Cyan introduced its Blue Planet software defined networking (SDN) platform for virtualizing service provider networks.
Blue Planet software, which is available now, consists of an open SDN platform as well as Cyan and third-party apps. The software is composed of three distinct elements: an open SDN platform, SDN apps, and element adapter apps facilitating control over a wide range of third-party network devices. The software enables Cyan and third-party apps to interrogate and control underlying network infrastructure. Blue Planet allows apps to interact not only with OpenFlow compliant network devices, but also with legacy devices deployed prior to the development of SDN.
Cyan provides element adaptors to enable control over a broad collection of third-party network elements. In addition to Cyan Z-Series packet-optical transport platforms (P-OTPs), Blue Planet interoperates with select devices from Accedian Networks, Actelis Networks, Adtran, Adva, Alcatel-Lucent, BTI Systems, Calient, Calix, Ciena, Cisco, Juniper, MRV, OneAccess Networks, Optelian, Omnitron Systems, Overture, RAD Data Communications, Telco Systems, Transition Networks, Transmode, and others.
Cyan said its goal with Blue Planet is to "obliterate legacy cost structures, make more efficient use of network assets, and radically accelerate service delivery." Blue Planet aims to build on the virtualization, service orchestration, and hardware simplification principles that have fundamentally altered the cloud data center environment.
NTT Communications is deploying Blue Planet in several geographic markets.
“We are at an important moment in the evolution of the network,” stated Cyan president Michael Hatfield. “For years, service providers and other network operators have been searching for ways to break free of expensive and restrictive legacy architectures mandated by incumbent equipment suppliers. SDN has begun to accomplish this in data center environments by virtualizing resources and flattening cost structures. Cyan is taking the next logical step by applying these principles to wide area and metro networks.”
