Big Switch Networks and F5 Partner to Simplify Network Orchestration

Big Switch Networks announced a joint solution with F5 to simplify how private cloud data center networks are built and orchestrated, enabling customers to deploy the rich network services they expect from traditional networks in an automated fashion consistent with the provisioning speeds of virtual workloads. Using the Big Virtual Switch network virtualization application, it provides two-way coordination between virtual network segments and F5 Application Delivery Networking services.

The combined solution integrates the Big Virtual Switch network virtualization application, BIG-IP Application Delivery Networking (ADN) services and OpenStack into a flexible and unified cloud orchestration framework, using the F5 BIG-IQ Cloud REST API. Big Virtual Switch dynamically provisions virtual network segments, or slices of the network, for applications and workloads and enables automation. The solutions supports the BIG-IP iControl API and the BIG-IQ Cloud REST API. It will also support both native management and OpenStack Horizon Management Dashboard.

“Inserting ADN services, and doing so automatically, is very important in virtualized network and SDN environments, and can only be achieved with a truly programmable system,” said Mansour Karam, Big Switch Networks vice president of business development and strategic alliances. “Big Virtual Switch and BIG-IQ from F5 are both prime examples of programmable systems, and we are enthusiastic about working together to deliver a network automation solution.”

“Intelligent networking continues to be at the forefront of customers’ minds,” said Jason Needham, VP of Product Management and Marketing at F5. “Integrating application delivery components with emerging SDN and cloud architectures provides a path for organizations to seamlessly increase efficiency and add programmability to their systems. As a key innovator in the SDN space, Big Switch is a great partner, and we look forward to adding further value for joint customers through enhanced efforts with their team.”