Advantech Offers Software Defined Networking from Netronome

Advantech introduced Software Defined Networking (SDN) to its line of x86-based network application platforms and high-performance carrier grade servers with Netronome NFE-3240 FlowNICs. Advantech’s high-performance servers are configurable platforms designed to balance x86 server-class processing performance with maximum I/O and offload density. Netronome’s PCIe FlowNICs provide 6x 1G or 2x 10G Ethernet connectivity to Openflow 1.3 controllers, which enable Advantech’s carrier grade and optimized I/O servers to be deployed at the intelligent edge of Software Defined Networks.

According to the company, by offloading networking functions to the Netronome programmable FlowNIC, Advantech servers solve the scalability challenges of virtual switching at the edge while offering more valuable x86 CPU cycles to run applications.

“The combination of Netronome’s Flow Processors and SDN software accelerates the network inside Advantech’s x86-based server platforms enabling customers to scale Open vSwitch instantiations to the highest data rates possible within a single server,” said Peter Marek, senior director of x86 solutions at Advantech. “This solution offers the most efficient use of processing resources to developers of virtualized networking functions by minimizing the effects on latency, throughput and processing overhead.

Netronome software includes Linux and DPDK drivers for easy integration into x86 designs. Solution stacks are available for cyber security, network analytics and other Linux-based applications

Advantech also rolled out a new addition to its carrier-grade, NEBS-compliant server line in a 1U package with a depth of just 20 inches. According to the company, the CGS-3000 is optimized for the needs of network equipment and telecom service providers.

For equipment manufacturers and operators who need reliable carrier-grade computer systems, the CGS-3000 carrier-grade server, powered by a single CPU from the Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v3 series, is a cost-optimized platform designed to balance processing performance with maximum PCIe I/O on adapters from Advantech and qualified ecosystem suppliers, the company says.

The CGS-3000 supports memory configurations up to 32GB. In addition to common management ports such as USB, Console, VGA and two management Ethernet ports, it also comes with 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports pre-integrated on to the motherboard. Advanced LAN bypass is available as an option supporting applications that need advanced fail-to-wire in virtualized and non-virtualized environments. Two high performance extension slots with 3rd generation PCI Express interfaces are available for the integration of full-height, full-length PCIe cards.

For more information, visit Advantech and Netronome

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.