HPE integrates EdgeConnect into Mist & Aruba Central

HPE has integrated HPE Networking EdgeConnect with HPE Mist and HPE Aruba Central, bringing its SASE, wired access and wireless LAN products into a single management framework.

The integration is intended to give network and security teams broader visibility across campus, branch, WAN, cloud and security environments. Customers using the combined products will be able to manage deployment, operations and troubleshooting through a single approach spanning edge-to-cloud infrastructure.

Businesses are trying to connect a growing mix of users, applications and internet-connected devices across distributed environments while keeping performance and security consistent. That has increased pressure on IT teams, particularly where networking and security tools are managed separately.

Andrew Fox, general manager of HPE Networking ANZ, said Australian organisations were facing those issues as AI adoption gathered pace.

"As Australian organisations accelerate their adoption of AI, the demands on enterprise networks are changing significantly. With more devices, applications and AI systems operating across increasingly distributed environments, organisations are managing greater complexity and security risks, often without the additional resources to keep pace.

"For Australian businesses, this is placing growing pressure on IT teams to maintain secure, reliable connectivity while managing increasingly complex networks," Fox said.

EdgeConnect combines SD-WAN and Security Service Edge technology within HPE's SASE offering, with the aim of connecting branch locations and employees to applications while maintaining network performance and resilience. Built-in security features are intended to protect users, applications and branch offices from cyber threats while reducing management overhead.

Unified operations

Under the integration, SASE customers will gain access to HPE Marvis, the company's AI engine and assistant used across its networking portfolio. This includes automated operational actions, digital experience monitoring that can identify and address user issues, and a Large Experience Model intended to predict problems affecting applications such as Zoom and Teams.

Customers already using HPE Mist and HPE Aruba Central will also gain access to EdgeConnect features including application-aware routing, WAN optimisation, integrated security and Security Service Edge integration. Organisations using HPE's full wired, wireless and SASE stack will have end-to-end visibility and control across on-premises, cloud and virtual private cloud deployments.

Industry analysts said the move reflects a broader shift in enterprise networking towards tighter links between connectivity and security management.

"HPE Networking is becoming an increasingly important driver of HPE's growth strategy and a connective layer for the AI-ready enterprise," said Bob Laliberte, principal analyst and founder at Liberte Research Group.

"HPE Marvis is expanding as a common intelligence layer, while HPE works to bring together the strengths of HPE Mist, HPE Aruba Central and the broader Juniper portfolio without forcing customers into disruptive migrations," Laliberte said.

Zeus Kerravala, founder and principal analyst at ZK Research, said the convergence of networking and security functions had become increasingly necessary for large organisations.

"The convergence of SASE, wired and wireless LAN under a unified agentic model is a logical and necessary evolution for enterprise networking," Kerravala said.

"HPE's move to bring EdgeConnect into Mist and Aruba Central isn't just about consolidation - it's about giving enterprises the proactive, self-driving capabilities needed to protect performance and user experience across edge-to-cloud environments," he said.

Local pressure

Fox said the shift was also aimed at reducing the operational burden on technology teams as networks become harder to manage.

"The next evolution in enterprise networking is moving from reactive troubleshooting to networks that can anticipate and resolve issues before they affect the business. Businesses need networks that can adapt as requirements change and support security from the outset, rather than treating it as an additional layer.

"Bringing networking and security operations together under a more unified, intelligent approach is critical to making this possible. It gives IT teams greater oversight and control while allowing them to move beyond routine troubleshooting towards more strategic priorities.

"By integrating HPE Networking EdgeConnect with HPE Mist and HPE Aruba Central, we're helping organisations take that next step towards self-driving networks, where greater visibility, intelligent automation and integrated security enable IT teams to operate more efficiently and deliver better experiences for employees and customers," Fox said.

HPE said EdgeConnect support in HPE Mist is scheduled for CY26, while Aruba Central support is planned for the first half of CY27.