IP Infusion Joins Open Networking Foundation

As part of its initiative to further innovation in a new approach to networking called Software Defined Networking (SDN), IP Infusion (News - Alert) has become a member of the Open Networking Foundation (ONF).

The company is expected to contribute its expertise in developing embedded networking software standards as a member of ONF. In addition, IP Infusion will also provide specific input based on its experience in split-control plane architectures, helping drive the next generation of network evolution in tomorrow’s data centers.

A non-profit organization, ONF was created to promote SDN, which enables innovation in control and management of data center networks via a pioneering redesign of the control planes architecture to deliver better TCO to data centers and even extend it to the telecom networks.

“The goals outlined by the ONF align perfectly with our vision for transforming tomorrow’s communications networks today,” said Koichi Narasaki (News - Alert), president and CEO at IP Infusion, adding that the foundation supports the company’s goal to create solutions that accelerate innovative solutions for data center networks.

To allow network owners and operators to optimize network behavior to best serve their customers’ needs, SDN provides better control over their networks. Moreover, it requires two basic components – a software interface called OpenFlow for controlling packet forwarding, and a set of global management interfaces upon which advanced management tools can be built.

The ONF is expected to lead the development of the OpenFlow standard, as well as encourage its adoption by freely licensing it to all member companies.

IP Infusion plans to help extend the benefits of network flow control abstraction by sharing its experience in developing split-control plane software. Company officials said that the software makes possible a future in which SDN advantages can be felt from a single node to an entire network.

Additionally, the company plans to also use its extensive experience participating in leading standards groups – Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the ONF – to ensure IP Infusion customers that they can develop superior products today and more effectively plan for the delivery of future standards-based offerings.

The company clearly sees the value that the ONF will bring to its OEM customers as the organization drives a new generation of standards-based and intelligent networking solutions for service providers and enterprises, Narasaki said.

“Participating in an organization that includes so many other industry leaders will allow us to drive technological advances that will enhance our offerings,” Narasaki said.

Last October, the company announced the inclusion of Layer 3 technology from IP Infusion’s ZebOS software suite in BLADE Network Technologies’ data center Ethernet switches.