ADVA Optical Networking has launched the Ensemble SmartWAN platform, a tool to enable service providers to deliver managed virtualized software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and other virtual network functions (VNFs).
The new platform will leverage existing elements of ADVA's Ensemble software suite, the company said in a statement. Ensemble SmartWAN is supported by a number of key partners, including Silver Peak and Versa Networks.
Prayson Pate, CTO of Ensemble Division at ADVA Optical Networking, said the new platform will change SD-WAN from a stand-alone monolithic application to become part of a rich solution set that enables other VNFs to share all SD-WAN features.
Ensemble SmartWAN will support both overlay and underlay networking by interfacing directly with MPLS virtual private networks (VPNs); it can provide the MPLS peering and tunnels of the customer edge router, which could eliminate the need for the router altogether.
With the Ensemble SmartWAN platform, service providers can offer managed SD-WAN solutions in an automated and virtualized manner while deploy additional value-added services on top of their base SD-WAN offerings. This approach enables enterprises to take advantage of the benefits of these virtualized, feature-rich services at a much lower cost.