IBM has pulled off the covers in response to Cisco's Unified Computing System. Brocade networking products are to be IBM branded and it said it will extend further its relationship with Juniper Networks.

IBM will sell Brocade IP networking routers and switches under its own brand from next month.

Both companies are pushing the message that "enterprise networks are essential to dynamic infrastructures, which includes emerging technology models such as cloud computing."

The deal initially covers NetIron MLX series routers which will be rebranded as IBM m-Series Ethernet routers; NetIron CES 2000 Series which become c-series Ethernet Switches; SX Series switches become s-series Ethernet branded and the GS Series from Brocade becomes IBM g-series switches.

Other lines will be added later.

IBM already resold Brocade products under an existing agreement but the move takes the partnership into the enterprise networking and data center market.

"IBM currently rebrands and sells a broad portfolio of Brocade's data centre networking products and technologies including the multi-protocol Brocade DCX Backbone along with Fibre Channel directors, stand-alone and embedded switches, host bus adapters and related software," a statement said.

Meanwhile IBM and Juniper have announced that they are getting closer still and plan closer cooperation on cloud computing and data center products.

In what reads as a statement of intent the companies said they are "continuing to broaden their relationship." IBM sells a range of Juniper Ethernet switches.

"Specifically in the data center, IBM has included Juniper Networks switching, routing and security products into their data center network portfolio with IBM playing an invaluable role of systems integrator," the statement said.

IBM is a partner in Juniper's Stratus Project, to create a single data center fabric that will deliver a quantum jump in scale, performance and simplicity, with the flexibility to support fully converged and virtualized data center environments.