Open Network Featured Article

The cloud offers considerable benefits to businesses of all sizes, but the possibilities have really only begun to emerge. While some are still surprised they can pay for only the services they need, others are marveling at the potential that still exists. In a market where open networking is delivering considerable advantages, it’s only going to keep getting better.

A recent Top Tech News piece highlighted the impact Cisco (News - Alert) is making in open networking. The company has introduced a new cloud-scale networking solution designed to help service providers and Web companies reap the benefits of software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) as they focus on transitioning central offices to next-gen data centers. As more than 70 percent of service providers, according to Cisco, are planning to transfer central office operations to SDN or NFV, the timing is optimal.

Cisco touts that a number of benefits are readily available in the networking solution for enterprise relevant products and services clients. These benefits include the ability to implement network changes in mere minutes and large-scale automation for provisioning. At the same time, software extensibility is enabled for faster and more modular service deployment. Companies can then also enjoy streaming telemetry, which offers real-time visibility and control.

To increase efficiency and lower costs, Cisco will deliver the new cloud-based solution through its Cisco IOS XR software. One of the key benefits to businesses is that this delivery ensures half the cost of total ownership (TCO) and double the efficiency and performance over the course of five years. To improve agility and simplicity, the open networking solution leverages data center DevOps principles and techniques. Such benefits are expected to extend beyond the traditional network and into the central office.

“Our continued progress with the Cloud Scale Networking platform is proof of our commitment to NFV and SDN solutions for open, programmable and automated networks,” said Yvette Kanouff, senior vice president for Cisco's Service Provider Business in Top Tech News. “Central office transformations are part of our customers’ top priorities worldwide, and we are in a unique position to help them with easy upgrades to their existing routing platforms using the Cisco IOS XR software.”

With the continued push toward the cloud and the growing demand for access to open networking, this announcement is well-timed. Now service providers can enjoy a simplified and automated approach to network management that better positions them to meet customer demand.