Level 3 leverages Cisco Tail-f orchestrator for automated Network-as-a-Service

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) says that Level 3 Communications is using the technology supplier's Network Services Orchestrator (NSO), enabled by Tail-f, to support its on-demand Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offering.

Level 3 has used the NSO to develop a programmable wide area network (WAN) through which it can automate data services and multivendor devices in its markets globally, Cisco says. The service provider also can orchestrate the entire service lifecycle—including activation, testing and ongoing service-level assurance—through a single data model.

The NaaS offering enables:

• Agile hybrid cloud connectivity through which customers can order Ethernet services such as E-Line, E-Access, and eLynk, Level 3's public cloud connection service, with flexible bandwidth options.
• Dynamic Capacity, which enables bandwidth capacity toscale up to 300% on demand, scheduled in advance or automatically based on configurable network threshold triggers.
• Optimized data backup and recovery via scheduled Dynamic Capacity instances.
• Accelerated time-to-market for new applications.
• End-to-end visibility through Level 3's Enhanced Management.

"The power of agility in today's competitive marketplace is not overstated," said Travis Ewert, senior vice president of network software development at Level 3. "Global businesses need network resources that are flexible enough to be leveraged as a service, with the reliability and security they can rely on to deliver critical business applications. With Cisco NSO, Level 3 is making the once-distant dream of full lifecycle service automation a reality for enterprises around the world."

"Network resources on-demand represents a huge opportunity for service providers like Level 3 to remain innovative for their customers and competitive in the market," added Yvette Kanouff, senior vice president, general manager, service provider business, Cisco. "This transition to network automation using NSO, is a significant step for offering new opportunities and entering new markets."

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