Increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance performance, security and manage networks will be a key trend over the next 12 months.
Zyxel Networks is predicting that AI and machine learning will play a much more significant role in managing the efficiency, performance and protection of networks in 2025. Other key trends will see the accelerated adoption of WiFi 7, further uptake of multi-gig switching, and the continued integration of security into the network.
In the blog post, Kevin emphasises the influence that AI will have in driving advances and improving user experiences, stating: “AI is what everyone will be talking about (again) in 2025. But the underlying trends will be all about meeting higher bandwidth demand, future-proofing and protecting investment, and finding ways to manage networks more efficiently and effectively.”
Zyxel Networks has been using AI for some time to improve the self-diagnosis and healing capabilities of its products. It also gathers information from installed devices and analyses the data using AI tools, feeding this information directly into R&D and helping focus efforts on areas that will have the most positive impact. AI will also help improved network security and make it easier and faster to diagnose and troubleshoot issues.
Kevin sets out his expectations for strong growth in WiFi 7 uptake, predicting that it will become the dominant standard, leaving WiFi 6 as the budget-friendly option. “Customers will choose WiFi 7 for its superior bandwidth, low latency and the additional future-proofing and investment protection it provides.”
An acceleration in multi-gig switches is also on the cards, he says, largely driven by WiFi 7 adoption. Zyxel Networks is planning to launch its first switch that provides 25G on network ports and up to 100G on the uplink in 2025.
All of these developments will also fuel further growth of managed services and activation of Zyxel Networks’ Nebula cloud management platform. This allows administrators and managed services providers to remotely configure, monitor and manage Zyxel Networks devices. Nebula was the fastest-growing area of the company’s business last year and is expected to grow further in 2025.
The move to managed services – for both the network and security – makes sense both for the end user organisations using networks and for MSP partners, says Kevin. “It means that there is no need to have someone in-house who is responsible for network management and cybersecurity – it can be left to a dedicated expert to keep watch over the network from a distance.”
In the podcast, Kevin discusses all these trends with Michel Nicolai, EMEA Senior Regional Sales Engineer; Hugh Simpson, EMEA Marketing Development Manager – Wireless; and Luke Harley, EMEA Market Development Manager – Switch.
To read the full version of the blog visit https://www.zyxel.com/global/en/blogs/ai-and-wifi-7-become-the-agents-for-change-the-key-trends-in-networking-for-2025.
The podcast can be found at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2152480/episodes/16412621-looking-ahead-at-the-trends-in-2025.