ADVA Optical Networking Announces Major Expansion of Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem

ADVA Optical Networking announced today that it has significantly expanded its network functions virtualization (NFV) Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem with the addition of 10 new members. The growing multi-vendor program includes a broad range of NFV innovators, including virtual network function (VNF) providers, technology partners and solution integrators. The Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem is specifically designed to provide communication service providers (CSPs) with a comprehensive collection of best-of-breed NFV solutions. New members of the Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem include Advantech, ASTRI, Check Point Software Technologies, Introspective Networks, LightRiver Technologies, Mirantis, Riverbed Technology, Versa Networks, and Walker and Associates.

“With the Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem, ADVA Optical Networking is helping accelerate the pace of software-based innovation. We’re pleased to bring our carrier-grade software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) functionality to Harmony and its broad set of strategic partnerships,” said Darrell Long, VP, products, Versa Networks. “By bringing Versa’s software-based innovation and working closely in this multi-vendor ecosystem, we can provide CSPs and enterprises with customized solutions, including SD-WAN and SD-Security, to address their specific needs.”

The Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem enables more than 30 partners to collaborate and advance NFV-based innovation. With its additional members, it now delivers even more value to CSPs as it accelerates their automation and virtualization initiatives. The program features the industry’s most comprehensive NFV offering with 14 categories of VNFs, giving CSPs complete freedom of choice for software, hardware and deployment location. Several new members are currently working with ADVA Optical Networking on proofs of concept and field trials in live customer networks. The partner ecosystem is the latest example of how ADVA Optical Networking’s Ensemble Division is leading the NFV field. While others are yet to deploy, operators like Masergy and DartPoints are already using ADVA Ensemble technology to deliver efficient and agile software-based services.

“The Ensemble Harmony Ecosystem offers a comprehensive portfolio of onboarded VNFs with unparalleled variety and choice. The truth is, no other program in the industry even comes close,” commented Brian Irish, director, marketing, Ensemble Division, ADVA Optical Networking. “We know that today’s customers expect cooperation between vendors. They demand solutions that enable them to combine the most advanced and best-of-breed components from various suppliers. That’s why we’ve created an environment where the industry’s leading companies can collaborate to deliver even more value to customers and take NFV to the next level. We’ve done the heavy-lifting and made it incredibly simple for customers. They can now choose from a wide variety of virtualized functions and effortlessly realize the full promise of NFV.”