Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Overture's 65vSE Micro Server Runs VNF at Service Edge

Overture introduced an open, Carrier Ethernet platform that enables virtualized network functions to be controlled dynamically at the service edge.

The 65 Virtual Service Edge (65vSE), which is part of the Overture 65 product family, is a carrier-grade platform based on Intel x86 micro-server technology.  It comes comes pre-loaded with Overture’s CE2.0 Ethernet Access Device (EAD) software and is designed to dynamically host multiple third party virtual network functions (VNFs). Additionally, the Overture 65vSE supports multiple wireline and wireless connections to the WAN, allowing access to all end customer locations.

The new platform is enabled the company's Ensemble Open Service Architecture (OSA) for software-defined services at the metro service edge. As an integrated platform for Carrier Ethernet access and virtualization, the Overture 65vSE enables virtual network functions to be turned up, turned down, expanded and removed dynamically at the service edge.

Overture previously introduced a centralized model for hosting virtual network functions in data centers, points of presence, and central offices. The new 65vSE enables these virtual network functions at the service edge.  Overture said this provides another choice in network architecture that may enable faster time to market for new service revenue and customer adoption. For instance, there are times when the security, latency, or other requirements of specific functions dictate optimal placement is on the customer premise, or service edge.

“Openness directly benefits our customers and positions them for growth and success. We have combined our Carrier Ethernet expertise with the first truly open platform for hosting best-of-breed network functions from third party developers.” said Prayson Pate, CTO and senior vice president of engineering, Overture. “The 65vSE along with the other components of Ensemble OSA and our Carrier Ethernet portfolio, together bring the speed and agility benefits of the cloud to the metro service edge.”

http://www.overturenetworks.com/products/overture-65vSE

In April 2014, Overture stepped up its game in software defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) with the commercial release of its Ensemble Service Orchestrator (ESO) and Ensemble Network Controller (ENC), two key pieces of its open architecture for service automation.

Overture said its goal is to bring together open automation and management of both the physical Carrier Ethernet and virtual infrastructure.  The will use open APIs for deployment into third-party infrastructure.any service provider architecture, Ensemble Service Orchestrator and Ensemble Network Controller may be deployed together as a system or integrated independently.

·       The Ensemble Service Orchestrator is an open, extensible carrier-class NFV service lifecycle management and orchestration system that coordinates virtual resources and physical network elements to create, activate and assure services using one or more virtual network functions. ESO uses the OpenStack™ cloud controller – bundled with ESO – to manage the virtual compute environment, including virtual machines, virtual switches and top-of-rack datacenter switches. For management of the physical wide area network traffic flows, ESO leverages Overture’s Ensemble Network Controller but can also be integrated with other third-party network controllers.
·       The Ensemble Network Controller is a service-aware network controller and management system for the Carrier Ethernet metro service edge. With native support for all Overture network elements, ENC is extensible to support third-party network elements and automates service creation, service activation, device detection, fault management and performance monitoring. By presenting a complete network picture, ENC helps service providers add new services and virtualized network functions without compromising existing network operations.