Avi Networks, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, has integrated its Cloud Application Delivery Controller with Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI).
Avi Networks, which was founded by key engineers behind Cisco’s Nexus data center platforms, offers a software-only load balancer that adopts the same approach taken by large cloud service providers, such as Amazon, Facebook and Google, in that it runs entirely on x86. The hyperscale ADC separates the control plane from the data plane. Avi is also bringing traffic analytics into its Layer 7 switching, enabling application flows to dynamically adapt to traffic conditions..
The newly announced integration with Cisco ACI establishes interoperability with the Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) using RESTful APIs. Avi use a common architecture as Cisco, including unified management and control planes, as well as the ability to scale data plane resources elastically, on-demand as application requirements dictate. The company says this approach provides end-users with better application delivery, security and load balancing, in addition to real-time visibility, monitoring, and integrated (inline) analytics of their on-premise and cloud-based applications.
“We are excited to announce the availability of the integration with Cisco ACI, which is one of the most important data center and cloud networking solutions,” said Umesh Mahajan, CEO of Avi Networks. “The Cisco ACI is a true application driven environment and it requires a complementary approach to application delivery to guarantee the proper end-user experience and application performance, which are fundamental for success in today’s era of cloud, mobile and virtualization technologies.”
“Cisco ACI has been built with a broad and deep ecosystem of partners to give our customers freedom of choice among vendors,” said Ish Limkakeng, VP, Cisco. “We are pleased to have Avi Networks join our ecosystem and to have them share our vision for automation and agility in the data center.”
Avi also cites its Inline Analytics capability as a key differentiator. An inline analytics module integrated within the company’s ADC aligns with the centralized and deep network infrastructure visibility available through the Cisco APIC solution.
- Prior to co-founding Avi Networks in November 2012, Umesh Mahajan was VP/GM of Data Center Switching at Cisco, responsible for the Nexus 7000, MDS, NX-OS and DCNM families. Before that, he was Senior Director of Software Engineering at Andiamo, which was acquired by Cisco. Avi’s team also includes Murali Basavaiah (co-founder and Engineering Lead), who previously was VP Engineering at Cisco for NX-OS Software and Nexus 7000/MDS product; and Ranga Rajagopalan (Cheif Architect and CTO), who previously was Sr. Director of Engineering at Cisco and responsible for NX-OS systems/platform software for the Cisco Nexus 7000.
