Brocade Flow Optimizer to keep network attacks at bay

NEW DELHI: Networking firm has launched Brocade Flow Optimizer application and new SDN (software defined networking) capabilities in Brocade MLX Series routers, which helps in detecting any anomalous traffic patterns and behaviors, and taking action in real-time.

The Brocade Flow Optimizer is an SDN application that supports an OpenDaylight-based controller that provides real-time policy-based management for network traffic flows.

When coupled with Brocade MLXe routers, the Brocade Flow Optimizer enables service providers and enterprises to gain proactive insight into their network traffic, mitigate network attacks, and eliminate network congestion, with the ultimate goal of improving the end user experience, a release said.

Organizations operating in today’s New IP environment face increasing demands for cloud-based applications and need to support social, mobile, and Big Data initiatives. However, network performance combined with security-related attacks and breaches continue to impede delivery of services and create additional challenges to network and service reliability.

The Brocade Flow Optimizer application allows network managers to mitigate network flood attacks, throttle bandwidth intensive workloads, reprioritize rogue traffic, and redirect suspicious activity for further analysis.

"Service providers are facing threats to the sustainability of their businesses and must reconsider their business models and their approaches to network design. Network intelligence is crucial for successful IP-based services and architectures,” said Ray Mota, CEO and Principal Analyst at ACG Research.

“Brocade, a leading vendor enabling the New IP, is addressing this problem with its comprehensive and open SDN architecture. The Brocade Flow Optimizer SDN application is a prime example of a solution that helps IT and telecom managers to more effectively optimize their networks. Ultimately, this enables them to deliver a better overall user experience, implement cost controls, and enhance revenue initiatives.”

Brocade also announced the Brocade NetIron OS 5.9 software, building on the continued advancement of SDN capabilities in the Brocade MLXe routers. Providing new OpenFlow features, this latest OS release leverages the industry-leading Brocade VersaScale programmable forwarding architecture. By using this architecture with SDN applications such as the Brocade Flow Optimizer, organizations can improve visibility over network traffic and simplify forwarding control.

“With the introduction of the Brocade Flow Optimizer, Brocade is taking a concrete step to help its customers maximize the value of software-driven networks and increase network performance by mitigating network attacks and enabling policy-based traffic engineering,” said Jason Nolet, Senior Vice-President, Switching, Routing, and Analytics Products Group at Brocade. “Brocade is delivering on the merits of agile, New IP networks with a low-risk, highly innovative SDN solution.”

The Brocade Flow Optimizer SDN application is generally available and the price is based on a perpetual software license, depending on the network capacity supported. Capacity for up to 20 GB of traffic management is priced at $4,995 and capacity for up to 200 GB of traffic management is priced at $12,995.

The Brocade NetIron OS 5.9 software will be available in the third quarter of 2015 at no additional cost to Brocade MLX customers with a current service contract subject to change at Brocade’s sole discretion.