HP Launches SDN Developer Kit and App Store

29 Sep 2013

Software-defined networks (SDNs) bring greater simplicity to networks, allowing organizations to respond more quickly to changing business requirements. HP has been very active in the SDN space, and demonstrated an OpenFlow-enabled switch back in 2008. More recently, it introduced an HP UC&C SDN Application for Microsoft Lync.

HP's SDN vision is to deliver agility based on a programmable network aligned to business applications to reignite innovation using an open standards ecosystem and an easily accessible marketplace. To that end, HP introduced what it calls the "first enterprise-class SDN open ecosystem," which includes the HP SDN Developer Kit (SDK) and the HP SDN App Store. With the SDK and App Store, partners and developers can quickly develop, test, and deploy their own applications and network services, while customers can more easily purchase and deploy SDN services. Looking at this announcement through my UC glasses, this can ultimately help the growth and expansion of the UC market. According to Manfred Arndt, a Distinguished Technologist in the HP Networking's Advanced Technology Group, "SDN is about bringing application-aware intelligence into the network, to dramatically simplify IT deployments, by automating policy provisioning and deliver an optimized user experience. This will help free up IT resources and improve UC project success."

Normally, it takes an extensive process to customize and roll out networks, which slows down the time to deploy new applications, as well as the time to market. The new HP SDN Developer Kit offers tools that enable software developers to create enterprise-grade SDN applications. Those applications are then certified and made available on the HP SDN App Store, once the core functionality and interoperability has been validated.

The SDK includes RESTful APIs, a Developer guide, and sample code for developers, as well as an SDN simulator, virtual lab, validation testing to simulate and certify the network, plus a Community portal and knowledge base enabling collaboration among the developers, plus training and services. Developers can meet and collaborate on the HP.com SDN developer forum, where they can discuss their ideas and receive assistance before taking their apps to the market. Currently, SDN ecosystem partners that are registered for the developer kit include Microsoft, SAP, ShoreTel, and others, with more partners expected to sign on once it launches.

Additionally, HP offers SDN Developer Support, providing 24/7 technical phone support and forum responses for troubleshooting and best practices, along with HP SDN Apps Service and Support for customers. These help provide customers with a simple and comprehensive approach to SDN support and implementation, allowing them to access and apply the applications with ease.

IT staffers and those who need to learn about SDN solutions can take the SDN Learning Journey Curriculum from HP, where they will learn how to create and deliver SDN solutions in three steps. Upon completion, they'll earn HP SDN Certification, ensuring that their SDN deployments meet HP's performance standards.

HP notes that one of the inhibitors to network innovation is the lack of a marketplace to sell and support SDN applications and limited ability to develop network applications. HP introduced the "enterprise-ready" SDN App Store to allow developers to browse and search for apps, which can be installed directly into the SDN controller.

As an analyst that focuses on unified communications rather than networking, I was most interested in how this announcement and HP's SDN offerings will benefit UC customers. As mentioned previously, HP offers a Lync SDN application. With HP's focus on Lync and unified communications, I hope to see more UC and collaboration applications developed and shared in the App Store. According to HP, the SDN App Store "creates an open marketplace for ecosystem partners to sell SDN applications which customers can deploy on their network with a few simple mouse clicks." This will include applications developed by HP, as well as those applications jointly-developed with partners, and partner-certified and community-created applications.

SDN ultimately is all about application delivery - whether UC or other types of applications. Application developers need the tools to create, test, and validate their apps, as well as a place for customers to search for and purchase these apps. Based on HP's new open SDN ecosystem and the HP SDN Developer Kit (SDK) and HP SDN App Store, HP is helping developers leverage the SDN wave. HP isn't just targeting its own partners, as the SDN Developer Kit provides independent software developers access to the tools necessary to develop, simulate and certify enterprise-grade SDN applications to sell on the HP SDN App Store.

HP's stated goal is to eliminate the limitations of closed, proprietary SDN technologies with its open SDN ecosystem, removing complexities while delivering innovation to meet the pace of customer demands. Of course this isn't totally altruistic, and the company also wants to sell its SDN products and services. However, this isn't about which vendor will lead the SDN market, but about how to help drive collaboration and innovation, driving mainstream adoption, which will ultimately benefit everyone, including UC developers and customers.