The concept of the software defined data centre (SDDC) has been with us for a few years now, but it is only recently that the network virtualisation platforms needed to make it happen have matured to point where real time deployments become possible.
Leading network systems integrator Axians has been selected by Scottish-based Internet services provider Commsworld to deliver ultra-fast 10-gigabit Internet connectivity as part of a major upgrade to its Fluency network, making this the biggest single investment in the network to date. The additional bandwidth provided for Commsworld puts the company in an advantageous position to capitalise on the continued shift towards a digital economy.
It is usually network equipment vendors that get criticised for building products that lock customers into their technology portfolios and make it difficult for companies to switch supplier. So it is refreshing to see a customer stand up and admit mea culpa for the restrictions its own development teams have inadvertently applied to its desired architectural expansion.
The OpenStack Summit in Tokyo once again showed just how much support for the SDN based cloud computing platform exists amongst the vendor community.
It is obvious from the noises being made by its senior executives that Juniper wants to be known as a disruptor - a shining example of a forward looking company ready and willing to embrace the realities of an SDN/NFV market that values virtualised software more than networking hardware.
For the moment software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualisation (NFV) technology appear to be occupying that most precarious position on the infamous hype curve – where fervent expectations have peaked and the slow downward descent into reality has kicked in.
“This has been a true partnership from the start. Axians proved to be passionate and extremely knowledgeable about what they do. That shared passion and belief in what we were building gave the project real impetus and made all the difference in us creating an innovative and resilient network.”
Gavin Henry, owner and managing director, Suretec Systems