Scalable instrumentation suite enhances network analytics

Broadcom Corp. has unveiled what it describes as the industry's first and most scalable instrumentation software for monitoring switch performance. Geared to take advantage of advanced features in the Broadcom StrataXGS Trident and Tomahawk network switch platforms, the BroadView instrumentation software claims to offer smarter network analytics, enabling operators to optimise network performance across various hardware platforms and network operating systems.

In modern mega-scale data centre networks, operators monitor large arrays of switch devices to generate a unified view of network performance. With BroadView software, network operators can now leverage an open standard software interface to extract network instrumentation and telemetry data in a consistent manner across multiple vendor platforms. By using a platform-agnostic application programming interface (API) and leveraging open-source reference controller implementations, operators gain deeper visibility into their cloud networks while protecting their investment in existing applications and getting to market faster.

The instrumentation software features threshold based monitoring, buffer statistics tracking and triggers for proactive monitoring and scalability; advanced packet tracing tools to improve visibility into traffic flows; innovative trouble shooting tools to facilitate easier mapping of overlay flows with underlay links; and aggregation group resolution to ensure optimal use of group members and avoid hash polarisation.

In addition, it provides aggregated and abstracted counters as needed by the application, open source modular agent with easier customisation for adoption in various products and platforms, and Broadcom's BroadView Instrumentation Software Suite available on Broadcom GitHub.