Arista Networks targets financial services firms with low-latency SwitchApp for Arista 7130
Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) has unveiled SwitchApp for Arista 7130, a 1/10/40G Layer 2/3 switching application that runs on Arista’s 7130 line of programmable FPGA switches. SwitchApp enables latency that is less than a third of the company’s other platforms, which Arista expects will appeal to customers in the trading and financial services fields.
SwitchApp enables latency of under 100 ns with Layer 2 switching. The app is based on “the latest programmable FPGA technology,” according to Arista, and is fully integrated with Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System). The use of programmable FPGAs enables Arista engineers to add features that normally require hardware updates via software updates or configuration options for financial services and other low latency applications, the company adds. Meanwhile, integration within Arista EOS enables customers to use the same operating system across their network, including the core.
The app also is integrated into Arista’s CloudVision software, which provides a network-wide model for provisioning, orchestration, and telemetry, and acts as a unified control point for third-party overlay controllers, orchestration systems, and security platforms.
Potential use cases for SwitchApp include:
- Exchange-facing with multiple exchange connections, Layer 1 tapping, routing, and redundancy
- Multi-layer MLAG-based leaf-spine including redundant connections
- Multicast publish and subscribe trading networks.
“This is a significant step for switch technology. SwitchApp is not only Arista’s lowest latency L2/3 switch but offers clients the feature-richness of EOS’s routing stack and operational model. We’ve brought ultra-low latency and programmable FPGAs to EOS, allowing clients to benefit from the simplicity of a single operating system running across their entire estate,” said Martin Hull, vice president, systems engineering and platforms at Arista.
The app has caught the eye of at least one Arista customer. “ASX has been an Arista client for many years using successive generations of low-latency switches, 7130 hardware, FPGA applications, EOS, and the CloudVision software. We’re excited about this latest innovation, which brings all of the technologies together, allowing us to unify our network management and monitoring. This adds up to greater efficiency for us and a better outcome for our customers,” commented David Glavin, general manager, technology infrastructure at ASX (Australian Stock Exchange).
Switchapp is available for customer testing now. General release is expected in the current quarter.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
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