Over the past few years, while our heads were down working diligently, network infrastructure products were on a linear progression curve. Network infrastructure products have faster link speeds and greater backplane capacity while being more secure and mobile. But during this time a new network design paradigm was in the making. Gone are the days when IP addressing, switch placement, physical connections and their speed defined network design. Like a building foundation, the physical structure of networks such as the three-tier LAN structure of edge, distribution and core as well as routing being the key building block to WAN design, will remain the same for years to come;. The new network design model is based upon network service placement, pooled management, logical isolation, full utilization of all network assets, mobility, et al. These concepts are coming together under network virtualization, which strives to make ITinfrastructure more dynamic and responsive to business requirements. In this Lippis Report I define network virtualization and its associated building blocks. Not since I authored the “Internetwork Decade” back in the early 1990s has a new design model entered the industry. This Lippis Report is a white paper with embedded podcast and other references.

To understand the new design model for networks click here.

Posted 6 November 2007 at 8:01 am under Unified Communications & Comm.-Enabled Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.