Network Edge Release Notes
Network Edge (NE) offers the selection, configuration, and activation of virtual network devices and services into production in near real-time.
Release Date:
Network Edge 2024.10
Network Edge 2024.10 is available as of October 2024.
This release of Network Edge includes a new option for opting out of auto-renewal, the addition of Aviatrix Transit Edge to the NE marketplace, and the ability to create service tokens for your customers to connect to your devices. Additionally, access to Network Edge is being redirected to portal.equinix.com.
Network Edge on the Equinix Customer Portal
Network Edge is accessible on the Equinix Customer Portal. We recommend updating your bookmarks to portal.equinix.com/ne.
Z-Side Service Tokens
You can now create a Z-side service token and share it with a customer, allowing connectivity to your Network Edge device. Before this release, connection required manual creation of private service profiles. Enabling you to create and issue service tokens to your customers streamlines the process. The virtual device is still owned and managed by you. See the new Service Tokens section for more information.
Opt Out of Automatic Renewal of Device Term
Network Edge devices automatically renew to the same terms as soon as the original term length expires. Now, you can opt out of automatic renewal and transition to month-to-month billing. Month-to-month terms remain in effect until you opt back in to auto renewal and select new terms, or you delete your device. See Edit Device Details for more information.
Aviatrix Transit Edge
Aviatrix Transit Edge is now available in the Network Edge Marketplace. See Aviatrix Specifications for more information.
Network Edge APIs
For the latest API release information, see Network Edge - October 2024 R2024.5 Release Notes.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Enable Z-Side Tokens for Network Edge | 2:16 min |
Network Edge 2024.8
Network Edge 2024.8 is available as of August 2024.
This release of Network Edge includes an increase in the number of users that can participate in a free trial of Network Edge.
Free Trial Enhancements
The Network Edge free trial now allows multiple users from a single organization to participate in their product trial. Allowing multiple users facilitates collaboration when testing the workflow experience with Network Edge. Instead of one user, now up to 3 users from a single organization can participate in a Network Edge trial. The resource limit in the trial (2 devices and 4 virtual connections) remains same. See Network Edge Free Trial for details about starting a trial subscription.
Network Edge 2024.7
Network Edge 2024.7 is available as of July 2024.
This release of Network Edge includes EIA support for redundant connections with redundant and clustered Network Edge devices.
EIA Integration with Network Edge Enhancements
Equinix Internet Access (EIA) now supports redundant connections with redundant and clustered Network Edge devices. With this enhancement, you will need to select a single bandwidth for both the primary and secondary connection. See EIA Integration with Network Edge for more information.
Network Edge 2024.6
Network Edge 2024.6 is available as of June 2024.
This release of Network Edge includes the addition of BlueCat Edge Service Point to the Network Edge Marketplace as well as enhancements to Solution Builder quotes.
BlueCat Edge Service Point
BlueCat Edge Service Point is now available in the Network Edge Marketplace. BlueCat is the leading vendor for DDI (Secure DNS, DHCP, and IPAM). See BlueCat Specifications for more information.
Solution Builder Enhancements
Solution Builder now offers PDF quotes in a single currency of choice. Prior to this release, when you created a design with components in different metros, the quote would be generated based on currency of the metro/country in which the Network Edge assets were deployed. With this enhancement, a quote can be generated based on the currency of choice regardless of where the devices are deployed. For more information, see Solution Builder: Pricing Summary.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spotlight for NE 2024.6 | 1:07 |
Network Edge 2024.5
Network Edge 2024.5 is available as of May 2024.
This release features the introduction of Network Edge as part of the Cisco SolutionsPlus offering.
Cisco SolutionsPlus
Network Edge is now part of Cisco's SolutionsPlus offering, allowing customers to order and provision Catalyst 8000V SD-WAN VNFs through Cisco's Catalyst SD-WAN Manager. Cisco's sales team and their channel partners will be able to sell Network Edge, which will be listed as part of Cisco's Global Price List.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Cisco 8KV MSLA Migration Workflow | 2:24 min |
Network Edge 2024.3
Network Edge 2024.3 is available as of March 2024.
This release of Network Edge includes the addition of BlueCat to the Network Edge Marketplace, and the ability to order EIA on a Network Edge device.
BlueCat DNS and DHCP Servers Available on Network Edge
BlueCat Integrity DNS and DHCP servers are now available in the Equinix Marketplace. BlueCat unifies core DNS and DHCP services with a feature-rich, Recursive and Authoritative solution that delivers a responsive and reliable network, accelerating application performance and availability. See BlueCat Specifications for more information.
EIA Integration with Network Edge
Equinix Internet Access (EIA) can now ordered on any available data interface on a Network Edge Virtual Device over Equinix Fabric. This first phase supports single port EIA service with the option for you to bring your own IP address blocks or use Equinix provided IP blocks. See EIA Integration with Network Edge for more information.
Network Edge 2024.2
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.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Cisco 8KV MSLA Migration Workflow | 2:24 min |
| Understanding Equinix-Configured to Self-Configured Migration | 6:04 min |
| Access the Fortigate Firewall via the Web GUI | 6:22 min |
Network Edge 2023.12
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. .
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spotlight NE 2023.12 | 1:29 min |
| Cisco Catalyst 8000V Subscription Licensing | 3:14 min |
Network Edge 2023.10
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.
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.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spotlight on Network Edge 2023.10 | 2:16 min |
| Exclude Items from a Solution Builder Quote | 1:44 min |
| Create a Redundant Device Link Group | 1:44 min |
| Resize Your Virtual Device | 1:50 min |
Network Edge 2023.8
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.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| How to Use Image Snapshot and Restore | 2:32 min |
| Migrate Virtual Connections (Self-Service) | 1:46 min |
Network Edge 2023.6
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.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spotlight on Network Edge 2023.6 | 1:48 min |
| How to Share Solution Builder | 2:33 min |
| Create Self-Serve Virtual Connections Migrations | 1:46 |
Network Edge 2023.4
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.
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.
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.
Videos
| Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Spotlight on Network Edge 2023.4 | 2:46 min |
| New Device Connectivity for Management | 3:14 min |
| Create Multipoint-to-Multipoint EVPLAN Connections | 2:49 min |