Alestra launches cloud computing services with VCE

Mexican operator Alestra will launch cloud services based on VBlockTM Infrastructure Platforms. Through the Vblock platform, the Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) Company formed by Cisco and EMC with investments from VMware and Intel, aims to accelerate virtualisation and assist customers transition to private cloud infrastructures. The cloud computing capabilities are expected to enable Alestra to expand its value-added services portfolio, to include an IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) product for virtual computing, storage and disaster recovery capabilities through its Enterprise C-Computing service. The Enterprise C-Computing platform combines IaaS services with connectivity and 7x24 support in Spanish. Enterprise C-Computing provides customers with virtual machines powered by the Cisco Unified Computing System, EMC storage and backup & VMWare virtualization software integrated within the VBlock platform. Through this deployment, Alestra plans to add cloud-based infrastructure services to its portfolio, which serves over 7,500 business customers with advanced Cisco managed services such as IP communication VPN-MPLS networks, Cisco TelePresence, digital media Signage (DMS), as well as LAN Wi-Fi managed tools. The equipment to be deployed in Alestra infrastructure includes two VBlock interconnected platforms, to be deployed in Monterrey and Guadalajara. In addition to the VBlock, Alestra will install the EMC Avamar, duplication backup software and systems, which provides resiliency and data protection for the two VBlock platforms; and the VMware VCloud Director cloud service provisioning application.