F5 and Equinix Expand Partnership to Simplify Secure Global Application Delivery

F5 and Equinix have expanded their partnership to accelerate AI-ready infrastructure for secure global application delivery. The joint capabilities help enterprises deploy and secure distributed AI workloads and modern apps without physical infrastructure overhead. The solution brings together F5's Application Delivery and Security Platform and Equinix's Network Edge and Equinix Fabric to simplify deployment and security of modern applications across hybrid multicloud environments.

F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) and Equinix have expanded their strategic partnership to provide enterprises with advanced capabilities for deploying and securing distributed AI workloads and modern applications across hybrid multicloud environments. The collaboration aims to simplify the deployment and security of these applications without the need for physical infrastructure.

The partnership integrates F5's Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) with Equinix's Network Edge and Equinix Fabric. This combination enables enterprises to quickly and securely scale digital infrastructure globally, reducing the complexities associated with physical hardware management. Key benefits for customers include:

- AI Infrastructure Readiness: Support for high-speed, secure connections for distributed AI workloads like inference and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), protecting sensitive data from leakage or compromise.
- Global Reach, No Hardware Required: Instant deployment of application services in new markets via virtual functions, significantly reducing time to market and capital expenditures.
- Increased Agility: Quick adaptation to changing demands without infrastructure constraints, enabling businesses to stay competitive in dynamic markets.
- Unified Management and Compliance: Centralized enforcement of security policies across regions while meeting data sovereignty and industry-specific compliance requirements, simplifying management and improving efficiency.

F5 Distributed Cloud Customer Edge, a critical component of the F5 ADSP, is now available as a virtual network function (VNF) on Equinix Network Edge. This allows for near-instant provisioning of F5's app delivery and security services across Equinix's global footprint. By leveraging Equinix's extensive global infrastructure and interconnection, businesses can dynamically adapt to changing demands while maintaining seamless connectivity.

"AI is putting massive new demands on infrastructure, especially at the edge, where latency, security, and control are critical," said John Maddison, Chief Product and Corporate Marketing Officer at F5. "Enterprises need faster, more secure ways to deploy and connect applications and AI workloads globally—without the complexity of managing physical infrastructure. Our expanded partnership with Equinix gives customers exactly that: a flexible, high-performance foundation to support AI-driven use cases and deliver exceptional digital experiences across any environment."

Maryam Zand, Vice President of Partnerships and Ecosystem Development at Equinix, added, "Organizations are racing to adopt AI, but legacy infrastructure can slow them down or expose them to unnecessary risk. By partnering with F5, we're giving our customers a seamless way to scale their AI applications and modern distributed workloads with built-in security, compliance, and performance. This solution can help businesses innovate faster, safeguard their operations, and maintain a competitive edge."

F5 Unity+ partners also benefit from expanded go-to-market opportunities, allowing them to deliver secure, scalable solutions for complex hybrid environments without the burden of physical infrastructure management.

To learn more about this partnership, read the companion blog and visit the F5 and Equinix partnership page.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/FFIV/f5-and-equinix-expand-partnership-to-accelerate-ai-ready-50wj9tm3b0tr.html
[2] https://www.f5.com/company/news/press-releases/f5-equinix-expand-partnership-ai-ready-infrastructure