We recently partnered with Edgecore, a leading provider of open networking solutions of bare-metal hardware switches and access products, which utilize both independent commercial and open source software options. These include applications such as SDN (Software Defined Networking), Network Analytics, Virtualized Networks, Data Center network fabrics, and open access networks.
Cloud data center operators and leading enterprises have been deploying open network solutions for several years and the benefits are noticeable.
Benefits of Open Network Solutions:
- Reduced network equipment expenses
- Automated and accelerated provisioning of network capacity and services
- Greater control over the development of enhanced network services
- Flexibility to work with best-in-class suppliers and reduced operating expenses
These open networking benefits are now available for many more networking use cases. Public and private cloud data centers of all sizes are being deployed with network fabric built from open leaf and spine switches.
[If you want to learn more about SDN, check out our free white paper, Architecting Data Centers for SDN and NFV In 40G and 100G Environments.]
The Importance of Visibility with SDN
Centralized control of traffic flows is critical for monitoring 10G, 25G, 40G and 100G networks. But before implementing SDN, network architects must ensure that they have a solid visibility plane that ensures 100% of packets will be seen by the SDN controller.
To achieve complete transparency with application monitoring tools, network architects must account for solutions and functions such as:
- Network analyzers
- Computer forensic analysis & data capture
- Data leakage prevention (DLP)
- Intrusion detection
- Bandwidth management
- Content filtering
- Lawful interception
- Data recording
End-to-end SDN solutions always starts with a foundation of visibility. Network test access points (TAPs) are the approved and recommended hardware tool that allows you to monitor your network monitoring fabric, making a 100% copy of your network’s data providing your monitoring tools 100% visibility.
