Network News: Cyan, Brocade, XO, Cologix

Here’s our review of some of today’s noteworthy links for the networking sector of the data center industry:

Cyan enhances multi-layer switch fabric.  Cyan announced a significant upgrade to its Z-Series platform -- a multi-terabit packet and G.709 optical transport network (OTN) switch fabric that enhances the economics for router bypass in metro software-defined networks (SDNs). The new Cyan XC-2800 enables up to 2.8 Terabits per second of packet switching and cross-connect capacity per shelf. With its SDN software suite, it can  support key metro core applications including wireless backhaul, business Ethernet, data center interconnect, and wholesale transport, among others. Along with a wide range of global service providers, TDS Telecommunications has relied on the Cyan solution for over two years. According to TDS vice president of engineering and architecture Ken Paker, "This is exactly the functionality we need to more efficiently scale our networks and operations." Paker continued, "We're not putting routers into places we otherwise would have. People talk about replacing routers. We avoid putting more in altogether."

Brocade supports Hitachi Unified Compute Platform. Brocade (BRCD) announced that several of its Ethernet and storage area networking (SAN) fabric switches have been integrated by Hitachi Data Systems for networking technology in the new Hitachi Unified Compute Platform (UCP) converged infrastructure solutions. Ethernet and SAN fabric products from Brocade have been designed into Hitachi UCP pre-validated reference solutions and integrated turnkey solutions, which are built with Hitachi storage and servers. Brocade products that are a part of the Hitachi UCP include the VDX 6720 switch, VDX 6746 embedded switch, 6510 switch, and 5460 embedded switch. "Brocade was selected as a valued component of the Hitachi UCP family of solutions based on our proven track record for delivering networking solutions with unprecedented simplicity and automation, massive scalability and reliability for consolidating business-critical enterprise applications," said Jason Nolet, vice president, Data Center Networking Group, at Brocade. "Brocade networking solutions provide a highly resilient foundation for the Hitachi storage and server options to support industry-leading hypervisor, database and application environments. Customers simply select the infrastructure options that meet their needs, with the assurance of built-in flexibility and interoperability to scale the architecture as business needs change."

XO launches network services at Cologix in Toronto. XO Communications announced its expansion into the Toronto market where it can now offer high-speed network services to enterprise and wholesale customers at Cologix, at its 151 Front Street West data center in Toronto. Services that XO can now offer run over a fully diverse 550-mile Toronto metro and Canadian long-haul fiber network connecting back to the U.S. at multiple locations. “As the largest network hub in Canada and a major hub in North America, Toronto is a key business center for the finance, high-tech, media and telecommunications industries,” said Don MacNeil, chief marketing officer for XO Communications. “Our expansion into Canada will enable XO to provide high-capacity network services to better serve businesses like these on both sides of the border, whether they need connectivity in Toronto or high-speed access to markets in the U.S.”