FAQ

Questions

What is Advantech’s Remote Evaluation Service (RES) and what is it’s relation to the SD-WAN Test-Drive Portal?
There are numerous proof-of-concept initiatives and open source projects, what's different about Advantech RES?
Who is the audience for this initiative?
How do I gain access to the portal?
What’s my choice of hardware platforms? What configurations are available to choose from?
How does someone become a RES ecosystem member and/or participate?
Do I need to purchase any software licenses?
Is there an SLA?
Who can I ask if I have more questions?

What is Advantech’s Remote Evaluation Service (RES) and what is it’s relation to the SD-WAN Test-Drive Portal?

Advantech RES provides connectivity to different systems in Advantech’s Taipei Labs. These include carrier grade servers as well as network appliances. Advantech remote evaluation platform help communication service providers accelerate their evaluation and decision making process by providing easy and secure access to dedicated and pre-integrated SD-WAN platforms with pre-loaded software components to quickly start running performance and functionalities tests.

There are numerous proof-of-concept initiatives and open source projects, what's different about Advantech RES?

At Advantech we wanted to put together a Network Function Virtualization evaluation framework that would give a community of developers free access to a broader set of hardware platforms deployable in many different locations in the network from edge to cloud. The community we bring together is one where people with similar philosophies about telecom cloud architecture who recognize the need for greater network elasticity can openly collaborate together.

We believe that by opening up this SD-WAN Test-Drive Portal, we can help service providers and integrators get ahead of the curve and begin to test different SD-WAN use cases on pre-validated NFVI destined for deployment closer to the subscriber in the access network, mobile edge and in Central Offices as well as the network core and telecom data center.

Who is the audience for this initiative?

Communication service providers and integrators that want to minimize risks and time to production when deploying the new SD-WAN infrastructure at the network core and edge.

Users can verify if they reach the performance necessary in various service chaining scenarios on a particular network architecture. In addition, operators can rapidly verify if a specific platform gives them the manageability, scalability and resiliency they require for their customers.

How do I gain access to the portal?

Point your browser at enea.testdrive-advantech-nfv.com and navigate to the tab marked “LOGIN”. Click on the “REGISTER” button, fill out the simple form and one of our representatives will get back to you promptly to discuss your requirements and set up a Test Drive session. From that point we will take you for a full Test Drive and walk you through the on-line set-up. Once we agree on your needs and evaluation period we’ll send you your login details so you can get started on your own.

What’s my choice of hardware platforms? What configurations are available to choose from?

Service providers and integrators that register for a test drive can chose from a wide choice of uCPE platforms from Advantech. A Quick Start SD-WAN configuration based on two FWA-1012VC connected through a WAN is offered as immediately available for testing. Depending on specific project requirements, additional uCPE white boxes can be added to the network. For full details on Advantech uCPE white boxes please visit www.ucpe.tech.

How does someone become a RES ecosystem member and/or participate?

We’ll be glad to have you on board. Just drop us an email at sdn.nfv@advantech.com.

Do I need to purchase any software licenses?

The SD-WAN Test Drive portal is ready to use with all required evaluation licenses pre-loaded on the evaluation units. Additional VNF’s from ecosystem partners can be evaluated depending on your project needs.

Is there an SLA?

Since there is no fee to use this portal, there is no SLA. However if we have validated an evaluation slot for you we will not take the portal down for maintenance or to upgrade without informing you first. In addition will do our best to support any question you may have but this will be provided on a best effort basis.

Who can I ask if I have more questions?

The best resource is the SD-WAN Test-Drive Portal team. You can reach them through email at flexiwan@testdrive-advantech-nfv.com.