Open Compute Project Disaggregates the Data Center

The Open Compute Project (OCP), which was launched by Facebook in April 2011, has moved from early design work to seeing the first commercial products based on its specifications hit the open market. Facebook's original idea was to share its specifications for "vanity-free" servers using barebones AMD and Intel motherboards and optimized for low-power in highly dense data centers. The Open Compute Project has evolved to challenge the industry...

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Pacnet Plans 100G OTN Cable Upgrade for Asia

Pacnet plans to upgrade its EAC-C2C submarine cable system in Asia using 100G and integrated Optical Transport Network (OTN) switching technology. The upgrades are scheduled to begin in early 2013.  A vendor has not been publicly announced. EAC-C2C spans 36,800 km with cable landing stations throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines and China. “With the rapid intra-Asia digital content growth continuing...

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Comcast Upgrades Ciena’s 6500 in Core Network

Comcast Cable has selected Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with third generation WaveLogic coherent optical line interfaces for use in its core network.  Ciena is also providing Comcast with network management system capabilities and a range of professional services via its Ciena Specialist Services portfolio, including furnishing and installation. “Adding Ciena’s WaveLogic 3 to our already installed 6500 Packet-Optical Platforms...

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WSJ: AT&T Ponders Possible European Acquisitions

AT&T is considering possible European acquisitions as a strategic expansion path, according to The Wall Street Journal. Possible targets could include carriers such as Everything Everywhere (EE in the UK) or KPN (Netherlands), although the article describes the company's thinking as preliminary at this point. http://online.wsj.c...

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Telx Offers AWS Direct Connect in Data Centers

Telx, which operates 19 data centers across the U.S., has begun offering Amazon Web Services (AWS) Direct Connect with its own Datacenter Connect for Telx clients across the United States. The new option enables Telx clients to use private interconnection to reach an expanded roster of AWS facilities spanning coast to coast.  "Extending Telx’s service offerings with AWS enables clients to design their applications to achieve faster...

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Orange Horizons Looks to OTT Services Outside Network Footprint

Orange has launched a new subsidiary called Orange Horizons that aims to seek out new business opportunities in countries where the Group is not already present as a mass-market telecommunications provider.  The idea is to leverage the Orange brand in areas outside its geographic network footprint. Possible market activities could include online stores selling telecoms-related equipment or airtime; the introduction of flexible travel solutions;...

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Cisco Extends Extend Jabber's HD Voice/Video to Virtual Desktops

Cisco released  new software that extends the Cisco Jabber unified communications application to virtualized desktops. The new Virtualization Experience Media Engine (VXME) software enables virtual desktop users to access Jabber's enterprise-class collaboration capabilities such as voice and high-definition (HD) video, presence and instant messaging (IM) as part of the Cisco Virtualization Experience Infrastructure (VXI) Smart Solution. With...

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Nokia Trims IT Services, Transfers Employees

Nokia will cut its global IT organization by up to 300 employees and transfer certain activities and up to 820 employees to HCL Technologies and TATA Consultancy Services.  Most of the affected employees are based in Finland.  The company said the changes are part of its ongoing restructuring. http://www.nokia.c...

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CenturyLink Builds R&D Lab in Monroe, La

CenturyLink is building a new Technology Center of Excellence at this home base in Monroe, Louisiana. The facility will include technology research and development labs, a network operations center and office and meeting space. The company plans to invite vendors in to collaborate on network technology and IT skill projects in the new building.  CenturyLink hopes to break ground on the center in early 2013. It is expected to be completed...

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