Big Switch Networks’ Reinforces Commitment to the U.S. Government’s Data Center Network Modernization Initiatives

Cloud-First Networking Portfolio Achieves DoDIN APL Certification and FIP140-2 Validation


SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Big Switch Networks®, the Cloud-First Networking company, in its efforts to expand its commitment to the U.S. Government, today announced it has achieved Department of Defense Information Network Approved Products List (DoDIN APL) certification and FIP140-2 validation.

Big Switch’s Cloud-First Networking (CFN) portfolio is the first to bring the simplicity of public cloud network innovations to on-premises federal data centers and hybrid-cloud environments. Using cloud principles of a software-defined networking (SDN) architecture, coupled with industry standard open networking hardware, Big Switch’s data center networking solutions are ideally suited to deliver on key benefits outlined in the Technology Business Management (TBM) framework: optimize, rationalize, innovate and transform.

Certification Investment Supports IT Modernization Agenda
This certification underscores Big Switch’s investment and commitment to helping secure government via a multi compliance approach, embraces cloud principles as first principles making it ideally suited to support the government's IT Modernization Agenda. Big Switch’s CFN portfolio meets requirements set forth in the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act allowing government agencies to rapidly prototype innovative, cloud-first enterprise solutions. Specifically, Enterprise VPC’s (E-VPCs), open networking hardware, cloud scale flow-based visibility and analytics help enable network assurance and cloud-speed IT services delivery.

As a result of its investments supporting government compliance, Big Switch is the first and only SDN vendor certified under the DoDIN APL. Additionally, Big Switch is the first vendor to combine cloud-native compute and visibility in a single DoDIN APL System Under Test (SUT), and the first SDN-based data center leaf-spine fabric to achieve these certifications on white-box open networking commodity-based hardware.

In addition to its multi-compliance certifications, Big Switch has also made significant investments around the following:

  • TS-SCI Cleared Engineering & Support
  • Federal Subsidiary established
  • FISMA high
  • TAA Compliance
  • GDPR
  • Engineering, ProServe & Support
  • Sales & Channel

The Best of Public Cloud, On-premises with Cloud-First Networking
The company’s on-prem enterprise cloud products, Big Cloud Fabric™ (BCF) and Big Monitoring Fabric™ (Big Mon), are the first networking solutions to offer critical public cloud networking and monitoring features for on-prem workloads. Building on these, Big Switch recently announced three new public cloud products, BCF - Public Cloud, Big Mon - Public Cloud (BMF-PC) for corresponding in-cloud deployments and the Multi-Cloud Director (MCD), which provides global management of public and private cloud resources.

The extensive CFN product portfolio delivers multiple benefits to agencies:

  • CFN smarlty extends workforce under DOD 8570 network certification training creating an easier transition for ashore, afloat, garrison and tactical field support personnel
  • Choice of on-prem or public cloud deployments
  • Operational efficiency and continuity for “as-a-Service” cloud stack operations with E-VPCs on-prem and in any public cloud
  • Application placement is no longer constrained by networking or compliance, but instead is based on mission needs such as scalable modularity for rapid deployment, latency, bandwidth, data locality or placement cost
  • Operational silos across on-prem and public cloud are converged into a single hybrid cloud networking team, delivering consistent governance, OPEX efficiency and operational autonomy for AppDev, DevOps and SecDevOps teams
  • CFN breaks the traditional networking-as-a-trouble-ticket paradigm by making networks invisible, which eliminates “shadow IT” and accelerates IT adoption of hybrid clouds
  • Enables IT professionals to deploy any workload on any cloud:
    • VMware NSX, Nutanix, Red Hat, HCI, Kubernetes, Docker containers or OpenStack workloads across the on-prem enterprise cloud
    • Windows/Linux app in AWS or Azure public cloud
  • With VPC-level flow analytics, IT can ensure consistent visibility and security of applications and network traffic in any cloud

Reference projects
Both Big Cloud Fabric and Big Monitoring Fabric are deployed in multiple government agencies. Reference Projects:

  • Large enterprise cloud utilizing RedHat OpenStack (Civilian)
  • RedHat & OpenStack (IC)
  • Mission focused VMWare SDDC (IC)
  • Last Mile Security Service Chaining (DoD)
  • DoDIN NFV deployment (DoD)
  • Large Enterprise Visibility & Monitoring Fabric (Civilian)

All Big Switch software is coupled with industry standard open networking white-box or brite-box hardware. Big Switch’s Cloud-First Networking portfolio supports high performance, Broadcom merchant silicon-based Ethernet switches from Dell EMC Open Networking. Open Networking switches offer an innovative, cost effective disaggregated-hardware/software solution, which removes vendor lock-in for data center networking.These solutions give customers the power to transform their networks and accelerate data-center innovation with simplified, high-capacity network fabrics. Big Switch solutions are available via Dell EMC value-added resellers (VARs), as well as government VAR and systems integrators.

The DoDIN APL was established in 2011 and represents the agency’s master list of secure and approved technology infrastructure products that have completed Interoperability (IO) and Information Assurance (IA) certification. U.S. government procurement for products that are on the DoD network is limited to only those solutions have completed the listing process. This extensive process involves the submission of a series of properly completed forms, product documentation, and adherence to strict scheduling guidelines and interdependencies like STIG testing, CAC Compliance, and conformance to IPv6.

Supporting Quotes
“Big Switch is committed to serving government agencies around the globe with cloud-style networking solutions, aligned to help the agencies core mission of our nation's security, prosperity and livelihood,” said Mike Walsh, Federal Director, Big Switch Networks. “With the Administration’s cloud focus and IT Modernization efforts, we recognize the critical role Cloud-First Networking plays in government transformation initiatives. Big Switch has taken the proactive steps to complete multiple compliance certifications directly aligned with the RMF and FISMA. We look forward to partnering with federal, state and local government agencies to help them succeed in their IT Modernization and cloud initiatives.”

“At Dell EMC, we believe the network will play a critical role as the foundation for the IT Modernization agenda and the support of our federal customers’ missions," said Steve Septoff, Vice President, Dell EMC. "Together, Big Switch's Cloud-First Networking and Dell EMC's Open Networking portfolios deliver secure, scalable, simplified solutions that offer choice and meet the unique and specific requirements for organizations within the federal government space. With Big Switch's commitment to achieving DoDIN APL certification and FIP140-2 validation, we look forward to expanding our joint footprint within the federal space."

“As Government Agencies work to modernize the nation’s technology infrastructure, they will rely heavily on certified solutions to protect and secure sensitive data,” said Jake Nelson, Corsec Security, Inc. Director of Marketing. “Big Switch Networks’ Cloud First Networking Portfolio offers all levels of government a third party tested, verified, and trusted cloud-based solution. The completion of the DoDIN APL and FIPS 140-2 process not only opens doors to new and exciting markets for Big Switch Networks, but also demonstrates their commitment to product security and the protection of our nation’s infrastructure.”

Supporting Materials
Datasheet: Big Mon Public Cloud
Datasheet: Big Mon Enterprise Cloud
Datasheet: BCF Enterprise Cloud
Tech Demo: Multi-Cloud Director

Tech Demo: Nutanix AHV Integration
White Paper: Analytics Node
White Paper: Packer Recorder
Deployment Guide: BCF with VMware NSX

About Big Switch Networks
Big Switch Networks is the Cloud-First Networking company, bringing public cloud-style networking and hybrid cloud consistency to organizations around the world. The company provides data center switching, monitoring, visibility and security solutions for on-premises enterprise clouds, public clouds and multi-cloud environments that enable companies of all sizes to increase operational efficiency and business agility, while reducing networking costs. Big Switch was founded in 2010, with roots in the original Stanford research team that invented software-defined networking. Big Switch has strategic partnerships with Dell EMC, HPE and Edgecore, delivering innovative software on industry-standard open networking hardware. Since its founding the company has been an active member and contributor to multiple open source communities. Big Switch Networks is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, with a dedicated presence across more than 25 countries. The company is funded from leading venture capital firms, including: Dell Technologies Capital, Index Ventures, Intel Capital, Khosla Ventures, MSD Capital, Morgenthaler Ventures, Redpoint and Silverlake Waterman.

For additional information: visit us www.bigswitch.com, reach us info@bigswitch.com or follow us on Twitter @bigswitch, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Copyright 2018 Big Switch Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Big Switch Networks, the Big Switch logo, Big Cloud Fabric, Big Mon, Big Monitoring Fabric, BMF, BigSecure, Big Switch Labs, Big Tap, BSN, Switch Light, ONL Certified, and ONL Certified Gold, ONLX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Big Switch Networks, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered marks or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. Big Switch Networks assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies in this document. Big Switch Networks reserves the right to change, modify, transfer or otherwise revise this publication without notice. 

Media & Analyst contact:
Kate Lehman
media@bigswitch.com