Open Automation Framework

Automation is becoming increasingly popular as large corporate data centers adopt virtualization technology. The Force10 Open Automation Framework helps IT managers improve the responsiveness, efficiency and reliability of virtual data centers. Based on open standards, Force10’s Open Automation Framework allows IT managers to deploy virtualized environments using best of breed technology.

The Force10 Open Automation Framework simplifies virtual network management by improving network device management and automating network switch provisioning. Additionally, Open Automation allows virtualization management tools and system management tools to communicate with virtual network resources, making it possible for IT managers to provision VMs (Virtual Machines) and virtual network resources using a single software tool.

The Open Automation Framework is comprised of a suite of inter-related network management tools:

• JumpStart™ allows customers to quickly deploy Force10 network switches using standardized configurations.
• SmartScript™ improves network monitoring and management by allowing customers to run custom scripts on Force10 switches
• HyperLink™ facilitates communications between virtualization management frameworks and Force10 switches
• SwitchLink™ facilitates communications between system management tools and Force10 switches.

Together, these tools provide network administrators the tools required to deploy and manage an automated network environment.

A critical step in the deployment of new network devices is to ensure that network switches are properly configured. JumpStart automated bare metal configuration automatically configures a Force10 switch with a pre-defined configuration, helping to enforce standardization, reducing the potential for errors, and minimizing the time required to install new switches.

Upon installation, the Force10 switch searches the network for a DHCP server, which points the Force10 switch to where it can find a configuration file and the approved version of FTOS, the operating system for Force10 switches. FTOS and the configuration file are automatically loaded on the switch. This helps network administrators deploy network devices with consistent configurations, eliminates potential human errors, reduces the time required to deploy a new switch and gives network administrators more time to work on more complex networking issues.

 

SmartScripts increases network reliability and manageability by providing a scripting environment for Force10 switching platforms. This scripting capability allows IT managers to customize the monitoring and management of network infrastructure by running Perl and Python scripts on Force10 switches. With this capability, customers can implement version control systems, automatically generate alerts, create custom logging tools and automate management of network devices. Support for Perl and Python scripting makes it easy for IT administrators to quickly deploy new monitoring and management capabilities.

SmartScripts is available as part of the Force10 Operating System (FTOS), which is built on a modular NetBSD kernel and available across many platforms in the versatile Force10's product family. Leveraging the FTOS Hardware Abstraction Layer, the same SmartScripts application software is available across many Force10 platforms, which means the interface protocols to SmartScripts are consistent from core to edge. FTOS also features an industry-standard CLI so administrators can easily deploy Force10 switches with minimal training.

Managing virtual environments requires coordination between VMs, virtual storage pools and virtual network devices. Virtual management software is commonly used to coordinate these virtual resources. HyperLink facilitates two-way communications between FTOS and virtual management software, making it possible for these tools to monitor key network performance statistics, watch for potential issues, provision new VLANs or change the QoS of existing VLANs to support changes in application needs. HyperLink works with many virtualization frameworks, giving customers the freedom to adopt virtualization tools that best meet their needs.

HyperLink is available as part of FTOS, which is built on a modular NetBSD kernel and available across many platforms in the versatile Force10 switch and switch/router product lines. Leveraging the FTOS Hardware Abstraction Layer, the same HyperLink application software is available across many Force10 platforms, which means the interface protocols to HyperLink 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.

Many data center managers use system management tools to manage applications, servers, storage and network devices. SwitchLink facilitates two-way communications between FTOS and system management software, making it possible for these tools to monitor key network performance statistics, watch for potential issues, provision new VLANs or change the QoS of existing VLANs to support changes in application needs. SwitchLink works with many system management frameworks, giving customers the freedom to adopt virtualization tools that best meet their needs.

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