Why We Are a Cool Vendor for Cloud and Service Providers

DriveNets was recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor in Communications Service Provider Network Operations (Published 26 May 2020) in a report authored by Gartner analysts: Kosei Takiishi, Michael Porowski, Sylvain Fabre, Peter Liu.

So what makes us cool?

Our ‘Cool’ Credentials

1. We opened the network: we believe the recognition demonstrates a market shift towards open software-based architectures which are more efficient in using hardware resources and therefore more relevant to  the traffic growth and demand changes we are experiencing  today.
2. We support small to very large routers with the same white boxes: DriveNets Network Cloud solution can scale from a single-box based router to the largest router size available in the market with the same software and the same white box building blocks. This architecture offers the most efficient way to build networks with a minimum number of ports.
3. This last point also makes DriveNets Network Cloud the most cost-effective way to build networks – from both CapEx and OpEx perspectives.

This is in line with the conclusion of the Gartner report, “Network planning and operation leaders at CSPs and hyperscale cloud providers that continue to seek more economical, flexible and scalable paths to developing networks should consider DriveNets . Network infrastructure providers that are especially looking for open networking and the transition to standard white boxes through disaggregated architecture should consider DriveNets .”

DriveNets Network Disruption

The traditional network is really underutilized because they build for peak use in every location — access, edge, core.  DriveNets’ Network Cloud solution aims to disrupt the current network business model.  We took the big router and broke it into building blocks, running cloud-based software on top of it. The entire network infrastructure is software-centric allowing for agility, scalability, and normalizing costs with business growth. As the report presents, “The vendors differ from their competitors in that they create new value, solve difficult problems and provide cost-efficiencies”

Cloud-Native Software

To support the growing demand for capacity and new applications — like artificial intelligence processing, virtual reality and streaming services, as well as the needs of remote workers (a.k.a. office of one), Service and Cloud Providers are looking to scale their network and services, both at the Edge and the Core of their infrastructures. The network solution by DriveNets not only disaggregates hardware and software, but also separates the control plane of the network from the data plane, allowing each to scale independently.  It allows both Hyperscalers and service providers to scale subscriber-aware services at the Edge of the Telco network. DriveNets Network Cloud cloud-native software also allows for adding additional services that run in separate software containers.

This is part of DriveNets cool factor. As the report states, “The Cool Vendors featured in this document provide solutions to innovate network operations. This approach differs from current solutions that satisfy limited portions of the digital service providers’ vision. CSPs can use these solutions for greater agility in delivering new services, revenue enhancement through customer retention, and network efficiencies via virtualization, cloud-native application adoption and automation.”

“DriveNets is cool because its Network Cloud solution is a cloud-native router software solution that supports the distributed disaggregated chassis (DDC) model based on standard white boxes. The solution simplifies the network’s operations and offers telco-scale performance at a much lower cost.”

Inspired by Hyperscalers

Hyperscalers faced a similar challenge in cloud compute and storage. As more and more applications were deployed, revenue didn’t rise as fast as the need for larger infrastructure. Their answer was to disaggregate software and hardware, develop software that will virtualize the use of the hardware resources and run on standard white boxes, adding more of them  as scale demanded. Powered by virtualization technologies, they developed agile, dynamic and cost-effective infrastructure to run any application in their data centers.

A Turning Point in Networking

Service providers are now buying into disaggregation as a concept .

In April, Bank of America Global Research released a report on why whiteboxing is the future of the networking space, highlighting DriveNets as the leader in this space. BofA analysts suggest that disaggregated routers running over white boxes based on merchant silicon are the next chapter for the routing market, offering a cost-effective high-scale solution that makes the traditional router chassis a thing of the past.

DriveNets was also selected to give the largest ever live demonstration of a distributed open edge/core router, the first Distributed Disaggregated Chassis, at the OCP Virtual Summit along with ecosystem partners UfiSpace and Credo. This industry milestone underscores the excitement for truly disaggregated solutions.

DriveNets was also invited to advise the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) Disaggregated Open Router Initiative , ensuring its alignment with the OCP’s efforts around network disaggregation.

So, what makes us cool? According to Gartner’s cool vendor report, “DriveNets is cool because its Network Cloud solution is a cloud-native router software solution that supports the distributed disaggregated chassis (DDC) model based on standard white boxes. The solution simplifies the network’s operations and offers telco-scale performance at a much lower cost.”

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