1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,990 In this lesson, 2 00:00:00,990 --> 00:00:03,180 we're going to cover network appliances. 3 00:00:03,180 --> 00:00:05,730 Now, a network appliance is a dedicated hardware device 4 00:00:05,730 --> 00:00:07,770 with pre-installed software that's designed 5 00:00:07,770 --> 00:00:10,830 to provide specific networking services like security, 6 00:00:10,830 --> 00:00:12,900 data storage, or server functions 7 00:00:12,900 --> 00:00:14,970 inside of a network infrastructure. 8 00:00:14,970 --> 00:00:16,020 There are many different types 9 00:00:16,020 --> 00:00:17,610 of network appliances out there, 10 00:00:17,610 --> 00:00:19,320 but in this lesson we're going to focus 11 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:21,990 on four different kinds, load balancers, 12 00:00:21,990 --> 00:00:25,110 proxy servers, sensors, and jump servers. 13 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:27,090 Now, first we have load balancers. 14 00:00:27,090 --> 00:00:28,860 Load balancers are crucial components 15 00:00:28,860 --> 00:00:31,170 in any high availability network or system 16 00:00:31,170 --> 00:00:33,000 because they're designed to distribute the network 17 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,000 or application traffic across multiple servers. 18 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,910 This distribution enhances the efficiency of server use 19 00:00:38,910 --> 00:00:40,680 and it helps to prevent any single device 20 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,170 from being overwhelmed by your user's demands. 21 00:00:43,170 --> 00:00:45,000 This ensures that we can maintain redundancy 22 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,550 and reliability by mitigating risks associated 23 00:00:47,550 --> 00:00:49,050 with relying on a single server 24 00:00:49,050 --> 00:00:51,060 to handle all of your users' traffic. 25 00:00:51,060 --> 00:00:54,240 Instead, by dispersing the traffic, a load balancer can help 26 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,340 to optimize our services response time 27 00:00:56,340 --> 00:00:58,200 and to maximize its throughput to ensure 28 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:00,630 that no single server becomes a bottleneck, 29 00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:03,570 and this affects the overall performance of your systems. 30 00:01:03,570 --> 00:01:05,129 Now, this particularly is critical 31 00:01:05,129 --> 00:01:07,320 in high demand environments where reliability 32 00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:08,910 and smooth operations of your network 33 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:11,040 or systems must be maintained. 34 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:12,510 Our network load balancers 35 00:01:12,510 --> 00:01:14,160 are going to perform continuous health checks 36 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,350 on our servers to ensure they remain responsive 37 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:18,000 and can take on any additional requests 38 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:19,380 that are being made of them. 39 00:01:19,380 --> 00:01:21,690 If a server fails, that load balancer 40 00:01:21,690 --> 00:01:23,550 will then simply redirect its traffic 41 00:01:23,550 --> 00:01:25,080 to the remaining operational servers 42 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:26,520 within that environment. 43 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:28,020 This allows our load balancers 44 00:01:28,020 --> 00:01:30,480 to help minimize any server downtime being experienced 45 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,510 by our end users, whether that downtime was expected, 46 00:01:33,510 --> 00:01:34,950 such as during a maintenance window, 47 00:01:34,950 --> 00:01:38,040 or unexpected, such as during a system failure. 48 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,470 This kind of dynamic and transparent redirection 49 00:01:40,470 --> 00:01:42,720 will ensure that our services remain uninterrupted 50 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:44,490 and that our users are experiencing minimal 51 00:01:44,490 --> 00:01:46,290 to no impact at all times 52 00:01:46,290 --> 00:01:49,650 by continuously maintaining our services as operational. 53 00:01:49,650 --> 00:01:52,140 Now, there's also a more advanced version of a load balancer 54 00:01:52,140 --> 00:01:55,170 that you may hear, and this is referred to as an ADC 55 00:01:55,170 --> 00:01:57,570 or application delivery controller. 56 00:01:57,570 --> 00:01:59,310 Now, an application delivery controller 57 00:01:59,310 --> 00:02:01,110 will provide us with a range of functionality 58 00:02:01,110 --> 00:02:02,910 beyond simple load distribution 59 00:02:02,910 --> 00:02:05,790 because it includes functions like SSL termination, 60 00:02:05,790 --> 00:02:08,580 HTTP compression and content caching. 61 00:02:08,580 --> 00:02:11,130 These functions can be used to enhance the efficiency 62 00:02:11,130 --> 00:02:14,100 and performance of our high availability networks as well. 63 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:15,660 In our modern cloud environments, 64 00:02:15,660 --> 00:02:17,970 load balancers can also leverage the flexibility 65 00:02:17,970 --> 00:02:20,460 and scalability that cloud services offer us 66 00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:22,620 by allowing the network to handle traffic surges 67 00:02:22,620 --> 00:02:25,500 more efficiently by distributing loads across instances, 68 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:28,290 or even across different data centers as needed. 69 00:02:28,290 --> 00:02:29,610 For all of these reasons, 70 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:31,950 load balancers have become an indispensable tool 71 00:02:31,950 --> 00:02:33,840 in ensuring the resilience and reliability 72 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,611 of our high traffic websites, critical application systems, 73 00:02:36,611 --> 00:02:38,490 and extensive digital platforms 74 00:02:38,490 --> 00:02:40,920 across various industries and sectors. 75 00:02:40,920 --> 00:02:43,140 Now, second, we have proxy servers. 76 00:02:43,140 --> 00:02:46,080 A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client 77 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,060 and a server to provide various functions 78 00:02:48,060 --> 00:02:50,010 like content caching, request filtering, 79 00:02:50,010 --> 00:02:52,320 and login management to improve the efficiency 80 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,980 and control access to our resources within a given network. 81 00:02:55,980 --> 00:02:58,890 Proxy servers can store a copy of the data being accessed 82 00:02:58,890 --> 00:03:01,050 by your clients to allow for local retrieval 83 00:03:01,050 --> 00:03:03,120 of that data the next time any other client 84 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,130 on the network asks that same thing 85 00:03:05,130 --> 00:03:06,810 or makes the same request. 86 00:03:06,810 --> 00:03:09,240 This helps to enhance the speed of fulfilling the request, 87 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,730 while also reducing the bandwidth utilization required 88 00:03:11,730 --> 00:03:13,500 to fulfill that specific request 89 00:03:13,500 --> 00:03:15,600 because you now have it cached locally. 90 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,700 By managing logins and requests filtering, 91 00:03:17,700 --> 00:03:19,170 proxy servers can also help us 92 00:03:19,170 --> 00:03:21,030 to enforce our organization's policies 93 00:03:21,030 --> 00:03:23,340 for network utilization by adding additional layers 94 00:03:23,340 --> 00:03:25,770 of security and ensuring the specific network protocols 95 00:03:25,770 --> 00:03:27,210 are going to be followed. 96 00:03:27,210 --> 00:03:29,400 Proxy servers do contribute significantly 97 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,310 to the stability and reliability of our network systems 98 00:03:32,310 --> 00:03:33,780 by providing another layer of defense 99 00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:35,070 against external threats, 100 00:03:35,070 --> 00:03:37,170 including those like distributed denial of service 101 00:03:37,170 --> 00:03:39,870 or DDoS attacks by masking the true endpoints 102 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:42,060 that are located inside of that network. 103 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:44,400 This layer of obscurity is also important 104 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:46,530 and it helps to prevent any kind of direct attacks 105 00:03:46,530 --> 00:03:49,320 on the exposed servers because the attack would be pointed 106 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,330 at the proxy server instead of directly 107 00:03:51,330 --> 00:03:53,760 against our web server or endpoint. 108 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:55,830 Now, proxy servers are also integral 109 00:03:55,830 --> 00:03:57,510 in the load balancing process, 110 00:03:57,510 --> 00:03:59,070 especially in handling requests 111 00:03:59,070 --> 00:04:01,650 and distributing them across a bunch of servers. 112 00:04:01,650 --> 00:04:04,740 This ensures that no single server endures too much load 113 00:04:04,740 --> 00:04:07,650 and potentially leads to a network or system failure. 114 00:04:07,650 --> 00:04:10,440 Proxy servers also facilitate the smooth operation 115 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,320 of a high availability network by performing essential tasks 116 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:14,820 to ensure uninterrupted service 117 00:04:14,820 --> 00:04:16,680 across your enterprise networks. 118 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:18,720 For instance, proxy servers can implement 119 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:20,339 user authentication protocols 120 00:04:20,339 --> 00:04:22,380 to help direct traffic more safely. 121 00:04:22,380 --> 00:04:25,500 Some advanced proxy servers can also handle data encryption 122 00:04:25,500 --> 00:04:27,600 by providing secure tunnels for the transportation 123 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,430 of any sensitive information. 124 00:04:29,430 --> 00:04:31,410 In circumstances where network architecture 125 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:33,450 is going to be subject to regulatory compliance, 126 00:04:33,450 --> 00:04:35,670 such as adhering to data sovereignty laws, 127 00:04:35,670 --> 00:04:38,160 your proxy servers can also be used to assist us 128 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:40,170 by routing that traffic to ensure data 129 00:04:40,170 --> 00:04:42,090 does not cross a geographical boundary 130 00:04:42,090 --> 00:04:43,680 that you don't want it to. 131 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,990 This way, proxy servers are not only augmenting 132 00:04:45,990 --> 00:04:48,480 the security and management of our high traffic networks, 133 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:50,850 but they also help us to adhere to legal frameworks 134 00:04:50,850 --> 00:04:53,160 and operational protocols that are going to be essential 135 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:54,900 for the resilience and reliability 136 00:04:54,900 --> 00:04:56,820 of our network infrastructure. 137 00:04:56,820 --> 00:04:58,590 Third, we have sensors. 138 00:04:58,590 --> 00:05:01,140 Now, network sensors are designed to monitor, detect, 139 00:05:01,140 --> 00:05:04,080 and analyze traffic and data flow across the network 140 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:06,420 in order to identify any unusual activities, 141 00:05:06,420 --> 00:05:08,730 potential security breaches, performance issues, 142 00:05:08,730 --> 00:05:11,370 or other types of operational inefficiencies. 143 00:05:11,370 --> 00:05:13,230 By continuously scanning our networks, 144 00:05:13,230 --> 00:05:15,450 these sensors can provide real-time insights 145 00:05:15,450 --> 00:05:17,130 that enable our network administrators 146 00:05:17,130 --> 00:05:18,720 to understand the ongoing activities 147 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,370 and respond to them proactively 148 00:05:20,370 --> 00:05:23,610 to ensure the network's robustness and reliability. 149 00:05:23,610 --> 00:05:25,590 these network sensors will also contribute 150 00:05:25,590 --> 00:05:27,480 to the system stability and security 151 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:29,160 in several different ways. 152 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:30,480 Network sensors can aid 153 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,190 in the performance monitoring processes 154 00:05:32,190 --> 00:05:33,540 by tracking the responsiveness 155 00:05:33,540 --> 00:05:35,760 and availability of our network services, 156 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,500 which is critical for any of our environments 157 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:40,290 where downtime is considered highly detrimental. 158 00:05:40,290 --> 00:05:41,820 With these sensors, we're going to be able 159 00:05:41,820 --> 00:05:43,440 to detect performance anomalies 160 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,150 such as unexpected traffic spikes 161 00:05:45,150 --> 00:05:47,010 that could lead to service degradation, 162 00:05:47,010 --> 00:05:49,950 and they can trigger alerts for our network operations team 163 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:51,060 to be able to go and investigate 164 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:53,970 and overcome any given issues that were identified. 165 00:05:53,970 --> 00:05:56,190 This kind of immediate feedback and awareness 166 00:05:56,190 --> 00:05:57,990 does allow our network operations team 167 00:05:57,990 --> 00:06:00,240 to take quicker actions to aid in the response 168 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:02,370 and resolution of the potential issues 169 00:06:02,370 --> 00:06:03,330 to be able to help minimize 170 00:06:03,330 --> 00:06:05,730 potential service interruptions or downtime. 171 00:06:05,730 --> 00:06:07,230 From a security perspective, 172 00:06:07,230 --> 00:06:10,050 network sensors can also act as the first line of defense 173 00:06:10,050 --> 00:06:12,060 against different kinds of cyber threats. 174 00:06:12,060 --> 00:06:13,440 These sensors are integral 175 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:14,970 for our intrusion detection systems 176 00:06:14,970 --> 00:06:16,530 and intrusion prevention systems 177 00:06:16,530 --> 00:06:18,030 because they're focused on identifying 178 00:06:18,030 --> 00:06:19,770 any possible security breaches 179 00:06:19,770 --> 00:06:22,110 that are based on established patterns or behaviors 180 00:06:22,110 --> 00:06:23,670 that indicate that malicious activities 181 00:06:23,670 --> 00:06:25,050 may have been occurring. 182 00:06:25,050 --> 00:06:27,420 For example, a sudden and significant increase 183 00:06:27,420 --> 00:06:30,240 in data request from an unknown IP address might suggest 184 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,270 that a DDoS attack is being attempted against your network. 185 00:06:33,270 --> 00:06:35,970 In this situation, a network sensor could promptly alert 186 00:06:35,970 --> 00:06:37,740 your network administrators to this threat 187 00:06:37,740 --> 00:06:40,170 and enable them to implement immediate countermeasures 188 00:06:40,170 --> 00:06:42,180 to thwart the attack or to mitigate 189 00:06:42,180 --> 00:06:43,920 its potential negative effects. 190 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:45,600 This level of vigilance is crucial 191 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:47,280 in maintaining the operational integrity 192 00:06:47,280 --> 00:06:48,990 for our high availability networks 193 00:06:48,990 --> 00:06:50,880 in order to ensure they remain uncompromised 194 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:52,770 and available for critical processes 195 00:06:52,770 --> 00:06:55,590 and systems that rely on them for stability. 196 00:06:55,590 --> 00:06:57,570 Fourth, we have jump servers. 197 00:06:57,570 --> 00:07:00,000 Now, a jump server, also known as a jump box, 198 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,730 is a dedicated gateway used by system administrators 199 00:07:02,730 --> 00:07:04,740 to securely access devices located 200 00:07:04,740 --> 00:07:07,170 in different security zones within your network. 201 00:07:07,170 --> 00:07:09,870 A jump box is a critical part of a high security 202 00:07:09,870 --> 00:07:11,880 and highly available network architecture 203 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:14,010 because it acts as an intermediary station 204 00:07:14,010 --> 00:07:15,240 for accessing those servers 205 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,120 and network devices inside of your trusted network. 206 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,400 Using jump boxes, this can help us to ensure 207 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:22,410 that any direct access to these protected devices 208 00:07:22,410 --> 00:07:24,600 or servers is limited to only connections 209 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:26,850 from specific workstations or servers 210 00:07:26,850 --> 00:07:28,830 that'll provide a more controlled entry point 211 00:07:28,830 --> 00:07:31,260 that helps to reduce the attack surface of the network 212 00:07:31,260 --> 00:07:32,580 and to prevent potential threats 213 00:07:32,580 --> 00:07:35,040 from reaching sensitive areas of our networks. 214 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,650 These jump servers offer a robust layer of protection 215 00:07:37,650 --> 00:07:39,990 for systems that cannot afford to have any downtime 216 00:07:39,990 --> 00:07:42,210 or data breaches associated with them. 217 00:07:42,210 --> 00:07:44,130 By routing all of our administrative tasks 218 00:07:44,130 --> 00:07:46,830 through a single highly secured and monitored system, 219 00:07:46,830 --> 00:07:49,530 our networks can ensure that only authenticated users 220 00:07:49,530 --> 00:07:52,830 are able to execute changes or access your sensitive data. 221 00:07:52,830 --> 00:07:54,810 By using this centralized point of access, 222 00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:56,580 you're also going to be able to simplify the logging 223 00:07:56,580 --> 00:07:58,590 of your activities to make it easier to audit 224 00:07:58,590 --> 00:08:01,920 and track who has been accessing what information and when. 225 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:03,900 In the unfortunate event of a cyber attack 226 00:08:03,900 --> 00:08:05,190 or system malfunction, 227 00:08:05,190 --> 00:08:07,170 these jump servers will have a detailed log 228 00:08:07,170 --> 00:08:09,180 of any actions or connections that were made, 229 00:08:09,180 --> 00:08:11,460 so we can significantly speed up the recovery process 230 00:08:11,460 --> 00:08:12,960 during an incident response. 231 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,180 This helps to minimize the downtime of your network, 232 00:08:15,180 --> 00:08:17,160 while maintaining the high availability required 233 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,710 by the overall network and its devices. 234 00:08:19,710 --> 00:08:21,660 Additionally, these jump servers are used 235 00:08:21,660 --> 00:08:23,220 to help facilitate a streamlined approach 236 00:08:23,220 --> 00:08:24,930 to system management and maintenance 237 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:26,640 to ensure that the operational integrity 238 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,280 of your high availability networks remains intact. 239 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:31,350 Most commonly, you'll see that a jump server 240 00:08:31,350 --> 00:08:33,419 will host a wide range of tools and scripts 241 00:08:33,419 --> 00:08:35,340 that your system administrators need to use 242 00:08:35,340 --> 00:08:37,650 in order to conduct their necessary functions 243 00:08:37,650 --> 00:08:39,210 such as performing routine checks 244 00:08:39,210 --> 00:08:40,799 and carrying out troubleshooting tasks 245 00:08:40,799 --> 00:08:42,390 in a more efficient manner. 246 00:08:42,390 --> 00:08:44,490 These jump servers are also heavily secured 247 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:46,080 with advanced monitoring software 248 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:47,730 to oversee their system's health 249 00:08:47,730 --> 00:08:50,370 so that any performance issues or security vulnerabilities 250 00:08:50,370 --> 00:08:52,920 can be quickly identified and remediated. 251 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,470 By serving as a bridge between various security zones 252 00:08:55,470 --> 00:08:58,110 and providing a platform for critical management functions, 253 00:08:58,110 --> 00:09:00,300 our jump servers do play an important role 254 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:02,850 in maintaining the uninterrupted and secure operation 255 00:09:02,850 --> 00:09:04,890 of our high availability networks. 256 00:09:04,890 --> 00:09:06,870 So remember, network appliances 257 00:09:06,870 --> 00:09:09,930 are dedicated hardware devices with pre-installed software 258 00:09:09,930 --> 00:09:12,600 that's designed to provide specific networking services. 259 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,460 Load balancers will distribute network 260 00:09:14,460 --> 00:09:16,800 or application traffic across multiple servers 261 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:18,180 to optimize their performance 262 00:09:18,180 --> 00:09:20,970 and prevent any single server from being overloaded. 263 00:09:20,970 --> 00:09:23,700 Proxy servers will also act as an intermediary 264 00:09:23,700 --> 00:09:25,290 between your clients and your servers 265 00:09:25,290 --> 00:09:27,540 to manage the data flow and offer enhanced levels 266 00:09:27,540 --> 00:09:29,700 of security and content control. 267 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:32,730 Sensors are tools or devices that monitor various physical 268 00:09:32,730 --> 00:09:34,980 or network conditions to provide real-time data 269 00:09:34,980 --> 00:09:37,350 for system optimization and security. 270 00:09:37,350 --> 00:09:41,490 Jump servers or jump boxes are secure intermediary platforms 271 00:09:41,490 --> 00:09:43,770 that administrators can use for accessing devices 272 00:09:43,770 --> 00:09:46,740 across different security zones within a given network. 273 00:09:46,740 --> 00:09:49,410 Together, these four types of network appliances 274 00:09:49,410 --> 00:09:51,000 will help us to ensure the efficient, 275 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,130 secure and high performance capabilities 276 00:09:53,130 --> 00:09:55,280 of our enterprise network's infrastructure.