Network Edge Release Notes

Network Edge 2024.2 is available as of February 2024.

This release of Network Edge includes Cisco 8KV image download capability, self-guided re-instantiation for 3 specific VNFs, the ability to manage Fortinet FortiGate virtual firewall from a private network, and new functionality that makes entering an RSA Public during initial device creation optional.

Cisco 8KV Image Download

Customers with a subscription license from Equinix for their Cisco Catalyst 8000V can now download a Cisco IOX-XE image for 8000V when they need to upgrade or downgrade their version. Since the license is purchased from Equinix, the image download is also available in the Network Edge portal.

Self-Guided VNF Re-Instantiation

New VNFs are being enabled for self-guided re-instantiation with each release. For the 2024.2 release, Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Firewall, Arista CloudEOS Router, and Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Firewall have all been added to the list of VNFs that you can initialize or “reset” in the event of a VNF failure. See Manual Device Recovery for information about re-instantiating a VNF.

Fortinet Hybrid

You can now manage your Fortinet FortiGate virtual firewall from a private network, while keeping the option to update the security policy and synchronize licensing via WAN interface. See Create a Fortinet Fortigate Firewall Device for more information.

Optional RSA Public Key for SSH

The RSA Public Key used for SSH is now optional, allowing you to provision a VNF quickly and configure RSA public key after the device is provisioned. This functionality eliminates device provisioning errors when an invalid key is entered, providing a better device provisioning experience.

Network Edge 2023.12 is available as of December 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes subscription licensing for self-configured Cisco 8000V devices, as well as the addition of Zscaler App Connector and Zscaler Private Service Edge to the Network Edge Markeplace.

Subscription Licenses for Self-Configured Cisco 8Kv Devices

Equinix has enabled license subscriptions for Cisco Catalyst 8000V autonomous mode (Self-Configured). You can now purchase both VNF and license from Equinix in a single order, making it easy to for you to start the service without bringing your own license from the vendor. The subscription option is available for month-to-month,12-, 24-, and 36-month terms. See Cisco VNF Specifications for more information.

Zscaler Available on Network Edge

Zscaler App Connector and Private Service Edge are now available in the Equinix Marketplace. Integrating Zscaler into the Network Edge Marketplace offers significant business value by providing customers with advanced cloud-based security solutions, enhancing their network security while maintaining agility and scalability. See Zscaler Specifications and Create a Zscaler App Connector and Create a Zscaler Private Service Edge for more information.

Network Edge 2023.10 is available as of October 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes a new Configuration process, an interface stats feature, VNF resizing functionality, as well as enhancements to EVP-LAN support, Solution Builder, and Cisco licensing support. Additionally, we’ve added Prosimo Connector to the Equinix Marketplace.

Configuration Migration for Cisco CSR1000v

This new capability allows you to compare and convert your existing CSR1000v Equinix-Configured device configuration to the new Catalyst 8000V configuration. The newly generated configuration can be imported to the new Catalyst 8000V Self-configured device, making the migration from CSR1000V to Catalyst 8000V easier.

EVP-LAN for L2 Multipoint-to-Multipoint Service

Multipoint-to-multipoint networking enables you to interconnect your data center assets across many locations through a common network instead of requiring direct connections between individual locations. Multiple Network Edge Virtual Devices within the same metro can now be part of this multipoint-to-multipoint connection. See EVP-LAN Support for Network Edge for more information.

Fortinet BYOL

Fortinet customers can now use the new BYOL Fortiflex option when they create a new Fortinet virtual device. Network Edge allows both perpetual and FortiFlex BYOL licenses for device creation.

Interface Stats

This feature brings enhancements to virtual device interface statistics. Network Edge customers can now view interface level traffic statistics from the Interface tab in Device Details. You’ll have visibility into traffic on interfaces connected to other devices (through Device Link Group) or to other end-points on Fabric such as VCs connected to a CSP. See the Interface Traffic section of Virtual Device Details.

Prosimo Connector Available on Network Edge

Prosimo Connector is now available in the Equinix Marketplace. See Prosimo Specifications and Create a Prosimo Connector for more information.

Redundant Device Link Groups (DLG)

Virtual devices (single, redundant, and cluster) can now support redundant DLG links, with one DLG connected to the primary Fabric switch, and another DLG connected to the secondary Fabric switch, so that you won’t see service interruption with DLG if either primary or secondary Fabric switches go down due to expected or unexpected downtime.

Solution Builder Enhancements

New functionality allows you to separate existing assets and new assets, making it easy create a quote only for new or additional components. Use the Exclude from Pricing icon to designate objects for exclusion, and those objects will not be processed for price calculation. See Solution Builder for more information.

VNF Resizing

VNF Resizing allows you to upgrade your virtual device resources without re-provisioning a new VNF. This functionality lets you start with a smaller resource size, then increase the resource size as needed. You will need to take a maintenance window because your virtual device must be shut down while it is resized. See Change Virtual Device Resource Size for more information.

Network Edge 2023.8 is available as of August 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes the ability to migrate your VCs from one NE device to another with a new self-service feature, and updates to NE Identity and Access Management.

Virtual Connection Self-Migration

The Virtual Connection Self-Migration feature provides the ability for Network Edge users to initiate and migrate virtual connections from one Network Edge device to another directly from the Virtual Device Inventory or the Connections Inventory. You are notified by email when the migration is complete. For more information, see Migrate Virtual Connections Between Network Edge Devices.

IAM Updates

All new Network Edge customers are now enabled for Identity and Access Management features, allowing for streamlined user access management with flexible billing account assignment and role-specific permissions. For more information, see Network Edge Identity and Access Management.

Network Edge 2023.6 is available as of June 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes a new Snapshot and Restore tool as well as new Solution Builder functionality.

Snapshot and Restore

Now you can take up to three image snapshots of your self-configured virtual device for backup and recovery purposes. This new feature can be used for version roll-back, disaster recovery, or regular image backup. For more information, see Snapshot & Restore.

Solution Builder

Design your multi-cloud network solution with the Solution Builder. Drag and drop your Network Edge and Equinix Fabric connections, into a solution diagram. You can then generate and download a pricing estimate for your end-to-end solution. In May we improved the Device Link Group connection design experience, and we added the ability to export your design along with the price estimate. In June we added the ability to share designs with collaborators and allow those collaborators to edit the designs. We’ve also added the ability connect a Fabric port to your Network Edge device. For more information, see Solution Builder.

Network Edge 2023.4 is available as of April 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes the ability to your connect to your own EVP-LAN network with your Network Edge devices, a new BYOC Orders Inventory page, and a new Device Connectivity option that helps you manage your PAN VM-Series and Cisco Threat Defense Virtual firewalls.

EVP-LAN for L2 Multipoint-to-Multipoint Service

NE Virtual Devices can now be a part of multipoint-to-multipoint connections, enabling you to interconnect data center assets across many locations through a common network. This eliminates the need to create direct connections between individual locations. See Multipoint-to-Multipoint Connections and EVP-LAN Support for Network Edge for more information.

BYOC Orders Inventory

Use the new BYOC Inventory page to manage order status, view asset configuration details, and get virtual device connection information from one location. See BYOC Orders Inventory for more information.

New Device Connectivity for Management

Manage your Palo Alto Networks VM-Series and Cisco Threat Defense Virtual firewalls from your private network. These devices can now be created without any network interface or public IP address. See Create a Cisco Next Generation Firewall and Create a Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Firewall VNF for more information.

Network Edge 2023.2 is available as of February 2023.

This release of Network Edge includes a new migration tool for end-of-sale Cisco devices, the ability to connect to a private Network Edge service profile using a service token, and the addition of Arista CloudEOS and Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge (Controller mode) devices to the Equinix Marketplace.

Migrate CSR1000V to Catalyst 8000V

Because Cisco has discontinued the Cisco Cloud Service Router 1000V, Equinix has also ended sales of CSR1000V. Network Edge now offers a self-guided tool that allows you to migrate a CSR1000V self-configured device to a Catalyst 8000V self-configured device. See Migrate Cisco CSR1000V Self-Configured Device (BYOL) to Catalyst 8000V Self-Configured Device (BYOL) for more information on how to use this new migration tool.

Connect to Private Network Edge Service Profile

Network Edge and Fabric customers can now use an A-side service token to connect to a Network Edge device through a private Network Edge service profile. See Create a Network Edge Service Profile to learn how to set up a private Network Edge Service Profile. See Create Service Tokens for instructions on creating the A-side token. See Connect to a Private Network Edge Service Profile for details on using a service token to connect to a private Network Edge service profile.

Arista CloudEOS

Arista CloudEOS Router is now available in the Equinix Marketplace. See Arista Specifications and Create an Arista CloudEOS Router Device for more information.

Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge (Controller Mode)

Cisco Catalyst 8000V Edge, in controller mode, is now available in the Equinix Marketplace. See Cisco Specifications and Create a Cisco Catalyst 8000V Device (Controller Mode) for more information.

Network Edge 2022.6 is available December 2022.

This release of Network Edge includes more Solution Builder enhancements, sub-interface support, and the addition of Aviatrix Edge.

Solution Builder Enhancements

Design your multi-cloud network solution with the Solution Builder. Drag and drop your Network Edge and Equinix Fabric connections, into a solution diagram. You can then generate and download a pricing estimate for your end-to-end solution. We have added support for Bring Your Own Connection (BYOC), redundant devices, Device Link Group (DLG) and multi-currency.

Sub-Interface Support

Network Edge now supports sub-interface to a physical port in your colocation. Simplify your network design by trunking multiple VLAN tagged traffic over a single virtual connection.

New Certified Virtual Network Functions (VNF) Image Versions

As part of an ongoing effort to validate and certify images from VNF vendors, this new chart will provide current and new certifications, as well as those planned for retirement.

Aviatrix Edge

Aviatrix Edge is now available in the Equinix Marketplace. Aviatrix Edge creates a high-performance encrypted connection to the cloud using the Equinix Fabric for private cloud networking.

Network Edge 2022.5 is available October 10, 2022.

This release of Network Edge includes changes to Fortinet and Juniper device deployment options, the addition of the new Device Link Inventory, and more enhancements to the Solution Builder.

Fortinet and Juniper Devices

Network Edge no longer offers the Equinix-configured device deployment option for new Fortinet or Juniper devices. All new Fortinet and Juniper devices must be self-configured. Devices deployed prior to 2022.5 are not impacted by this change.

Device Link Inventory

Easily find your Device Link Groups in the new Device Link Inventory. Go to the Network Edge menu and select Device Link Inventory to view existing device link groups and create new ones.

Solution Builder Enhancements

Solution Builder now has an auto-save function to automatically save your components and designs after you have configured all the options. Design solutions also automatically save when you navigate away from the Solution Builder to other functions.