With DCN, HP Wants to Enable Virtual Multi-Data Center Networks

HP introduced a new network virtualization solution in its bid to capture software defined networking market share. Dubbed Distributed Cloud Networking, it is for automatically deploying secure virtual networks across distributed infrastructure.

While virtualized servers and storage are ubiquitous, the network largely remains in its legacy state, and there is a race among vendors old and new to bring it into the modern age. Vendors like HP, Cisco and VMware, as well as startups like Cumulus, Pica8 and Arista, are focusing on virtualizing the data center network to make it as flexible as storage and compute already are today.

SDN in general is still fairly complex. HP's DCN is for configuring, managing, and optimizing virtual network topologies over many data centers in a variety of cloud configurations.The target audience is service providers and large organizations, with a starting price of $65,585 for a single instance.

DCN looks to simplify creation and deployment of virtual networks in short order, and to do so across distributed infrastructure. The company said it takes minutes instead of months to deploy secure virtual networks across distributed infrastructure with DCN.

Everything is managed from a central location, regardless of incorporating private, public or hybrid cloud infrastructure. It helps with Network Function Virtualization, enabling communications services over a fully automated multi-data center environment through an open architecture.

"Customers are looking for ways to upgrade their networks to better focus on building business and incorporating new technologies that adapt to rapidly changing demands," said Antonio Neri, senior vice president and general manager, Servers and Networking, HP. "Distributed Cloud Networking allows customers to seamlessly work across their distributed environment, removing the need to manually reconfigure the network and offering a more efficient infrastructure at reduced costs."

DCN includes:

HP recently split into two companies, one focused on consumer products and the other on the enterprise.