Sphere Networks
Sphere Networks FZCo., is a software development firm that specializes in leading-edge enterprise management solutions. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sphere Networks was founded in 2005 by Mohamed Hamedi and developed the Arena Suite of Network Management products as part of the company’s vision to apply the latest technologies and set new standards for network management applications.
Sphere Networks is a provider of modular network management system. Its R&D lab was basically established to develop solutions for network security, bandwidth management, wireless management and enterprise voice solutions. Sphere Networks' Arena Suite of Network Management Products includes Arena Security Suite, Arena Performance Suite, Arena Configuration and Compliance Suite, Arena Operations Suite, and Arena Asset Management Suite.
The company is funded by Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a technology park which is 100 percent owned by the Government of Dubai, and Intel Capital, Intel Corporation’s global investment organization.
Since 2005, Sphere Networks has been managed by its founder and CEO Mohamed Hamedi, who worked as a Software Engineer at HP ProCurve for three years before coming to Dubai to start Sphere.
Sphere Networks represents the first software technology development company within DSO Technology Park .
History
In December 2005, the company released its first product, the Arena Network Manager 1.0.
In January 2007, Sphere Networks introduced its new channel partner program called Partner First Program for technology partners, system integrators, value-added resellers, and distributors interested in selling the arena network management platform globally.
In October 2008, Sphere Networks announced the appointment of industry veteran Justin Doo as Vice President for Sales and Marketing. This was considered part of the company’s initiative to strengthen its management team in order to oversee and consolidate the fast expanding region-wide operations. Before joining Sphere Networks, Doo was Managing Director of Trend Micro Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
In November 2008, Intel Capital made its first investment in the Middle East making Sphere Networks the first company in the region that Intel has invested in.
Also in November 2008, Sphere Networks announced its first release of Arena Traffic Analyzer, a solution which is designed to explore traffic on the network and discover security breaches and performance issues.
Awards & Recognition
- Network Middle East Innovation Awards 2006. NME Innovation Awards declared Sphere Networks as the winner in the Best New Comer category for its Arena products. NME Awards is an initiative of ITP Publishing's Network Middle East magazine which is conducted to honor the best networking professionals, vendors, users and integrators in the region. It honors network professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their implementations and identifies innovation in technology.
- Editor’s Choice Awards 2008. Sphere Networks won SMB Advisor's Editor’s Choice Award for Superlative Management Policies. The company was chosen as the winner for this category based on the selection criteria of "Do your management and HR policies truly empathize with your employees and, at the same time, increase productivity and results? And more importantly - do you really walk the talk?"
Products
- Arena Network Manager (ANM)
ANM is a network management software designed to manage any network-attached device, including routers, switches, printers, servers, firewalls and PCs. ANM allows users to track and chart SNMP and WMI variables. Arena Network Manager is one of the few network management products that support multiple vendors like Cisco, Foundry, HP ProCurve, Nortel, Extreme Networks, 3Com, etc. ANM supports multiple vendor protocols and network products in addition to supporting network hubs in a network that do not have an IP address.
- Arena Traffic Analyzer (ATA)
ATA is a Java-based bandwidth monitoring tool that performs in-depth traffic analysis using data exported from NetFlow / sFlow flows. Arena Traffic Analyzer is a software designed to continuously monitor both incoming and outgoing network traffic, and to identify and track down potential network abuse.
- Arena Adaptive Access (AAA)
AAA, a part of Arena Security Suite, is an advanced multi-vendor Network Access Control System that protects the entire network to meet changing network security needs. This works with the existing directory structure to enhance and extend user security policies to each device on the network. Arena Adaptive Access imports LDAP or Microsoft Active Directory user information and applies access policies to the devices to which users connect. It supports multiple authentication protocols, including and IEEE 802.1X standard.
- Arena Configuration Manager (ACM)
ACM, an integral part of the Arena Suite of Products, provides configuration and compliancy features for network devices. The Arena Configuration Suite provides tools to retrieve, compare, deploy, and archive configuration files on all major network device vendors.
- Arena Command Center (ACC)
ACC is a platform that connects to multiple Arena Servers (referred to as sites) and provides statistical data about them; it also provides application events in an upgraded Event Viewer. The Arena Command Center is a tool that simplifies the task of managing a large multi-site network. ACC provides a single interface to monitor and manage multiple sites that are geographically spread or otherwise disconnected.