Juniper targets data-center automation with Apstra replace

Juniper Networks is releasing a brand new model of its Apstra intent-based networking software program that features extra in depth configuration capabilities, further multivendor {hardware} and software program assist, and improved environmental analytics.

Apstra retains a real-time repository of configuration, telemetry and validation data to make sure a community is doing what the enterprise needs it to do. Firms can use Apstra’s automation capabilities to ship constant community and safety insurance policies for workloads throughout bodily and digital infrastructures.

As well as, Apstra performs common community checks to safeguard configurations. It is {hardware} agnostic, so it may be built-in to work with Juniper’s networking merchandise in addition to packing containers from Cisco, Arista, Dell, Microsoft and Nvidia.

Because it purchased Apstra in 2021, Juniper has been on a mission so as to add options and broaden its use to a wider vary of knowledge middle organizations. The most recent upgrades proceed that technique.

Juniper Apstra model 4.1.2 can now push configurations in bulk throughout tons of of routing zones, digital networks and racks, for instance. This lets prospects extra simply allocate digital networks to new racks or assign a number of new racks all at one time reasonably than individually. 

Clients can extra simply allocate – or deallocate because the case could be – sources and providers relying on wants, in line with a weblog on the brand new Apstra launch by Ben Baker, senior director, Cloud/DC Advertising and marketing & Enterprise Evaluation, with Juniper.

The brand new launch additionally provides assist for added multivendor {hardware} comparable to the newest Cisco Nexus 9508 swap and Arista DCS-7280SR3 backbone and leaf field. It additionally now integrates with the newest launch of VMware’s NSX-T 3.2 networking software program to automate VLAN deployment and validate configurations for patrons utilizing that software program. 

Baker said the seller has additionally enhanced its not too long ago launched Freeform Reference Design package deal, which lets prospects design data-center networks that assist any protocol, topology or community area. Knowledge middle reference designs are supplied by all main information middle gamers and sometimes function validated, repeatable infrastructure system maps that element how networked sources are configured.

New to the newest launch is the flexibility to clone and edit configuration templates and property units. It additionally helps new “configlets” that operate like Chrome browser add-ons, so prospects can seamlessly combine the community system configuration instruments they like, Baker said.

For its intent-based analytics package deal, Juniper has added new probes that may report environmental situations comparable to temperature, fan standing, energy consumption and optical transceiver well being. The thought is to let prospects monitor programs and be extra shortly alerted to potential {hardware} issues to keep away from failures and outages, Baker mentioned. 

Juniper Apstra Model 4.1.2 can be accessible this month.