Brocade Shows Service-oriented Orchestration using OpenStack Quantum

Brocade demonstrated service-oriented orchestration using OpenStack software and its Ethernet fabric technologies. Specifically, Brocade is leveraging a customized plug-in for OpenStack Quantum to build a prototype that delivers cloud management capabilities for its Ethernet fabrics deployed in public and private cloud environments.

Quantum is an OpenStack project to provide 'network connectivity as a service' between interface devices (e.g., vNICs) managed by other OpenStack services.

Brocade is demonstrating OpenStack Quantum support for Brocade VCS Fabric technology using RESTful APIs.

Brocade said this demonstration shows how extensions enable OpenStack to orchestrate both physical and logical networking resources as part of a virtual machine (VM) deployment to support multitiered application topologies.

"Our commitment to the OpenStack Foundation is testament to our company's support of open technologies for managing the entire lifecycle of the cloud. Brocade is committed to an open framework for management and orchestration, in order to promote multivendor and system-to-system interoperability for all cloud environments," said Ken Ross, director of product management, Brocade.

http://www.brocade.com

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BT Expands its Cloud Services

BT announced a series of enhancements to its unified communications portfolio with a range of new cloud-based services. BT One provides a single unified communications framework for devices, legacy systems and one global network for all global users.  

New services include: 

• One Cloud Lync: a cloud service based on Microsoft Lync that integrates in a single platform a company’s email with instant messenger (IM), audio, device based video, screen sharing, and interactive white boarding.

• One Voice anywhere: a new smartphone app and web client to help dramatically reduce mobile costs with employees who travel internationally. 

• One Enterprise Cisco: an “on-site” solution based on Cisco UC9, an upgrade to the Cisco unified communications platform. 

• One Collaborate video: new high definition video endpoints that bring immersive face-to-face interaction to the desktop.

• One Collaborate: BT is joining forces with Dolby Laboratories on a technology trial based on the BT MeetMe service

BT is also implementing new pricing models for cloud-based services.  Global support by BT Advise professional services specialists are also made available to customers.

BT One Cloud currently utilizes dual redundant data centers in the U.S. and dual redundant data centers in the UK.  Beyond the scope of BT One Cloud, BT utilizes its data centers located in key business locations throughout the world to deliver additional cloud-based  services.  The company said users based in the U.S. are assigned to the US data centers while customer users based in Europe are assigned to the UK data centers.

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Sub 10 Supplies Millimetre Radios to Alcatel-Lucent

Sub 10 Systems, a start-up based in the UK, announced a global supply and distribution agreement with Alcatel-Lucent covering Sub 10’s millimetre wave Liberator radio products.  Alcatel-Lucent will resell the Sub10 products as part of its metro cell backhaul portfolio.

Sub 10 said its Liberator wireless links deliver “fibre-thru-the-air” capacity in congested city centres and other areas where fibre would be either too costly or disruptive to install. The company specializes in the 60GHz, 70GHz and 80GHz areas of spectrum.

http://www.sub10systems.com

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Xirrus Raises $23.5M for High-Performance Wi-Fi Arrays

Xirrus, a start-up based in Thousand Oaks, California, secured $23.5 million in Series E funding for its high-performance Wi-Fi solutions.

The company offers a Wi-Fi Array that integrates 4, 8, or 16 radios and high-gain directional antennas into a single device along with an onboard Gigabit Switch, Wi-Fi Controller, Firewall, and dedicated Wi-Fi Threat Sensor. The solution is designed as a replacement for Ethernet workgroup switches.  The architecture is distinguished by its dense modular APs, directional antennas and distributed intelligence.

The new funding was led by existing investors August Capital, Canaan Partners, InterWest Partners, QuestMark Partners, and US Venture Partners. Xirrus will use this financing round to accelerate global sales growth and product innovation.

http://www.xirrus.com

• In June 2012, Xirrus appointed Shane Buckley as CEO, replacing Xirrus founder and CEO Dirk Gates, who assumed the role of Executive Chairman.   Previously, Mr. Buckley was the General Manager and Senior Vice President at NETGEAR.   Prior to that,. Buckley was President and CEO of Rohati Systems, a leader in Cloud-based access management solutions, Chief Operating Officer of Nevis Networks,  Vice President WW Enterprise at Juniper Networks, and President International at Peribit Networks.

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AT&T Advanced Communications Suite Powered by Twilio API

AT&T has selected Twilio's application programming interface (API) for its Advanced Communications Suite -- its collection of web-based cloud applications for enterprises.

AT&T's   Advanced Communications Suite includes voice and SMS-enabled apps — such as appointment reminder services, polling & surveying data collection tools, ad-hoc workgroup calling & messaging, business continuity, and geo-smart messaging.  The collection of apps is available from the Web.

Twilio is a start-up based in San Francisco.  The Twilio API helps developers to integrate voice, SMS or client capabitlities directly into their apps.  

http://www.twilio.com

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23354

• Twilio was founded by Jeff Lawson, previously a Product Manager for Amazon Web Services, and Evan Cooke, previously a Postdoctoral research fellow in network security and distributed systems at the University of Michigan.

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Cisco Acquires ThinkSmart for Wi-Fi Analytics

Cisco has acquired ThinkSmart Technologies, a software developer specializing in location data analysis using Wi-Fi.  Financial terms were not disclosed.

ThinkSmart’s location analytics collects information on movement within a venue including time of day, traffic patterns and dwell times. The company, which is based in Cork, Ireland, was formed at the Incubation Centre of University College Cork. The company becomes part of Cisco’s Wireless Networking Group.

Cisco said the acquisition reinforces its commitment to deliver an intelligent network by providing customers with enhanced tools, such as location analytics, that increase the value of the network.

http://www.cisco.com

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Google Powers Oklahoma Data Center with More Wind Power

Google will purchase 48 MW of wind energy from the Canadian Hills Wind Project in Oklahoma, which is expected to come online later this year, to power its data center in Pryor, Oklahoma (east of Tulsa).

Google said the deal brings the total amount of renewable energy it has contracted to over 260 MW.  This deal is notable as well because it is the first time that Google has contracted with a utility company to purchase renewable energy instead of buying directly from the developer of the wind farm.

Google has invested over $700 million in the data center complex in Oklahoma.  

The first building on the 800-acre Oklahoma campus reportedly covers 130,000 square feet (12,000 m2) and a second building of the same size is planned.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/

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SingTel Deploys Ciena's Packet-Optical Reconfigurable Switch

SingTel has deployed Ciena’s 5410 Packet-Optical Reconfigurable Switch System (RSS) and OneConnect Intelligent Control Plane software to augment its global ConnectPlus IPLC network. Financial terms were note disclosed.

SingTel’s newly enhanced network links connects hubs in Asia, Europe and North America, offering data transfers of up to 10Gbps per single connection. Ciena’s 5410 RSS links SingTel’s global points-of-presence to provide efficient aggregation, grooming and intelligent switching of SONET/SDH, OTN and high-capacity leased line, and  Ethernet traffic in a highly resilient mesh network design across existing submarine capacity.

http://www.ciena.com

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