Among the switches the AMF will be available on is the AT-SBx8112.
Allied Telesis has launched Allied Management Framework (AMF)—an innovative new technology that will help enterprises reduce the cost and complexity of network management by up to 60 per cent.
Software Defined Networking (SDN) – where a software platform is used to centrally control a network – has hit the headlines recently for its claims of better network utilization and easier management.
Unfortunately, most SDN solutions are targeted at large data centers which put them out of reach of the typical enterprise customer. Allied Telesis recognized this fact and has developed AMF as a practical way for Enterprises to take advantage of the benefits of SDN without the hefty price tag.
“One of the key challenges we see is the resources that are required to manage large enterprise networks. In addition to the resources required, customers face the challenge of hiring or retaining technical staff. AMF eases the burden of managing enterprise networks by automating many tasks that today require a level of involvement by the network administrator. Our platform has been developed to make it easier for our customers to manage their networks,“ said Mr Scott Penno, Asia Pacific Regional Marketing Manager for Allied Telesis.
One of the main advantages of SDN is the promise of centralized management. SDN treats the network as a single virtual device. Allied Telesis has developed AMF to achieve this and more, with centralized management of an entire network from any single device through a simple and intuitive Command Line Interface (CLI). Configuration files and firmware files are automatically backed up regularly and are available for regenerating failed devices; and configuration changes can be made on multiple devices at the same time. This combination of features enables AMF to lower network operating expenses by reducing the complexity of network management and automating many routine tasks.
“Unlike SDN, which requires a software-based controller external to the network itself, Allied Telesis has embedded the controller functionality within the network simplifying the delivery of this new technology. This enables many of the benefits of Software Defined Networking to be delivered without the cost, complexity and overhead that SDN brings,” Penno enthused.
“In numerous cases, the cost of managing a network is a multiple of the capital cost of the hardware. For this reason, many organisations are now focussing on technologies like SDN and AMF as a means of reducing operational costs associated with managing their networks. One early adopter of this technology expects to reduce the on-going cost of managing their network by 60% which should be compelling for any customer”, he added.
Allied Telesis has identified integrated network management as the immediate benefit for Enterprise users and have developed Allied Management Framework (AMF) to greatly simplify network management tasks. Powerful features like centralized management, auto-backup, auto-upgrade, auto-provisioning and auto-recovery, plug-and-play networking and zero-touch management are the first features to be implemented within AMF. AMF is a platform of strategic importance for Allied Telesis and further development and enhancements to AMF are being undertaken to deliver next generation network technologies for our customers.
AMF is available from August 1st, 2013 on the following Allied Telesis series switches – AT-x210, AT-x510, AT-x610, AT-SBx908 and AT-SBx8112.
