Juniper Networks introduced a smaller version of its QFabric System aimed at mid-sized data centers.The QFabric architecture, which was first unveiled in February 2011 and began shipping in September 2011, collapses multilayer data center infrastructure into a single, any-to-any fabric that unifies networking, storage and cloud computing resources. The product set is composed of three components that create a high-performance, low latency fabric. The QF/Node acts as the distributed decision engine of the fabric; the QF/Interconnect is the high speed transport device; and the QF/Director delivers a common window, controlling all devices as one.
The first implementation of QFabric scales to 6,000 network nodes, allowing any network interface within the network to connect to any other interface in a single hop. Juniper achieves this 6,000 port switching fabric by decoupling the line cards on the central fabric and moving them out into the network using dual-homed fiber connections. The entire 6,000 node network is a single switch and can be managed as such.
The new model, called the QFX3000-M QFabric System, a new model is designed for mid-tier data centers, satellite data centers and new 10GbE data center pods as well as space-constrained environments. Specifically, the QFX3000-M leverages a new fixed form-factor interconnect, the Juniper Networks QFX3600-I, which enables scalability from 48 10GbE ports and up to 6,144 10GbE ports using the QFX3000-G QFabric System. The smaller version delivers three microseconds latency, compared with five microseconds for the larger Qfabric.
In addition, Juniper has added enhancements to its EX8200 switches running Virtual Chassis technology, enabling customers for the first time to manage up to four data center cores as a single switch. Each data center core may be up to 80km distant.
http://www.juniper.net
AT&T is expanding its popular, free "Wi-Fi in the Parks" service in NYC. The latest location is Harlem's Rucker Park -- the 22nd New York City park with free AT&T Wi-Fi service. Parks visitors have made more than 2.7 million total connections, averaging more than 10,000 connections per day, since AT&T and the Bloomberg Administration launched the program last June.
China Telecom has established a new subsidiary in Sao Paulo, Brazil and announced plans to grow its business in the region. China Telecom do Brazil, which will be directly managed by China Telecom Americas, also announced the introduction of their data services product portfolio that includes International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC), IP Access, IP VPN as well as fully managed data services. The company plans to further introduce Internet Data Center (IDC) and Cloud Computing service in the future. In addition, it will provide voice wholesale services for communications between Brazil and Asia Pacific regions including China. China Telecom do Brazil will be providing world-class data and voice services to Brazil-based multinational companies, organizations, and international carriers and China-based multinational enterprises to connect Brazil and China as well as other Asia Pacific countries. http://www.ctamericas.com
France's Bouygues Telecom has teamed up with Devicescape to offer customers with Android smartphones free automatic connection to over 8 million free WiFi hotspots worldwide. The Devicescape application provides smart management of 3G+ and WiFi networks, automatically connecting the phone to the best available network. Devicescape also curates a virtual network of free WiFi hotspots worldwide.
Nokia Siemens Networks has joined the Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI) Partner Forum, which advocates and promotes 4G mobile broadband using TD-LTE technology. The company is actively engaged in multiple GTI technical taskforces that address various issues of TD-LTE commercialization and deployment. This work includes network planning, voice solutions for TD-LTE handsets, co-existence of TDD and FDD, and multi-antenna solutions.
