Avaya Launches Software-Defined Data Center Framework

Leveraging OpenStack and its own Fabric Connect technology, Avaya launched its software-defined data center framework and roadmap. Avaya's Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) framework uses the OpenStack cloud computing platform, and includes an orchestration process that combines, customizes and commissions compute, storage, and network components.

Avaya Fabric Connect further enhances the OpenStack environment by removing restrictions in traditional Ethernet VLAN / Spanning Tree-based networks to enable a dynamic, flexible and scalable network services model.With Fabric Connect as a virtual backbone, an open API into it allows easy integration, customization and interoperability with other software-defined networking architectures. Benefits of the Avaya SDDC framework include reduced time-to-service, simplified virtual machine mobility, multi-vendor orchestration, scale-out connectivity and improved network flexibility.

"In many ways this is a logical evolution of Avaya's Data Center networking portfolio," said Rohit Mehra, vice president, Network Infrastructure at IDC.  "Having executed on its vision of using Fabric Connect (based on enhanced Shortest Path Bridging) as an end-to-end architecture, it only makes sense to wrap it with an orchestration and automation enabler like OpenStack. This is a natural and powerful extension for Avaya, and their present and future customers will surely embrace it."

Avaya's Software-Defined Data Center framework is the first phase of Avaya's Software-Defined Networking roadmap. The Avaya Horizon-based Management Platform and open APIs will be generally available next year. Future initiatives include the extension of Fabric Connect and Orchestration to deliver end-to-end service creation and delivery from data center to desktop.

"Avaya continues to innovate the way that networks are designed, built and operated, leveraging the unique capabilities of our Fabric Connect technology," said Marc Randall, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Avaya Networking.  This announcement demonstrates that enterprises can immediately realize the operational benefits of real-time orchestration and automation.  While some remain hung-up on definitions of SDN and what it might to deliver in the future, Avaya is delivering tangible business benefits today."