Dell is expanding its open networking presence with a deal with software defined networking gear provider Big Switch Networks.
Under the terms of the reseller agreement, Dell will offer on its Ethernet switches with the Switch Light network operating system developed by Big Switch.
Traditionally, corporate networks employed client server implementations using chassis-based switches. Software defined networking is an approach to computer networking that enables network administrators to control network services using software. This offers a certain measure of programmability that allows organizations greater flexibility in scaling to rising and falling network demands as well as adjusting to technology developments down the road.
The partnership with Big Switch will help Dell deliver next-generation SDN solution to organizations seeking the benefits of a software-defined data centre, according to Dell. The announcement closely follows the recent release by Dell of new SDN solutions. This includes the rollout of the Dell Active Fabric Controller.
The active fabric controller is a purpose-built SDN platform designed to simply and securely configure and deploy networking functionality in cloud and XaaS environments. It is targeted at enterprise OpenStack deployments and as an optional component of Dell OpenStack-Powered cloud solutions.
Big Switch’s Switch Light OS will initially appear on Dell’s S4810 and S6000 series Ethernet switching products.
Dell will also offer Big Switch’s SDN controller applications starting with the Big Tap Monitoring, a new SDN-based network monitoring solution.