Array Networks Enhances Office 365 Support with Deep Packet Inspection for Intelligent Identification and Routing, ADFS and SAML

Array’s APV Series Application Delivery Controllers Offer Seamless Support for Hybrid Infrastructures, Ensure High Availability and Throughput, and Provide Fast, Easy and Secure Single Sign-On

Milpitas, Calif. – May 14, 2019 Array Networks Inc. today announced support for intelligent Microsoft Office 365 traffic identification and routing for the company’s APV Series Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) with the latest ArrayOS version 10.3.0.2 software release. In addition, Array ADCs offer Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) single sign-on to provide unified secure access across all Microsoft applications.

As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, Microsoft Office 365 presents a number of challenges for IT administrators. Direct connectivity to the cloud service is recommended, without passing traffic through data loss prevention and other network- or cloud-based security services. Each user can create ten or more connections to various Office 365 services, which can introduce latency and high traffic loads. In addition, secure user access to the service is of utmost importance, but can require multiple and repeated logins that impact the user experience.

Accurate identification of Office 365 traffic is key to ensuring correct routing and processing. The new APV Series software release utilizes deep packet inspection to go beyond evaluation of IP packets at Layers 4 and below to examine non-standard port numbers, application protocols and the contents of application data. This highly granular analysis allows administrators to configure dedicated link load balancing for each application protocol to prevent deterioration in quality of critical Office 365 services due to heavy traffic loads.

Further, Array’s APV Series can act as a SAML or OAuth Service Provider (SP), working with one or more Identity Providers (IdPs) to provide federated authentication and single sign-on (SSO) for users across multiple Office 365 applications and services. For example, the APV Series can interoperate with LDAP and RADIUS servers, OAuth IdPs as well as third-party two-factor and multifactor authentication providers.

“Office 365 has revolutionized the procurement and deployment of core business applications, however accurately identifying, routing and managing Office 365 traffic correctly can be a challenge for IT departments,” said Paul Andersen, vice president of sales and marketing for Array Networks. “Through deep packet inspection, the latest version of the APV Series intelligently detects and identifies the wide variety of protocols, ports and contents present in Office 365 traffic, thus providing highly granular and accurate traffic processing while providing secure single sign-on for an improved user experience.”

ArrayOS version 10.3.02 is available immediately for Array’s next-generation APV x800 Series application delivery controllers.

About Array Networks
Array Networks solves performance and complexity challenges for businesses moving toward virtualized networking, security and application delivery. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Array addresses the growing market demand for network functions virtualization (NFV), cloud computing, and software-centric networking. Proven at more than 5,000 worldwide customer deployments, Array is recognized by leading analysts, enterprises, service providers and partners for pioneering next-generation technology that delivers agility at scale. To learn more, visit: www.arraynetworks.com.

 

Press Contact:
Nichols Communications for Array Networks, Inc.
Jay Nichols, +1 408-772-1551
jay@nicholscomm.com