Juniper introduces controller for software-defined networks

BANGALORE, INDIA: Networking vendor Juniper Networks introduced JunosV Contrail, a family of products which includes JunosV Contrail Controller, an open, standards-based controller for software-defined networks (SDN).

JunosV Contrail, now in trials with Fortune 500 global service provider and enterprise customers, will reduce the time, and cost for customers to deliver new network and security services, claims the company in a release.

Bob Muglia, executive vice president, Software Solutions Division, Juniper Networks, said: "Customers are looking for agility in their networks. With JunosV Contrail, Juniper will deliver a network infrastructure that meets customers' immediate and long term needs. The response from our trial customers has been overwhelmingly positive and from a roadmap perspective, we are delivering on our SDN strategy ahead of schedule. From our systems to a growing portfolio of new SDN software, and a cloud-oriented software licensing model that grows with our customers' needs, Juniper provides a simpler and lower risk option to begin the transition to an SDN future."

Built on intellectual property from Juniper's recent acquisition of Contrail Systems, JunosV Contrail family of products will deliver a virtual network solution that integrates into existing data centres to centralize control across different client IT architectures and multiple cloud platforms, adds the release.

The solution virtualizes network to enable automation and orchestration among private and public cloud environments, elastic management of IP-based network and security services, and a "Big Data for Infrastructure" offering for analytics, diagnostics and reporting, it adds.

Ankur Singla, vice president, SDN and Orchestration Systems, Juniper Networks, said: "The JunosV Contrail Controller combines best-in-class network orchestration and automation to address the gaps customers are experiencing with existing SDN controller solutions. With Juniper Networks, customers can now have technology that seamlessly integrates into their current IT architectures, providing the agility and scalability they need to build elastic, open environments and the ability to deploy services like security seamlessly across cloud networks. This level of performance will ensure customers can move beyond the SDN experimental stage and into systems that provide the flexibility and investment protection for the long term."

The JunosV Contrail family of products is scheduled to be available in the second half of 2013.