IBM Envisions "Blue Cloud" Distributed Computing

IBM unveiled its "Blue Cloud" grid computing initiative to links large pools of systems and IT resources, allowing corporate data centers to operate more like the Internet. The goal is to enable computing across a globally accessible fabric of resources, rather than on local machines or remote server farms.



IBM said Blue Cloud will be based on open standards and open source software supported by IBM software, systems technology and services. The first Blue Cloud offerings are expected to be available in the spring of 2008.



IBM's first Blue Cloud offerings will use Power and x86 processors. At an event in Shanghai, IBM demonstrated how cloud computing technologies, running on IBM BladeCenters with Power and x86 processors and Tivoli service management software, dynamically provision and allocate resources as workloads fluctuate for an application. IBM also expects to offer a System z "mainframe" cloud environment in 2008, taking advantage of very large number of virtual machines supported by System z. IBM also plans to offer a cloud environment based on highly dense rack clusters.



"Blue Cloud will help our customers quickly establish a cloud computing environment to test and prototype Web 2.0 applications within their enterprise environment," said Rod Adkins, Senior Vice President, Development and Manufacturing for IBM Systems & Technology Group.

http://www.ibm.com

Read More

Cox Reaches 3.6 million Cable Modem Customers

Cox Communications reported continued growth in mature markets and noted the tenth anniversary of its bundle of video, telephone and high-speed Internet services this fall.



Key year over year growth metrics at the close of the third quarter include:

• 5.9 million total residential customer relationships; 1.65% growth



• 3.7 million bundled customers; 9.5% growth



• 2.3 million telephone subscribers; 19% growth. Phone penetration has reached 25% companywide. Sell-in of telephone service to new customers is greater than 33%, and in Orange County, the company has greater than 50% share of the landline phone market.



• 3.6 million high-speed Internet subscribers; 12.3% growth



• 3.0 million digital cable subscribers; 11.3% growth



• 531,000 "non-video" residential customers; 23% growth.

Cox launched residential telephone service in Orange County, California, in September 1997 and digital cable a month later. High-speed Internet service was launched in December 1996.

http://www.cox.com

Read More

Airvana Develops CDMA Femtocell

Airvana announced several milestones in its development of CDMA femtocell technology. The company is working on a femtocell that supports both 1xRTT and EV-DO services -- an industry first. Airvana's CDMA femtocells are currently in trials with mobile network operators and are expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2008.



Airvana said it will offer operators a complete access network infrastructure solution for femtocells. This includes CDMA femtocells, Femto Network Gateway service provided by the Universal Access Gateway (UAG), and configuration, monitoring and management software.

http://www.airvana.com

Read More

Nortel Outlines SOA-based Communications-Enablement Strategy

Nortel outlined a new SOA-based Communications-Enablement strategy, which includes plans to enhance many of its existing call server and SIP application products by enabling web service capabilities, as well as introduce a new generation of products that are built specifically to meet the needs of SOA-based environments.



Nortel's Communications Enablement strategy, which is aimed at both enterprises and carriers, is based on four core components:

• enabling web services on selective products and solutions,



• the development of a software-based foundation environment to simplify the creation of customized communications-enabled applications and business processes,



• alliances with IBM and others,



• the development of a global services practice to support these SOA-based applications and solutions.

Nortel recently unveiled Web Services enablement on the Application Server 5200 and Communication Server 2000 IP Multimedia Softswitch, which allow service providers to offer their enterprise and residential customers interactive multimedia communications tools for their websites based on functionalities such as instant messaging, videoconferencing and presence.



Nortel has also rolled out Web Services capabilities on its Contact Center and Advanced Speech platforms.



In addition to enabling Web Services on existing softswitches and SIP application servers, Nortel is developing a software-based foundation environment that enables network engaged applications (or services) across a customer's multi-vendor communications infrastructure. Nortel said this new product, which is expected to be available in Q1 2008, will integrate real-time services in a multi-vendor infrastructure environment across multiple domains (enterprise, carrier, wireless and wired).

http://www.nortel.com

Read More

Nortel Teams with IBM for Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)

Nortel and IBM will collaborate to offer a software-based foundation that ties together business applications and processes with unified communications and collaboration tools using the principles of service oriented architecture (SOA).



Under a newly announced deal, the IBM WebSphere Application Server will be integrated into Nortel's new software-based solution foundation environment. Nortel is abstracting communication components from the underlying existing telecom infrastructure and making them available within this new web services-based environment. br>


In addition, Nortel's software based foundation environment will be integrated with IBM's unified communications and collaboration platform, Lotus Sametime. This will enable capabilities like click to call, click to conference, telephony presence and shared directory services in Lotus Sametime. br>


The companies said their collaboration will allow companies to create SOA-based communications-enabled applications and business processes by linking together business systems and applications with communication systems and networks.



The companies also agreed to market communications-enabled solutions comprised of services, the Nortel software based foundation environment, IBM software and services and multiple hardware platforms including IBM BladeCenter and System x servers. br>


Nortel and IBM are initially targeting companies in the healthcare and retail markets.

http://www.nortel.com

http://www.ibm.com

Read More

Holland's SURFnet Deploys Nortel's Common Photonic Layer

SURFnet, which operates an advanced research network in The Netherlands, is using Nortel's intelligent optical solution to power its StarPlane project, which utilizes pure optical technology to deliver on-demand computing power.



The 40Gbps-ready Adaptive All Optical Intelligent solution for SURFnet includes the Dynamic Resource Allocation Controller (DRAC) which enables user-control of network resources for high-performance networking applications like computing and media services.



The StarPlane project provides researchers with access to massive computing power delivering the equivalent of the processing capacity of 500 personal computers to the desktop. StarPlane uses pure optical technology to link the Distributed ASCI Supercomputer 3 (DAS-3) computer clusters at five locations in The Netherlands into a grid to enable delivery of bandwidth on-demand, e.g. enabling computer scientists to reconfigure the topology of the distributed supercomputer. On-demand service activation of photonic networking is delivered using an extension to Nortel's Dynamic Resource Allocation Controller (DRAC) platform.



The SURFnet6 network, built using Nortel's Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 and Nortel's Common Photonic Layer, is deployed across the more than 7000 kms of optical fibre. SURFnet6 links to the international lightpath-capable networks in Amsterdam through NetherLight, the GLIF Open Lightpath Exchange in Amsterdam and to other European research networks for example through the pan European GEANT2 network.

http://www.nortel.com

http://www.surfnet.nl

Read More

Verizon Deploys 40 Gbps ULH Optical Transport in Europe with Nortel

Verizon Business will begin deploying Nortel's ultra long-haul (ULH) equipment on its European core backbone network. The deployment initially will connect Verizon Business' main European network hubs in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels -- 3,230 kilometers of ULH transport. The network will support speeds up to 40 Gbps, four times its current maximum speed. The first phase of ULH deployment is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2008.



"Deploying ultra long-haul technology on our core network in Europe will give our Verizon Business customers the opportunity to move to wavelength services as well as grow their use of Web-based applications and high-speed Ethernet solutions," said Joe Cook, Verizon Business vice president of global network engineering and planning.



The Verizon Business optical network is based on the Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 next-generation optical convergence platform. The deployment also features Nortel's unique electronic Dynamically Compensating Optics (eDCO), which simplifies networking by extending 40G wavelengths over thousands of kilometers without requiring dispersion compensation modules.



Verizon Business is also using Nortel's Common Photonic Layer (CPL) which enables the migration to a more agile, adaptive, all optical intelligent network. Also part of the solution, Nortel's Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexing (ROADM) technology provides operational simplicity and network agility for the addition and routing of new services. In addition, the Nortel Optical Network Manager will provide the required operations administration and management for the network, advanced network and service management and network planning tools for end-to-end wavelength layer management.



Since it began the multi-year ULH project in 2004, Verizon Business has deployed more than 40,233 kilometers (25,000 miles) of ULH network in the United States. http://www.verizonbusiness.com

http://www.nortel.com

Read More

NexTone Certifies Springboard's VoIP Billing Solution

NexTone has certified a VoIP billing service from Springboard-ASA Limited for use with the NexTone IntelliConnect System.



Springboard, a UK-based company, develops and deploys highly scaleable, customized billing and analysis solutions for VoIP providers of all sizes. These solutions are offered on a highly competitive usage-based model. ServiceReady certification validates that Springboard's services are interoperable end-to-end with NexTone's IntelliConnect System.

http://www.nextone.com

http://www.springboardasa.com

Read More

Digital Lightwave Enhances 40G Test Solutions

Digital Lightwave has enhanced its 40/43G testing module for the NIC Platform with support for NRZ, Duo-Binary, DPSK and DQPSK line coding. This will enable the system to support line-side and client-side testing for research and development, manufacturing and field applications. Digital Lightwave' NIC 40G is a field portable solution for 40Gbps SONET/SDH and 43Gbps OTN network testing.
http://www.lightwave.com

Read More

GENBAND Announces Femtocell and UMA-based FMC

GENBAND has enhanced its G9TM Converged Media Gateway with support for the Media Gateway (MGW) and Signaling Gateway (SGW) functionality in both femtocell and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) fixed-mobile convergence network architectures.



A femtocell is a small base station that directs the wireless traffic to the mobile service provider over a fixed broadband connection, relieving congestion in the mobile network and enabling the carrier to extend mobile coverage into office buildings, homes, and other facilities.



GENBAND said its G9 Converged Media Gateway scales up to tens of thousands of ports and supports a wide range of interfaces and features for unlicensed mobile access (UMA), femtocell, UMTS, GSM and CDMA wireless networks and for wireline and converged wireless/wireline network operators. It offers an open H.248 interface and support for 3GPP Release 4/5/6 and all major wireless and wireline IP, ATM and TDM network protocols.

http://www.genband.com

Read More

Dell to Acquire Everdream for SaaS Mgt

Dell agreed to acquire privately held Everdream, a provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for remote-service management, for an undisclosed sum.



Dell said Everdream's capabilities complement those provided by its recently acquired SilverBack Technologies, further enabling end-to-end remote management of customers' IT environments. The technology will help Dell extend remote management of critical IT assets from servers, storage, printers, etc. to desktops, notebooks and other end-user devices globally.



Dell plans to continue offering Everdream products through channel partners.



Everdream was founded in 1998 and is based in Fremont, California and operational facilities in Dallas, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. The company manages more than 140,000 desktops for companies in 60+ countries around the globe, including ADP, Brocade Communications, Korean Airlines, Midas, Salesforce.com, Sonic Automotiv, etc.

http://www.dell.com

http://www.everdream.com

• Earlier this year, Dell acquired privately-held SilverBack Technologies, Inc., a service delivery platform provider for remote monitoring and management of information technology infrastructure such as servers, storage, networks, desktops and notebooks. Financial terms were not disclosed. SilverBack, which started out in 1999 as a Managed Service Provider, supplies a distributed, multi-tenant platform for providing remote management across diverse, customer-controlled networks.

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent and LG Electronics Complete LTE Calls

Alcatel-Lucent and LG Electronics completed Long Term Evolution (LTE) test calls using Alcatel-Lucent's LTE solution and mobile device prototypes from LG.



The companies described the accomplishment as a milestone in the commercialization of this next-generation wireless technology, which is currently being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 3GPP LTE technology will leverage improved spectral efficiency and increased radio capacity to enable downlink/uplink peak data rates above 100/50 Mbps in initial deployment configurations.



The tests were conducted using both single antenna and multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) 2x2 configurations, transmitting over a 10 MHz channel. This effort is part of a broader testing regime being conducted under the auspices of the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative (LSTI), a group of operators and vendors established to ensure the rapid commercialization and easy interoperability of LTE systems. The tests were carried out by Bell Labs researchers and product development teams in Alcatel-Lucent's facility in Stuttgart, Germany.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

http://www.lge.com/

Read More

Zayo Bandwidth Raises $85 Million for Midwest Fiber Networks

Zayo Bandwidth, a regional provider of fiber based bandwidth services, secured an $85 million debt facility led by CIT Group, Inc. with CoBank and Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. as co-sponsors of the facility.



The financing announcement comes on the heels of Zayo's acquisition of Minneapolis, Minn. based telecommunications provider, Onvoy, the fourth acquisition the company has completed since the end of July. The company now owns and operates more than 8,400 miles of fiber network in the Northeast, the South and the Midwest.

http://www.zayo.com

Read More

Arianespace Launches Star One C1 for Brazil

Arianespace boosted two satellites into geostationary transfer orbit: the Astrium Paradigm Skynet 5B military communications satellite for the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), and the Star One C1 commercial communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for Brazilian operator Star One.



Star One is the largest regional satellite service operator in Latin America. Arianespace has one more satellite to be launched for the Brazilian operator, Star One C2.



The Star One C1 satellite, which is based on a Spacebus 3000 B3 platform, will be positioned at 65 degrees West. Star One C1 is fitted with 28 C-band transponders, 14 Ku-band transponders and one X-band transponder. http://www.arianespace.com

Read More

TELMEX to Spin Off Latin American Operations

TELMEX announced plans to spin off all its Latin American businesses and its Mexican yellow pages business, which already has an international presence, to a new holding company to be called TELMEX INTERNACIONAL.

TELMEX has international subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

TELMEX said it also plans to refocus its operations in the Mexican telecommunications market, distinguishing its operations in the middle- and high-revenue markets, in which there is competition, from the low-revenue and rural markets, in which there is no competition.



As of September 2007, the number of TELMEX lines in service in Mexico reached 18.2 million, located in more than 22,880 communities. Of these lines, approximately 9.8 million are in areas served by competition, in which numerous competitors have offered telecommunications services for the last 11 years. In contrast, 8.3 million lines are located in communities in which no competition exists or are rural areas located in more than 20,930 communities, and these customers generate revenues of approximately P.17,500 million, EBITDA of P.3,000 million and an operating loss of P.1,980 million.



As a result, TELMEX has decided to separate the operation and marketing of its services in these communities, in order to address their particular needs and monitor their development. For that purpose, TELMEX has created a new business unit focused on the oversight and operation of these services.

http://www.telmex.com

Read More