Understanding MetaFabric 1.1 Architecture Benefits
The growing popularity and adoption of switching fabrics, new protocols, automation, orchestration, security technologies, and software-defined networks (SDNs) are strong indicators of the need for a more agile network in the data center. Juniper Networks has applied its networking expertise to the problems of today’s data centers to develop and deliver the Juniper Networks® MetaFabric™ architecture—a combination of switching, routing, security, software, orchestration, and SDN—all working in conjunction with an open technology ecosystem to accelerate the deployment and delivery of applications for enterprises and service providers.
The goal of the MetaFabric architecture is to allow you to connect any physical network, with any combination of storage, servers, or hypervisors, to any virtual network, and with any orchestration software (Figure 1). Such an open ecosystem ensures that you can add new equipment, features, and technologies over time to take advantage of the latest trends as they emerge.
The MetaFabric Architecture 1.1 virtualized IT data center solution
described in this network configuration example is a variation of
the original solution described in the MetaFabric™ Architecture Virtualized Data Center Design and
Implementation Guide
Virtual Chassis Fabric (VCF)—The VCF replaces the QFabric™ systems and EX9200 core switches found in the original MetaFabric Architecture 1.0 solution and provides a smaller scale network option for medium-sized data centers.
Network Director 1.6—This version of the popular network management tool enables you to autoprovision a VCF and perform orchestration services that allow seamless VM movement and sustained application performance.
When used in conjunction with the original MetaFabric™ Architecture Virtualized Data Center Design and
Implementation Guide