Brocade has announced new hardware modules and software for the Brocade MLX series routers with capabilities to address the bandwidth, scale and performance needs of today’s networks. It aims to offer open, software-driven programmable networks that the industry refers to as the “New IP”.
Many of today’s organisations are encountering challenges in scaling existing network bandwidth and supporting increasing numbers of users and devices that require highly dynamic networks. These organizations are struggling with the transition to a more agile, software-driven infrastructure. However, the ability to meet these dual challenges has become more critical to their business success, especially as they move to hybrid cloud models.
To address these needs, Brocade has delivered software enhancements to the Brocade MLXe carrier-class routing platform, including support for OpenFlow 1.3 with significant features to help organisations deploy new application- and user-specific services in a secure manner.
Delivered in unique Brocade MLXe programmable hardware, the Brocade OpenFlow 1.3 implementation provides fine-grained control for highly customized services at scale. The Brocade MLXe is the first carrier-class platform to support interworking between traditional routed networks and new software-defined networks, via Brocade Hybrid Port Mode.
The new hardware modules provide the right mix of high port density, wire-speed scale-out single-chassis performance, and industry-leading scale for simultaneous support of both IPv4 and IPv6, which is designed to help prevent Internet outages from route table explosion. Built with the Brocade VersaScale processor, this sixth-generation programmable silicon is a Brocade innovation that delivers the flexibility and features of software with the performance and scale of hardware.
Designed for the most demanding service provider and data centre networks, these elements address immediate business needs while providing flexibility and investment protection for the future.
With these additions, Brocade enables the most open and scalable networks possible, with the agility needed to meet the growing user expectations in the market today. As a result, this solution facilitates a smooth transition between legacy networks and networks designed for the New IP, which are driven by an increased demand in social technology, mobile devices, and the cloud.
“Platform scalability is always high on our agenda. To deal with this scalability we are constantly looking for the newest and most powerful equipment. Brocade has been our trusted supplier of innovative hardware and software solutions for many years now and we are pleased to also select their newest featurefor our platform,” said Henk Steenman, CTO – AMS-IX. “The Brocade MLXe fits very nicely into the rest of our infrastructure, which features a multivendor network. It easily supports the bandwidth we need as the demands on our own network are evolving.”