Brocade and Avnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and operating group of Avnet, Inc., today announced the joint development of marketing and enablement support for a new set of multi-vendor, pre-tested and configured virtualization solutions to help reseller partners in the U.S. and Canada design and deploy open, efficient and scalable virtualization solutions.

 

This joint effort will focus on building virtual compute blocks, which are integrated, tested and validated solution bundles comprised of server, virtualization, networking and storage resources and an integral element of the Brocade’s CloudPlex architecture. This open, extensible architectural framework will help end-user organizations and solutions integrators build the next generation of distributed and virtualized data centers in a simple, evolutionary way. Avnet will be providing integration services for these solutions, as well as other channel enablement and sales support.

 

At VMworld, Brocade will be introducing the first success of its joint development efforts with Avnet: a reference architecture and validated solution designed to cost effectively scale virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments to support thousands of clients (or desktops) per solution bundle. VDI technology offers IT managers a simple and highly effective way to manage operating system and application updates throughout their enterprise, one of the most complex and time-consuming tasks they face in today's highly distributed and mobile computing model.

 

However, to scale properly, enterprise-wide VDI deployments should be built on top of an open, multi-vendor-based architecture that can scale easily and quickly migrate desktops and user data between data centers when needed, all while simplifying the management and configuration processes.

 

Specifically, this new set of virtualization solutions will incorporate Brocade and VMware networking and hypervisor technologies in conjunction with a number of compute and storage platforms. All virtualization solutions are qualified through a multi-stage validation process conducted by Brocade and Avnet, enabling value-added reseller and solutions integrator partners to deploy these solutions with confidence and the assurance of interoperability.

 

"The collaboration between Brocade and Avnet brings forth best-in-class virtualization solutions designed to address the challenges facing resellers and their end customers today," said Barbara Spicek, vice president of Global Channels at Brocade. "This joint effort underscores Brocade's belief that multi-vendor technology integration must take place in the channel. Whether it be through a world-class distributor like Avnet whose integration capabilities are second to none, or via a reseller that specializes in virtualization and cloud technologies, the channel is where the 'rubber meets the road.' Recognizing this, Brocade is committed to working with channel partners to deliver viable, compelling technology offerings that arm resellers with what they need to remain differentiated in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

 

As the use of virtualization technology becomes increasingly prevalent, end customers are looking to the reseller community to provide the guidance and expertise on how best to deploy and integrate virtualization technology into their operations. The creation of fully validated, pre-configured, open standards-based virtualization technologies presents an attractive value proposition to resellers looking to quickly and seamlessly implement these solutions in multi-vendor IT environments. In addition, resellers will benefit from the technical know-how and enablement resources available through Avnet's data center services offerings.

 

"While virtualization and cloud computing presents a world of opportunities to reseller partners, it also introduces new levels of complexity into their business and operations," said Scott Look, vice president and general manager of the Technology Infrastructure Solutions Group at Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "At Avnet, we are committed to fully supporting our reseller partners and have evolved our business to be able to meet their changing needs through vertical industry-focused integration services, partner enablement programs and go-to-market assistance."

 

In addition, Avnet's SolutionsPath® methodology provides resellers a wide range of tools to help them gain relevant technical skills and develop specialized solution-selling capabilities in vertical and technology markets. Avnet's SolutionsPath includes data center technology practices around mobility, networking, security, storage and virtualization, along with vertical market practices for the energy, finance, government, healthcare and retail industries. Avnet resellers also have access to value-added supplemental resources, such as hosting live, online demonstrations from virtually anywhere by connecting to the Avnet Global Solutions Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

 

Earlier this year, Brocade and Avnet introduced Avnet Accelerator, an invitation-only program designed to help resellers tap into the power of Ethernet fabric technologies to assist their customers in simplifying their network architectures and managing the growth of server virtualization and virtual machines inside their data centers. Today's announcement provides yet another opportunity for resellers to capitalize on the sale and deployment of virtualization solutions.

 

Availability and Additional Details

The Brocade/VMware VDI solution will be available to U.S. and Canada resellers through Avnet this November. Additional multi-vendor, open standards-based virtualization solutions will be available in the following months.

 

For more information on how Brocade networking technologies can help customers transition to the cloud, please visit www.brocade.com/cloud