Echo Zambia - Managed Networks

We improve how your business securely connects branch locations, head offices, data centres and the cloud.

 

Our managed network solutions include simple virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote network access; multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) VPNs for companies with straightforward wide area networks located within limited geographic locations; and fully optimised software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) deployments for large, dispersed and complex networks.

Governed by robust service-level agreements (SLAs), our clients have visibility of the performance metrics under which the managed service will be provided.


Trusting us with your managed networks means you can:

  • Save on hiring additional in-house IT staff, as we will be responsible for your enterprise networking issues including integration, troubleshooting, technical support and policy setting.
  • Focus on value creation and operational efficiencies by freeing up your existing IT staff to focus on business-critical tasks.
  • Deliver stability to your internal customers through a proactive network management approach, preventing IT problems from disrupting business operations.
  • Enjoy the ability to budget fixed monthly expenses by redirecting costs out of your CAPEX budgets normally allocated to maintain and buy new equipment, into OPEX budgets.

VPN

As a virtual network within a physical network, VPN is generally deployed to be a high security network tunnel through which data travels in a strongly encrypted form. Thus, any data travelling over a VPN is not visible to the physical network surrounding it. VPNs can be created through various types of encryption, such as IPsec, SSL and TSL. We can provide point to point or multipoint VPN solutions.

MPLS VPN

While SD-WAN technology is becoming the standard for secure and scalable company networks, MPLS VPN is still highly effective in protecting company data and user connections on the internet for a simple WAN with a small number of sites. 

Each Echo VPN client is given their own network on our core. Each client is managed and secured separately, while gaining access to various services throughout the Echo core, customised on a per client basis

These services include internet bandwidth, different firewall options, particular QoS configurations, or access to hosted applications and services as part of their own network.

SuperWAN

Often referred to as next generation networking, SD-WAN technology enables centralised, flexible, and scalable management of large and complex network deployments, with ‘single pane of glass’ visibility. Our SuperWAN service is an integral part of our managed networks stack, complementing our aggregation of services via our Digital Services Gateway, and improving how a business connects branches, data centres and the cloud. 

Supported by a broad range of networks including mobile operators, and powered by diverse infrastructures, flexibility between paths, load balancing (dual point-to-point links), failover, and the agility to include new connectivity options; your network has the power to accommodate a broad range of business needs.   

Security will always be a key consideration for the hybrid of private and internet connections, and our SuperWAN offers intrusion detection/ prevention, anti-virus, content filtering and anti-malware options. 

All branches are not created equally so to cater for different requirements, we offer the following designs and associated SLA's: 

SpiderWAN: Standard service; SLA of 97.5%; Single link, single router

AquaWAN: Super service; SLA of 99.9%; Dual links, single router

BatWAN: Ultra service; SLA of 100%; Dual links, dual routers

 

IronWAN: UltraPlus service; SLA of 100%; Dual links to internet, dual routers; Dedicated VPN link, dedicated VPN router.

The Sentinel - Network Monitoring

Linked to our Network Monitoring System (NMS), the Sentinel is a unique device that measures inbound power to network equipment connected to our Digital Services Gateway. The Sentinel enables us to offer up to 100% site availability service levels with our differentiated SuperWAN site design options.

If the Sentinel picks up that a site is down due to a power outage, an automatic alert will be sent to the NMS that the site is down, and by correlating this to the network down event, the appropriate corrective action can be taken to restore services.

If the site unavailability is not related to a power outage and the SLA for a site has been breached, a credit note will be automatically generated, based on the penalty percentage calculated for each site as part of the contracted network SLA