Addressing the Support of Flexible and Dynamic Cloud Infrastructure

The cloud has evolved from a pure ad hoc consumption model that was typical of the developer community with access purely over pure IP based connections into hybrid consumption models that are integral to strategic enterprise systems with access requirements for private connectivity. At the center of this evolution is Ethernet. In addition to the secured privacy and reliability of Ethernet, its scalable features make it a natural network preference for cloud connectivity. While extensive work has been done to deliver standards based Carrier Ethernet services, these were done in line with the traditional functioning of telecommunication networks. In that model, the physical network layouts are primarily static and the commercial models were equally rigid in construct and service terms. While there are many benefits derived, there are also are some critical challenges that confronts service providers, enterprises and network vendors in the deployment of Ethernet-based cloud services.

As a leading interconnection hub with more than 46,000 ecosystems connections and counting, Telx has been facilitating such private connectivity amongst all different users of the cloud. Particularly, by way of its cloud enablement programs that provide colocation, interconnection and systems tools at the points of highest network densities in the US for direct private connectivity to cloud platforms. As hybrid cloud deployments increase, Telx’s interconnection hubs will continue to play a critical role as the converging point for the cloud and the private network. This is a role that Telx takes seriously, leveraging its long standing experience with interconnectivity to actively engage in developing open as well as standard technologies that will help its customers deliver and consume cloud services expediently and at lower costs models associated with utility based services.

In addition to localized services and programs that Telx delivers to its customers, it actively participates in leading industry groups that promote scalable open standards. Most recently, in membership with the CloudEthernet Forum (CEF) and jointly authoring the CEF’s first “CloudEthernet Technical White Paper.” As described in its recent press release, this “keenly-awaited white paper outlines the challenges that are emerging with the explosive growth in datacenters and cloud services enabled by the availability of high speed Ethernet. Among the key issues identified, in addition to scaling challenges, are requirements for technology and device-agnostic provisioning end-to-end, and for deterministic traffic behavior and performance.”

Telx is pleased to be working with diverse global industry leaders and major cloud constituents in the CEF to bring standards and solutions that will drive value to our customers.

About The CloudEthernet Forum:

The CloudEthernet Forum is a global industry alliance founded in May 2013 to address the need for scaling and enhancing Ethernet technology to meet the stringent demands of delivering cloud services. The membership will include systems integrators, NEMs and service providers including leading cloud providers – the eleven founder members being: Alcatel Lucent, Avaya, Citrix, Equinix, Huawei, HP, Juniper, PCCW Global, Spirent Communications, Tata Communications and Verizon. The Forum’s mission is to help cloud service providers, carriers and enterprises to support cloud services more easily, quickly and economically.

The CloudEthernet Forum is an independent MEF organization. For more information, please visit www.CloudEthernet.org.