Nile, a start-up offering next-gen enterprise network-as-a-service (NaaS), introduced an AI-driven architecture for its Nile Access Service.
Components of the architecture include Nile Service Blocks, Nile Services Cloud, and two categories of AI applications: Nile Copilot and Nile Autopilot.
The company says its network architecture for enterprise campus and branch locations represents the final frontier for enabling automated operational and service-centric innovation models. Key to this transformation are delivering network connectivity using an as-a-service model, AI for automation and observability, and integrated security. The aim is to go beyond AI-generated report summaries to completely automate the traditionally manual lifecycle of enterprise networks, from design to implementation to ongoing operations.
“Nile was created with a vision to change the way enterprise networks are designed, consumed, and operated. Our mission is to give IT leaders a bridge over the growing innovation gap between their goals and the resources required to achieve them,” said Pankaj Patel, CEO and co-founder, Nile. “The first step in that journey was building the industry’s first service architecture to deliver connectivity with guaranteed performance outcomes. Today, we’re building on that by ushering in a new era powered by AI networking.”
Three core elements enable these comprehensive capabilities:
Nile Service Blocks - each block represents a collection of physical Wi-Fi sensors, Wi-Fi access points, access switches, or distribution switches. Different sizes of service blocks for different sites are designed automatically and delivered to enable secure connectivity at campus and branch locations given site survey requirements. Instead of requiring manual configuration and separate software release management for different network elements, service blocks are supported with cloud native delivery principles and a microservices-based architecture. Nile Service Blocks vertically integrate more than ten traditionally separate products and are purpose-built to be delivered as a service.
As part of the Nile Service Blocks, the Nile networking hardware is purpose-built for AI, and the software is deeply instrumented across all layers, utilizing deterministic system design and the continuous collection of 1000+ data points across all aspects of the edge infrastructure. Nile Service Blocks integrates zero-trust networking principles and enforces L3-only isolation for all connected devices on hardened hardware elements.
Nile Services Cloud - powered by an integrated data model, Nile Services Cloud enables real-time observability and continuous optimization of Nile Service Blocks by utilizing both model-centric and data-centric AI technologies. It drives the following unique innovations for AI networking:
- Design Pipeline: Automated day -1/0 operations, including survey, design, and installation.
- Digital Twins: Virtual replica of the service blocks, helping simulate network operations.
- Defense Hub: Edge-to-cloud zero-trust security is built into all service blocks.
- Smart Agents: Real-time data collection from the service blocks at high efficiency.
- Cognitive Decisions: Closed loop automation to maintain the best state for the network.
Nile AI Apps -these categories of applications radically improve how system installers, IT admins, end users, and Nile’s own customer success and production engineering teams gain visibility and control across the tenants of the Nile Access Service.
- Nile Copilot applications offer one-touch installation and intent-based provisioning of Nile Service Blocks and enable IT admins and their end users to monitor service outcomes and securely onboard user and IoT devices.
- Nile Autopilot applications offload traditionally manual network operations center (NOC) functions such as software maintenance and eliminate manual workflows for infrastructure performance monitoring and troubleshooting.
