Virtualization Solution Leaders VMware, Citrix, TBD Networks and Infoblox Embrace Force10 Networks' Open Automation Framework

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Force10 Networks, Inc., a global technology leader that data center, service provider and enterprise customers rely on when the network is their business, today announced new partner support for its innovative Open Automation Framework. Virtualization leaders VMware, Citrix, TBD Networks and Infoblox have committed support for Force10's network automation solutions that are designed to help boost network administrator productivity and lower operational costs in today's data center environments.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100831/SF55967LOGO)

The partner program support builds on the Open Automation Framework, which aims to simplify virtual network management by improving network device management and automating network switch provisioning. Among the suite of tools in the Framework are:

• SmartScripts™ software that enhances network reliability and improves management by providing a scripting environment for Force10 switching platforms.
• HyperLink™ software that supports automated VM/VLAN migration in VMware and Citrix environments to help ensure improved network connectivity and security.

"VMware and Force10 Networks have worked together to deliver integrated solutions that help customers realize the flexibility and performance benefits of an automated, virtualized data center environment," said Parag Patel, vice president, global strategic alliances, VMware. "VMware is now working with Force10 on its Open Automation Framework to enable IT management to maintain architectural freedom and enjoy greater flexibility, availability and manageability for delivering IT as a service."

"Providing customers with openness and choice are key to the virtualized data center," said John Fanelli, vice president, community and solutions marketing, Citrix Systems.  "By automating data centers with virtualization solutions from Citrix and Force10 Networks, customers can increase their business agility while still preserving the ability to extend to the public cloud environment."

A critical element within the Framework is the ability to facilitate integrated management and automation of the virtualized environment and Force10 switches. Recognizing the need for on-demand reconfiguration, TBD Networks supports Force10's SwitchLink™, which improves network manageability by having virtualization management components work with Force10 switches.

"For second-generation, dynamic virtualized data centers, end-to-end analytics, optimization and orchestration of servers, storage and network are becoming absolute necessities," said Thomas Ludwig, CEO, TBD Networks. "We're very confident that by partnering with Force10 and the Open Automation Framework, in particular, we can help customers to optimize the network portion of the stack by detecting and eliminating bottlenecks while improving utilization."

As network virtualization leaders have announced support of Force10's HyperLink software, leading network management companies are supporting other portions of the Open Automation Framework. Infoblox will support Force10's JumpStart™, providing a highly reliable, scalable infrastructure for large enterprise deployments.

"Infoblox completely automates the IP Address Management Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and domain name system (DNS) administration process, including providing continuous oversight that delivers a resilient and highly available network services infrastructure," said Kevin Dickson, vice president, product management, Infoblox. "Integrating Force10's JumpStart software with our  solutions can increase network uptime and help eliminate configuration errors by enforcing standard configurations that can simplify switch management and accelerate problem resolution."

"Our ability to assemble this ecosystem of complementary virtualization solutions sends a powerful message that network automation is ready to address the pressing concerns of the virtualized data center," said Arpit Joshipura, chief marketing officer, Force10 Networks. "With complementary technology leaders as part of the Open Automation Framework, IT managers can increase network administrator productivity and lower operational costs in today's data center environments."

About Force10 Networks

Force10 Networks is a global technology leader that data center, service provider and enterprise customers rely on when the network is their business. The company's high performance solutions are designed to deliver new economics by virtualizing and automating Ethernet networks. Force10's high density and resilient Ethernet switching and routing products increase network availability, agility and efficiency while reducing power and cooling costs.  Force10 provides 24x7 service and support capabilities to its global customer base in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information on Force10 Networks, please visit www.force10networks.com.

Force10 Networks, the Force10 Networks logo, Force10, E-Series, Traverse, and TraverseEdge are registered trademarks and ExaScale, S-Series, TeraScale, FTOS, Open Automation, JumpStart, HyperLink, SwitchLink and SmartScripts are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. VMware and VMware vSphere are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company. Citrix® and XenServer® are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other company names are trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Force10 Networks, Inc.