Networking company Extreme Networks has announced the release of new capabilities for its Extreme Fabric Automation software, available as part of their Extreme Data Center Fabric. These new capabilities are meant to augment enterprise IT teams and reduce human error.
Extreme Networks’ solution would automatically manage the validation, testing, and operation of data center fabric networks while providing critically important network reliability and resiliency.
“Enterprises are demanding that their data center networks become more agile, architecturally and operationally, so that they align better with cloud operating models and the imperative of digital transformation,” said Brad Casemore, Research Vice President, Datacenter Networks at IDC. “More than ever, the modern data center network must be fully responsive to the needs of workloads, which are increasingly distributed across multi-cloud environments. In this context, microservices have emerged as a key enabler of automated network agility and streamlined simplification, from the point of provisioning and throughout the network lifecycle. With Extreme Fabric Automation, Extreme Networks is helping to bring simplicity to complex fabric management, making it possible for customers – on their own, without the assistance of external consultants – to get their data center networks up and running in minutes rather than days.”
Extreme also announced availability of two new high-performance switches embedded with guest VMs – the SLX 9150 leaf switch and the SLX 9250 spine switch. Collectively, the new data center software and hardware would give IT teams: “streamlined network automation, simplified integrations and operations, and greater control of when and where data center assets are deployed.”
To sum up, key benefits of the Extreme Fabric Automation software would include:
- Simplified automation and cloud-speed provisioning – Plug-and-play fabrics with on-switch automation would streamline configurations and simplify network operations with day-zero infrastructure provisioning and day-one tenant/services provisioning.
- Flexible deployment options – Extreme Fabric Automation is hosted on the guest VM of the SLX 9150 leaf switch or the SLX 9250 spine switch. It can also be hosted on an external VM, providing on-premises and private cloud deployment options.
- Ecosystem integrations – Extreme Fabric Automation integrates with orchestration software including OpenStack, VMware vCenter, and Microsoft SCVMM. Each integration is a separate microservice and leverages the application’s fabric awareness. Additional integrations will be available in future releases.
- Faster time-to-value – Elasticity built into Extreme Fabric Automation provides IT teams the ability to scale the network up and down to meet changes in demand. Fast setup of an entire fabric network would give teams back valuable time to focus on higher level projects that will drive the business forward.
- Security certifications and TAA compliance – The SLX 9150 and SLX 9250 are undergoing extensive testing and qualification to support the highest level of security certifications. Both are TAA compliant and will support FIPS 140-2, Common Criteria (CC), USGv6, and DoDIN APL starting Q1 CY20.
- Built on Broadcom – The new SLX spine and leaf switches are built on Broadcom’s Trident 3 switch ASICs, bringing the same telemetry capabilities leveraged by leading hyperscale cloud providers to the enterprise. Combined with Extreme’s flow analytics, the Broadcom-powered solutions would provide customers and partners with the appropiate network health and performance metrics.
“The data center is no longer about speeds and feeds – it’s where digital transformation is won or lost,” said Abby Strong, Vice President of Product Marketing, Extreme Networks. “Extreme Fabric Automation is built using a cloud-native architecture to enhance fabric orchestration and management capabilities. It offers simplicity to data center teams, removing the need for manual switch-by-switch configurations and allowing IT teams to move at the pace of their businesses: at cloud-speed.”
