AT&T is adding Palo Alto Networks’ next-generation security platform to its catalog of virtual network functions (VNFs) available to global business customers on-demand.
AT&T FlexWare, formerly called AT&T Network Functions on Demand, is available globally through the AT&T Network on Demand platform.
AT&T FlexWare now offers two device form factors, a small device that can run up to two VNF applications and the previously available larger version that runs up to four. The service lets business customers set up multiple virtual network functions (VNFs), such as a router and a firewall, on a single FlexWare device and deploy them in different countries. Management is done via an online portal.
The portfolio also includes Cisco and Juniper Virtual Routing, Fortinet Virtual Security, and Riverbed Virtual WAN Acceleration.
“AT&T FlexWare offers businesses flexible networking options,” said Roman Pacewicz, senior vice president, Offer Management and Service Integration, AT&T Business Solutions. “One size fits all doesn’t allow businesses to compete. Our software-centric ecosystem allows businesses to start with one set of network functions and add as they go. We’re empowering businesses to control and change their services to match their needs across the world.”
AT&T also noted that it now has more than 1,700 businesses across multiple industries using the AT&T Network on Demand, which was launched in 2015.
https://www.business.att.com/enterprise/Family/network-services/virtual-network-functions/
AT&T Launches Network Functions on Demand Internationally
AT&T announced the launch of its Network Functions on Demand service in 76 countries and territories, including:
AMERICAS – Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic,Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela
ASIA PAC – Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand
EMEA – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia,Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom
The service uses a single universal piece of equipment at the customer premise to deliver virtualized functions via the AT&T Network on Demand platform. AT&T Network Functions on Demand is the third service on the platform.
AT&T Commits its ECOMP Service Orchestrator to Open Source
AT&T confirmed that it is committed to releasing into open source its current Enhanced Control, Orchestration, Management and Policy (ECOMP) platform, which is the service orchestration system that powers the AT&T software-defined network (SDN).
AT&T said ECOMP is mature, feature-complete, and tested in real-world NFV deployments. The company believes open source ECOMP will bring maturity to SDN and become the industry standard for orchestration, management and policy control.
By releasing the ECOMP code as open source, AT&T said other service providers will be able to use this software to meet non-stop network demands as data-hungry technologies like autonomous cars, augmented and virtual reality, 4K video and the Internet of Things (IoT) take off.
“In March, we opened the hood of our network, showed you the engine and the industry responded asking to join us,” said John Donovan, Chief Strategy Officer and Group President, Technology and Operations, AT&T. “Over the last few years, AT&T invented what we believe to be the most sophisticated, comprehensive and scalable software-centric network in the world. Today, we’re letting anyone use and build upon our millions of lines of software code by committing to releasing it into the open source community.”
