Verizon Launches SDN Service With Equinix Fabric

Verizon is now providing its business customers with direct access between their MPLS and colocation facilities within Equinix Cloud Exchange (ECX) Fabric. The Software-Defined Interconnect (SDI) service allows enterprises to connect their private networks to an Equinix data center and reduce costs associated with purely private networks.ECX Fabric, which uses SDN capabilities to enable its customers to connect their own infrastructure across Equinix locations, was originally launched in late 2017. Verizon says this partnership extends those capabilities to Verizon customers and gives enterprises the ability to connect their networks to Equinix’s colocation data centers. SDI integrates pre-provisioned Verizon private IP bandwidth with ECX Fabric. Verizon and Equinix have also established an API that allows customers to turn up those connections on an automated basis. The network operator is also positioning SDI as complementary to its SD-WAN options because it bridges between the exchange and customers MPLS network in a more cost efficient and virtual environment.