HP Throws Down SDN Fabric Challenge To Cisco, Juniper

The HSR 6800 Router Series brings routing, firewall, switch and security services into a single device that can support thousands of users, according to HP.

For virtualised data centres, the FlexFabric Virtual Switch 5900v works with the 5900 physical switch in VMware environments to offload some tasks from the physical switch, while support for the Integrated Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregator (VEPA) helps keep separate network and server operations. In addition, HP’s Virtualized Services Router (VSR) enables network services to be delivered via a virtual machine, which saves businesses money on hardware and offers a 10 percent faster time to revenue than physical routers, 87 percent reduction in operating costs and 50 percent reduction in power and rack space, according to HP.

HP also is unveiling software that offers centralised management for both SDN-enable and traditional networks. Virtual Application Network Resource Automation Manager, which is being added to HP’s Intelligent Management Center, simplifies and automates network configurations. HP’s IMC SDN Manager offers configuration, monitoring and provisioning for SDN environments.

In addition, HP Technology Services is offering a range of services aimed at helping businesses transform their networks, according to Kitty Chow, worldwide portfolio marketing manager for HP Technology Services-Networking.

The new services include HP’s Connectivity Transformation Experience Workshop, which helps businesses create a strategy for evolving their networks. In addition, HP is offering its IPv6 Roadmap Service, where consultants work with businesses to adopt IPv6, while the Datacenter Care for Networking gives customers a single point of contact for solving network problems.

“It really is about driving the evolution of the network,” Chow told eWEEK.

HP’s new offerings will be on display at the Interop 2013 show in Las Vegas starting 6 May.

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Originally published on eWeek.