Abstract

Software-defined networking (SDN) is poised to modernize the data center. Simplicity, flexibility and virtualization-awareness are hallmarks of SDN. Pluribus Networks goes beyond basic SDN architectures with its Netvisor Network Operating System. The Netvisor software is a fully abstracted and virtualized Network OS that provides a best-in-class layer 2 and layer 3 networking foundation with a distributed fabric intelligence. Netvisor virtualizes the Open Switch hardware allowing a single switch to instantiate multiple virtualized network devices. Netvisor enables the Adaptive Cloud Fabric which operates without a controller to deliver an elastic and distributed network. The, scale-out architecture delivers multi-terabit capacity with predictable performance and latency and supports millions of concurrent connections.

Pluribus Networks commissioned Tolly to benchmark the performance of its Netvisor software deployed on a Freedom E68-M Leaf Switch to evaluate the fault tolerance and scalability of the OS when connected to a Core/Spine consisting of a Cisco Nexus switch and a Freedom E28Q-L. Testing was conducted in May 2016.

The Pluribus Netvisor-powered Leaf Switch delivered line-rate throughput. In tests of fault tolerance the Netvisor OS-powered switches exhibited rapid failover/failback response times. Additionally, the solution proved scalable with support for large numbers of BGP and OSPF routes, ACLs, analytics entries and so forth.