Identifying the Commercial Opportunities Posed by SDx

In this interesting panel, we focused on the commercial opportunities that software-defined solutions (in software-defined networking, software-defined storage, and software-defined compute) open up for the operator/carrier, whether it be in the software-defined data center (SDDC) or the WAN - including the core, metro, and edge of the provider network.

We focused on the emerging business models for the consumption of services offered/hosted by the SDDC or enabled by SDx. We then focused on how the architectural approaches to data center design and service consumption influence the business models - that is, how do these models change depending on what mix of private, public, or hybrid clouds the customer wishes to use? Next we turned focus on the operator asking - how do aspects like multi-tenancy support and breaking vendor lock help to make the SDCC-service more profitable for the operator? Does this, for instance, enable the offering of new services that weren't possible so far? We asked how design aspects, for instance DC-DC orchestration and multi-layer optimization help the carrier do a better job of managing their overall infrastructure and creating profitable services? Finally, we took a look at the enterprise customer and the issues they might consider when making a decision between a private or public SDCC.

The panel involved Sanjay Nayak, SVP, Pacnet, and Jeff Finkelstein, Executive Director, Strategic Architecture, Cox Communications, bringing in two diverse operator perspectives!