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The Future of Cloud Networking

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PCQ Bureau
New Update


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Cloud computing is a disruptive model for many businesses, both small (private) and large (public) to take advantage of web-based applications. It is now taking the world by storm! Deploying modern high performance transactions across a cloud infrastructure requires new levels of agility that are difficult to accomplish with today's traditional silo model. Requirements for a modern scalable cloud network infrastructure include large numbers of 1/10 Gigabit, 40/100G higher-speed Ethernet connections for the future and modern software.

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2012—2015: The Shift from Enterprise to Cloud Networking

Public providers are building public clouds of 100,000+ servers in physical containers while micro private clouds are being constructed for thousands of servers co-existing in classical enterprise designs. In many ways, the difference between building a cloud, versus traditional racks, is the difference between pre-fabricated houses and full-custom house construction. In a cloud, the networking layer is an integral part of computing and must be a “best of breed” solution rather than a separate piece. Operational and acquisitions costs, as well as power consumption are significant pieces as well. Cloud networks necessitate high network availability since a network failure could affect thousands of servers and new levels of open integration. This is simply not possible with today's blocking and monolithic software and needs a radical shift in design.

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A New Cloud Stack is Emerging

I see the emergence of a new cloud stack. Unlike the well-defined OSI stack model of Layers 1 though 7 with distinct separation between network layers (Layer 2/3/4) and application layers (Layer 7), cloud networking blurs these boundaries by coupling the network infrastructure with machines and modern web applications. Stateless servers working to separate persistent state from the server resource pool, demand a non-blocking scalable network that is robust and able to isolate application domains.



Summary

The trick is to recognize disruptions and build an open platform for new mission critical and high performance applications. This resonates with me, as customers are transitioning from traditional IT to profitable cloud container approaches. We are witnessing a dramatic departure from closed networks of the past and new open eco systems with unprecedented opportunities. Welcome to the new world of cloud networking.

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