Networking

UK data centres designated Critical National Infrastructure

The UK government has made the country’s data centres Critical National Infrastructure to protect the country’s data against IT outages, cyber attacks and environmental emergencies. It’s the first Critical National Infrastructure designation since 2015, putting data centres alongside water, energy and emergency services systems, giving them greater government support when recovering from critical incidents. As part of the designation, a dedicated CNI data infrastructure team of senior government officials will be formed to monitor for potential threats, working closely with agencies such as the National Cyber Security Centre and emergency services to ensure data, from photos to NHS records, is protected. Jennifer Holmes, CCO at LINX, comments, “Data and network traffic is growing exponentially as people and businesses rely more and more on digital services. Here at LINX we have been classed as critical national infrastructure in the UK for many years and wholly support this recognition for our data centres, many of whom are valuable partners of ours. “As data continues to scale, resilient infrastructure becomes increasingly important to ensure uninterrupted data flow and protect against downtime, which can prove costly across many sectors. “This move should form part of a wider internet redundancy strategy, creating protocols and fail-safes to reroute network traffic in the event of an outage. Threats such as cyber attacks or extreme weather conditions are a case of when, not if, so it’s vital to have redundancies in place to not only protect data centres, but ensure networks stay online." With the CNI designation, the government will work to build contingency plans to mitigate risks and damage caused in the event of an attack against a data centre. This will work in tandem with the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle says, “Data centres are the engines of modern life, they power the digital economy and keep our most personal information safe. Bringing data centres into the Critical National Infrastructure regime will allow better coordination and cooperation with the government against cyber criminals and unexpected events.” It follows the Chancellor’s announcement of an £8 billion investment in the UK data centre market, aiming to create 14,000 jobs and spark economic growth. The UK is currently home to the highest number of data centres in Western Europe, becoming an increasingly valuable driver of the UK economy.

Juniper revolutionises data centre assurance

Juniper Networks has announced several new and unique enhancements to its data centre assurance capabilities, driving exceptional user experiences through increased network visibility, analysis and automation. The Juniper data centre networking solution now incorporates new cloud-hosted services that leverage AI for networking to deliver enhanced insights into application behaviours, both traditional and emerging AI workloads, for ongoing optimisation and rapid troubleshooting. In addition, Juniper has added new capabilities for analysing and validating data centre operations plus even richer telemetry data which, alongside other data centre assurance capabilities, help to reduce deployment times by up to 85% and cut OPEX costs by up to 90% in some instances. Juniper’s data centre networking solution consists of QFX Series Switches, EX Series Switches, PTX Series Routers, ACX Series Routers and high performance SRX Series Firewalls managed via Juniper Apstra data centre assurance software and the Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA). As a key part of the Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform, the solution leverages the right data to deliver the right real-time responses for highly reliable data centre networking. This enables unique capabilities, such as multivendor intent-based networking and switch management, proactive AIOps and a GenAI conversational interface for knowledgebase queries. From traditional data centres to new data centres for AI training, inference and storage clusters, Juniper combines exceptional performance with best-in-class flexibility and operational simplicity, plus switch management, proactive AIOps and a GenAI conversational interface for knowledgebase queries.   To simplify data centre operations and maximise network performance even further, Juniper has added new and unique software enhancements, which include: New AI-Native cloud services that improve application visibility and assurance to optimise performance and lower mean-time-to-resolution (MTTR) Juniper is launching two new data centre cloud services, Service Awareness and Impact Analysis, to complement the Marvis VNA for Data Center AI-Native cloud service announced earlier this year. Service Awareness leverages AIOps to add application and service data to the Juniper network knowledge graph, enabling greater application-to-network visibility. Service Awareness increases the understanding of where apps and services attach, how they communicate across the network, and what resources they consume, providing direct insights and supporting additional assurance capabilities such as Impact Analysis.  Impact Analysis builds on Service Awareness to enable faster troubleshooting and issue resolution and improved application assurance. AI/ML maps identified issues to impacts, providing a clear picture of which issues are responsible for applicationimpacts and which are unrelated. State comparison between different times improves identification and resolution of transient issues. Service Awareness and Impact Analysis are now available in the Juniper Apstra Premium license tier at no extra charge. Marvis VNA for Data Center, the initial application in the Juniper Apstra Cloud Services suite, continues to be available in all three Juniper Apstra license tiers (Standard, Advanced, Premium) at no extra charge.  All three data centre cloud services are built on Juniper’s microservices cloud architecture, which maximises scale, resiliency and performance. Continued investment in intent-based networking improves the operator experience and further optimises application performance​. The latest release of Juniper Apstra (version 5.0), which is a seamless upgrade for current users, builds on this leadership by adding over 100 new features focused on simplifying data centre operations even further. For more from Juniper, click here.

LINX Nairobi network expands to PAIX Data Centres Kenya

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is extending its African interconnection platform to PAIX Data Centres in Nairobi, following demand from the local networking community.  Networks located at the PAIX facility in Nairobi are soon to be just a single cross connect away from peering opportunities with any network present at LINX Nairobi, from global content networks like Meta to local ISPs such as ICON Fiber, Mtaani Telecom, Mymanga Networks and PepeaNet.  LINX Nairobi has a fully interconnected and dual fibre infrastructure between the data centre sites for full resilience and redundancy. The addition of PAIX will enhance the LINX fabric to a four-site interconnection hub and the installation work is being prepared and looking to go live in the coming weeks. Launched back in November 2023, the new Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is going from strength to strength, with a strong community of local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), global content networks and strategic partners already interconnected, and traffic starting to build. The team at LINX have spent a lot of time with the local engineering community and, following interest from key networks located at PAIX, it was decided that the infrastructure needed to grow – only nine months after launch.  PAIX Nairobi NBO-1 is located at the Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Nairobi, the central business district and a known key financial hub for East and Central Africa.  Emmanuel Makina, Sales Manager of PAIX Data Centres says, “With our cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre located in the centre of the business district, we host communities of interest for the financial and content industries, so that includes financial services, advertising, broadcasting and entertainment companies.    "The customers that host their mission critical equipment in our facility have a requirement to be online 24x7 in today’s digital economy.  They all benefit from being able to connect to multiple networks, easily scale their bandwidth, reduce their connectivity costs, and have the lowest latency to their partners. "The PAIX facility is a natural communications hub for Nairobi, in a very central location in Upper Hill and next to Britam Tower where our customers can collocate their antennas for wireless connectivity to all parts of the city.” Jennifer Holmes, CCO for LINX comments, “We didn’t expect to be expanding the LINX Nairobi network this soon, but we like to pride ourselves in our commitment to the local community. They said, we listened. By expanding the peering opportunities to the customers at PAIX we are adding value to the entire LINX Nairobi community and prospective new local and global networks who we are in talks with.”

Vertiv launches cloud-based fleet management

As AI workloads pivot to the network edge, the need for enhanced visibility at these remote data centre sites has become increasingly apparent. Recognising this, Vertiv has introduced Vertiv Environet Connect, a cloud-connected and web-based fleet management and monitoring solution. It features a device-agnostic interface that can handle diverse data centre infrastructure equipment across multiple locations, regardless of the manufacturer. Environet Connect is now available in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and in North America. Environet Connect speeds the deployment of remote Vertiv equipment and improves its health and efficiency through mass provisioning and firmware updates of network management cards. The system's monitoring capability enhances the oversight of critical infrastructure and provides customisable and configurable alarm notifications. Monitoring covers UPS systems, rack power distribution units (PDUs), generators, and thermal units. "Edge deployments are growing rapidly and may soon be driven by real-world AI applications such as large language models, predictive analytics, and autonomous vehicles. Although these applications currently operate in data centres, they may quickly shift to the edge to reduce latency and avoid processing bottlenecks," says Wesley Lim, vice president of software and digital solutions for Vertiv. "Implementing a secure, user-friendly and web-accessible monitoring solution like Environet Connect would enhance operational visibility and maximise uptime for remote environments." Environet Connect is accessible to direct customers and channel-managed service provider (MSP) partners. It accommodates all user types and is designed for multi-tenancy, simplifying the process for partners and customers. Vertiv offers a series of services to enhance the Environet Connect user experience, with software training, customer help desk and asset management. The services include tiered levels, encompassing technical support, firmware updates, device provisioning and remote monitoring. Vertiv recently announced its end-to-end portfolio for High-Performance Compute (HPC) and AI deployments, Vertiv 360AI. The solutions include power, cooling, enclosures, end-to-end lifecycle services and digitised management. Vertiv Environet Connect allows a common interface for the solutions within the AI ecosystem. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Easily upgrade fibre networks with new transceiver products

ProLabs, a leader in compatible optical networking and connectivity solutions, has announced the launch of two new transceiver products which will extend the life of existing broadband networks. Since the launch of the first fibre optic networks in 2008, demand for internet services has grown massively, a trend exacerbated by recent increases in bandwidth demand from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools and greater automation in data centre applications. In response, on the opening day of Connected Britain, ProLabs launched two new transceivers which will enable operators to upgrade their existing fibre networks without having to uproot and replace existing cables. “So much has changed since the first full fibre networks were built it is understandable that some are beginning to struggle with the demands placed upon them by bandwidth hungry households, businesses and data centres,” ProLabs, Vice President of Sales EMEAI, Sam Walker says. “The highly anticipated new transceivers being launched today will extend the life of networks across the country without the need for major infrastructure replacement projects. Upgrading existing network elements and infrastructure has never been so easy.” The new QSFP28 100G ZR4L-Bidi transceiver enables existing 10G fibre networks to operate at 100G levels at distances up to and above 70km without the need to replace any existing infrastructure. The product is 100% compatible with all leading Network Equipment Manufacturer (NEM) switches and rotor platforms and comes with a single LC connector interface, making it perfect for any network operator looking to upgrade their network with minimum fuss. The QSFP28 100G DCO transceiver responds to customer demands for a tuneable 100G product. It is capable of 80km ‘Point-to-Point’ reach without amplification and massively increases the capacity of existing infrastructure making it suitable for high traffic scenarios and backhaul. It is also backwards compatible with existing switchboards. “These transceivers have been developed with service providers in mind,” continues Sam. “In instances where a business has acquired another and is looking to integrate an older legacy network into the fold, our products will enable them to save valuable resources without an overhaul of legacy fibre. This will prove invaluable for alternative networks (altnets) with ambitions to consolidate and expand despite a limited budget.”

FTTH summit highlights industry trends and challenges

Hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by the Fiber Network Council APAC - which holds this year’s presidency of the FTTH Councils Global Alliance (FCGA) - the latest summit brought together over 25 senior leaders from the six regional councils. Over the course of two days, participants engaged in networking and discussions, exploring both the differences and shared challenges of fibre deployment and adoption at the international level. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the FTTH Councils Global Alliance to align on shared objectives and initiatives, while enabling fibre stakeholders worldwide to exchange and learn from the successful experiences of their peers, with a focus on future challenges and regional priorities. The fibre deployment trend in the Asia-Pacific region is accelerating, with the 'FTTH/B Panorama 2023 APAC' released by the Fiber Network Council APAC report showing a 7.1% increase in subscribers to 645 million and a 7.9% rise in homes passed to 815 million by June 2023. Over the last decade, subscribers have grown 6.3 times, and homes passed have increased 2.6 times. However, this rapid expansion has led to a decline in the take-up rate in some markets. The report classifies the region into three tiers: mature markets with over 80% coverage (China, Japan, South Korea), medium markets with 30-80% coverage (Australia, Indonesia), and high-potential markets with less than 30% coverage but strong growth, particularly in India, which saw 153% subscriber growth since December 2021. The FTTH Council Europe's 'European FTTH/B Market Panorama 2024' shows a positive trend in FTTH deployments in Europe, with 69.9% coverage in the EU39 area in September 2023. Despite this, only 34.7% of homes are effectively connected, with significant hurdles in key markets like Germany, the UK, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Austria, resulting in a take-up rate of just 50%. Implementing the Gigabit Infrastructure Act will be crucial for expanding fibre networks and reaching maximum coverage, alongside effective demand-side measures and a clear plan for copper switch-off to stimulate the adoption of fibre-based services, pre-requisite to driving the required private investments. The Fiber Broadband Association’s 'The State of The North American Fiber Industry', December 2023, shows that the region had record fibre deployment, with 9 million homes passed during the year. The United States ended the year with 77.9 million homes passed and 30.9 million homes passed with fibre. Fibre 'take-rates' are averaging 45.4% based on unique home passings. In Canada, fibre has now been deployed passed 12.1 million homes with 44.6% take-rates against unique fibre home passings. The US is in the early stages of the largest fibre investment cycle in history, as the Administration works to connect every home by the end of the decade. The FTTH Panorama Latam 2023 report, by the Fiber Broadband Association – LATAM Chapter, highlights that Latin America and the Caribbean had 56.7 million fixed broadband FTTH accesses by the end of 2022. The growth of FTTH technology is expected to replace other fixed broadband technologies in the region, which currently serves 54 million households. Countries with low FTTH penetration, such as Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama, and Puerto Rico, present significant opportunities for market development. With 68.7 million underserved households, the region has substantial growth potential, especially when compared to Europe's 70% coverage and 35% penetration rate. Fibre optics are seen as the key driver for this expansion. Fiber Connect Council MENA emphasised the critical role data centres will play in driving the AI revolution and enabling widespread 5G deployment across the region. The Middle East is poised for significant growth, with its data centre market valued at $5.57 billion in 2023 and projected to soar to $9.61 billion by 2029, reflecting a robust CAGR of 9.52%. As the backbone of digital transformation, these investments will be pivotal in shaping the future of technology and connectivity in the region. Digital Council Africa reiterated that the continent has seen an unparalleled digital metamorphosis, catalysed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This transformative wave has reshaped the SSA landscape through the rapid expansion of connectivity, the widespread adoption of mobile technologies, and the surge in internet usage. SSA's youthful population stands as a compelling attraction when compared to regions with predominantly older demographics. Nonetheless, manoeuvring through the intricate SSA terrain can be a formidable undertaking, and better policy environments will attract further investment.

Yeastar to showcase Contact Centre Solution at UCX 2024

Yeastar, a provider of Unified Communications (UC) solutions and a continuous driver of UCaaS and CCaaS in recent years, has announced its participation in UCX 2024, which is being held in London from 2-3 October 2024. At the exhibition, Yeastar is poised to unveil its Contact Center Solution, underpinning its commitment to the user experience and delivering enhanced, full-fledged and user-centric communication experiences from London to across the globe. UCX 2024 is set to be a best-in-class event in the realm of unified communications and collaboration, and since 2008, it has supported over 150,000 IT professionals. This year it will not only spotlight the latest UC market-leading trends and cutting-edge technologies transforming how next-gen businesses communicate both internally and externally, but it will also feature a comprehensive range of topics including data, AI and automation, customer experience, IT operations and service management, and more. Yeastar offers the following 'Easy-first' solutions: Yeastar Cloud Phone System: Yeastar offers a cost-effective cloud solution to eliminate high IT expenses, hardware maintenance, and complex setups. Users can benefit from a unified experience with advanced cloud functionalities and real-time central management for a streamlined, ready-to-deploy system. Ideal for both large enterprise and start-ups, Yeastar’s flexible subscription plan and enterprise-grade UCaaS infrastructure ensure seamless connection and collaboration across any device and location, maximising ROI.• Yeastar Central Management: a centralised platform to simplify UCaaS service delivery and on-premises device management.• High Availability Solution: N+1 High Availability with four full-fledged deployment choices and enterprise-grade redundancy.• Microsoft Teams Integration: Embded app with all enterprise-grade features (and thus no need for a Teams phone license or Microsoft Calling Plan).• Bulk Auto-provisioning: Configuring IP Phone in clicks, supporting 270+ mainstream IP models.• CRM-friendly Integration: Seamless integration with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, etc. The latest offering is the Yeastar Contact Center Solution, a multi-tasking solution designed for efficiency. With an ‘Easy-first’ approach, it enhances agent productivity through robust call and chat report management. Advanced call centre and omnichannel capabilities integrate seamlessly with SMS, Facebook, and WhatsApp via APIs, streamlining workflows and saving valuable time. “Stepping out is crucial, and we’re excited to connect with industry pioneers and gather valuable insights at the UCX2024,” says Arya Zhou, Head of Global Sales at Yeastar. “We are eager to showcase Yeastar's future-proof, scenario-oriented products; especially the brand-new Contact Center solution, designed to meet businesses’ daily communication and collaboration needs. Yeastar is looking forward to engaging with visitors, understanding their challenges, delving into their needs, and exploring opportunities to drive the future of Unified Communications together.” Yeastar will be at Stand R36. For more from UCX, click here.

Singtel achieves 5G coverage across Singapore’s MRT network

Singtel today announced that it is the first and only network provider in Singapore to achieve full 5G coverage throughout the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network islandwide. This includes all six underground lines, as well as 27 stations of the newly completed Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). Enhancement works started as early as 2022 with a specialised team of engineers carrying out the network upgrades. With the enhanced coverage, consumers can now enjoy fast, reliable 5G connectivity throughout their commute on Singapore’s train network. Ng Tian Chong, CEO of Singtel Singapore, says, “Many of today’s commuters, who are on 5G, want to maximise their time wherever they may be. By ensuring strong 5G connectivity throughout Singapore’s MRT network, we’re supporting thousands of commuters who use digital tools to complete their daily tasks. Whether traveling above or below ground, our customers can rely on our strong connectivity to work on-the-go, keep in touch with their loved ones, surf the internet, stream videos or game on their mobile devices. We’re proud to have achieved this new milestone, demonstrating our commitment to delivering the best connectivity in Singapore.” To ensure full 5G connectivity on the underground and new lines of the rapid rail system, Singtel engineers had to work within constraints such as conducting testing and installation works during the stations’ non-operational hours in order to avoid any disruption to train services. They also had to work within confined spaces which require specific tools and precise and safe execution. In keeping with Singtel’s goal of achieving net zero by 2045, its engineers meticulously reconfigured existing hardware that originally served the 3G and 4G spectrums within the MRT tunnels to 5G – thus saving time and resources. With the completion of the installations across the MRT lines, Singtel’s 5G coverage presently spans over 1,700 outdoor and 1,000 indoor locations, including all shopping malls and transport hubs along the MRT. Singtel continues to find ways to exploit 5G technology to benefit its customers. In 2023, it introduced the 5G Express Pass, a value-added service to give customers network priority even in crowded areas. This benefits customers at high traffic events. For more from Singtel, click here.

EXA Infrastructure to acquire Bulgarian telecoms company

EXA Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Global Communication Net AD (GCN), a Bulgarian telecommunications company offering services on its owned national fibre optic network of over 2,500km (over 1,550 miles). EXA Infrastructure provides critical modern infrastructure and engineering expertise that serves as the backbone for digital and economic growth, and the deal will see EXA Infrastructure acquire the full suite of GCN's products and services, including dark fibre, wavelength and colocation services. With the addition of GCN's network, EXA Infrastructure will expand its extensive footprint into the strategically important region of South-Eastern Europe, providing key access to international interconnection points in Turkey, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Georgia. This region has grown in significance due to the traffic volumes entering Europe from Asia and the Middle East, and also due to the greater focus on network redundancy and alternative route provisioning given the lack of diversity around the Red Sea. As a result of the deal, EXA Infrastructure now owns 155,000km (96,312 miles) of fibre network infrastructure across 37 countries, strengthening its position as the largest owned network connecting Europe to the rest of the world. Steve Roberts, SVP of Network Investments and Products at EXA Infrastructure, says, "The GCN network consists of over 2,500km of owned duct and cable connecting Sofia with all the borders neighbouring Bulgaria, as well as the Black Sea coast cities of Balchik, Varna and Burgas. Each of these locations are strategically important for existing and planned subsea cables, creating a natural east-west corridor. "EXA Infrastructure also gains 100km of metro network connecting key data centres and business zones within Sofia. By adding the GCN assets into our expanding network, we continue to offer our customers more route options and more scalability traffic into and around Europe." Jim Fagan, CEO, EXA Infrastructure, adds, "This acquisition further extends our network presence in South-Eastern Europe, and continues to differentiate our capabilities in serving customers for their critical infrastructure needs across the breadth of Europe. We have near term plans to expand our network both organically and through acquisition to bring more value, options and services to our customers in an ever-changing digital world." After nearly two decades of strategic leadership, Dimiter Angelov, current CEO and ex-majority shareholder of GCN, has announced his planned departure as the company prepares for its acquisition by EXA Infrastructure. Under Dimiter's stewardship, GCN not only evolved from a modest fibre optic network operator into a thriving and resilient enterprise, but also spearheaded the construction of Bulgaria’s government backbone network spanning the whole of the country. Reflecting on his journey, Dimiter expressed pride in the company’s accomplishments and confidence that, once the transition is complete, EXA Infrastructure will continue to uphold the legacy he has built. He believes the values and vision that have defined GCN will endure as the company embarks on this new chapter. The transaction was facilitated by DB Capital as lead advisors to the majority shareholder of GCN, alongside KND Partnership and Sofia Connect EAD as one of the sellers. Completion is subject to certain customary conditions and is expected to be completed in Q4 2024. For more from EXA Infrastructure, click here.

NetApp optimises VMware environments with new capabilities

NetApp, an intelligent data infrastructure company, has announced new capabilities that support VMware Cloud Foundation deployments. Mutual customers will be able to leverage NetApp solutions to right-size their IT environments to run VMware workloads at scale efficiently. For more than a decade, NetApp and VMware have collaborated to ensure the success of their joint customers and to help them unlock the full value of their VMware investments. During that time, NetApp has been a key engineering design partner with VMware and is continuing to drive innovation in highly available, scalable and performant storage as a design partner for its Next-Generation vSphere Virtual Volumes (vVols). Now, NetApp is announcing new capabilities that will enable joint customers to run their VMware deployments more efficiently. “NetApp and Broadcom are working together to take the uncertainty out of hybrid cloud environments,” explains Jonsi Stefansson, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at NetApp. “More than 20,000 customers rely on NetApp to support their VMware workloads. NetApp's continued close collaboration with Broadcom following the acquisition of VMware ensures our solutions seamlessly interoperate so our mutual customers can leverage a single intelligent data infrastructure to operate their VMware workloads more efficiently.” NetApp is helping to optimise costs, simplify operations, and increase flexibility for customers running VMware environments by offering: • Expanded support for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF): NetApp and Broadcom customers will now be able to simplify their VCF hybrid cloud environments by using NetApp ONTAP software for all storage requirements, including standard and consolidated architectures. The latest release of ONTAP Tools for VMware (OTV) will support SnapMirror active sync to provide symmetric active-active data replication capabilities for NetApp storage systems running VMware workloads. SnapMirror active sync allows customers to operate more efficiently by offloading data protection from their virtualised compute and improving data availability. • New capabilities for Azure VMware Solution (AVS): To support customers that are extending or migrating their vSphere workloads to the cloud, customers can now leverage Spot Eco by NetApp with AVS reserved instances to get the most value out of their deployments. Using Spot Eco to manage AVS reserved instances while also using Azure NetApp Files to offload data storage can reduce compute costs significantly. • Enhanced VM Optimisation features for NetApp Cloud Insights: NetApp is introducing Cloud Insights VM Optimisation, expanding its comprehensive solution for optimising virtual environments, including VMware. Cloud Insights VM Optimisation will give customers tools to reduce costs by increasing VM density, run storage at the best price-to-performance ratio for their environment, and monitor their entire environment to ensure availability, performance, and adherence to configuration best practices across the entire stack. To help customers optimise the compute, memory and storage resources of their VMware environments, NetApp is also offering customers a free 30-day trial of Cloud Insights to most cost-effectively migrate to the new VMware software subscriptions. These offerings follow last month’s release of enhancements to NetApp BlueXP disaster recovery service, which provides guided workflows to design and execute automated disaster recovery plans for VMware workloads across hybrid cloud environments with newly added support for VMFS datastores. “As organisations modernise infrastructure with VMware Cloud Foundation, they want to know that the services upon which they rely from industry-leaders such as NetApp will continue to work seamlessly and deliver the value they have come to expect,” says Paul Turner, Vice President of Products, VCF Division at Broadcom. “Having NetApp as a close collaborator helps our mutual customers deploy innovative data and storage services on top of their private cloud platform, and ensure they are getting the most value out of their VMware environments.” “We have made Microsoft Azure the cloud of choice for VMware environments, and offer fast and cost-effective solutions enabling many customers to move their VMware workloads to the cloud,” says Brett Tanzer, Vice President of Product Management at Microsoft. “As VMware customers navigate changes to operating virtualised environments, we have given our customers a way to lock in secure and predictable pricing over multiple years. NetApp's data management and cloud observability capabilities help our customers ensure those deployments are delivering the return on investment they need.” “In an ever more complicated world of cloud, data, and infrastructure operations, IT teams are increasingly looking for holistic platforms over point solutions,” notes Scott Sinclair, Practice Director, Enterprise Strategy Group. “These joint updates from NetApp and Broadcom enable customers to use NetApp’s intelligent data infrastructure to consolidate multiple data operations onto a single platform with industry-leading data management and CloudOps capabilities. That will help customers drive greater operational and infrastructure efficiencies that reduce the total cost of ownership for their VMware investments.” For more from NetApp, click here.