About the Client
Our client is a leading American multinational technology Fortune 500 company that specializes in networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Their diverse portfolio of products and services entails networking solutions, cloud computing, cybersecurity solutions, collaboration tools and more. They have a 360-degree collaboration with us at HCLTech, encompassing product engineering, infrastructure management and GTM partnership.
This case study delves into the joint effort between HCLTech and the client, highlighting the development and deployment of advanced controller software. The software enabled the seamless integration of versatile hardware controllers into the client's existing core switches, thus overcoming critical supply chain dependencies and fostering cost efficiency.
The Challenge
To ensure seamless hardware controller integration in latest core
The client recognized the potential benefits of multiplying their chipset sources including PHY transceivers and PoE controllers, mitigating the risks of manufacturing delays and delivery setbacks. To achieve this goal, the customer partnered with HCLTech, leveraging their expertise to ensure seamless integration of chipsets from alternative vendors, ensuring continuity in existing field software and hardware deployments.
The Objective
Enhancing performance and cost efficiency through seamless hardware integration
The client aimed to achieve a higher level of flexibility and reliability in their manufacturing process to effectively meet the needs of their customers. They were looking for a comprehensive solution to reduce their reliance on a single vendor and achieve seamless hardware controller integration.
Our key objectives included:
- Developing and implementing software to support newer hardware switches equipped with diverse or alternate ASICs, PHY transceivers and PoE controllers without disrupting existing customer deployments.
- Ensuring seamless compatibility of software with new vendors or ASICs across previously released software versions to optimize cost benefit.
Our Approach and Solution
To develop software for seamless hardware integration, while mitigating vendor dependency risks
Drawing from our three decades of expertise in the telecom and network domain, we developed a software solution that seamlessly integrates hardware controllers into existing core switches, reducing vendor dependency risks. Leveraging our understanding and experience in this field, we navigated the complexities of networking infrastructure ensuring compatibility, reliability and optimal performance throughout the integration process. Our tailored solution addresses specific challenges and client requirements, enabling a smooth transition with minimal disruption to operations. Our solution has played a critical role in helping the client unlock new opportunities and achieve their business objectives.
Our key accomplishments included:
- Developing driver support for newly identified vendor chipsets and integrating them into already released software versions through runtime packages or patches.
- Ensuring compatibility between older and newer hardware versions as well as between various software and hardware combinations to achieve seamless integration and operation.
- Conducting extensive validation to ensure backward compatibility with older chipsets and interoperability with other vendor switches. This validation process was crucial in maintaining transparency and reliability across the network.
The impact
Optimized product lines led to market growth and savings for customers, ensuring hardware stability, performance and quality
The deployment of a seamless hardware controller integration solution has catalyzed a significant transformation in networking infrastructure. The deployment yielded transformative results, notably:
- Augmented customer revenues by optimizing existing product lines and extending product lifespans.
- Empowered the R&D team to focus on their core task of developing next-gen products, thus enhancing their market positioning.
- Addressed continuity of supply concerns, circumventing interruptions due to vendor-specific constraints and streamlining procurement processes.
