Avaya introduced its Open SDN Fx architecture for enabling automation and programmability from the core to the edge of enterprise networks.
Avaya said the aim of its SDN Fx architecture is “connect anything, anywhere” simplicity by allowing devices and users at the network edge to be added easily to the network. The goal is to leverage an automated core that takes advantage of a single, network-wide Ethernet fabric to remove the need for manual configuration at each network hop; thus, reducing the potential for error and accelerating time to service.
Avaya’s SDN implementation is targeting environments such as those found in hospitals, manufacturing floors and casinos, which are blanketed with devices that require a more secure, mobile connection to the network, and may also require that the rest of the network is better protected from potential threats that could be triggered by them.
The Avaya SDN Fx architecture includes the following new products and features for Avaya Fabric Networking Technology:
- Open Networking Adapter (ONA) – provides a plug-n-play network connection for any device with an Ethernet port including medical devices, manufacturing machines, and branch office switches. Targeted for non-IT personnel, this card deck-sized appliance automatically provisions a QoS-customized virtual path across the network that mitigates security risks, allowing simple, powerful management of thousands of devices.
- Fabric Orchestrator – an SDN controller embedded in a unified management instance. This appliance manages and orchestrates the Ethernet fabric as well as provides SDN Control to north and south bound interfaces. SDN capabilities include OpenFlow, OpenDaylight and OpenStack.
- Fabric Extend – a new capability in Avaya Fabric Connect enables the extensibility of Fabric networking across any IP based network without loss of functionality. Investments in existing networking technologies are preserved while interconnecting strategic deployments of Fabric Connect across data centers, campuses and branches.
“CIOs are unnecessarily overburdened by archaic networks and frustrated by the disparity between the promised results of new technologies and the reality that most vendors deliver. There’s a better way: Avaya Fabric Connect already relieves 75i percent of the top network issues identified by IT departments, and we’re building on that with SDN Fx. This is the foundation that accelerates deployment and improves performance of customer and team engagement solution and that the industry has been demanding. Avaya can deliver it today,” stated Marc Randall, SVP and GM, Avaya Networking.
