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Application Centric Infrastructure

Improve virtual networking with the new Application Centric Infrastructure. (7:07 min)

Application Virtual Switch Overview

Now data center virtual networks can integrate with cloud service providers. (4:07 min)

Get highly secure multitenant services to your data center network with Cisco Virtual Networking.

Integrates directly with VMware vSphere hypervisorsDelivers virtual machine-aware network services such as VM mobility in cloud environmentsAccelerates server virtualization deployments and simplifies managementReduces total cost of ownership; provides consistency and network visibilityProvides consistency and network visibility Tightly integrates with Microsoft Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 SP1 (SCVMM)Offers an advanced NX-OS feature set and associated partner ecosystemInnovative network services architecture supports scalable multitenant environmentsProvides consistent operational processes across physical and virtual environments and across hypervisors Extends the enterprise cloud to the public cloud Provides consistent network policies and services across private and public cloudsOffers application transparency with L2 extensionUses a simple single pane of managementVirtual form factor helps enable easy deployment Dedicated hardware eases virtual access switch deployment for the network administratorOffloads application servers from running virtual service nodes Improves scalability and performance of the virtualized data center Separates security policy management from VMware virtualization administration Integrates with Cisco Nexus 1000V vPath technology and is hypervisor-agnostic Offers best-in-class efficient, fast, and scale-out zone-based security architectureDelivers security policy enforcement and visibility at a virtual machine level that follows VM mobilityLogically isolates applications in virtual data centers and multitenant environmentsOffers a consistent operational experience (separation of duties between security and server administrators) Employs proven Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) technology to help secure the tenant edge in multi-tenant virtual and cloud infrastructuresComplements the Cisco Virtual Security Gateway (VSG), which provides granular inter-VM security within a tenantIntegrates with the Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for superior flexibility and operational efficiencyActs as a VXLAN gateway to send traffic to and from the VXLAN to a traditional VLAN Supports branch, data center, and cloud deployments with scalable, flexible deployments Offers the industry's most scalable virtual WAN optimization solution with support for SAN-based DREEmploys simplified deployment options with support for Cisco Nexus 1000V and vPath-based service insertion Provides service delivery networking for enterprise and cloud data centersIntegrates with Cisco Nexus 1000V vPath service insertion technologyDelivers best-in-class load balancing and application deliveryOffers single point of support Brings performance analytics to physical, virtual, and cloud networksAllows customers to rapidly respond to new business demands Extends visibility into overlay technologies, such as VXLAN, to improve operations Characterizes business-critical applications to support ideal performanceInstalls on x86 platforms with ESXi, Hyper-V, and KVM virtualization infrastructures Specifically designed for the Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI)Provides high performance and throughputOffers optimal traffic steeringOffers a consistent operational model across leading hypervisors

Cisco Cloud Network Services now includes Citrix NetScaler 1000V.

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Cisco provides a comprehensive set of virtual networking solutions to simplify management and to more securely scale your enterprise data center for private and hybrid clouds. It extends the network edge to the hypervisor and virtual machines, and provides the foundation for virtual network overlays, Cisco Open Network Environment (ONE), and Software Defined Networking (SDN).

Cisco Virtual Networking is built on the foundation of Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch and is hypervisor-agnostic. The Cisco Nexus 1000V offers distinct advantages, including:

Extensive virtual network services, built on Cisco vPath advanced service insertion and chaining technologySupport for a wide range of hypervisor environments, including open sourceFeature and management consistency for easy integration with the physical infrastructureAvailability in two editions (Essential Edition at no cost, and Advanced Edition)Policy management and control by the networking team instead of the server virtualization team (separation of duties)

Cisco Nexus 1000V Port Profiles - The Nexus 1000V extends the concept of referenced configuration through the use of Cisco NX-OS port profiles. It publishes them into the hypervisor management domain, allowing ease of assignment and portability of networking and security policies.

Since the Nexus 1000V is a virtual distributed switch, the policies from the profiles are known and supported across Cisco vPath v2.0– fundamental architecture component of the Cisco Nexus 1000V. vPath optimizes the use of Layer 4-7 virtual networking services in virtual machine and cloud environments.

Service chaining is supported, providing multiple virtual network services as part of a single traffic flow. For example, simply specify the network policy, and let vPath direct traffic:

Cisco vPath also works on VXLAN to support movement between servers in different Layer 2 domains. Together, these features promote highly secure policy, application, and service delivery in the cloud.

Cisco Nexus 1110 Virtual Services Appliance is a dedicated hardware platform for services critical for a virtualized infrastructure. The following virtual networking services are available for the Cisco Nexus 1110 Virtual Services Appliance family:

The Cisco Nexus 1000V InterCloud more securely connects your enterprise data center virtual networks to cloud service providers. This hybrid cloud approach consists of simplified transparent integration, providing:

Highly secure Layer 2 networking connectivity for workload mobility.Deployment of security and application services in the cloudManagement features for hybrid cloud environments

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AmEx launches virtual wallet for online buyers in India

According to Google India, around 8 million Indians shopped online in 2012 and the U.S. Internet giant in December partnered several Indian shopping sites for "Cyber Monday".

In the year 2011 to 2012, consumer interest in online shopping in India grew 128 percent compared to only 40 percent the previous year. According to Forrester, the e-commerce market here is set to grow the fastest within the Asia-Pacific region between 2012 and 16.

While the growth of e-commerce in the country is an encouraging story, it is not without hiccups. Indian consumers prefer cash-on-delivery due to security concerns about using credit cards online. Another awkward roadblock is the high number of transactions that get dropped off due to users not physically having their cards on-hand. Several merchants store credit card details to ease future payments, but the use is restricted to individual merchants.

And this is a hole American Express (AmEx) India's new product is aiming to plug. ezeClick provides AmEx card members an easy and fast method to complete their online purchase, by allowing them to prefill customer data such as card number, expiry date, four-digit card identification number, and postal code which will be stored in the ezeClick virtual wallet for future use.

Offered free to all AmEx card members, the service allows customers not to have to refer to their plastic card for future online transactions. The transaction process is fast, safe and secure. Certified by Verisign, the service uses SSL to encrypt personal information. eZeClick also sends a one-time password (OTP) for every transaction to the registered mobile or e-mail ID in accordance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. Not just the customers, the service also addresses fears merchants have about any potential fraud as card data is not entered and stored on their servers.

When I spoke to Sanjay Rishi, president of AmEx India, he explained the benefits for partner merchants: "The average online transaction size of AmEx card members is more than three times the size of other online transactions. The power of their superior spend, coupled with faster checkouts and higher engagement, means more business for merchants."

The next-generation virtual wallet simplifies the checkout process and claims to drive more online shopping. Since no card details need to be entered at the time of transaction, the eZeClick service helps merchants reduce the number of transaction declines, prevents accidental dropoffs, and reduces the chances of cart abandonment. Interestingly, it also enables frequent and higher value transactions on impulse.

According to Vibha Bajaj, head of public affairs and communications at AmEx India, the ezeClick offering is already live across some 40 leading online merchants in India, covering travel, retail, utilities, apparels, and entertainment like eBay, MakeMytrip, BookMyShow, Infibeam, Vodafone, Idea, Tata Sky, and Spicejet, among others. "More, including Flipkart, are coming very soon," Vibha assured.  

Disclosure: Abhishek Baxi had been a digital consultant to American Express India in some of the company's previous online campaigns.

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