Intelligent Data Centres Issue 25 | Page 55

Juniper Networks announces intent to acquire Apstra to transform data centre operations

solutions that includes powerful switching platforms with native SONiC integration and a deployment-hardened , cloud-native routing stack for the SONiC ecosystem .
Juniper does not expect the acquisition of Apstra to materially impact revenue in 2021 . While the acquisition is expected to be approximately breakeven to non- GAAP earnings for the full-year 2021 , it will likely be dilutive during the first half of the year . The acquisition is expected to be accretive to revenue growth and non- GAAP earnings in 2022 .

Juniper Networks , a leader in secure , AI-driven networks , has announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Apstra , a leader in intent-based networking and automated closed loop assurance . Juniper ’ s strategy is to change the way networks are built , operated and secured in the cloud era by using AI-driven automation . Apstra accelerates this by combining next-generation network automation based on an open , multivendor architecture with Juniper ’ s data centre networking portfolio based on Junos , the proven open , programmable and high-scale operating system for next-generation data centres and cloud networks . The combined solution helps public and private cloud builders optimise operations for application experience as they accelerate on the path towards the self-driving network .

The Apstra solution does far more than automate repeated operations steps . With Apstra , architects describe how the data centre should behave in terms of outcomes and the system implements and continuously assures that the network operations and experience match the intent . These capabilities make Apstra stand apart in providing proactive insights , along with automated root cause identification and remediation . While
safeguarding the network , Apstra also enables self-service delivery , with its advanced automation accelerating time to market along with lowering data centre outages and OpEx .
The richness of intent-based operations from design to everyday management relies on the performance and programmability of the underlying infrastructure . Recognised as a leader in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Center and Cloud Networking and The Forrester Wave : Open , Programmable Switches for a Businesswide SDN , Q3 2020 , Juniper provides the industry ’ s most modern fabrics and 400G scalability with programmable access and real-time telemetry . Juniper switches , differentiated in their EVPN-VXLAN fabric capabilities , integrate to Apstra today to automatically deploy services and safely implement changes , advancing fabric management and simplified operations in the automated data centre .
Apstra ’ s multivendor integrations extend its closed loop automation and analytics to customers independently of their underlying infrastructure , including those running SONiC ( Software for Open Networking in the Cloud ). The acquisition expands Juniper ’ s commitment to open programmability , adding to its portfolio of
“ Juniper ’ s data centre portfolio is consistently recognised by both analysts and customers as industry leading , with top marks for performance , scale , security and simplified operations through automation ,” said Rami Rahim , CEO , Juniper Networks . “ Adding Apstra ’ s intentbased networking and automated closed loop assurance advances our vision to transform data centre operations .” ◊
APSTRA ALSO ENABLES SELF-SERVICE DELIVERY , WITH ITS ADVANCED AUTOMATION ACCELERATING TIME TO MARKET ALONG WITH LOWERING DATA CENTRE OUTAGES AND OPEX .
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