Telstra partners with Cisco, makes SDN debut
In a new partnership with Cisco, Telstra has launched its first software-defined networking products for Australian customers.
The new platform and products, using Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV), are able to be deployed and configured over Telstra's networks and are housed in a single marketplace for visualised services.
Philip Jones, Telstra executive director of global products and solutions, says, "Just as cloud computing redefined the user compute experience - with simple, dynamic configuration and provisioning - SDN and NFV technologies are redefining the user experience on the network.
"By allowing us to overcome the constraints of traditional network infrastructure, the software driven customer experiences dramatically increases our agility by enabling us to quickly create new solutions, and puts the control of those solutions into the hands of our customers.
The first product, Internet Virtual Private Network (Internet VPN), available later this month, will enable businesses to connect multiple sites and mobile workers to office networks, with secure, encrypted links over the public internet, via Telstra's online portal.
The second product, available today in beta, is Cloud Gateway Protection, a virtual security appliance that can be deployed and configured within minutes in the cloud to protect internet access, cloud services and Next IP networks from malicious attacks and unauthorised access.
The third SDN product, available later this year, is Data Center Interconnect, an extension of Telstra's global data center interconnect SDN product, PEN.
By adding Australian PoPs, the extended solution will enable businesses to instantly set up point-to-point links between domestic and global data centers, configure them on-the-fly and choose from a variety of pay-as-you-go, flexible contract terms, all from the same portal, Telstra says.
The over-arching platform where all these new products are housed will become Telstra's central marketplace for virtualised managed services, according to the company.
"Today's technologies like cloud computing and big data analytics, need a network that has the power to handle bandwidth hungry applications and can think and respond instantly to changing demands: securely and reliably. These first offerings will enable our customers to enjoy all the benefits of cloud and network services, through a single, self-service portal, with on-demand functionality," Jones says.
"Telstra and Cisco have created a world-leading software-defined platform for network innovation. This is a significant milestone for Telstra as we transform from a traditional carrier to a world class agile telco and technology company," he says,
Kelly Ahuja, Cisco senior vice president of service provider business, products, and solutions, says, "This is yet another example of Cisco's commitment to redefining the networks of the future. Software and virtualisation are set to transform the network and customer experience for thousands of businesses everywhere.
"By combining Cisco's agile and flexible software platform with Telstra's customer focused and customer friendly range of products, we send a powerful message to the industry and a provide a clear example of how to develop and design the network services of tomorrow."
