The application delivery controller is a key component within enterprise and cloud data centers to improve availability, security and performance of applications. Application delivery controllers (ADCs) provide functions that optimize delivery of enterprise applications across the network. ADCs provide functionality for both user-to-application and application-to-application traffic, and effectively bridge the gap between the application and underlying protocols and traditional packet-based networks. This market evolved from the load-balancing systems that were developed in the latter half of the 1990s to ensure the availability and scalability of websites. Enterprises use ADCs today to improve the availability, scalability, end-user performance, data center resource utilization, security of their applications.
Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) is the process of managing digital certificates from their creation to their expiration or revocation. Digital certificates are electronic credentials that verify the identity of individuals, devices, or organizations and enable secure, encrypted communication over networks. They are a fundamental part of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), ensuring trust and data integrity in digital interactions. CLM involves key stages such as requesting, issuing, installing, monitoring, renewing, and revoking certificates. This process helps prevent service disruptions, security breaches, and compliance failures. CLM is used by a wide range of users including IT administrators, security teams, DevOps engineers, and compliance officers who rely on it to maintain secure and reliable digital environments.
IT Security refers to products and services that protect digital systems and data from cyber threats and unauthorized access. This category includes markets that focus on network security, identity management, data protection, and cloud security, enabling organizations to reduce risk, ensure compliance, and operate securely in a digital world.
Gartner defines network automation platforms as systems that automate and orchestrate the configuration, deployment, and operational management of network infrastructure. Network automation platforms are delivered via software and interact directly with network devices, network controllers (or fabric managers), network services, network management systems, and other automation tools.