The global intent-based networking market is a part of network automation and is used to fulfill the need for a systematic approach in the network field. It is designed to eliminate human intervention during network configuration and translation by using algorithmic validation. Intent-based networking follows a path that shows the working principle of the system. It includes capturing the intent, translating it through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing to provide a machine-readable language. Further, automation helps in the amalgamation of applications, data, and other IT components to deliver services such as scaling the environment, eliminating the delay, and providing security, among others. Additionally, the multiple benefits include improved speed and agility, reduced risk and continuous compliance, improved automation, and vendor neutrality, among others.

Fig: Intent-Based Networking Model

The global Intent-based Networking Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.2% during the forecast period.

Market Drivers

Network Downtime Incidents Driving the Market Growth

Digitalization has led to a tremendous utilization of internet services throughout the industry verticals as it ensures increased agility, improved efficiency, easier communication, and better decision making, among others. However, human operability error is one of the primary reasons for the increasing network downtime followed by power failure, failed hardware, and security flaws. As per a survey by Statista, the average cost of downtime per hour is between USD 300 thousand to USD 400 thousand. Some of the most common downtime in recent years are the Amazon Web Service (March 2018), Google Cloud (July 2018), and British Airways IT failures (2017), among others The Google Cloud customers such as Spotify, Snapchat, Pokemon Go, and others experienced operability issues and faced losses which were compensated by Google Cloud as per the agreement. Further, the growing demand for reducing the downtime mainly from the tech-giants has bolstered the intent-based networking market growth.

Increased Adoption of Virtual and Software-defined Networking (SDN)

There has been increased adoption of the virtual and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in recent times as SDN can automate configurations, thus increasing scalability and reliability, increasing flexibility for changing the network, and centralized visibility of the network topology, among others. Companies have largely deployed or aim to deploy SD-WAN, a technology based on similar grounds of decoupling the network control and forwarding function. As per CISCO, 39.6% of the companies have deployed SD-WAN technology, and 55.4% aim to deploy in the upcoming years. The intent-based networking is considered as a successor to the SDN as it offers similar features; thus, the increased adoption of virtual andSDN is driving the intent-based networking market.

Fig: Relationship between Software-defined Networking and Intent-based Networking

Key Restraints

Increasing Concerns Due to Lack of Human Intervention

In light of the lack of human intervention, network automation may lead to complete dependence on the networking activity of the company to technology. Out of the many benefits of network automation, lack of human intervention may cause concerns such as the imposition of too many network restrictions, overlooking a security threat. Additionally, as per the report named ‘2020 Global NetworkingTrendsReport’ published by CISCO, 34% of the companies still use traditional wired and wireless networks to manage access. The report also states that Cybersecurity ranks 5^th among the top IT skills gap, thus raising concerns for a complete deployment of technology.

Impact of COVID-19

The pandemic has caused a lockdown in most of the regions of the world, temporarily shutting down most of the companies in almost all the industry verticals. The intent-based networking market is experiencing growth due to its ability to automate of the network. The minimal or no human intervention has proved to be beneficial during this tough time due to the practices of social distancing and quarantine for stopping the spread of the COVID-19.

Segmental Overview

Use of Hardware Devices in Traditional Networking Systems

The hardware segment is divided into a router, switch, and firewall and holds a moderate share in the market on account of the extensive use of the hardware devices in the traditional networking system. Further, the software segment caters to the highest market share by enabling network automation that provides a transition from the traditional networking system. As intent-based networking is a successor of the software-defined networking, it manages a network using end-to-end interface by using DevOps and SDN. As per Statista, a linear rise is noticed in the amount of traffic from SDN and Network function virtualization (NFV) to the data centers. In 2014 the traffic was noted at 0.8 Zettabytes, which is anticipated a 7 fold growth i.e., 7.4 Zettabytes by 2021. Additionally, the services segment is further divided into professional services and managed services catering to a moderate market share.

Cloud Segment’s Slew of Features

The cloud segment holds a larger market share, owing to extensive adoption of the cloud services by the corporates due to its easy installation, cost efficiency, data security, and enhanced virtual services. Additionally, as per the report named ‘2018 Trends In Cloud Computing’ published by CompTIA, Inc, the utilization of cloud computing for automated initiatives has remarkably enhanced a high percentage of companies by combining emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and Big Data among others. As most of the hybrid platforms and multi-cloud environments are integrated with Application Program Interface (APIs) and virtual overlays, they use intent-based networking to reduce complexity. Further, the report also shows the preference of the large, medium, and small enterprises for mixed cloud solutions from vendors and third parties.

Regional Overview

North America: Home to Prominent Companies

North America dominates the global intent-based networking market, owing to the presence of prominent players such as A10 Networks, Inc., Astra, Inc., Cerium Networks, Cisco Systems, Inc., Fortinet, Inc., Forward Networks, Inc., Intentionet, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., and Pluribus Networks, Inc.among others. Additionally, the region is the most technically advanced region with the availability of the preferred network architecture. Further, the surge in the usage of the internet and the implementation of emerging technologies have benefitted the technological advancements. The government and the companies of the region have been continuously investing the research and development, enhancing the technological capability of the region. For instance, as per a report published by Standford University named ‘Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2019’, in between 2014–2018, North America accounted for more than 60% of global AI patent citation activity, thus propelling the growth of the intent-based technology market.

Favorable Government Initiatives in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at a faster rate due to the rising government initiatives in the developing countries for the growing small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). The government initiatives such as Make in India by the Government of India and government investments such as the USD 21 billion funds set up in November 2019 by the Chinese government to support manufacturing tech has fostered the growth SMEs in this region. Additionally, the growing adoption of the emerging technologies in the region has led to the deployment of the SDN and NFV technologies for their operations.

Key Players

As per Strait’s analysis, the key players of the global Intent-based networking market are A10 Networks, Inc. (the U.S.), Altran Technologies, SA (France), Anuta Networks, Inc. (Ireland), Apstra, Inc. (the U.S.), Avi Networks (VMware) (the U.S.), Cerium Networks (the U.S.), Cisco Systems, Inc. (the U.S.), Fortinet, Inc. (the U.S.), Forward Networks, Inc. (the U.S.), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), Indeni Ltd. (the U.S.), Intentionet, Inc. (the U.S.), Juniper Networks, Inc. (the U.S.), Veriflow Systems, Inc. (the U.S.), Pluribus Networks, Inc. (the U.S.), and Mode Group (Waltz Networks) (the U.S.), among others.

Recent Developments

• In June 2017, Cisco introduced a new program for training and development to accelerate the growth of intent-based networking.
• In November 2018, Cisco introduced Internet-based wired and wireless networking for the common people with the expansion of its Catalyst 9000series.

Intent-based Networking Market Segmentation

By Component

• Networking Hardware Components
  • Router
  • Switch
  • Firewall
• Software
• Service
  • Professional Service
  • Managed Service

By Deployment Model

• On-Premise
• Cloud

By Industry

• IT & Telecom
• BFSI
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Government &Defense
• Others

By Region

North America

• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• The U.K
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• The Rest of Europe

The Middle East and Africa (MEA)

• Saudi Arabia
• Egypt
• South Africa
• The Rest of MEA

Asia-Pacific

• India
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• The Rest of Asia-Pacific

South America

• Columbia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Peru
• Argentina
• The Rest of South America