Network Break 311: Apstra Gets Loud About SONiC; VMware Sinks More Hooks Into Networking

This week’s Network Break podcast examines Apstra’s new support for the SONiC network OS in Apstra’s IBN platform, IBM’s acquisition of cloud-native APM vendor Instana, and the startup EdgeQ comes out of stealth to tout a $51 million investment to build chips for 5G use cases. Marvell announces new Ethernet transceivers for 2.5, 5, and 10G access switches, VMware announces new tweaks to its networking portfolio and rolls out a “framework” for running enterprise and cloud networks, Cato Networks raises another $130 million as it pursues the SASE market, and a bill in the US Congress allocates $750 million to spur OpenRAN investment by US tech companies. Get links to all these stories below. Sponsor: Linode Get simple, affordable, accessible cloud computing. Linode’s Linux virtual machines let you develop, deploy, and scale your modern applications faster and easier. Get started on Linode today with a $100 in free credit for listeners of Network Break Podcast. You can find all the details at linode.com/networkbreak. Tech Bytes: CloudGenix Stay tuend after the news for a sponsored Tech Bytes conversation about Palo Alto Networks’ CloudGenix SD-WAN product. Find out how CloudGenix differentiates itself from the pack, plus we discuss new appliances and new ML capabilities. Show Links: Apstra’s Software Release Accelerates the Speed and Reliability of How SONiC Networks are Deployed and Operated in the Data Center – Apstra IBM to Acquire Instana as Company Continues to Advance its Hybrid Cloud and AI Strategy – IBM BiB 072: Automate Cloud Native Monitoring With Instana – Packet Pushers EdgeQ Raises $51M in Funding to Unify 5G and AI in an Open and Programmable Platform to Ignite Edge Networks – EdgeQ Marvell Expands Borderless Enterprise Portfolio with Industry-Leading Octal Scalable mGig PHY Family – Marvell VMware Unveils the Modern Network Framework for Data Center and Cloud Networking – VMware Cato Networks Valued at Over $1 Billion, Raises $130 Million to Extend SASE Market Leadership – Cato Networks Uncle Sam passes comms act that sets aside $750m for the development of OpenRAN – The Register