Networks over time have become more complex, even as the need for seamless connectivity with numerous data centers, clouds, edge networks, and IoT devices has grown. With digital transformation requiring that IT be more flexible than ever before, the ability to provision, allocate, and acquire network resources on an on-demand basis has become an urgent need. All this and modern networks must be secure, adaptable, and responsive to shifting and intermittent demand.

Network as a Service (NaaS) can offer all of these benefits in a private, segmented network that is isolated from many hacker attack vectors and enables quick turnup of network connectivity among business partners, customers, various clouds, and more. NaaS is a natural extension of the everything-as-a-service economy across software, platform, and infrastructure as a service (SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, respectively), making it an excellent, future-facing solution for IT organizations.

NaaS can provide API and SDK control so networks can be provisioned and scaled programmatically, while possessing an intuitive web portal that provides a holistic view and control of the entire network. It further leverages virtualization, automation, economies of scale, and domain expertise to offer an alternative for enterprises that don’t want to build or manage their own network, making modern multi-cloud connectivity possible. Ultimately, NaaS allows an organization to focus on its core competency while leaving the networking, security, and related functions to a provider whose mission is delivering secure network services for others.

NaaS can be procured from a variety of vendors such as those sometimes defined as “middle mile.” These vendors operate the network infrastructure that exists between the broader Internet—including those run by network service providers and telecom carriers—and the “last mile” links to individual businesses and residences. Middle-mile vendors provide overlapping and evolving services that include software-defined interconnection (SDI), software-defined cloud interconnection (SDCI), and software-defined interconnect (SD-IX).

In addition, NaaS can be provided by data center operators, software-defined-perimeter (SDP) vendors, managed software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) providers, and finally traditional communications carriers (often using SD-WAN technology themselves). For a look at unmanaged DIY SD-WAN options, check out the GigaOm Radar for SD-WAN report, also available from GigaOm.

The term network-on-demand (NoD) can be used synonymously with NaaS. Both terms refer to networks that are software defined and can be programmatically altered. They also possess centralized administration tools and have the ability to quickly turn services up and tear them down.

One thing everyone should know about Chris, he always provides nothing less then quality customer service and technical support. His professionalism and skill far exceeds all expectations because he always goes the extra mile.

David Corbett, tw telecom

His intelligence and wit are only outshone by his friendly and helpful nature. Working with Chris is always a pleasure and a smashing success.

Susan Forsman, tw telecom

Chris is an engineer and leader of the highest caliber as demonstrated by his ongoing volunteer responsibilities within the Internet technical community and his unwavering drive.

Connie Kendig, Internet Society

Chris was always on top of current technology and how this technology would fit into his current network environment. Chris was a pleasure to work with and will be an asset to any organization lucky enough to hire him.

Steve Braden, Streakwave Wireless

I have worked with Chris on several projects over the years. His leadership, cooperation, and execution skills are first class. Chris looks at the big picture, identifies necessary actions, builds a plan, and gets the project done

Richard Jimmerson, ARIN

Chris is one of the most professional individuals I have ever worked with. His dedication to the success of our organization was paramount. I always relied on him to engage in intricate troubles knowing they would receive appropriate attention and follow through. Chris is an immediate asset to any organization and is most certainly.

Jim Meslovich, CenturyLink Business for Enterprise

Chris was one of the go-to guys whenever there were complex problems. He has the knowledge, desire and potential to advance in any position he chooses. It was a pleasure working with him.

Ushesh Desai, Virtela Communications

Chris has the talent to completely embrace and encompass a technology and from that drive results. It is obvious that Chris enjoys sharing his knowledge base and ideas with others. It was a pleasure working with Chris.

John McQueen, Broadcom

He would always be available as a sounding board for complex issues and provided me with amazing insight on long term planning and ways to scale up teams and business processes.

Alex Tief, Myriad360

Chris is very knowledgeable, is always willing to explain and discuss, and is great at pulling together everyone’s input and moving things forward. Working with him has been a great experience.

Lisa Ruby, Motorola

Chris is a focused individual, willing to go the extra mile to help customers, and do the job correctly. He is a great teacher, and a smart man.

Tyson Schaetzle, Tikkom Wire

Chris is an excellent worker with a driving pulse for new technology and leading the industry. His work ethic is second-to-none and his teaming with others always ensures fantastic collaboration with positive outcomes. I am confident that Chris will continue to drive new technology evolution in our industry.

Mike McNamara, tw telecom

I enjoy working with him on a professional and personal level.

Diane Turley, tw telecom

Chris is an excellent organizer and leader with vision and energy. He pulled together the Colorado Chapter of the Internet Society, wrote the inital by-laws and saw the process through to the actual chapter formation.

Karen Mulberry, Internet Society

Chris is highly technical and has excellent organizational and follow up skills. I assigned Chris several initiatives while assigned to my team and his performance was exceptional. He is self motivated and has extensive technical knowledge.

Ray Whinery, Time Warner Telecom

Chris is a talented technologist with a keen eye for marketing. This combination of skills has been a powerful asset in his role. Over the course of the 4 years that I worked with Chris, he presented at numerous events & conferences, and was a thought leadership partner. He was pivotal in honing Myriad360’s mission and developing a cohesive strategy for the company. Chris earns my highest recommendation.

Kirsten Gonzalez, Myriad360

I count my time working with Chris among my most rewarding professional experiences. Chris is someone with a voracious appetite for knowledge and a desire to understand the world around him. While these traits make him an incredible thought partner that excels at introducing new concepts and riffing off the ideas of others…it also makes him a multiplier, someone that helps others sharpen their own thinking by forcing them to be more introspective, to be more curious about what’s possible, and to think critically and objectively about the reality of a situation.

Chris is a tide that raises many boats, not just through his ability to cultivate innovation and promote positive disruption, but by the example he sets. Chris is one of the most accountable people I’ve ever known and consistently demonstrated a knack for bringing order to chaos, prioritizing diffuse – and often conflicting – objectives, and producing positive outcomes in situations where the deck seemed stacked in such a way that that doing so appeared impossible.

Rick Kenney, Myriad360

Chris is objective, strategically insightful, sharp and on top of his game. He’s a great collaborator who is willing to change his approach mid stream or whenever, to accommodate others. He’s a very dedicated professional with strong personal leadership qualities as well as being open and willing to inspire and empower others.

Duangthip Chomprang, Internet Society

Chris is always happy to contribute to a discussion or to an issue and is more than happy to lend a hand to both assist team members with their tasks or to lend his expertise in order to benefit the requestor. He is constantly providing knowledge transfer in a peer to peer manner, engaging others to work together to move a project forward or to resolve an issue. Most importantly, Chris is an open and honest communicator about whatever the topic of the moment is, something that is refreshing in today’s world. I could always count of Chris to lend his opinion or his ideas to any subject matter, and this becomes an important contribution for any team. Chris has tremendous talent and is a very hard working, team player. I would welcome Chris to my team at any point in the future.

Paul Diamond, Markley

Chris consistently generates and delivers on new and creative ideas both within the guided bounds of a project or team goal as well as when left unbounded and allowed to explore. In addition Chris is a great team player willing to help whenever asked. Chris is also a competent and organized leader with great communication skills capable of managing projects from inception to completion.