Ciena, Avaya serve up WAN-LAN data networking solution

Ciena has established a strategic alliance with Avaya to create what the two companies say is a WAN-LAN data networking solution, a move that reflects Ciena's move to extend its capabilities into other market segments.  

By combining the Avaya Fabric Connect technology with the programmability and scalability of Ciena's converged packet optical and packet networking platforms, the two companies said they can simplify network operations for businesses while increasing control to deliver on-demand services.

Among the new capabilities the partnership will focus on will be helping enterprises create delivery models, such as hybrid cloud and data center footprint consolidation, and simplifying the inclusion of new network locations. The new solution will support government, healthcare and large enterprise customers' growing use of real-time applications such as Unified Communications, business video, and Wi-Fi-enabled mobility. 

Both vendors' platforms play a role in enabling these services. Ciena's packet networking and E-Suite solutions provide the foundational WAN element, while Avaya's Fabric Connect technology provides an Ethernet and IP service delivery layer.

"Through our collaboration with Ciena, we have developed a solution to help our enterprise customers address this issue by enabling them to seamlessly turn-up or turn-down new services without any impact to end-users," said Mark Randall, senior vice president and general manager at Avaya, in a release.

An educational institution could use the new solution to offer separate virtual networks for students, faculty, business operations, financial transactions and public safety CCTV. The institution could converge multiple services and seamlessly transport them across the WAN, thereby reducing the overall cost and complexity of the network architecture.

Set to be available to customers today, the joint solution is supported by Ciena and Avaya and is offered to current and new customers via mutual channel partners Ronco Communications and Integration Partners. 

While Ciena may be a major network infrastructure supplier to the largest service providers, its partnership with Avaya illustrates that it is trying to branch out into other markets like the enterprise, whose needs are becoming increasingly more sophisticated in nature.

For more:
- see the release

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