Virtualization Framework

Today's virtual data centers require network infrastructure that quickly responds to changes in customer demand, supports thousands of virtual machines and simplifies the management of complex network architectures in a highly reliable environment. To support the ever increasing demands of today's data center, Force10 Networks has developed the Virtualization Framework, a set of capabilities delivered as part of the modular Force10 Operating System (FTOS) software that runs on all Force10 Networks switch and switch/routers.

The Virtualization Framework is comprised of a suite of network management and architectural tools that promote greater efficiency and flexibility within the data center. VirtualControl improves manageability by partitioning a single, physical switch/router into multiple, virtual switch/routers. VirtualScale reduces operational costs and increases availability by managing multiple switch/routers as a single entity. And VirtualView provides core-to-edge virtual network analysis. Together, VirtualControl, VirtualScale and VirtualView give network administrators the tools required to manage virtual data center networks.

VirtualControl offers improved network management and security by partitioning physical network assets into multiple, virtual assets, enabling a physical device, such as switch/router, to act as multiple virtual switch/routers.

While building out a network at the core/aggregation layer, VirtualControl can be configured to partition the routing table into subtables using Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF). Subdividing routing tables enables business-critical services to be supported across multiple devices, ensuring high availability. This distribution also provides an added security layer by separating applications from each other.

VirtualControl gives data center managers the virtualization tools required to specifically tailor the network by allocating resources through VLANs. VirtualControl provides increased resiliency by enabling network managers to configure switch/router ports across multiple applications so that the failure of one device does not impact availability or create spanning tree-related issues.

VirtualControl is available as part of FTOS, which is built on a modular NetBSD kernel and available across many of the versatile Force10 switch and switch/router product lines. Leveraging the FTOS Hardware Abstraction Layer, the same VirtualControl application software is available across many Force10 platforms, which means the interface protocols to VirtualControl are consistent from core to edge. FTOS also features an industry-standard CLI so administrators can easily deploy Force10 switch and switch/routers with minimal training.

As part of the Force10 Virtualization Framework, VirtualScale simplifies network administration, minimizes cost and increases network availability. Complex network architectures demanded by today's virtual data centers can be difficult to manage. VirtualScale addresses this problem by allowing multiple physical switch/routers to be managed as a single, virtual switch/router, dramatically reducing network management tasks.

VirtualScale increases network availability by supporting an active-active redundancy model. All physical switch/routers in a logical group simultaneously route traffic, leveraging the bandwidth of all the switch/routers. When a failure occurs, the failed physical switch/router is seamlessly removed from the virtual switch/router and the remaining switch/routers continue to route traffic with no service interruption.

VirtualScale is available as part of FTOS, which is built on a modular NetBSD kernel and available across many of the versatile Force10 switch and switch/router product lines. Leveraging the FTOS Hardware Abstraction Layer, the same VirtualScale software is available across many Force10 switch and switch/router platforms, which means the interface protocols to VirtualScale are consistent from core to edge. FTOS also features an industry-standard CLI so administrators can easily deploy Force10 switch and switch/routers with minimal training.

VirtualView offers a core-to-edge, real-time traffic analysis solution that samples and analyzes data to establish baseline and ongoing application performance statistics. By collecting real-time traffic statistics on VMs using sFlow sampling technology, VirtualView makes it possible to monitor, analyze and benchmark network performance in virtualized environments. sFlow agents are embedded in FTOS, providing continuous monitoring of application-level traffic flows at wire speed.

Leveraging technology from partners InMon Corporation and Plixer International, sFlow collectors receive and analyze sFlow data collected from switches and switch/routers in the data center or core of the network. These sFlow collectors are widely deployed by Force10 customers today enabling them to optimize and control bandwidth delivery to VMs by looking at real-time data and updating Quality of Service (QoS) policies on switches and switches/routers.

VirtualView is available through FTOS, which is built on a modular NetBSD kernel and available across many of the versatile Force10switch and switch/router product lines. Leveraging the FTOS Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and portable software architecture, the same VirtualView application software is available across many Force10 platforms, bringing interface protocols to VirtualView are consistent from core to edge. FTOS also features an industry-standard CLI so administrators can easily deploy Force10 switch and switch/routers with minimal training.