summary

In order to differentiate ourselves from other SIers, we decided to utilize white Box, which have a competitive advantage, in our ICT solutions business.

Utilizing the know-how cultivated at manufacturing sites, we provide system construction, operation and maintenance, and even information infrastructure that is responsive to the business environments of various industries, including manufacturing industries such as automobile manufacturers and shipbuilding, distribution, finance, public services, and pharmaceutical companies. The company operates an IT solutions business, including the development of electronic devices and related electronic equipment. The company has its own hardware development department for equipment and equipment, and is also marketing systems that are useful on the front lines, such as marine engine control devices and attendance management systems.

The company's ICT solutions business began handling white Box in 2015, and currently handles white Box made by multiple OEM/ODM manufacturers, providing a variety of solutions from servers to switches and storage. are doing.

The case study we will introduce here is a solution that utilizes a white Box from Edgecore Networks, which is handled by Macnica. Edgecore Networks is a subsidiary of Accton​ ​Technology, which handles OEM/ODM, and is a pioneer manufacturer of white Box globally. By making full use of our advanced technology and know-how to carry out the entire process from design and development to production, we provide products of high quality and excellent cost performance.

Despite the bitter experience of semiconductor shortages, delivery delays, and white Box defects, we took on the challenge again and differentiated ourselves from other companies.

The company handles multiple white Box, but faced challenges with a global semiconductor shortage and delivery delays during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to overcome the crisis of supply shortages, the company has created an environment where it can stably supply hardware by securing new suppliers.

"We had originally handled multiple white Box, not just from one manufacturer, but we decided to consider a new solution in order to create an environment where we could procure more stably than ever before," says Toyota Business. Kenichi Tatara, General Manager, Planning Group, Infrastructure Services Department, looks back on those days.
However, he has experienced many problems with the handling of white Box.

Mr. Tatara: ``It takes a lot of time to thoroughly conduct quality tests and provide products in a stable manner to our customers.Based on past experience, we are very careful when handling white Box from new manufacturers.'' The reality is that we have no choice but to do so.”

Nevertheless, in order to create an environment in which we could stably supply hardware to our customers, we decided to look for a new procurement source, with the ability to provide high-quality solutions as an essential condition.

We chose Macnica because we could expect the "optimal network OS" and "generous support, including advance verification"

One of the potential suppliers was Macnica, a company in Japan that sells white Box from Edgecore Networks, a company whose name we had known for some time.


Mr. Tatara: ``I happened to know about Edgecore Networks' solution, so I researched it, and Macnica told me, ``By using a network OS called Edgecore SONiC (ecSONiC) and thoroughly verifying the combination, we can provide the optimal solution.'' I received this suggestion. We have a close relationship with Edgecore Networks, and we highly evaluated their responsiveness in that they worked with us to provide sufficient testing before shipping."

In particular, Macnica, a technology trading company, has a close collaboration with Edgecore Networks, and was particularly attracted to the fact that it was able to provide "responses that included technical knowledge," rather than simply acting as an interpreter.

Mr. Tatara: `` Macnica had the experience of supporting us when we introduced InfiniBand switches, and since then they have been working with us on technical verification and customer support. Based on our experience with technical support, we were able to expect solid support even in the white Box."

In fact, various forms of support were provided, including ``desktop configuration studies'' in the absence of actual machines and ``laboratory verification'' conducted by Macnica.

“They provided us with ample technical support, such as making sure we had all the detailed parts, and even during the coronavirus pandemic, we were able to perform verification remotely without missing delivery dates. They were able to do a wide range of work that met our expectations, which was very helpful,'' said Norihiro Nio of the department's Tokyo Group 2.

As a result, Edgecore Networks provided by Macnica was selected as a new white Box vendor.

Edgecore Networks' white Box with competitive advantage contributes to business

Currently, we are mainly deploying Edgecore Networks' white Box switches to customers, contributing to the company's business as a solution that has a competitive advantage over other companies that offer general-purpose switches.
Recently, along with core switches, they are often used in spine-leaf network configurations that maintain constant latency and are highly scalable, and ecSONiC is used as an OS to help build a robust data center network. .

Mr. Tatara: "We have differentiated ourselves from our competitors by providing high-quality products with good cost performance, and our efforts with Macnica have become one of our strengths."

Building a solid system realized by providing escort support to areas similar to Macnica 's operations

Many of the quality concerns that customers tend to have with white Box can be resolved through thorough preliminary verification, and together with Macnica we have built a system that can quickly resolve any issues that may arise. It is said that there is.

Mr. Tatara: ``Our strength in business is that we don't just sell products, we provide a comprehensive service from planning to construction, operation, and maintenance ourselves. There are some parts that are difficult to improve, but I am grateful that they have been able to support me and accompany me through this, which has really helped me.”

In particular, Macnica 's support has been highly evaluated, as the range of support has expanded from normal maintenance to areas close to operation.

Mr. Nio: ``Since it is a white Box, problems are inevitable, but even when they do occur, we are able to respond quickly, which ultimately leads to generous support for our customers. Macnica 's support supports our business.'' It is no exaggeration to say that we do.”

Expectations for the highly scalable ecSONiC, which is easy to use once you get used to it

Mr. Nio: "With the highly scalable ecSONiC, we can expect future developments such as the implementation of authentication-related functions and new technologies in the L2 area."

Mr. Tatara: ``It's easy to use once you get used to it, but there are many things that become even easier to use if you think of it more as a software-driven server than as a network device.''

Macnica is highly praised not only for its technological capabilities as a technology trading company, but also for the wide range of products it handles that incorporates the latest technology quickly, which has had a positive impact on the company's business development. That's what it means.

Mr. Tatara: ``We are taking on a variety of challenges in a variety of fields, including not only IT, but also security, agriculture, healthcare, brainwaves, and AI, and we don't just sell solutions, we also incorporate technology. I have the impression that we are improving our technological capabilities as we continue to develop our skills.There are many things we can look forward to, such as attractive products and new technologies.”

In addition to enhancing the “support system that does not compromise quality,” we also hope for cooperation in providing new value.

Looking to the future, we are looking forward to creating an environment for our customers so that we can maintain the current strong support system and ensure quality even when handling new models or upgrading software. .

Mr. Tatara: ``We are working on a variety of new initiatives, such as introducing other solutions such as tools for operational visualization.We will work together to consider initiatives that can be developed as part of our business. I want to move forward.”

Providing additional value in the “white Box” area

Regarding Edgecore Networks' solution, they hope to utilize P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors), a programming language that can program the data plane, and work with Macnica to develop necessary functions and apply it to new technologies. .

Mr. Nio: ``Of course we will continue to do what we have been doing up until now, but we would also like to provide value that can be provided as an extra Macnica'' in the white Box area. I think so.”

Related information

[Part 1] What is Open Networking? - Comparing advantages and disadvantages with conventional networks -

[Part 5] What is Edgecore SONiC? -Commentary on the outline and features of the commercial version of SONiC-

[Part 6] Interoperability Test of White Box Switch - Edgecore SONiC x Cumulus Linux -