For those of our readers that will be there at VMWorld 2012 next week in San Francisco, be sure to check out the end-to-end VXLAN interoperability demonstration by Arista, Isilon, F5 and VMware. VXLAN promises to provide applications and customers with virtual networks spanning multiple locations with multi-path support, providing isolation and seamless tunneling of layer 2 over layer 3 networks. It also breaks the 4K VLAN limit that shackles many larger cloud service providers today, enabling support for 16M domains.

While it remains to be seen how scalable VXLAN will be, given some of its dependencies on multicast (I'm sure there are vendors working hard at this), this is definitely a step in the right direction to convince service providers and enterprises that VXLAN is a viable way to build virtual networks using available automation interfaces.

Original press release from Arista is below...

Arista, EMC Isilon, F5 and VMware Demonstrate Multi-Vendor Software Defined Cloud Networking at VMworld® 2012

Showcases VXLAN Network Virtualization Interoperability

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- August 24, 2012 -- Arista, in partnership with EMC Isilon, F5 Networks and VMware, announced SDN technology innovations that demonstrate the first multi-vendor programmatic automation between their respective systems and enable end-to-end network virtualization from physical, to virtual, to cloud networks. The joint demonstration of the Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) specification by Arista and others, has created a common network foundation that enables seamless interoperability across ecosystems.

By partnering with vendors in each key area of the cloud networking stack, and using Arista EOS, the world's most advanced network operating system, this highlights openness, programmability and automation. This sets the stage for the new generation of software defined cloud networking.

“This showcases system-level automation and interoperability of VXLANS across network, storage, application and virtualization elements with leading vendors as opposed to monolithic components," stated Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research.

Several pioneering technologies were demonstrated working together:

Arista EOS working in conjunction with VMware vSphere® to gather real time information about network segments created and specified using Virtual Extensible Local Area Networks – advancing network virtualization capabilities that enable end-to-end segmentation.

Arista EOS interacting with F5's BIG-IP iControl API to dynamically update the state of servers participating in a server load balancing pool during switch-level fault detections. This coordinated effort improves fault detection at multiple layers and ensures the highest levels of application availability and performance.

Arista EOS creating hardware Virtual Tunnel End Points to enable any device to be in any network addressing range - true separation of physical to virtual to cloud networks.

EMC Isilon storage leveraging Arista hardware Virtual Tunnel End points to provide scale-out storage to VMware virtual machines as they move across virtual, physical and cloud networks.

Virtualization Interoperability

“This is another example of F5’s Intelligent Services Platform which enables customer to achieve the highest levels of application performance, availability and security while minimizing complexity and cost in a VMware virtualized network,” said Jim Ritchings, vice president of Business Development at F5 Networks, Inc.

“As evidenced today, EMC Isilon’s innovative scale-out NAS architecture is leading the way in delivering highly-scalable, high performance storage for virtualized workloads, enabling customers to fully embrace the promise and benefits of network virtualization,” said Sam Grocott, vice president of Marketing at EMC Isilon.

“The new cloud computing landscape requires agile, efficient and reliable services that transform and improve business performance across cloud environments. With VXLAN, customers can scale their cloud deployments and benefit from the interoperability and open standards we’re showcasing through this demonstration,” said Allwyn Sequeira, CTO and vice president, Cloud Networking & Security, VMware.

These illustrate the trend towards programmability, open and interoperable APIs, and real time automation that is the hallmark of software defined
networks. Today's service providers, enterprises, and cloud operators have a degree of choice and freedom that enables new capabilities and best of breed “cloud-stack” services that have never been possible in monolithic single-vendor architectures.

About Arista

Arista Networks was founded to deliver Cloud Networking Solutions for large data center and computing environments. Arista’s award-winning best-of-breed 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches redefine scalability, robustness, and price– performance. At the core of Arista's platform is EOS, the world’s most advanced network operating system. Arista Networks products are available worldwide through distribution partners, systems integrators and resellers. Additional information and resources on today's announcement can be found at:http://www.aristanetworks.com

VMware, VMworld and VMware vSphere are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word “partner” or “partnership” does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.