DartPoints Deploys ADVA Ensemble for Pure-Play NFV

ADVA Optical Networking today announced that DartPoints is deploying the ADVA Ensemble solution to transform its data center services and generate new revenue opportunities. Dallas-based DartPoints, a leading provider of customized data center solutions, is utilizing the pure-play network functions virtualization (NFV) technology for several new business cases. The ADVA Ensemble product suite will be used to support multi-vendor virtual network functions (VNFs) that can be managed either by DartPoints or by the customer. It will also enable multi-tenancy VNFs. The first of these to be rolled out will be virtual firewalls and routers managed by DartPoints.

“One of the key reasons we chose ADVA Optical Networking’s pure-play virtualization platform was because it enables us to mix and match software with open hardware for high velocity and service agility,” said Satya Baddipudi, CTO, DartPoints. “The ADVA Ensemble solution also gives us the freedom to locate functions where they’ll be most efficient and where they best meet our customers’ needs. What’s more, with the Ensemble Orchestrator we’re able to provision a single instance of a virtualized network function across multiple customers, which creates an especially attractive total cost of ownership model.”

DartPoints is utilizing several key elements of the ADVA Ensemble product suite. This includes the Ensemble Connector, a virtualization platform that provides virtual switching, flow steering across diverse physical and virtual network systems and Carrier Ethernet 2.0 functionality, all in a hardware-agnostic, software-only instance. The platform runs on the ADVA FSP 150vSE, an Intel-based server wrapped in a carrier-class chassis. Paired with the Ensemble Connector, the ADVA FSP 150vSE provides one platform for both services and network access, hosting multiple combinations of software-based VNFs required for a service chain. The Ensemble Orchestrator has also been installed to instantiate and provision VNFs from multiple vendors.

“DartPoint’s first pure-play NFV deployment highlights the power of the Ensemble Orchestrator – a full-featured management and orchestration solution,” said Prayson Pate, CTO, ADVA Ensemble Division. “In this case, automated instantiation, provisioning and partitioning enables resources to be shared for optimized utilization and significantly lower overhead costs. DartPoints can now instantly deploy on-demand VNFs at the customer premise to simplify operations and unleash service innovation. And, with the ADVA Ensemble pure-play virtualization platform, DartPoints is free of vendor lock-in – free to innovate, free to respond instantly to customer needs.”