AT&T (NYSE:T) and Colt Technology Services say they have created, tested and trialed a software-defined networking (SDN) standard application programming interface (API) infrastructure. The API enabled the SDN architectures of the two service providers to work together, the companies assert.
The trial, which included networks in the U.S. and Europe, saw AT&T provision network services between the U.S. East Coast and locations in Europe. This included SDN-to-SDN control using the programmatic API-to-API interface between the separate SDN architectures. The SDN-managed services were set up and run across multiple networks in minutes, the service providers say; they also can be managed and flexed in near real time.
The trial creates a template for providers to deploy new services quickly over each other's SDN-enabled networks, AT&T and Colt say. The proof of concept revealed that users could reserve ports, order a point-to-point Ethernet service, adjust bandwidth up and down, and turn down the service in near-real time.
AT&T and Colt say they plan to share the network-to-network interface and open API code with standards bodies and industry forums.
"Our work at AT&T Labs and AT&T Foundry, and our collaboration with Colt will help enable customers to have more cost-efficient, flexible, and adaptable networks," said Roman Pacewicz, senior vice president, Offer Management and Service Integration, AT&T Business Solutions. "Businesses looking to provide a seamless connected environment for their customers can benefit greatly from a unified industry ecosystem that's focused on interoperability."
"This proof of concept is a key building block giving enterprises the power to provision scalable, flexible network services on-demand. The API in our trial makes managing integrated SDNs accessible, agile, flexible, and easy to adopt," added Rajiv Datta, CTO at Colt. "As use cases and APIs continue to evolve, we'll be able to add attributes, services and enhancements that will drive further innovation. This will be critical as SDN becomes increasingly important in our business climate."
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