigger challenge, especially at congested peering points. Altogether, the unpredictable Internet makes it difficult or nearly impossible to deliver consistent, enterprise-grade quality voice and video.

Cato Solution

Cato Cloud provides the reach, performance, and protection enterprises require for UC and UCaaS. It minimizes latency by eliminating backhauling and avoiding the unpredictable public Internet. UCaaS traffic is sent directly across Cato Cloud to the PoP closest to the UCaaS destination. Cato overcomes congestion and last-mile packet loss with sophisticated upstream and downstream QoS and packet loss mitigation techniques. This ensures UCaaS traffic receives the necessary bandwidth to and from all branch offices.

Traditional Solutions vs. Cato Solution

Legacy

Cato

Last-Mile Prioritization, Packet Loss and Availability

Upstream Traffic Prioritization

Appliance-based SD-WANs only prioritize upstream traffic. They typically include Active/Active Protection for aggregating capacity and blackouts protection. Policy-based Routing (PbR) selects the optimum path for UC sessions. Packet mitigation techniques may be available.

Upstream and Downstream Traffic Prioritization

Cato Cloud QoS prioritizes upstream and downstream last-mile access. Active/Active Protection and PbR aggregate capacity, protect against not only blackouts but also brownouts and select the optimum path. Packet Duplication and Fast Packet Recovery mitigate last-mile packet loss.

Middle-Mile Optimization

Unpredictable Internet Routing

SD-WAN appliances rely on the unpredictable Internet. They cannot compensate for the latency from poor Internet routing or the packet loss caused by congested peering points.

Optimized Global Routing

Cato avoids Internet problems by using the Cato Cloud network, a private, global, network of PoPs built on top of multiple SLA-backed tier-1 carriers. Optimized routing algorithms direct UC traffic across the paths with the least latency and packet loss.

UCaaS Egress Optimization

Custom deployment

SD-WAN appliances do not provide UCaaS access out-of-the-box. Organizations must first identify the location of their UCaaS provider and somehow deploy an appliance near the provider’s premises.

Built-in Optimization

Cato natively supports UCaaS and cloud datacenters (IaaS) without additional configuration, complexity, or point solutions. Cato intelligently drops UCaaS traffic at the Cato PoP closest to the UCaaS instance across the globe to minimize latency and packet loss.

Security

Requires Additional Security Appliances

SD-WAN appliances require additional security appliance and services to protect against network attacks and Internet threats.

Integrated Security Stack

Cato’s converged security stack protects UC components against network attacks and Internet-borne threats without the need for dedicated appliances or additional security services.

Recognized by
Gartner

Cato Networks recognized 11x by Gartner in:

  • Gartner Market Guide for Managed SD-WAN Services
  • Gartner Market Guide for Virtual Private Networks
  • Gartner Market Guide for Zero Trust Network Access
  • Gartner Midmarket Context: 'Magic Quarant for WAN Edge'
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Enterprise Networking, 2021
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Cloud Security, 2020
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Midsize Enterprises, 2021
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Threat-Facing Technologies, 2019
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Edge Computing, 2019
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Network Security, 2021
  • Gartner Hype Cycle for Digital Workplace, 2020

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