Google’s publication of its Andromeda network stack and the market introduction of hardware-independent network switch operating systems from Cumulus Networks and others is making hyperscale networking based on white box switches more practical for at least of subset of enterprises, writes Wikibon Principal Research Contributor Stuart Miniman in “Networking in Hyperscale Environments”. The cost of traditional network switches would crush the largest Internet-based companies (Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc.), so they build software-defined networks (SDN) on white-box switches. This strategy moves management to a virtualized software layer, allowing them to manage their networks as a whole rather than at the individual switch layer.

This approach has advantages, particularly for companies with fast-growing data networks. However, hyperscale companies have resources as well as networking needs that most enterprises lack. These cloud giants can afford to have staffs of Ph.D.s to run their mega-datacenters.

Miniman warns that hyperscale networks are not practical for most companies. However, those with fast-growing internal data networks consider an SDN strategy for flexibility and scalability, and some may start looking at moving to a white-box switch strategy.

Miniman’s full report discusses the issues of SDN data networking and the demands that virtualized server infrastructures put on data networks in detail. Like all Wikibon research, it is available in full without charge on the Wikibon Web site. IT professionals are invited to register for free membership in the Wikibon community, which allows them to comment on published research and publish their own questions, tips, Professional Alerts and longer professional reports.