NG-SDN™

Advancing the SDN Substrate for Networking

Next Generation SDN (NG-SDN™) is building on the progress established by SDN, realizing the full potential of SDN whereby those deploying and relying on the network have the tools and control to chart their own destiny. NG-SDN is an architecture and vision for leveraging the latest technologies including programmable networks and verification theory to deliver robust networks that are designed and can be verified and proven to be delivering secure deterministic behavior as defined by the operator and/or the applications dependent on the network.

Rather than networking behavior being dictated by ASIC capabilities bottom-up, networks can be defined top-down by operators and/or application developers. This turns the networking infrastructure into a nimble resource much like how we think of general purpose compute or, more recently, GPU resources. Rather than simply being able to use capabilities burnt into the systems deployed at the time of manufacture, the network can be dynamically reprogrammed on the fly to deliver new capabilities and enable unprecedented innovation for operators.

Revolutionary New Capabilities

Programmable Forwarding Toolchain: All network behavior is unambiguously specified in software via programmable interfaces via a toolchain that can define and push the desired behavior to the network.

Hardware Independence: Built from the simplest possible forwarding hardware, with all behavior specified in software. Networking hardware is interchangeable and the latest silicon can be introduced into the network with minimal testing

Microservice-based Full Lifecycle Interfaces: All cradle-to-grave functionality for operating networking devices is exposed for control by cloud-native applications.

Network Verification: Fine-grained and real-time measurement of every packet and flow traversing the network. Closed-loop control automatically adjusts the network should it deviate from the top-down intent, ensuring secure and continuous operation.

Transformational Benefits

Top-Down Operator Control of Network: Rather than networking behavior being dictated by ASIC capabilities bottom-up, networks can be defined top-down by operators and/or application developers.

Rapid Network Innovation: Network can be reprogrammed on the fly, and CI/CD deployment model allows functionality to be rolled out (and if necessary rolled back) automatically.

Zero-Touch Operation: Full lifecycle of running a network can be automated, minimizing human error and maximizing ability to sustain rapid network updates.

Robust Hardware Ecosystem: Operators can deploy the latest hardware without laborious pre-qualification testing. This minimizes vendor lock-in, gives new vendors easier access to the market and results in a more dynamic ecosystem of technology components.

OPERATOR PARTNERS