Announcements

Ranked #39 on OCBJ’s List of Fastest Growing Companies

October 4, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

Orange, CA, October 4th, 2017 – VPLS Solutions, LLC, Southern California’s premier technology solutions provider, announced that it is ranked #39 in the Orange County Business Journal’s List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in Orange County , California for 2017. The list is based on a two year revenue growth percentage from June 30th, 2015 to June 30th, 2017 during which VPLS Solutions enjoyed 49.2% revenue growth.

“It is a great honor to be named to OC Business Journal’s List of Fastest Growing Companies for the second year in a row,” said John Minnix, Co-Founder of VPLS Solutions. “Over the last 12 months, VPLS Solutions has invested in additional resources in our network infrastructure, wireless and security practices. We appreciate all of the trust our customers put in our team and we continue to work hard to make sure that trust is rewarded.”

Over the past five years, VPLS Solutions has grown rapidly through the sale of technology solutions and implementation services for enterprises, schools, governments and hospitals with a strategic focus on servicing clients in Southern California. Key practice areas include network infrastructure, network security, wireless, storage, servers and cloud technology. The launch of both a Nimble Storage Replication Service and a Veaam Virtual Machine Data Backup and Replication Service to nine geographically diverse data centers in Southern California, Arizona, Virginia and Asia have been differentiators in the marketplace. Finally, VPLS Solutions’ Wireless Optimization Service has proven to be a popular solution for customers looking to improve or expand wireless coverage. Please contact sales@vplssolutions.com to learn how VPLS Solutions can help make your corporate IT a competitive advantage.

FortiManager & FortiAnalyzer 5.6 release

September 6, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

The FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer 5.6 release is out. Key features include one single console for all enterprise firewall use cases, complete and powerful network visibility via aggregated, action-oriented views with drill down visibility capability for the entire network, and real-time threat intelligence and actionable analytics via global IoC feeds. Contact us for a deeper dive.

Wireless – Cloud vs. Controller

August 30, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

At one or multiple points during your IT career, a wireless upgrade is inevitable. When that time comes, one of the key questions is whether to use on-premise or cloud managed WiFi. The decision is dependent on your business type, wireless requirements, current network design and, a most commonly overlooked area, scalability for future growth.

So, what are on-premise and cloud managed wireless network infrastructures and how are they different?

On-premises WiFi

In the early stages of wireless, businesses created “hotspots” or “wifi zones” where users could access a wireless network. They were typically deployed in lobbies, conference rooms, break areas and areas where wired ports were scarce.

These WiFi Hotspots were typically a commercial grade wireless routers, or a wireless access points (APs) that were managed independently of one another. They had their time and worked well if the wireless requirements of the organization were minimal.

With the mass adoption of smart devices, wireless demand grew and businesses needed to have wireless signal throughout their campuses. For a network administrator, it was not practical to manage so many APs individually. Multiple SSID’s were required along with their separate authentication types. Users were not stationary and roaming between APs was a nightmare as there was no communication between APs. Due to these issues and more, the development of wireless LAN controllers began.

The hardware-based controller centralizes WLAN intelligence. It oversees network APs and provides insight into the WLAN. Network administrators can modify wireless channels, signal strength and AP assignments. Users can seamlessly roam between access points. In addition, control-plane and data-plane traffic is routed back to the wireless controller before being placed on the local data LAN. Recently on-premise solutions have begun to offer both physical and virtual controller options with the virtual controllers being hosted inside the virtual server infrastructure.

Cloud Managed WiFi

Cloud managed WiFi is comprised of APs connected to a virtual controller hosted by your company, through the wireless manufacturer or by a third party hosting company like VPLS Solutions. AP management takes place between the virtual controller and the local APs over an internet connection. Authentication is handled at the access points and some vendors’ APs have Radius Proxy to query a Radius server local/remote for user authentication.

Comparison

The following table outlines some of the major differences between the on-premise and cloud managed WiFi:

	On-premises	Cloud-Managed
Equipment	Requires APs on-site, along with controller hardware and possibly secondary controller for failover. A manager appliance to oversee the controllers is recommended in some larger deployments.	Requires APs on-site but the architecture is controller-less. Management is done in the cloud offering no single point of failure in a well architected solution.
Centralized Management	Deploying a controller at each site isn’t practical in distributed networks, such as branch offices. Centralized monitoring is also difficult.	Because they are controller-less, cloud- managed WiFi solutions are well-suited to geographically-dispersed businesses. They also perform management functions in the cloud. Businesses have a single point of management regardless of where IT staff is physically located.
Upgrades	If in a high-availability setup, downtime can be minimized. Once the controller is rebooted, the APs can stop servicing clients. The APs firmware is upgraded centrally from the controller upon a successful upgrade to the controller.	AP firmware and OS upgrades can be handled on a site per site, or per AP basis as required. Little downtime, as AP upgrades can be scheduled. Virtual controllers can be upgraded in most cases, without affecting the wireless networks business wide.
Scalability	Network expansion requires planning, additional equipment and license purchases.	Can keep pace with business growth. Businesses also avoid the inefficiencies associated with unused capacity.
Installation and Management	Rack space and power are requirements to keep in mind. APs must be local to controller or have access to the controller by means of site to site communication.	Simplified Installation. In some cases, APs are preconfigured before being shipped to a remote site.
Cost	Require upfront capital expenses. Sometimes even redundant licenses are required for a secondary controller in failover scenarios. Usually, once the controller is purchased, however, the ongoing support cost is relatively modest.	Many vendors have Monthly or Annual subscriptions unless hosted in your environment. The cost of the annual subscriptions can add up over time, so a longer term ROI should be evaluated. Also, some vendors’ wireless APs do not function when the support subscription lapses. Understanding the reoccurring costs and the ramifications around the licenses is an important evaluation criteria of cloud managed WiFi.

Deciding which solution is right for you depends on your business requirements, budget and the technology investments you have already made. Before you deploy a wireless network, you will need to evaluate the factors listed above.

VPLS Solutions offers a full range of wireless consulting services including active and passive site surveys, deployment, configuration and troubleshooting. To arrange a consultation, site survey or a demo, please email us at sales@vplssolutions.com, or call 213-406-9080 today.

Platinum Status with Fortinet

July 26, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

Orange, CA – July 26, 2017 – VPLS Solutions, a premier technology integrator and cloud service provider, today announced it was awarded Platinum Partner status with Fortinet. Platinum Partner status is reserved for Fortinet resellers with the greatest degree of expertise across the Fortinet product portfolio with a measurably high level of product competency and the highest volume of yearly Fortinet sales achievement.

VPLS Solutions has been a committed Fortinet partner since 2012. VPLS Solutions’ team of engineers has deployed Fortinet products for dozens of clients across Southern California. Finally, VPLS, Inc. relies on Fortinet products in its cloud division with over 100 Fortinet units deployed.

Fortinet is a global leader and innovator in Network Security and a recognized Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant. Fortinet’s mission is to deliver the most innovative, highest performing network security platform to secure and simplify your IT infrastructure. Fortinet is a provider of network security appliances and security subscription services for carriers, data centers, enterprises, distributed offices and MSSPs. Fortinet has a large, rapidly growing and highly satisfied customer base, including the majority of the Fortune Global 100, and they continue to set the pace in the Network Security market.

“VPLS Solutions is honored to achieve Platinum Certification with Fortinet,” said John Minnix, Co-Founder of VPLS Solutions. “Fortinet has consistently been one of our best partners. Their broad product portfolio, industry leading performance and competitive pricing have made Fortinet solutions an easy choice for our clients.”

About VPLS Solutions, LLC

VPLS Solutions, LLC is a premier technology solutions provider and systems integrator, and the solutions provider arm of the VPLS Group of Companies. VPLS Solutions is not your typical technology reseller. We own and manage our own large, private, carrier-grade network and operate nine geographically diverse data centers. Our 18+ years of carrier heritage make us the perfect partner for your public, private or hybrid cloud needs, and your most complex network and data center challenges. VPLS Solutions is an Elite Brocade partner, a Fortinet Platinum Partner and Managed Service Provider, a Veeam Gold Partner and Cloud Connect Provider, and a Nimble Storage Gold Partner. We also have partnerships with Aerohive, Aruba, Cisco, Dell, Exagrid, HP, Huawei, Infoblox, Ruckus, Supermicro, VMware, Zerto and more.

John Minnix
VPLS Solutions, LLC
(213) 406-9080
jminnix@vplssolutions.com

The Aruba 8400

June 20, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

The Aruba 8400 core switch has arrived! With the shift to a digital era, it is time to change the core to allow more visibility and automation. The real game changer is the new operating system, the ArubaOS-CX, designed to simplify and automate critical and complex network tasks.

Top reasons why it is a “game changer”:

Supports policy-based integration with network monitoring, performance and security management tools
Allows network operators to see more, know more, and act faster
With its built-in Network Analytics Engine, it saves you time by giving you better visibility

Want to bring your network infrastructure to the next level, Contact Us!

Opengear Console Server

June 1, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

Looking for a replacement for the Cisco ISR 2900 Out-of-Band Solution? If you are, then you need to look at the Opengear CM7196A- a 96 port console server. A server with integrated SFP, 1U form factor, and integrated Cisco pin-outs. In addition to this, it also features Smart OOB (Out-Of-Band) console management. You can seamlessly integrate this unit into a new or existing data center. Opengear products are engineered to work along a wide array of products including Cisco.

Although Cisco recommends the ISR4xxx series as the replacement for the ISR2900, a single unit from Opengear may be a more effective solution, offering 32, 48, and 96 ports.

To learn how VPLS Solutions can help your company, please contact us!

How to Protect Yourself from WannaCry

May 15, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

A ransomware called WannaCry (or Wcry, WanaCrypt0r, WannaCrypt, Wana Decrypt0r) has been leaked online and is spreading rapidly across the globe. WannaCry exploits a vulnerability in Microsoft Server Message Block 1.0 (SMBv1) protocol. Products at risk include Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server Core installation option. Microsoft released Critical Security Patch MS17-010 to resolve vulnerabilities in SMBv1 protocol effecting all Microsoft Windows versions from Vista to Windows Server 2016 and Server Core versions.

We are advising all of our clients to apply the patch immediately. Additionally, our partners at Fortinet, AlienVault, Webroot and others have been leading the way in protecting clients from ransomware attacks including WannaCry. Please contact VPLS Solutions today with assistance in improving your security posture.

VPLS Solutions Recognized on CRN’s 2017 Tech Elite 250 list

March 28, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

VPLS Solutions Named One of 2017 Tech Elite Solution Providers by CRN_®

Tech Elite 250 list recognizes IT solution providers with deep technical expertise and premier certifications

Orange, CA, March 28, 2017 – VPLS Solutions announced today that CRN_®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VPLS Solutions to its 2017 Tech Elite 250 list. This annual list honors an exclusive group of North American IT solution providers that have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications from leading technology vendors, scaled to their company size.

To compile the annual list, The Channel Company’s research group and CRN editors work together to identify the most customer-beneficial technical certifications in the North American IT channel. Solution providers that have obtained these elite designations—which enable them to deliver premium products, services and customer support—are then selected from a pool of online applicants.

“Being elected to CRN’s Elite 250 list is an honor. The credit goes to our world class engineering team whose time and dedication spent mastering the newest technologies helps VPLS Solutions and our customers stay ahead of the curve.” said John Minnix, Co-Founder of VPLS Solutions.

“This exclusive, ambitious group of solution providers boasts some of the most advanced IT certifications available from top technology suppliers,” said Robert Faletra, CEO, The Channel Company. “They have adapted impressively to major changes in the IT channel, especially the shift to a more services-driven market, by expanding their skill sets and sharpening both their technical and customer service expertise. Congratulations to our 2017 list, whose robust investment in their organizations has earned them yet another elite designation—the CRN Tech Elite 250.”

Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 will be featured in the April issue of CRN, and online at www.crn.com/techelite250.

About VPLS Solutions

VPLS Solutions, LLC is a premier technology solutions provider and systems integrator, and the solutions provider arm of the VPLS Group of Companies. VPLS Solutions is not your typical technology reseller. We own and manage our own large, private, carrier-grade network and operate five geographically diverse data centers. Our 18+ years of carrier heritage make us the perfect partner for your public, private or hybrid cloud needs, and your most complex network and data center challenges. VPLS Solutions is an Elite Brocade partner, a Fortinet Gold Partner and Managed Service Provider, a Veeam Gold Partner and Gold Cloud Connect Provider, and a Nimble Storage Gold Partner. We also have partnerships with Aerohive, Aruba, Cisco, Datrium, Dell, Exagrid, HP, Huawei, Infoblox, Palo Alto Networks, Ruckus, Supermicro, VMware, Zerto and more.

John Minnix
VPLS Solutions, LLC
(213) 406-9080
jminnix@vplssolutions.com

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

The Channel Company Contact:

Melanie Turpin
The Channel Company
(508) 416-1195
mturpin@thechannelco.com

VPLS Solutions Achieves Gold Certification Status from Nimble Storage

March 7, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

Orange, CA – March 7, 2017 – VPLS Solutions, a premier technology integrator and cloud service provider, today announced it was awarded Gold Certification Status from Nimble Storage. Gold Certification is reserved for Nimble resellers with the greatest degree of expertise across the Nimble product portfolio with a measurably high level of product competency.

VPLS Solutions has been a committed Nimble Storage partner since 2012. VPLS Solutions’ team of engineers has deployed Nimble Storage products for dozens of clients across Southern California. VPLS Solutions has also demonstrated mastery in the integration of Nimble Storage solutions with Nimble Alliance partner products including Brocade, Cisco, Citrix, Veeam and VMware. Finally, VPLS Solutions has built a unique Nimble Storage as a Service offering allowing our clients to replicate their Nimble data to VPLS’s Nimble arrays in geographically diverse data centers located in El Segundo, CA, Phoenix, AZ and Ashburn, VA.

Nimble Storage is the leader in predictive cloud infrastructure, enabling customers to experience absolute performance, non-stop availability and cloud-like agility that accelerate critical business processes. The Nimble Storage Predictive Cloud Platform offers All Flash arrays and Adaptive Flash (Hybrid) arrays – all of which are supported by InfoSight Predictive Analytics.

The Nimble Predictive Cloud Platform provides fast, reliable access to data. By combining predictive analytics with all flash storage, Nimble frees businesses from infrastructure constraints. Over 10,000 customers use Nimble for their on-premise private clouds, SaaS and managed services. The Nimble Predictive Flash platform combines the All Flash and Adaptive Flash arrays into a single consolidation architecture with common data services. Since Nimble All Flash and Adaptive Flash arrays run the same NimbleOS, and management and functionality are identical, arrays can be seamlessly clustered and managed as a single entity. InfoSight Predictive Analytics predicts and prevents performance issues across the infrastructure stack before they occur.

“VPLS Solutions is honored to achieve Gold Certification with Nimble Storage,” said John Minnix, Co-Founder of VPLS Solutions. “Nimble continues to offer our clients the All-Flash storage technology on the market allowing our clients to greatly improve performance while recognizing substantial savings in operational costs.”

“At Nimble Storage, we are committed to providing our partners with a combination of best-in-class storage solutions and comprehensive enablement resources, which we believe will prove invaluable in bringing the Nimble Predictive Cloud Platform to enterprises worldwide,” said Leonard Iventosch, vice president of worldwide channels at Nimble Storage. “We know that the success of our organization is dependent on our partners’ ability to successfully and independently sell our products and solutions. Because of this, we’ve fostered a global network of partners to provide enterprises access to our innovative storage solutions.”

About VPLS Solutions, LLC

VPLS Solutions, LLC is a premier technology solutions provider and systems integrator, and the solutions provider arm of the VPLS Group of Companies. VPLS Solutions is not your typical technology reseller. We own and manage our own large, private, carrier-grade network and operate nine geographically diverse data centers. Our 18+ years of carrier heritage make us the perfect partner for your public, private or hybrid cloud needs, and your most complex network and data center challenges. VPLS Solutions is an Elite Brocade partner, a Fortinet Gold Partner and Managed Service Provider, a Veeam Gold Partner and Cloud Connect Provider, and a Nimble Storage Gold Partner. We also have partnerships with Aerohive, Aruba, Cisco, Dell, Exagrid, HP, Huawei, Infoblox, Palo Alto Networks, Ruckus, Supermicro, VMware, Zerto and more.

John Minnix

VPLS Solutions, LLC

(213) 406-9080

jminnix@vplssolutions.com

El Segundo USD Board of Education to Tour VPLS Data Center

February 10, 2017/in Announcements /by Nayra Toledo

Members of the El Segundo Unified School District Board of Education will participate in a tour of VPLS Data Center located at 2260 E. El Segundo Blvd. El Segundo with Dr. Melissa Moore, Superintendent, Danny Gauna, Director of Information Technology, and representatives from VPLS. VPLS Representatives will share information for Board consideration proposing an off site option for hosting ESUSD Data. A special presentation reviewing components of the proposal is scheduled at the February 28th Board meeting.