Cisco, VMware partner on network virtualization

Cisco Systems Inc. and VMware Inc. have expanded their strategic partnership to include the creation of new network virtualization technology. This will enable virtual machines (VM) to expand mobility range across many data centers and cloud environments through their Virtual Extensible Local Area Network (VXLAN).

According to the companies, the VXLAN is the next major step in the path toward logical, virtual networks that can be created on-demand, enabling enterprises to utilize computing and storage capacity for mission critical applications. It will support applications running in hybrid clouds where compute capacity is delivered from pools of resources that may span across private and public clouds, the companies added.

"VXLAN will provide the ability to scale networking segments to millions of VMs to ease the deployment of applications in the cloud," stated Soni Jiandani, senior VP for server access in Cisco's virtualization technology group. "Also, by segmenting these VMs and applications via highly secure virtual networks, customers will be able to achieve the security required for multitenant cloud environments."

VXLAN technology in Cisco Nexus 1000V will be available for beta in September, the companies stated. VMware View 5 is expected to be generally available in late 3Q11.