… With Brocade as Networking Provider

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. announced its participation in a new EMC Corp.‘s initiative to deliver Proven Infrastructure solutions for customers looking to make the transition to virtualization and cloud.

The EMC VSPEX Proven Infrastructure, available only through the EMC’s Velocity Program channel partners, can combine Brocade cloud-optimized networking technologies with EMC unified storage and next generation backup architecture, while enabling customers to leverage their server and hypervisor of choice.

Increasing numbers of small organizations are making the transition toward virtualization and cloud, but many are grappling with the challenge of managing IT infrastructures and ensuring application availability. Further, many do not have the in-house technical expertise or resources available to larger enterprises to smoothly make this transition. To address this need, VSPEX offers customers an efficient and flexible means of deploying virtualization and cloud technologies, without added layers of IT complexity or risk. In addition, VSPEX is built upon technologies that provide customers with flexibility and investment protection.

In any virtualization or cloud deployment, the network plays a critical foundational role in the delivery and migration of data between VMs. Brocade cloud-optimized networking technologies are designed to integrate and extend virtual compute in multi-vendor environments to help enable increased network performance, utilization and resiliency in virtualized architectures.

Pre-validated by EMC for interoperability and featured in EMC’s new VSPEX Labs, VSPEX Proven Infrastructure solutions provide customers with the ability to choose from the following Brocade networking products:

• ICX Switches: Available for deployment in VSPEX solution bundles for up to 100 VMs, Brocade ICX switches deliver enterprise stackable switching at an entry-level price. Two models are included in VSPEX configurations, the ICX 6450 and the ICX 6610, providing up to 48 ports of 1GbE and 10GbE connectivity.
• VDX Switches: For integration with VSPEX virtualization and VDI solutions that scale up to 250 VMs and up to 2,000 virtual desktops, the VDX switch family enables businesses to build data center Ethernet fabrics, which provide an intelligent foundation for cloud-optimized architectures. The VDX 6720 is available in 1U and 2U models with up to 60 10GbE ports. The VDX 6710 switch features 48 1GbE ports and six 10GbE ports in a 1U design.
• 6510 FC Switches: Providing with a choice to utilize high-performance FC connectivity for VSPEX-based virtualization and VDI applications (also up to 250 VMs and up to 2,000 virtual desktops), the 6510 delivers reliability and flexibility. It is configurable up to 48 ports and supports 2, 4, 8, 10, or 16 Gbps speeds in an 1U package.

"Brocade’s decade-plus partnership with EMC has generated a solid relationship built upon the successes of mutual partners and customers, as well as the common belief that certain technology solutions should be offered on an open-standards basis," said Gregg Ambulos, SVP, global channel sales, at EMC. "Through the years, we’ve worked together to integrate best of breed products from across Brocade’s vast networking portfolio with outstanding results, so we’re very excited about the inclusion of Brocade technologies within VSPEX Proven Infrastructure to deliver flexibility and choice to customers."

The open approach of VSPEX brings together technologies from vendors to create a set of flexible IT solutions. Taking into account the range of variability among IT environments, VSPEX’s modular design enables customers to specify their choice of server, network and virtualization technologies within a pre-validated framework.

Brocade has long subscribed to this open ecosystem philosophy, and has therefore established partnerships with a number of vendors within the VSPEX ecosystem. This level of collaboration affords the customer with an additional level of assurance of interoperability between components of the VSPEX Proven Infrastructure.

"With its deep technology expertise and strong consultative nature, the channel is the logical point of integration for data center architecture design and private cloud deployments," said Barbara Spicek, VP of global channels at Brocade. "EMC’s move toward offering modular, pre-validated virtualization solutions fully aligns with Brocade’s strategy and philosophy to enable its partners to create open, multi-vendor solutions that help customers make a smooth transition toward the cloud."

The Channel as the First Mile to the Cloud
The continual maturation of cloud technologies, coupled with customers’ interest in integrating virtualization and cloud solutions into their IT environments, presents an opportunity for channel partners. The channel’s position within the IT marketplace and proximity to the customer makes them a natural fit as the ‘go-to’ party for consulting and deployment of advanced technologies. To leverage the channel’s valuable expertise and technical know-how, VSPEX solutions will be integrated and available via authorized Brocade Alliance Partner Network (APN) and EMC’s network of Velocity partners.

As part of its ongoing commitment to drive integrated solutions via the channel, Brocade has announced the availability of programs designed to assist and reward resellers in the selling of VSPEX solutions, specifically:

• Discounts on demonstration units to assist partners in populating proof-of-concept labs and increase trial deployments
• Extra percentage points for deal registration to protect partner opportunities
• Specialized Brocade Rewards bonuses to further incentivize VAR sales representatives

These programs, in conjunction with EMC’s efforts to drive end-to-end enablement through the channel, provide partners with an opportunity to capitalize on these current industry trends while establishing themselves as the advisor to the end customer.

"With VSPEX, EMC is addressing a market need for simple, flexible and efficient virtualization infrastructure solutions that are easy to deploy," said Scott Look, VP and GM of the Technology Infrastructure Solutions Group at Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "When configured using Brocade networking technologies, Avnet partners will be able to offer IT solutions with scalable, high-performance networking capabilities already built in, enabling them to provide end customers with the ability to easily add additional functionality and grow their infrastructure according to business demands."