ATCA platform management, load balancing, switch redundancy
One of the key benefits to using the T-Series is the increase in velocity it provides in bringing new network elements to market. This is achieved not only through pre-integration of all the hardware elements but also providing a set of software features, known as T-Series Management Software — which includes ATCA platform management, load balancing, and switch redundancy — that allows customers to start deeper into their development program, thereby getting to market faster.
The driver behind T-Series Management Software — which is already field-deployed in operational networks — is to ensure customers can focus on delivering their “secret sauce” rather than spending precious resources adding management software to complete application integration.
- Read our Load Balancing white paper
ATCA Platform Management
In the past, ATCA functioned as a bunch of blades in a chassis rather than operating as a single system. With the use of field-deployed T-Series Management Software, TEMs and their customers will be provided with single point ATCA platform management capabilities that go well beyond standard shelf management including single point software upgrades and downgrades, diagnostics, and other watchdogs and sensors.
Load Balancing
In today’s architectures TEMs are often faced the challenge of with how to evenly distribute traffic based on information beyond routing. In the past, these requirements would have been met with an external load balancer. With field-hardened T-Series Management Software, there is now the option to include the load balancer as part of the overall system, thereby eliminating the need (and heavy expense) for an external load balancer.
Switch Redundancy
Today’s ATCA platforms typically deploy with two Hub, or Switch, modules that operate in an active/active state. Unfortunately, this approach can create non-optimal forwarding paths in the data flow. In the past, TEMs were left to deal with optimizing switch redundancy — but with the addition of the T-Series Management Software, and in particular Switch Redundancy, this field-proven capability now comes pre-packaged in every T-Series platform.
Typical platform management BEFORE T-Series Management Software
AFTER Field-Proven T-Series Management Software
