Arista Introduces Switches for Cloud Network "Spline"

Arista Networks introduced its 7300 and 7250 high-density switching platforms for cloud and enterprise data centers.

Arista also introduces its "Single Tier Spline" architecture for simplifying data centers by simplifying cabling, consolidating servers, migrating between virtual to physical networks and controling IP storage.  The idea is to collapse the leaf and spine together into a single-tier network for performance and latency sensitive cloud applications.  Arista said its design can bring true deterministic performance for up to 2000 hosts in one cluster while lowering operating and capital asset costs by 40%.

The Arista 7300 and 7250X series feature resilient control planes for the Spline Network deployment model.  Key characteristics include:

• Arista provides a single binary image of Arista EOS, purpose built for open cloud applications. Arista EOS’s unique foundation is a state-driven multiprocessing operating system.
  
• "Zero Touch Provisioning" to simplify network deployment,
  
• OpenWorkload to integrate with orchestration, virtualization, and provisioning tools in OpenStack, Microsoft System Center and VMware NSX;
  
• Wireless/wired integration with Aruba
  
• Partnerships with F5, Palo Alto Networks, Splunk and Riverbed.
  
• The Arista 7300 is comprised of three chassis: the Arista 7304, 7308 and 7316 with 4, 8 and 16 line card slots respectively. All three share a common resilient architecture that scales up to 512 ports of 40GbE or 2,048 ports of 10GbE, with wirespeed performance of 40Tbps (terabits per second) of throughput. X Series line card modules for the Arista 7300 include 10GBASE-T, SFP and QSFP configurations. Front-to-rear and rear-to-front airflow options along with platinum rated power supplies allow for improved efficiency and middle-of-row Spline configurations. Two Arista 7316 Series systems can fit in a single 42RU rack supporting over 4000 10GbE ports. With power consumption under 3W per 10GbE port and latency under 2 microseconds, a pair of 7300 series switches replaces two Catalyst 6509Es with more than ten times the scale, throughput, latency improvement and power efficiency. The 7300X series are available in Q1 2014 from $500 per 10GbE port.
  
• The Arista 7250X Series is a high density solution delivering 64 ports of wire-speed 40GbE or up to 256 Ports of 10GbE in a compact and power efficient two rack unit fixed form factor with redundant and hot-swap power supplies and fan modules. It offers a Layer 2 MAC table and Layer 3 routing tables that dynamically expand based on the application to support up to 288K MAC entries, or 144K routes.  It also supports Arista’s LRL4 QSFP optics that require a single pair of single mode fiber, reducing the fiber requirements by 75% compared to existing choices. The 7250QX-64 is available now and shipping for $1500 per 40GbE port. 

http://www.aristanetworks.com

Open Server Summit: Cloud Networking for Warehouse-sized Data Centers

Wednesday, October 23, 2013  Arista  No comments

The big six cloud companies are on CAPEX growth trajectories that will take them past the traditional telcos in a few years, said Andy Bechtolsheim, Chairman of Arista Networks.
There is a race to build gigantic data centers that are more efficient and powerful than anything seen before.  Speaking at the Open Server Summit in Santa Clara, California, Bechtolsheim said the expected gains from Moore's Law coupled with promising developments in silicon photonics and virtualization technologies, make it likely that the hyper-scale data centers will continue to hold a competitive advantage over the coming decade.

So, how do you build a network for a data center with 100,000+ servers and millions of VMs?  Bechtolsheim said his company has already seen (and won) competitive bids for 100,000+ ports of non-blocking 10 GigE server connections.  The ideal network, he said, should be truly transparent, flat and universal. This means the bandwidth and latency between any two servers in the data center should be the same.  A top-of-rack switching architecture is preferred.  To scale it for the biggest of data centers, Arista has developed a "Spine-of-Spine" network architecture that could scale to link up to 884,000 servers at 10G with a 3-1 oversubscription.

http://www.openserversummit.com/
http://www.aristanetworks.com/

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Cambium's PTP 650 Radio Hits 450 Mbps in Sub 6 GHz Spectrum Bands

Cambium Networks introduced a sub-6 GHz addition to its field-proven PTP portfolio, which is designed for for wireless backhaul applications for public safety, government, utilities, oil and gas and service provider deployments.

The new wireless broadband platform offers throughput of up to 450 Mbps in a 45 MHz channel, delivers 10 bps/Hz and operates in any frequency between 4.9-6.05 GHz. The platform leverages Cambium's Dynamic Spectrum Optimization technology for maximum reliability through link optimization and offers a wealth of management services. The PTP 650 also offers data encryption and secure management features.  For spectrum-congested areas, it support a variety of channel widths -- 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 45 MHz.

"Already, PTP 650's wide range of capabilities has resonated deeply with a number of tier one service providers across the globe. The product is being tested in over 20 lab trials with some of the world's most respected carriers in North America, Europe and Asia," said Atul Bhatnagar, president and CEO, Cambium Networks. "Tremendously applicable across verticals, distances and environments, PTP 650 is primed to make a significant difference in securely and safely connecting the world."

http://www.cambiumnetworks.com/

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Google Expands its Data Center in Finland

Google disclosed plans to invest a further EUR 450 million to expand its data center in Hamina, Finland.

In 2009, Google acquired an abandoned paper mill on the Bay of Finland, investing an initial EUR 200 million to launch Phase I of the data center.  The facility takes advantage of the naturally chilly sea water for cooling. In August 2012, Google announced an additional EUR 150 million investment in Phase II of the data center.

http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/inside/locations/hamina/

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NSN and China Mobile Research Institute Expand Partnership

Nokia Solutions and Networks and China Mobile Research Institute (CMRI) have expanded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) originally signed in 2010 to include advanced mobile broadband technologies in LTE as well as in 5G. The MoU reflects their vision of 2020 and outlines key focus areas for future mobile networks.

The parties agree to enhance joint research, standardization, and prototype development activities in advanced technologies such as 5G, LTE deployment optimization, cloud-based radio access network (C-RAN), the innovative “Nanocell” concept for next-generation small cell deployments, coexistence of 2G / 4G and core virtualization.

“Significant reduction of the unit cost of bandwidth is the key to success of future mobile networks,” said Bill Huang, General Manager of CMRI. “The alignment of NSN’s and CMRI’s technology vision on the future mobile networks is an important foundation for our long-term successful partnership. We are delighted to expand our MoU with NSN, the world’s specialist in mobile broadband, to keep pushing the limits of technology, shape the telco industry and explore new ways of helping operators reduce operational costs.”

“China Mobile Research Institute has paved the way for industry innovation in various aspects including TD-LTE, cloud-based RAN, IPv6 and packet networks. Since the outset, NSN and CMRI have consistently expanded and reinforced their collaboration to focus on leading research activities and to drive innovation and development of 4G technology and beyond,” said Markus Borchert, president of NSN Greater China. “We are proud of our long-term commitment to China, especially in the area of TD technology development, and specifically TD-LTE. Our leading global position in LTE, built on our strong technological capabilities and combined with our local service resources, makes us a strong partner for operators in China and globally.”

http://www.nsn.com
http://labs.chinamobile.com/

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Alcatel-Lucent Seeks to Raise $1.965 billion for Shift Plan

Alcatel-Lucent announced three financial transactions amounting to approximately US$1.965 billion to provide financial support for its "Shift" transformation plan.

These include a capital increase for an amount of €955 million, its intent to launch a high yield bonds offering in an aggregate principal amount of US$750 million and the execution of a commitment letter for the implementation of a new syndicated revolving credit facility of €500 million.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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SiTime Attracts New Funding for its Silicon MEMS

SiTime Corporation, which specializes in silicon MEMS solutions for timing and synchronization applications, announced new venture funding led by Innovative Venture Fund, which is co-operated by NEC Capital Solutions and SMBC Venture Capital.  All major investors participated in this oversubscribed round. Also, a new partner, Hercules Technology Growth Capital provided a commitment for debt financing to SiTime.

“A key goal of our Innovative Venture Fund is to invest in disruptive technologies that have the potential to transform large markets,” said Soichiro Matsuyama, Chief Financial Officer at NEC Capital Solutions. “SiTime’s timing solutions, based on game-changing silicon MEMS and analog technology, are revolutionizing the $5 billion timing market. SiTime has a remarkable market opportunity and we are excited to participate in SiTime’s future growth.”

“MEMS timing solutions are the inevitable future of the timing industry because they use silicon. Electronics companies worldwide are rapidly adopting SiTime’s solutions – we have shipped 175 million units to 1000 customers worldwide, including 35 Fortune 500 companies. With our recent introduction of oscillators for smartphones, we expect to accelerate the rate of adoption of MEMS timing solutions,” said Rajesh Vashist, CEO at SiTime. “We are pleased that NEC Capital Solutions and HTGC recognize the tremendous potential of MEMS timing technology.”

SiTime is based in Sunnyvale, California

http://www.sitime.com

Earlier this year, SiTime introduced a family of 32 kHz MEMS oscillators designed to replace legacy quartz crystal resonators in mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, fitness monitoring and watch products, medical monitoring and wellness devices, etc.

As with the company's other MEMS timing solutions, the new SiT15xx family of oscillators compare favorably to existing quartz-based devices in several ways; SiTime’s MEMS are 85% smaller, use 50% less power, and significantly exceed the reliability metrics of quartz by 15 times.

The SiT153x family operates from a 1.2V to 3.63V regulated power supply, making them ideal for smartphones that use a coin-cell or super-cap battery backup. The SiT154x family also replaces quartz crystal resonators and operates from a 2.7 to 4.5V unregulated Li-Ion battery.

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Open Networking User Group Lists Use Case Requirements

The Open Networking User Group (ONUG) published a list of use case requirements aimed at to ensuring that the market delivers lower OpEx and CapEx, greater choice and faster delivery of innovative IT solutions. Real world user deployments, market updates, independent test results, and use cases were presented at a the ONUG Fall 2013 meeting last week in New York City hosted by JPMorgan Chase.

The complete list of the ONUG Fall 2013 Use Cases Requirements include:

• Integrate Layer 4-7 Network Services to Eliminate Appliances
• Take an Open Approach to Virtual Networks/Overlays
• Leverage Branch Wide Area Software-Defined Networks (WA-SDN) to Reduce Appliance clutter and Extract Greater Value from WAN Services
• Integrated Traffic Monitoring and Network Visibility
• Automate Network Segmentation to reduce network operations from laborious manual configuration
• Expose Linux within Networking Gear to facilitate automation
• Deploy White Box Switches in Access Closets for automated configuration and change management
• Establish Abstract Policy for Applications and expose IT Infrastructure Dependencies

"IT executives at ONUG were focused on real-world deployments, choice, and vendor independence,” said Nick Lippis, ONUG Chairman and co-founder. “As IT demands increase, IT business leaders have organized through ONUG by putting their engineering and power of the purse together to define open networking the way they want it, not the way the vendors want to offer it.”

Vendors participating at ONUG Fall 2013 included Adara Networks, Anuta Networks, Arista Networks, Big Switch Networks, Cisco, cPacket Networks, Cumulus Networks, Embrane, Evertz Microsystems, Extreme Networks, Gigamon, Glue Networks, HP, IBM, Intel, Ixia, Juniper Networks, NEC, Nuage Networks, OpenDaylight, PLUMgrid, Stateless Networks, vArmour, Vello Systems and VSS Monitoring.

The ONUG Board is composed of IT leaders from Bank of America, Citigroup, Fidelity Investments, GAP Inc., JPMorgan Chase &Co., UBS, Nick Lippis of the Lippis Report and others.

Additional information on the use cases is online.

http://www.OpenNetworkingUserGroup.com

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Taiwan Completes 4G Spectrum Auction

The government of Taiwan raised a total of NT$118.65 billion (US$4.01 billion) in an auction of of 27 0MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 1,800MHz bands. The auction exceeded the reserve price by 231%, indicating a pent-up demand for mobile broadband service.

http://www.ncc.gov.tw/english/content_field_detail.aspx?site_content_sn=215&is_history=0&pages=0&sn_f=69

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Gigamon Cites Rapid Growth, Sales up 52% YoY

Gigamon reported Q3 revenues of $39.0 million, compared to $25.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, representing growth of 52% year-over-year. GAAP gross margins of 80% in the third fiscal quarter, in line with the third quarter of fiscal 2012.  GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was $1.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $1.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2012.

"We are pleased with the results this quarter demonstrating our continued ability to execute," said Paul Hooper, CEO of Gigamon. "During the quarter we added 86 new customers including 19 Fortune 1000 companies. We also received the largest order in the company's history from a first time customer, indicating that visibility fabrics are increasingly being designed into major infrastructure projects.  We are especially pleased with the performance of the GigaVUE HB-1, which experienced the fastest ramp of any Gigamon product since its launch in late June."

http://www.gigamon.com

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Marcus Weldon appointed President of Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs

Dr. Marcus Weldon has been appointed President of Bell Labs, replacing Gee Rittenhouse, who has has decided to retire from Alcatel-Lucent in order to focus on other business interests.

Weldon has served as Corporate CTO of Alcatel-Lucent since 2009. He joined Bell Labs in 1995, and has held a variety of leadership roles in both research and technology development functions. Dr. Weldon was one of the primary architects behind the evolution of the company's Triple-Play Service Delivery Architecture to the High Leverage Network. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Computer Science from King’s College, London, and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Harvard University.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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FCC Chairman Appoints Key Staff

Newly confirmed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced key staff appointments, including:

Ruth Milkman, Chief of Staff -- previously served as Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau from August 2009 to June 2011, and from June 2012 until the present.

Philip Verveer, Senior Counselor to the Chairman -- previously serves as U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State and, before that practiced communications and antitrust law in the government and in private law firms.

Gigi B. Sohn, Special Counsel for External Affairs -- has served since 2001 as the President
and CEO of Public Knowledge and, from 2011-2013 as the Co-Chair of the board of directors of the
Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG).

Diane Cornell, Special Counsel -- has served as Vice President for Government Affairs at
Inmarsat and Vice President, Regulatory Policy at CTIA, The Wireless Association.

Daniel Alvarez, legal advisor to the Chairman -- has practiced law at the firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP since 2005.

Renee Gregory,  legal advisor to the Chairman -- has worked at the Commission since 2012, first as a legal advisor to Chairman Genachowski and then as Chief of Staff of the Office of Engineering and Technology.

Maria Kirby, legal advisor to the Chairman -- has served since 2012 as a legal advisor to the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

Deborah Ridley, Confidential Assistant to the Chairman

Sagar Doshi, Special Assistant to the Chairman

http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-chairman-tom-wheeler-announces-staff-appointments

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