IP and Ethernet network solutions provider Allied Telesis has released new software defined networking (SDN) code specifically geared toward enterprise and government organizations in New Zealand. The company is taking a two-fold approach to SDN, utilizing their Allied Telesis Management Framework as well as the OpenFlow control interface.
The management framework embeds management intelligence into the network, enabling automation of routine management tasks like backup of network device configurations and software images. Administrators may also easily add new units to a network or replace failed units, as well as make configuration changes to multiple units and roll out firmware upgrades. Intelligent automation is an important component of SDN, reducing the risks and time involved when humans perform repetitive configuration tasks across multiple network nodes.
The OpenFlow control interface works in tandem with the management framework, enabling easy adoption of standardized SDN applications within an enterprise environment. Together, the Allied Telesis offerings enable easy deployment of SDN for New Zealand enterprises and government organizations.
"SDN networking by itself is an enabler that needs to be incorporated with other components to provide a proven SDN solution for the customer," said Paul Batchelor, managing director for Allied Telesis New Zealand. "We are working with a number of large corporate and government customers and major software vendors in Japan to provide useful SDN business applications."
While service providers and data center operators have been the first to adopt SDN solutions and technologies, the enterprise has begun to take notice. According to IHS Infonetics, 2016 will be a big year for enterprise adoption of SDN, with the total market for in-use SDN Ethernet switches and controllers expected to grow beyond $1.4 billion. That number is nearly double the value of the market last year.
“The data center and enterprise LAN SDN market will be solidified by the end of 2016 as lab trials give way to live production deployments,” said Cliff Grossner, research director for data center, cloud and SDN at IHS. “And in 2017, SDN will move from early adopters into the hands of mainstream buyers.”
Edited by
Kyle Piscioniere
