The 2020 Tech Innovator Awards

Networking

Winner: SonicWall TZ570, TZ670 Series 

Along with breaking new ground in the industry as the first firewalls in a desktop form factor with multi-Gigabit interfaces, SonicWall’s TZ570 and TZ670 Series next-generation firewalls bring an array of useful features and specs for enabling secure networks. Key capabilities include support for TLS 1.3 decryption and 5G; integrated support for SD-WAN; up to 10 ports and 256 GB of storage; optional PoE and Wi-Fi; and the ability to connect up to 1.5 million devices, representing a 900 percent increase. SonicWall’s TZ570 and TZ670 Series firewalls also feature simplified central management via a redesigned user interface on the included SonicOS 7.0 software.

Finalists:

CommScope Ruckus Analytics

CommScope recently unveiled Ruckus Analytics, a cloud subscription-based service built on a foundation of AI that offers network intelligence while simplifying service assurance for MSPs managing their customers’ environments. The service uses AI derived from Ruckus networking elements, including access points and switches, to classify issues based on severity.

Extreme Networks ExtremeCloud IQ

With its ExtremeCloud IQ application, Extreme Networks enables enhanced management of networks while delivering crucial intelligence and assurance. Key capabilities include full visibility into every user and device in a network, as well as unified policy management across devices and sites.

VMware NSX-T 3.0

VMware’s NSX-T 3.0 includes powerful offerings such as NSX Federation, which enables delivery of an operating model that is similar to cloud—for instance, by synchronizing policies and fault isolation zones across every location. That allows for containing network problems to just a single zone.

Zyxel Networks XS1930 Series

Zyxel Networks’ XS1930 Series switches provide multi-Gigabit performance, with port speeds from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps over Ethernet. The series’ XS1930-12HP model can be used to support the demanding power requirements of Wi-Fi 6 access points, with the ability to deliver as much as 60W for each port.