Asterfusion Data Technologies

Monitoring and managing any system or application is crucial for its smooth operation. As cloud-native environments continue to gain popularity, having a reliable solution becomes even more important. The following two challenges may be common to all data centers, from small private clouds to large public clouds. How can we visualize and manage ops effectively and unify servers and switches? Furthermore, how can we automate device provisioning in large-scale deployments? In this article, we will introduce lightweight and practical methods of network monitoring and management in data centers. We will cover switches ranging from 1G-400G whitebox, all of which are equipped with AsterNOS. Let's discover how we can overcome these challenges using just a few switch SKUs! Firstly, What is Asterfusion Enterprise SONiC Distribution-AsterNOS? AsterNOS is an Enterprise SONiC Distribution that is ready to use in both data center and enterprise networks. It is developed and maintained by Asterf...

There has been extensive discourse surrounding programmability in the data center, enabling IT managers to have more comprehensive control over their data center switches and other network components. With the ever-growing prevalence of cloud applications and services, as well as the increasing use of video in various applications, the volume of data being processed is monumental. Consequently, data centers serve as the foundation for all this data traffic. Operators are now seeking programmable switches that offer greater flexibility in managing the data center compared to conventional fixed-function switches. Programmable switch ASICs not only allow for customizing the switch's behavior but also enable scalability to harness the unique characteristics of the data center. Merits of P4 Programmable Switch By availing complete customization without significant sacrifices in performance, increased power consumption, or added costs, programmable switch ASICs ensure efficient packet pi...

What is SmartNiC ?   A SmartNIC, or smart network interface card, is a programmable accelerator that enhances the efficiency and flexibility of data center networking, security, and storage . It is a type of NIC card that goes beyond simple connectivity and offloads various tasks from server CPUs SmartNICs are designed to handle the management of modern distributed applications by making decisions on how to process and route data packets as they flow through the data center . Comparison with Regular NICs Regular NICs, or network interface cards, primarily serve as intermediaries between data center servers or computers on a data network . In contrast, SmartNICs provide additional capabilities and programmability to enhance data center operations . They are designed to handle a wider range of tasks and offer greater flexibility in managing network traffic. What is SmartNiC’s features? Accelerators : SmartNICs include specialized hardware units called accelerators that are ...

What is  Open Networking in the Cloud(SONiC)? SONiC is an open-source network operating system developed by Microsoft and the Open Compute Project community. It is designed to run on commodity networking hardware. SONiC provides a flexible and programmable platform for cloud-scale networking. SONiC's Usecase  Data Centers : SONiC is commonly used in large-scale data centers to manage and operate network switches. It offers flexibility and programmability, allowing operators to customize and optimize their network infrastructure to meet specific requirements. Cloud Service Providers : Cloud service providers often deploy SONiC to build and manage their networking infrastructure. It enables them to scale their networks efficiently, improve network performance, and reduce costs. Enterprise Networks : Some enterprises adopt SONiC to build and manage their own data center networks. By using SONiC, they can have more control over their network infrastructure and tailor it to their s...