HP today announced a complete, open standards-based solution for software-defined networks (SDN) that incorporates infrastructure, control software, and application layers with a single control plane. As computing environments scale beyond the limits of manual configuration, HP’s new Virtual Application Networks SDN solution is designed to abstract hardware resources and provide administrators with tools for programming and automating the deployment of applications and services.
HP today announced a complete, open standards-based solution for software-defined networks (SDN) that incorporates infrastructure, control software, and application layers with a single control plane. As computing environments scale beyond the limits of manual configuration, HP’s new Virtual Application Networks SDN solution is designed to abstract hardware resources and provide administrators with tools for programming and automating the deployment of applications and services.
HP FlexNet, the solution’s infrastructure layer, incorporates OpenFlow, a programmable networking protocol that automates hardware configuration. HP today announced nine additional switch models providing OpenFlow support.
The HP Virtual Application Networks SDN Controller creates a centralized view of the network, abstracting the hardware from the logical deployment. By eliminating manual CLI entry, the controller enables network administrators to program and scale the environment and provides APIs to integrate third-party applications.
Mike Banic, VP, WW Marketing, HP Networking Presenting at Interop 2012 Fall
The new HP Virtual Cloud Networks software enables public cloud providers to deliver automated and scalable services. Enterprises can create an isolated virtual cloud network environment through a self-service public cloud infrastructure, providing clients control over introducing new services and applications to their own users. Also at the application layer, the new HP Sentinel Security automates network access control and intrusion prevention with OpenFlow-enabled switch hardware.
New offerings from HP Technology Services guide clients through SDN roadmap development, architecture creation, governance preparedness, and proof of concept. These include services to design, deliver and implement HP Virtual Application Networks.
Availability
OpenFlow support is currently available on HP Networking switches as a software upgrade. HP Sentinel Security Application is currently available as a limited early access program.
HP SDN services will be available worldwide in early 2013. Dell expects the HP Virtual Application Networks SDN Controller and HP Virtual Cloud Networks Application to be available worldwide by the second half of 2013.
