A10 Networks, Inc. announced that its SoftAX virtual appliance is now available on the Amazon EC2 and VPC platforms for Web Services as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). As part of A10's AX Series family, SoftAX is a software-based Application Delivery Controller (ADC) with advanced Layer 4-7 load balancing, application acceleration and security features. SoftAX combined with the AWS platforms enables customers to rapidly scale and optimize Cloud environments, increasing performance on demand.

During the course of development, two distinct customer types emerged. The first are A10 customers who require the same level of AX Series functionality and support as in their own managed data centers, and now also within the Amazon Cloud. An example is one of the cable providers in North America who recently moved a production system to VPC with Application Delivery responsibilities handled by the SoftAX for AWS.

This trend is similar to SoftAX deployments outside of AWS, as organizations move to leverage the most appropriate platform for specific projects. Secondly, the arrival of the SoftAX for AWS ensures customers who solely rely on EC2 or VPC now have the choice to use an advanced ADC with functionality not available in freeware or basic load balancers. For example, A10's advanced ADC functionality includes aFleX traffic control with deep packet inspection, aXAPI for customized management, advanced optimization techniques, advanced health --monitoring, and more.

SoftAX for AWS AMI can be selected and rapidly installed in under 10 minutes to accelerate project deployment times, without sacrificing the advanced ADC features and functionality that are required and available in hardware appliances. SoftAX deployments have proven effective as standalone deployments in addition to complimenting existing AX Series hardware and software deployments as part of overall Cloud strategies. SoftAX on AWS delivers another platform for A10 to extend its AX Series virtualization options and complement its aCloud ecosystem for Cloud Providers.

SoftAX also is available on VMware ESXi, Citrix Xen and KVM. SoftAX for AWS is currently EA (early availability), with general availability in January 2013. Further pay-per-use options will be available in first quarter of 2013.