During the trial between the two US and European networks, AT&T successfully provided network services between the US East Coast and several locations in Europe. This enabled SDN-to-SDN control, using a programmatic API-to-API interface between the separate SDN architectures, demonstrating that SDN-managed services can be configured and run across multiple networks in minutes. They can also be managed in near real-time. This creates a template for providers to deploy new services to each other in minutes.
Customers will benefit from flexible and scalable on-demand network services, as they can take advantage of new technologies through more open, standardized, and software-centric network services.
The proof of concept reveals that users can reserve ports, order a point-to-point Ethernet service, flex bandwidth, and shut down the service in near real-time.
The trial version of the API integrates AT&T and Colt's on-demand networking capabilities. The companies expect these capabilities to drive industry collaboration and standardization. They also plan to share the network-to-network interface and open-source the API code with standards bodies and industry forums.
“Our work at AT&T Labs and AT&T Foundry, and our collaboration with Colt, will help customers achieve more cost-effective, flexible, and adaptable networks,” said Roman Pacewicz, senior vice president of Offer Management and Service Integration at AT&T Business Solutions. “Companies looking to provide a seamless connected environment for their customers can greatly benefit from this unified industry ecosystem focused on interoperability.”.
“This framework proof is a fundamental element that empowers companies to provide scalable and flexible network services on demand. Our trial API makes integrated SDN management accessible, agile, flexible, and easy to adopt,” said Rajiv Datta, Chief Technology Officer at Colt. “As deployment progresses and the APIs continue to evolve, we will be able to add features, services, and enhancements that will drive innovation. This will be a critical point as companies and businesses implement this technology.”.

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