Avaya, a global leader in enterprise communications systems, software and services, today announced that it is extending the capabilities of its Avaya Virtual Enterprise Network Architecture (Avaya VENA) beyond the data centre to the campus network. This marks a significant milestone in Avaya’s data networking strategy and delivers the virtualisation capabilities of Avaya VENA to the company’s Ethernet Routing Switch (ERS) 8800 and 8600 products.

Avaya VENA simplifies the enterprise network, helping organisations streamline the deployment of cloud-based services and improve the delivery of always-on content. It brings network virtualisation and IEEE Shortest Path Bridging (802.1aq) to the campus, enabling Avaya ERS 8800 and 8600 customers to install, provision and manage real-time applications and services in minutes rather than days. The capabilities of Avaya VENA are available immediately to new ERS 8800 and 8600 customers. Existing customers whose platforms support Release 7.1 can upgrade by means of a simple software update.

“Avaya VENA helps CIOs say yes to more devices, better applications and enhanced services,” said Steve Bandrowczak, vice president and general manager, Avaya Data Solutions. “It eliminates old-world constraints and limitations, simplifying the enterprise network from end to end. Avaya VENA significantly reduces customer time to service, allows enterprises to quickly and easily deploy next-generation applications, and lets organisations of all sizes better meet their business needs.”

“Avaya is executing on its vision of making VENA an architecture that can be deployed end-to-end; from the data centre, to the campus and ultimately to the wiring closet and the branch office. VENA gives Avaya a unique position in the market, enabling network virtualisation across the whole enterprise, not just the data centre,” said Rohit Mehra, Director of Enterprise Communications Infrastructure, IDC. “Network management will be one of the most critical elements of network virtualisation, and Avaya’s focus on delivering the tools to configure, manage, and troubleshoot the virtualised network will differentiate Avaya in this market.”

For Customers: Faster Deployments With Fewer Complications
Avaya VENA simplifies the deployment of next-generation applications and services by providing the critical network infrastructure needed to create private clouds. Whereas traditional deployments require significant manual provisioning, Avaya VENA enables simple, one-touch provisioning across the network. It helps increase network performance and efficiency, ensures resilience and reliability, and provides users with access to an always-on service that empowers communication anywhere, anytime, without interruption.

“We are increasingly seeing the trend for cities to become service providers, for example by delivering wireless access across the city or by automating services to third parties like parking garages. We wanted to ensure we have the network in place to enable us to do this, said Paddy Verberne R&D specialist at City of 's-Hertogenbosch. “Avaya VENA will enable us to deliver this model. We are confident this upgrade will provide the continuity and ease of management we need to better serve our residents and employees.”