Applications becoming focal point of networks
Application-driven networking could be the future of data center connectivity options.
By Donna DonnawitzAugust 29, 2012
Ethernet and IP infrastructure will likely remain a key component in enterprise, data center, industrial and other types of networks moving forward. However, the paradigms that surround Ethernet and IP network deployment are changing. As this process continues, there will likely be a large-scale movement toward application-defined networks, Network Computing reported.
According to the news source, an application-defined network is, essentially, an Ethernet/IP system that is supported by a variety of specialized solutions to support more efficient application delivery. These systems can range from OpenFlow to multipath Ethernet and network overlays. All of these solutions have a single attribute in common - they supplement Ethernet/IP systems in such a way that the inherent weaknesses of the technology are overcome.
Using these solutions and similar advanced network tools can help organizations develop an application-driven approach to networking that goes beyond simply focusing on layers one through three within the network and extends the performance gains to layers four through seven, the report said. This capability is especially important for application delivery, as the process requires high-performance capabilities at every layer of the network, not just the primary systems that help get information out to end users.
While advanced, application-focused network solutions make up the inner workings of a network that emphasizes service delivery, the movement as a whole is really created by a new approach to how the network is built. The report said traditional IT functionality mandates that the company builds the network based on its budget, personnel and infrastructure resources and then works to get the job done with applications that fit within those systems.
In the application-driven network space, the applications and services that businesses need are used to inform the entire networking build, enabling organizations to adapt their Ethernet/IP infrastructure with supporting technologies that cater to the specific requirements of enterprise services.
In many cases, developing networks that are flexible enough to respond adequately to application delivery needs is only possible when the right cabling systems are in place. Because of this, media conversion is an ideal tool in enabling application-driven networks because it enables organizations to switch freely between fiber and copper, cost effectively responding to the bandwidth requirements created by the infrastructure that enables application delivery.
Perle has an extensive range of Managed and Unmanaged Fiber Media Converters to extended copper-based Ethernet equipment over a fiber optic link, multimode to multimode and multimode to single mode fiber up to 160km.
According to the news source, an application-defined network is, essentially, an Ethernet/IP system that is supported by a variety of specialized solutions to support more efficient application delivery. These systems can range from OpenFlow to multipath Ethernet and network overlays. All of these solutions have a single attribute in common - they supplement Ethernet/IP systems in such a way that the inherent weaknesses of the technology are overcome.
Using these solutions and similar advanced network tools can help organizations develop an application-driven approach to networking that goes beyond simply focusing on layers one through three within the network and extends the performance gains to layers four through seven, the report said. This capability is especially important for application delivery, as the process requires high-performance capabilities at every layer of the network, not just the primary systems that help get information out to end users.
While advanced, application-focused network solutions make up the inner workings of a network that emphasizes service delivery, the movement as a whole is really created by a new approach to how the network is built. The report said traditional IT functionality mandates that the company builds the network based on its budget, personnel and infrastructure resources and then works to get the job done with applications that fit within those systems.
In the application-driven network space, the applications and services that businesses need are used to inform the entire networking build, enabling organizations to adapt their Ethernet/IP infrastructure with supporting technologies that cater to the specific requirements of enterprise services.
In many cases, developing networks that are flexible enough to respond adequately to application delivery needs is only possible when the right cabling systems are in place. Because of this, media conversion is an ideal tool in enabling application-driven networks because it enables organizations to switch freely between fiber and copper, cost effectively responding to the bandwidth requirements created by the infrastructure that enables application delivery.
Perle has an extensive range of Managed and Unmanaged Fiber Media Converters to extended copper-based Ethernet equipment over a fiber optic link, multimode to multimode and multimode to single mode fiber up to 160km.
