Virtualization network must be open

The complexity of virtualized networks has made it impossible for users to rely on an end-to-end solution provided by one vendor to meet the requirements for service agility and scalability. Brocade Vyatta provides an open platform for cloud and telecom operators to regain control of the network.

In the journey towards the software network, Brocade has ushered in a new turning point - the release of the Brocade Vyatta platform. The Brocade Vyatta platform is an open, modular software network platform for cloud service providers and telecom operators. Its release clarifies the Brocade software network is characterized by "openness"; on the other hand, it also shows that An open software network platform will be the general program that will lead Brocade's development in the next 5 to 10 years. Brocade's investment and technological innovation will be the core of this.

Flexible deployment of software networks

The Brocade Vyatta platform meets ETSI NFV ISG requirements and includes Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Network (SDN) technologies based on open standards and open source initiatives. The Brocade Vyatta platform employs mature core components including Brocade Vyatta vRouter and Brocade vADX, as well as OpenDaylight and OpenStack related open source software projects.

According to Liu Weicheng, Brocade’s director of carrier business and strategic business relations in North Asia, the framework of the Brocade Vyatta platform includes three core layers: NFV connectivity services, SDN architecture services, and functional choreography. Each layer of this open platform is modular, and users can choose their own modules according to their needs to build a data center network.

Specifically, the NFV connection service layer uses the Brocade Vyatta vRouter, Brocade vADX products, and service products including third-party elements to deploy Layer 3-7 network functions. The SDN architecture service layer relies on the rapid development of the OpenDaylight project, in which many vendors participate, and implements centralized control through SDN to simplify the network. The functional orchestration layer manages the entire network architecture by introducing OpenStack's extensive functionality and interoperable third-party configuration and software orchestration layers. Liu Weicheng said: "The most important feature of the Brocade Vyatta platform is openness. Any products and services that comply with OpenDaylight, OpenStack standards and frameworks can access Brocade's open software network platform."

Many telecom operators in Europe and the United States have already deployed NFV because it can quickly respond to the needs of the business, realize the rapid construction of network functions and simplify data center operations, allowing telecom operators to obtain more revenue by rapidly launching new services.

NFV landing faster

SDN and NFV are two important components that make up a software network. From the current situation, the speed of NFV landing seems to be faster than SDN. Liu Weicheng also shared the same opinion: "NFV is only a function. It does not require a complete system like SDN. When deploying NFV, users do not need to presuppose the implementation of SDN. In the absence of SDN deployment, users also NFV capabilities can be introduced directly into existing networks. Many large cloud service providers do just that. NFV does not have to be mixed with OpenStack."

NFV is the use of software to implement network functions that must previously be implemented using proprietary hardware. NFV includes functions such as virtual routers and virtual firewalls. SDN and NFV are two different concepts. SDN is a network control platform, and NFV is a network virtualization function that can immediately replace physical routers and switches. Only one controller is required in a software network, but there may be a large number of NFVs. Therefore, NFV will have more room to grow than SDN. The technical standards for SDN are still uncertain, which also poses certain obstacles for the launch of SDN-related products. The most important feature of Brocade's NFV ecosystem is openness. Software networks must be built on open, standard hardware platforms.

The most important of openness

Brocade offers an open, modular architecture in software networking. If users want to transition from existing traditional networks to software networks, Brocade can provide a complete solution that includes connectivity services, structural services and functional choreography; if users already have deployed SDN, Brocade can only provide Other modules that make up the software network, such as NFV or software layout modules. Liu Weicheng emphasized that Brocade can provide users with flexible modules in software networks.

In addition to Brocade's active move to the software networking market, IT vendors such as VMware and Hewlett-Packard are also starting to get involved in SDN and NFV. Brocade's software network platform can support a variety of different virtual machines, connecting virtual network functions with different hypervisors, giving users more choices. For example, the Brocade Vyatta system can support five kinds of virtual machines, including VMware, Microsoft, and open source virtualization software.

“We want to leverage our expertise in IP network technology on the basis of virtual machines. Our company has just recruited 120 engineers. Their main job is to better virtualize physical network equipment, through independent research and development or joint development. The way to add more network virtualization capabilities to the open software network platform." Liu Weicheng said.