Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in our Network Computing comparison of SDN controllers, applications, physical and virtual switches, and compatible hardware. In this guide, we profile top SDN vendors and provide detailed matrixes to facilitate comparisons in key areas including OpenFlow and API support, network services, QoS features, and hypervisor/cloud stack integration.
A. To participate in the Network Computing SDN Comparison you must sell and support software-defined networking hardware and/or software aimed at enterprise IT with one or more of the following characteristics:
- Provides programmatic control over both physical and virtual network devices, including switches, bridges and NICs.
- Compatible with OpenFlow or some other programmatically controlled packet processing and switching protocol.
- Provides a platform, with APIs and accompanying runtime environment, for network application and service development.
- Provides a platform, with APIs and accompanying runtime environment, to programmatically deploy, control, configure, monitor and report on network equipment, interfaces, routing and security policies, and any other configurable elements.
- SDN Controllers
- SDN Applications
- SDN-Compatible Switching Hardware or Virtual Switching Software
- Other SDN-Compatible Hardware
Q. How do we get our offering included?
A. Download the features matrix and fill it in, then send the completed matrix to Andrew Conry-Murray or Lorna Garey. Note that incomplete questionnaires will be returned. You must provide pricing information. If you do not offer a feature, indicate that with a "No" or "N/A" rather than leaving fields blank. Feel free to embed links to more detailed pricing or feature info, but please do not alter the structure of the spreadsheet.
Q. As a vendor, can we send some of our own material?
A. Yes, you can submit links to whitepapers, webcasts and videos related to your offering.
Q. What if we add new features after we've filled out the questionnaire or want to adjust our response?
A. To request an update to your entry, please send Lorna Garey or Andrew Conry-Murray a new features matrix and we will swap it in.
Q. Why isn't my favorite vendor included?
A. Because it has not submitted a matrix; this guide is open to all vendors that meet our criteria.
Q. As an IT pro, how can I figure out what buying criteria matter most for my company?
A. Our full SDN Buyer's Guide report provides information on selecting a vendor.
Q. How are the results sorted?
A. The sort order of our company listings is based first on how many UBM Tech events a company is exhibiting at, and second on alphabetical order. UBM Tech is the parent to Network Computing. Click here for more information on exhibiting at UBM Tech events (and raising your visibility on this chart!).
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