Cloud computing, video streaming, and social media are contributing to a dramatic rise in metro and regional inter data center traffic that includes data center to data center, data center to access networks and local traffic, and data center to peering and partner traffic. Traffic patterns also are changing: data centers are moving closer to the end user or “eyeballs” and east-west traffic is flowing between all of these data center connections. Inter data center network architectures are being reconfigured to respond to the increased traffic volumes and changing traffic patterns. The architectural challenges include cost effectively accommodating the rapidly expanding traffic volumes, providing network flexibility, and supporting service innovation.

BTI Intelligent Cloud Connect  is a converged optical, LSR and application-aware architecture that responds to these challenges. The converged platform provides 10 Gbps and 100 Gbps DWDM wavelengths, MPLS Label Switch Router (LSR), and a Network Function Virtualization-based (NFV) applications module. The LSR approach is optimized for cloud connectivity applications. It costs less than full-fledged Layer 3 routers by excluding unnecessary core route processing and look-up overhead not required for data center transit points. Costs are reduced further by delivering transparent transport DWDM wavelengths, Layer 2+ switching, and NFV applications all in a single platform with unified management and control.

ACG Research conducted a case study of a typical metro data center network to compare the five-year total cost of ownership of the BTI Intelligent Cloud Connect architecture with two alternative solutions: 1) LSR Composite: separate LSR, transparent optical transport, and network analytics platforms; 2) L3 Composite: separate L3 router, transparent optical transport, and network analytics platforms. BTI’s ICC architecture produces a lower cost solution than the LSR Composite and L3 Composite alternatives by eliminating the redundancies associated with the separate network elements of the alternative solutions. BTI’s proNX Management and Control Software reduces capital expense (CapEx) by eliminating costly control functionality located within each network element of the LSR Composite and Layer 3 router alternatives and decreases operation expense (OpEx) by simplifying and automating many operational processes.

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