With wireless increasingly becoming the primary means of access for end users, it is essential that any Software-Defined Networking (SDN) strategy encompasses the complete enterprise network including wireless and user mobility.

Avaya’s holistic software-defined networking architecture covers the user experience end-to-end across the entire enterprise network. It extends from the Data Center all the way to the enterprise edge, including the wireless edge enabling customers to reap the benefits of network simplicity, reliability, and virtualization. It also supports the deployment of SDN-enabled applications in a flexible manner based on specific business cases.

The primary purpose of a network is to interconnect users with their

applications, and the best networks do this reliably, efficiently, and with a high

degree of agility. Avaya SDN Fx™ comprises a single network-wide Ethernet

Fabric that extends from the Data Center to the Edge, enabling powerful

integration with applications, users and devices.

Avaya SDN Fabric AttachAvaya SDN Fabric Attach extends Avaya’s innovative Fabric technology to the

wireless edge (supported on Avaya Wireless LAN 9100 Series). SDN Fabric

Attach is an innovative, standards-based approach that solves the longstanding

challenge of how to easily and consistently connect a broad range of devices,

including conventional access switches, wireless LAN access points, video

cameras, IP phones, printers, and several other Internet of Things (IoT) devices

that can connect to the enterprise edge. It can also include servers, virtual

machines, and conventional top-of-rack switches in the Data Center.

With Avaya SDN Fabric Attach technology, the existing drudgery of manually

configuring thousands of access switch ports to get the “network ready” when

adding end-points like WLAN access points, video cameras, printers and other

IoT devices is removed and replaced with plug-and-play deployment based

automation.

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When SDN meets Mobility The result is an automated, simpler network that supports the way you work

Table of Contents

Avaya SDN Fabric Attach ........ 1

Zero-Touch Wireless Edge .... 2

Dynamic Wireless

Application Control ................ 3

Mobility Use Case

Examples ...................................... 3

Conclusion .................................... 5

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The Avaya SDN Fabric Attach technology also helps in extending the power of

Avaya SDN Fabric Connect with its scalable, secure and automated layer-2

services based architecture all the way to the enterprise edge and help

provisioning elastic services across the enterprise network, both wired and

wireless.

The result of extending Fabric to the wireless edge is a simpler network that is

easier to implement and administer. Offering zero touch provisioning, it

accelerates time-to-service allowing new services or changes to services to be

implemented quickly and error-free. It also removes the complexity and

learning curve associated with deploying and operating wireless networks

Zero-Touch Wireless Edge Figure 1 highlights the SDN Fx™ signaling used to extend the “zero touch core”

to the “zero touch edge”.

Figure 1

The baseline setup is Avaya’s SDN Fx network is preconfigured with services.

With the Avaya SDN Fabric Attach technology, there is no need to configure

Fabric Attach switches with service identifiers, VLANs, port membership,

Avaya SDN Fx™ Architecture

Avaya delivers the industry’s first holistic software-defined networking architecture, uniquely addressing the end-to-end relationship between applications, business logic, and networking services.

The Avaya SDN Fx architecture defines a solutions framework that enables customers to reap the benefits of network simplicity, reliability, and virtualization, and supports the deployment of SDN-enabled applications in a controlled manner as, where, and when business cases drive demand.

Avaya’s SDN Fx architecture is built upon three unique tenets:

• Automated Core – networking functions are automated using a single network-wide Ethernet Fabric

• Open Ecosystem – standardized Fabric protocols married with open interfaces and open source customization tools

• Automated Edge – extending the Fabric beyond the Data Center, to the Edge, for powerful integration with applications, users, and devices

The SDN Fx architecture extends seamlessly to the Wireless LAN including plug-and-play AP deployment, elastic Wireless service updates across wired and wireless parts of the network and fine-grained application control and optimization ensuring highest level of user experience.

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uplink/trunk ports and tagging – this is all automated with the Avaya SDN Fx™

solution. Endpoints and client connections trigger auto configuration of

service identifiers, VLANs, port membership, etc. Endpoints and clients are

automatically attached to authorized services. The result is a greatly simplified

automated network that simplifies adds, moves and changes Services and

associated endpoints or users.

Let’s consider the benefits of SDN Fx in real life use case examples.

Dynamic Wireless Application Control The Avaya Wireless LAN architecture with a distributed architecture of deep-

packet inspection (DPI) based application control ensures a fine-grained

control and optimization of productivity and recreational applications. Fine-

grained control of more than 1300 applications can be automatically enforced

at the control plane layer, based on business rules centrally defined at the

Wireless Orchestration System (WOS). With this dynamic automation of

application usage at user session granularity, enterprise network administrators

can ensure that business needs are translated to network behavior ensuring

optimal user experience.

Mobility Use Case Examples

Use Case 1: Adding 100 new APs to existing WLAN network

Problem

IT resources and budgets are increasingly limited. IT managers and

administrators require simpler solutions that involve less IT intervention and

support. Consider the scenario where 100 new wireless Access Points need to

be added to an existing WLAN network to address bandwidth demands

resulting from the proliferation of user devices and applications. With a

traditional WLAN network, many manual steps are required. The IT

administrator would typically configure the wireless controller, plug the AP in,

manually configure the edge switch (that the AP is attaching to) and the

aggregation & core switches, and then finally confirm configuration alignment

between the switch, its port and the connected WLAN AP device. This process

then needs to be repeated for each AP, consuming hours if not days of a

network administrators time.

SDN Fx Solution

Avaya’s SDN Fx solution revolutionizes this process by enabling networks to be

provisioned in a fraction of the time of traditional networks. With Avaya’s SDN

Fx solution, all the IT Administrator is required to do is to configure the WLAN

Orchestration System (WOS) with AP information and policies. They then

connect the APs and all the rest is automated. The network is up and running in

seconds. The Avaya’ SDN Fx solution authenticates and authorizes the new

APs, downloads configuration data to each of the APs and auto provisions the

SDN Fx™ Components

• SDN Fabric Connect Innovative Ethernet Fabric that enabled the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and delivers the automated Core

• SDN Fabric Attach Extends Fabric Connect to the edge (wired/wireless switches, IoT devices etc.)

• SDN Fabric Extend Supports the interconnection/tunneling of Fabric Connect connectivity over third party IP-based networks. Fabric Extend can be used to deliver service elasticity, create new connectivity options, and provide additional resiliency

• SDN Fabric Orchestrator Fabric Orchestrator is a core component that enables orchestration and programmability. Designed as an easy-to-deploy solution leveraging Fabric Attach for touchless provisioning, the Fabric Orchestrator provides for configuration, provisioning, monitoring, and policy management services, delivering these via a “single pane of glass” user interface

• SDN Fabric ONA The Avaya Open Networking Adapter (ONA) initiative delivers a family of small form-factor devices that act as a bridge between any Ethernet-equipped device and the Fabric Connect private cloud. Simply connect the business end-point via an ONA and Fabric Attach functionality takes care of the rest; provisioning is automated, and centrally defined service parameters are applied.

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switches. It removes the complexity and learning curve associated with

deploying wireless networks. The Avaya SDN Fabric Attach technology

automates the auto-provisioning of the switch ports to which the APs were

connected and to the rest of the network based on the wireless service

provisioned on the APs.

Mobility Use Case 2: Deploying New Services

Problem

A second common use case is when an IP administrator wishes to deploy new

services. With a traditional wireless network, the network administrator would

configure the new service on the WLAN Controller. They would then configure

the core switches followed by the edge switches and finally download the new

services from the WLAN Management system to the APs.

SDN Fx™ Solution

With Avaya’s SDN Fx solution, services can be deployed in a fraction of the

time. All the network administrator needs to do is to configure the new service

on the Avaya WLAN Orchestration System (WOS), download the new services

from the WOS to the APs in one automated sequence. The provisioning of the

associated edge and core switches is automatic and error-free reducing several

man-hours of configurations and troubleshooting in case of any errors.

Mobility Use Case 3: User Roaming / Mobility

Problem

The ability for users to roam freely within an enterprise while maintaining a high

user experience on their mobile devices is not a ‘nice to have’ – it is imperative in

current scenarios of highly mobile and distributed workforce. The challenge

with traditional networks is that roaming can be complex and it involves careful

planning. Factors such as AP to AP tunneling, tunnel explosion, throughput

limitations of controller-based solutions, subneting, guest access tunneled to

DMZ, all need to be taken into consideration. The reality is that there are often

so many pitfalls and limitations such as roaming not turned on. Or roaming

offered as a ‘best effort’ service.

SDN Fx Solution

The Avaya SDN Fx solution addresses the roaming complexity by delivering a

simpler solution – one design model that offers seamless roaming ability.

With the introduction of Avaya SDN Fabric Attach capability on the Avaya

Edge Switches and the WLAN 9100 Access Points, the network administrator

can define Wireless Access for Corporate and Personal devices as unique

services that specify the VLAN as well as Network / Application Access

Policies. The administrator either uses the Wireless LAN Orchestration System

or Identity Engines System based on the deployment type to specify these

services. Avaya SDN Fabric Attach technology then automatically extends

these services to all the edge switches in the wiring closets and across the core

switches leveraging Avaya SDN Fabric Connect Technology.

Why Avaya SDN Fx™?

• Addresses the end-to-end relationship between applications, business logic, and networking services.

• Benefits from a pragmatic foundation openness and standards

• Provides service agility without increasing complexity.

• Addresses the Network Edge, where users and their devices begin their interaction with applications.

• Supports traditional access technologies and the variety of emerging end-points: video cameras, wireless access points, user-centric devices, sensors, scanners, several other Internet of Things (IoT) devices, vSwitches VM Hypervisors, as well as conventional third-party end-points,

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ConclusionWith the SDN Fx™ strategy, Avaya is delivering the industry’s first holistic

software-defined networking architecture. Solutions support the deployment of

SDN applications in a controlled, business-driven manner, and enable customers

to reap the benefits of network simplicity, reliability, and virtualization in hybrid

and legacy environments. SDN Fx exemplifies Avaya’s continued focus on

delivering networking simplicity, automation and efficiency, benefiting from

pragmatic foundation of openness and standards, offering levels of integration

far in excess of the basic programmability delivered by the generic Software-

Defined Networking model.

Avaya WLAN 9100 Top Ten Things You Need to Know

1. Application Control – visibility and control for 1300+ applications. Block, throttle or apply QoS directly at the network edge

2. Technician-free “n to ac” – upgrade to the latest 802.11ac standard with a simple software upgrade

3. Software programmable radios – tailor your environment to your users

4. Up to 70% more bandwidth – supports two radios at 802.11ac*

5. Fabric to the AP - simpler network that is easier to implement and administer

6. Intuitive Management – everything you need to manage your wireless solution

7. Distributed Controller – reduces equipment costs and eliminates bottlenecks

8. APs for every use – indoor, outdoor, 11n, 11ac, etc.

9. Advanced RF Management – improved user experience by maximizing the use of RF resources

10. Secure Network Access –

enforce ‘who gets on, with

what, and to go where’

*70% more bandwidth is based on the following:

• Industry-standard 802.11ac, 3x3 AP:

Radio 1 = 225Mbps (2.4GHz);

Radio 2 = 1.3Gbps (5GHz)

= Max Bandwidth: 1.525Gbps

• Avaya 802.11ac, 3x3 AP:

Radio 1 =1.3 Gbps (5Ghz)

Radio 2 (5GHz) = 1.3 Gbps

=Max bandwidth: 2.6 Gbps

© 2015 Avaya Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Avaya and the Avaya logo are trademarks of Avaya Inc. and are registered in the

United States and other countries. All other trademarks identified by ®, TM, or SM

are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc.

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About AvayaAvaya is a leading, global provider of customer and team engagement solutions and

services available in a variety of flexible on-premise and cloud deployment options.

Avaya’s fabric-based networking solutions help simplify and accelerate the deployment

of business critical applications and services. For more information, please visit

www.avaya.com.