Orange Business Services is strengthening its hybrid network offering with software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology from its partner Riverbed Technology.
The new solution will enable Orange customers to simplify the
management of their hybrid networks and optimize the performance of both
corporate and cloud applications. This launch is a key part of the
Orange network-as-a-service strategy, and the solution will be available
globally.
To
deliver this SD-WAN service, Orange will integrate Riverbed
SteelConnect technology into its hybrid network portfolio. The two
companies are working together to develop a virtual network function
(VNF) that customers will be able to deploy on universal customer
premise equipment (uCPE) at their site. Full compatibility will be
maintained with existing services as enterprises transition applications
to the cloud.
Riverbed's SD-WAN offering, SteelConnect,
provides an intelligent and simplified approach to designing, deploying
and managing hybrid networks. Application performance is improved by
real-time routing using the optimum links available between different
networks. SteelConnect also enables zero-touch provisioning, allowing
enterprises to set-up global networks quickly with easy management,
providing a cost effective and superior end user experience.
The
first Orange pilot customers will be connected during the second
quarter 2017 using managed SteelConnect appliances. The VNF of the
service is scheduled to be available at the end of 2017. This will
provide full virtualization and orchestration managed through an
easy-to-use ‘self-care' portal to administer and prioritize
applications.
This new solution builds upon the acceleration provided by Riverbed Enterprise Application Management (EAM) for cloud applications on Orange Business VPN Galerie.
New features will enhance the management of cloud access services
together with the ability to mix connectivity between private and public
networks.
"Historically,
Orange and Riverbed have a strong relationship with joint innovation
commitments to support developments in the network and cloud. Riverbed
is a key partner, and we are working closely with them to integrate
their SD-WAN technology into our network. This will provide our
customers with yet more choice and simplicity in how they manage their
infrastructure," says Pierre-Louis Biaggi, vice president, Connectivity
Business Unit, Orange Business Services.
"With
the launch of our SD-WAN solution SteelConnect integrated into Orange's
hybrid network portfolio, Orange and Riverbed continue their journey of
co-development aimed at rapidly introducing new services to the market
in response to customers' changing needs as they move more apps and
services to the cloud. We look forward to even greater market
acceleration as we leverage more of our joint portfolio and explore new
options like the Service Delivery Platform announced at Mobile World
Congress this year," said Phil Harris, senior vice president and General
Manager, Service Provider Vertical at Riverbed.