BT has extended its strategic partnership with Cisco to support its enterprise customers with new vCPE service and network automation for NFV solutions.
This includes a Cisco-based CPE virtualisation solution managed by BT Connect Edge and the integration of Cisco’s network automation and orchestration software platform into BT’s networking offerings (BT Connect Services Platform) to cut the time and costs needed to deploy network functions such as routing, acceleration and security across their global estate.
With Connect Services Platform, customers will be able to deploy new network functions at branches and remote locations within hours, using the integrated BT and Cisco technology. These functions will run on the Connect Edge multifunctional hardware, combining the strengths of Cisco’s Enterprise Network Compute System (ENCS) platform with BT’s global service management, design capability, security wrap and support coverage.
This will provide customers with a secure end-to-end service that avoids the pain and time of having to deploy new devices when new functionality is needed. These functions will be deployed and managed remotely without the need for specialist technical staff to visit each site for installation. As a BT-managed service, the solution will support virtual network functions (VNFs) from multiple vendors’ and will be accessible to customers via their BT MyAccount portal.
Connect Edge is a new virtualised customer premise equipment (vCPE) service based on Cisco’s ENCS technology enabling network functions virtualization (NFV) for the branch. The associated virtual network functions will run via BT Connect Services Platform, BT’s new managed services solution.
Maria Grazia Pecorari, President Digital, Global Portfolio & Marketing, Global Services, BT
BT’s Dynamic Network Services initiative helps global businesses deliver against their networking and security strategy and reap the benefits of software-defined networks, virtualisation and cloud services.
Scott Harrell, SVP and GM, Enterprise Networking Business, Cisco
With these new network automation, orchestration and virtualization solutions from Cisco in place, BT can operate a more intuitive network that gives them the scale, intelligence, and security to power the world’s most dynamic business applications with ease.
