M1 in bid to create next-gen software-defined networking data centre

• POC aims to simplify network management and planning
• Also enables faster and more flexible provisioning for customer needs

SINGAPORE-based telco M1 Ltd has announced a collaboration with VMware, Palo Alto Networks and Huawei to deploy a next-generation software-defined networking (SDN) technology proof-of-concept in its cloud-based data centre.
 
“The corporate market is a growth segment for M1, and we have continually enhanced our offerings to better serve these customers through our connectivity solutions and cloud-based data centre,” said M1 chief product development and corporate solutions officer Willis Sim.
 
“M1’s Software-Defined Networking Data Centre (SDNDC) will further enhance our capabilities and agility to serve large enterprises and government agencies,” he added.
 
Data centres typically comprise a multitude of hardware from various vendors utilising different proprietary software to provide storage, networking, security and other services, M1 said in a statement.
 
This can make network planning, resource allocation changes or new service rollouts for customers a complex and time-consuming process, it added.
 
SDN would enable a data centre to enjoy a comprehensive unified view of its network and have effective control over each network element through a central management tool.
 
In many cases, it does this without any need to physically configure networking equipment, and this simplifies computing, storage and network planning; enhances performance on existing equipment;  and delivers better security and service uptime, M1 said.
 
With faster provisioning speeds, M1 will also be able to develop and introduce new services more quickly and flexibly, to better serve its growing corporate customer base, it claimed.
 
In the subsequent phase, M1 aims to extend this control directly to customers, to enable them to perform self-service provisioning, in accordance with their own changing business needs.
 
“In a liquid world, agility, flexibility and scalability are critical to business success,” said VMware Asean vice president and general manager Ron Goh (pic).
 
“VMware is thrilled to be working with M1 and industry partners to create a next-generation platform for businesses,” he added.
 
Palo Alto Networks Asean vice president and general manager Wahab Yusoff said, “Through this initiative, customers will now be able to use the distributed service framework of VMware NSX for fast and easy insertion of Palo Alto Networks security services, and achieve unified protection across their physical and virtual environments.”
 
Related Stories:
 
With Accenture aid, M1 completes billing and customer care system upgrade
 
Servers done, now VMware aims to transform networking industry
 
StarHub begins software-defined networking transformation
 
The 3 biggest networking shifts, from the new Juniper CEO
 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.