Smart Data Centers Feature Editorial

F5 Networks, Inc., a provider of Application Delivery Networking announced that it has augmented its BIG-IP product family with the introduction of new hardware Application Delivery Controller "ADC (News - Alert)" platforms. In addition, the company launched production and lab versions of its virtual appliance, BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager "LTM" Virtual Edition.

According to a press release, F5 is providing a new high-end appliance series with the BIG-IP 11050 platform and a new 8950 hardware appliance. The expanded portfolio of virtual and physical ADC Solutions delivers enterprises and service providers with the architectural framework to support flexibility and scalability requirements.

"There are architectural challenges associated with virtualizing various Application Delivery Controllers, but the opportunities and benefits for customers are significant," said Joe Skorupa, research VP of data center networking & communications at Gartner (News - Alert). "With physical, virtual, and hybrid deployment options for ADCs, customers gain the flexibility to cost-effectively support scalable application delivery while continuing to leverage their existing infrastructure and investments."

With the help of these new hardware platforms and BIG-IP LTM VE -- which are agile infrastructure components -- organizations can implement a framework to deliver services dynamically as application and network conditions change.

According to F5 Networks (News - Alert), the new BIG-IP 8950 platform features a throughput level of 20 Gbps, while the 11050 features 42 Gbps. Both the solutions not only support 10 Gb Ethernet connectivity but also offers ideal solutions for customers that have configured their data centers around 10GE.

In addition, with the deployment of 8950 and 11050 platforms, customers will be able to incorporate additional application services. Since these capabilities can be added to the existing ADN hardware platform, F5 solutions offer both enhanced functionality and optimum performance, officials with the company said.

F5 Network's BIG-IP LTM VE improves ADC scalability and also simplifies solution deployment. It offers improved evaluation, development, integration, QA, and staging for application delivery policies and deployments.

Being a part of a comprehensive application delivery architecture platform, the BIG-IP LTM VE allows customers to deploy a virtual BIG-IP device in a testing lab. With this, customers can conveniently test how applications and networks will respond in a production environment.

The above capability facilitates customers to evaluate the addition of other ADC services such as SSL offloading, caching, and compression, and seamlessly transfer from testing scenarios into production, say officials with the company in the release.

"For many customers, the ideal application delivery environment will leverage both physical and virtual Application Delivery Controllers," said Jason Needham, senior director of product management. "With a hybrid approach, customers can leverage the flexibility and adaptability of virtual appliances, while continuing to support high-throughput application workloads and complex infrastructure requirements with physical ADCs."