Lenovo and Juniper agree data centre partnership

Lenovo and networking giant Juniper Networks have signed a global partnership that will see the two firms combine their kit and resources for data centre infrastructure solutions.

The two believe the deal will allow them to offer customers a simple, flexible and affordable option when choosing their future data centre equipment.

Lenovo and Juniper says the partnership will allow them to build the next generation of hyper-converged data centre infrastructure solutions. It comes after Lenovo last year signed a deal with SimpliVity to allow it to sell hyperconverged infrastructure products on its System X servers.

“The alliance reflects a shared commitment to deliver simplified, flexible and high-performance solutions that will provide customers faster time-to-application value with reduced operating costs,” said the two companies.

Essentially, Lenevo brings to the parties its extensive portfolio of x86 based servers and switches, whereas Juniper has a comprehensive portfolio of routers, switches, network management software, network security products and software-defined networking technology.

The new solutions will be based on the ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) model.

But what exactly does the partnership entail? Well it seems as though customers will be able to purchase Juniper networking kit directly from Lenovo, to offer an easier acquisition option for customers, as well as consolidated support.

And the two firms will co-operate together globally when targeting enterprise customers, service providers, channel partners as well as system integrators.

There is also a concerted push deeper into the Chinese market, as the two firms pledged to “develop joint go-to-market plans and a tailor-made resell model to address unique localisation requirements in China.”

“Lenovo is on a mission to become the market leader in data centre solutions,” said Gerry Smith, Lenovo executive VP and COO, PC and Enterprise Business Group. “Our partnership with Juniper Networks provides Lenovo access to an industry leading portfolio of products that includes Software Defined Networking (SDN) solutions – essential for state-of-the-art data centre offerings.”

Juniper explained that the partnership allows it to extend its reach into the data centre market.

“Partnering with Lenovo expands Juniper’s strategy to deliver a full-stack solution for a wide range of data centres, from the mid-range enterprise to private cloud and to hyper-scale customers,” said Juniper CEO Rami Rahim.

“We are excited about collaborating with Lenovo to leverage the full power of our IP-networking portfolio based on JunosOS and Contrail, in delivering the next generation of converged, hyper-converged, and hyper-scale solution to customers in China and globally,” he said.

The partnership between Lenovo and Juniper puts the two companies up against established competition in this sector.

Dell, Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, for example, are well known players already offering converged, hyperscale and hyperconverged systems for the data centre.