21Vianet, the largest carrier-neutral Internet Data Center provider in China , is preparing to launch the largest to launch commercial SDN in China to enable the management of cloud services in its facilities. Huawei is the supplier.
Specifically, 21Vianet deployed Huawei’s Cloud Fabric Data Center Network Solution that mainly uses the CE12800 series data center switches and Agile Controller. Initial deployment is at eight large-scale data centers in China located in major cities like Beijing , Guangzhou , Nanjing and Wuhan . These data centers support the company’s services throughout China and combine to be the country’s largest commercial SDN data center network. In the next phase, 21Vianet will expand the deployment of the SDN-enabled solution to more than 80 large-scale data centers in over 40 cities.
Huawei said its Open Programmability System shortens 21Vianet’s new service innovation period from six months to only one month. In addition, the solution’s automatic path adjustment and optimization function increased the efficiency of link bandwidth utilization from 50 percent to 80 percent.
“21Vianet’s goal is to become one of the most respected Chinese companies in the Internet infrastructure sector. 21Vianet’s SDN-enabled network is an example of the successful commercial application of an SDN network in China ,” said Mike Ma , Vice President, 21Vianet. “We are pleased to be partnering with Huawei to explore the use of SDN technology for data centers and the commercialization of solutions developed by our joint innovation initiatives. We hope that these innovations will improve the efficiency of network operations, facilitate fast service delivery and service launch, enhance user experience, and create more value for our customers.”
“Huawei has worked closely with 21Vianet in cloud computing data centers. The successful deployment of China’s largest commercial SDN network that effectively supports 21Vianet’s growth strategy marks a significant industry milestone,” said Yu Li , General Manager, Data Center Network Domain, Switch & Enterprise Communications Product Line, Huawei. “The openness of Huawei’s Cloud Fabric Data Center Network Solution makes it possible for enterprises to easily embrace SDN, accelerate the speed to market for new services, facilitate rapid development, and enable business success in the age of agility.”
In March 2014, Microsoft Azure is now commercially available in China. The service is delivered by 21Vianet from multiple locations in China to enable critical disaster recovery scenarios.
21Vianet has already provides cloud services to more than 3,000 customers in China, including CNTV, LineKong, GMW.cn and Coca-Cola China.
Microsoft said this launch is significant because Microsoft has now become the first global company to make onshore public cloud services available to customers in China.
In December 2013, IBM announced a partnership with 21Vianet Group, a carrier-neutral Internet data center operator in China, to introduce a private cloud service in China. IBM will provide the physical point of distribution (POD) and service while 21Vianet will host the POD facility at 21Vianet data center in Beijing.
Josh Chen, Chairman and CEO of 21Vianet Group, Inc said: “IBM is a global leading enterprise-level cloud computing provider. What’s more, IBM is a sincere partner, not only sharing its own technologies and services, but also growing together with us with business insights, management experience, operation and marketing to help drive innovation.”
