Virtualized Edge Routing: A Scalable Alternative to Legacy Hardware

As enterprise networks grow more distributed and bandwidth-hungry, the edge is becoming a focal point for innovation. Traditional routing infrastructure—once the backbone of connectivity—is now being challenged by the demands of scalability, security, and agility. The shift is clear: virtualized, cloud-managed edge solutions are taking center stage.

Adtran, a global leader in networking solutions, has partnered with 6WIND to deliver a new approach to edge routing that blends performance, simplicity, and flexibility. Their integrated solution, the Cloudlet vRouter, is designed to meet the evolving needs of service providers and enterprises alike.

The Pressure on Legacy Routing

Legacy routers are increasingly seen as bottlenecks. Many are reaching end-of-life, raising serious security concerns. Licensing models are growing more complex, and hardware limitations make it difficult to support modern multi-gigabit services. These challenges are pushing organizations to explore alternatives that offer better performance and lower operational overhead.

Secure, Scalable, and Simple Rethinking Edge Routing with Adtran and 6WIND

Virtualized Routing Meets Cloud Orchestration

Adtran’s Cloudlet vRouter is built on general-purpose x86 hardware and powered by Ensemble Edge Cloud software. It integrates 6WIND’s high-performance virtual routing technology, delivering encrypted throughput up to six times higher than comparable solutions. The result is a scalable, software-defined routing platform that supports advanced protocols, IPv6, and multi-WAN configurations—including Ethernet, PON, and 5G.

Zero-Touch Deployment and Operational Efficiency

One of the most compelling aspects of this solution is its ease of deployment. With zero-touch provisioning, remote orchestration, and bulk configuration capabilities, network operators can roll out services quickly and reliably. The cloud-hosted management platform simplifies operations, making it accessible even to mid-tier providers who previously lacked the resources for edge cloud deployments.

Unlocking New Services and Revenue Streams

Beyond routing, the Cloudlet vRouter supports third-party virtual network functions (VNFs), enabling service providers to offer firewalls, security tools, and custom workloads—all from the same platform. This flexibility opens the door to new revenue opportunities and service differentiation.

A New Era for Edge Networking

The convergence of virtualized routing, cloud orchestration, and general-purpose hardware marks a turning point in how edge networks are built and managed. Adtran and 6WIND’s joint solution is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation at the edge.

Webinar on Demand Adtran

Explore the full story and see the solution in action

Watch the replay of the webinar to dive deeper into the architecture, use cases, and real-world performance benchmarks shared by Adtran and 6WIND.

Click here to watch the replay.

For more information on how 6WIND can transform your networking journey, contact us today.