Virtualization & Cloud Networking: Connecting the Dots....

As we enter VMWorld I would like to explain this further and showcase Arista's thought leadership. The widespread deployment of server virtualization has created a ripple effect on network deployments. Each physical server now has multiple virtual images with their own MAC address. The deployment of virtual soft switches such as VMware’s vNetwork Distributed Switch allows the server to present a single MAC address to the physical network switch and perform the functions of a traditional access switch inside the physical server.

These dynamic networks with massively mobile workloads and virtual machine sprawl create a high barrier to mainstream virtualization deployments. What you have is thousands of virtual machines running around in random motion creating disconnect between management of physical and virtual networks. Today, most IT administrators cope with this schism and have learned to develop procedures to make the best of the situation. Status quo is not an option. Operational dislocations between the virtualization administrators and the network teams must be proactively solved.

Introducing Arista's vEOS: An Industry First

With the announcement of vEOS (virtualized EOS) today, Arista is pleased to solve the gap between physical and virtual networks and enhance our cloud networking solution. With vEOS, both the network and server administrators will have familiar mechanisms to manage their own infrastructure. Our vEOS is the first in the industry to connect the dots and manage across existing virtual and physical switches. It adheres to Arista's 'single image philosophy' where we produce one software image across our portfolio - simplifying the burdens of qualification and troubleshooting. Finally the industry can implement the best of both worlds. vEOS provides isolation for the worlds and seamless yet familiar operational tools.

Easy Deployment in VMware Environments:

Arista has been working with the VMware team as a technology alliance partner to make vEOS a customer-driven reality. VEOS will work with existing VMware's vNetwork Distributed Switches (vDS) in VSphere 4.0. Customers need not rip or replace existing investments in VMware’s virtual switches. It is designed to work non-intrusively with vCenter and our Arista’s 7XXX series. vEOS is an object-oriented configuration model that simplifies the management of both virtual and the physical switches. Based on the inherent resiliency of Arista’s purpose-built software, vEOS is a stable and reliable control architecture and quite a stark contrast to more tightly coupled alternatives.

Lippis Consulting calls EOS a "game changer". Yankee Group's Zeus welcomes vEOS as a "strategic software platform". As you can tell the industry needs pioneering innovations such as vEOS. We encourage you to be part of the early adopter introductory vEOS offer. We will also be at VMWorld in Booth #1438. Do come and visit us for a sneak preview of vEOS! Welcome to the new world of Virtual and Cloud based Networking. As always I welcome your comments at feedback@aristanetworks.com

References:

VMware Alliance Partner
Impact of Virtualization on Cloud Networking -Whitepaper
vEOS Partnership Video