Long-term strategic partnership for the development of a scalable spine-leaf architecture in the research environment

A leading German research centre in the field of fundamental physics develops, operates and uses extensive compute infrastructures. 

In order to meet the high availability and performance requirements, the research centre relies on a redundant core structure with clear segmentation and measurable latency. It obtains the hardware components, software licences and maintenance services required for this from Arista Networks via a long-term framework agreement with Xantaro.

Project objectives and requirements

The following project objectives were the focus of the collaboration:

• Standardised manufacturer strategy: one manufacturer, one operating concept and centralised management based on modern technologies.
• Efficient procurement and support processes: Simplification through a centralised framework agreement.
• Future-proof architecture: Strategic preparation for innovative architecture and technology developments in the data centre environment, e.g. API capability for network automation.
• Long-term operational security: Ensuring availability and support services via a reliable partner.

Technology partnership for sustainable network performance

Our Xantaro team has been supporting the research centre for several years as a central technology and service partner for network hardware, software and maintenance services based on the Arista platform. We act as an interface between the customer and the manufacturer and ensure the smooth operation of the solutions used.

As part of the long-term framework agreement, we handle the entire procurement process including licence management, coordination with Arista and the provision of maintenance and support services for Arista products (A-Care Services). In this way, we ensure that hardware, software and services are optimally coordinated and are available to the research centre in the required quality and availability at all times.

Results for the customer

Standardised and future-proof network platform based on Arista technology

A homogeneous network platform is created on the basis of an infrastructure standardised throughout on Arista components, which significantly simplifies operation, administration and further development.

The unified manufacturer strategy reduces integration costs, creates clear responsibilities and enables the research centre to transfer new functions and software releases to productive operation quickly and in a controlled manner.

At the same time, the platform forms the basis for the use of modern automation and orchestration tools and is therefore designed to meet future requirements in the data centre environment in the long term.

Efficient, transparent procurement and support process based on a framework agreement

The long-term framework agreement with Xantaro means that procurement, licence management and support services are bundled centrally.

Standardised ordering and approval processes, defined service levels and unified conditions create transparency regarding costs and delivery times and take the pressure off the internal teams.

Faults or extensions can be implemented more quickly as contact persons, processes and escalation paths are clearly defined.

Modular design with clearly defined expansion points within a modern data centre fabric:

The architecture follows a modular design approach with clearly structured spine leaf segments and clearly defined handover points for future expansions.

This allows new locations, services and racks to be integrated into the existing fabric according to unified standards without compromising the overall architecture.

The research centre benefits from high scalability, predictable capacity expansion and the ability to gradually introduce innovative technologies while ongoing operations remain stable and transparent.

This has created a future-proof basis for the coming years on which the research centre can continue to develop its infrastructure sustainably.

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