Freescale Targets SDN With Switching Platform
Software-defined networks are getting a nudge from hardware vendors, including chipmakers.
With an eye toward advancing SDN deployments that are expected to ramp up this year, Freescale Semiconductor introduced a network services switching platform this week that is described as equal parts traditional networking switch and secure white box component.
Developed in conjunction with manufacturing partner Adventech, Freescale's SDN switching platform is built around its 24-core QorIQ processor, which the chipmaker refers to as "server class." The design also incorporates Freescale's network software based on OpenFlow protocol. The platform also supports OpenStack and OpenDaylight, the network programmability feature aimed at enabling SDN.
The switching platform addresses network security in virtual environments through support for high-end packet processing functionality, including intrusion detection, firewalls and VXLAN over IPSec transport.
Freescale also is a joining a growing number of network equipment suppliers offering intelligent switching equipment needed to rollout software-defined infrastructure as well as to handle growing volumes of data and workloads carried by next-generation networks. The chipmaker is betting that customers are looking for power and cost savings though, for example, the elimination of network appliances required for traditional switching deployments.
Freescale, Austin, Texas, said its switching platform combines its QorIQ processors with standard ASIC switching devices, a Linux operating system and a programmable, open datapath API. Freescale's VortiQa SDN switch software supports OpenFlow version 1.3 with extensions for Layer 4 and higher protocols along with Layer 2/3 Ethernet forwarding.
The market for hardware and software for SDN and network functions virtualization is expected to soar to more than $11 billion by 2018, according to estimates cited by Freescale. Infonetics Research predicted last summer that SDN deployments would start ramping up this year. The market researcher reported that 87 percent of North American-based enterprises surveyed last year said they intend to deploy SDN in their datacenters and campus LANs by 2016.
Freescale said this week its switching platform would be available through Advantech as a white box product that can be customized to specific customer requirements and different network deployment scenarios. The embedded processing specialist expects to begin shipping the network platform to "lead customers" in the second half of this year. Initial shipments will include support for IPSec VPNs, policy based routing and L2/L3 Ethernet switching.
The chipmaker also plans to demonstrate its network services switching platform at Interop 2015 starting April 27 in Las Vegas. "Enterprises, network carriers and their equipment suppliers need a new generation of switching technology for this new era,” Sam Fuller, head of strategy and solutions for Freescale’s Digital Networking group, stressed in a statement.
The new switching platform is being released as Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors is finalizing its $11.8 deal announced in March to acquire Freescale. Along with communications processors, Freescale is a major player in the automotive electronics sector.
