Open Source Optical (OSO) Forum Sets Course

A new Open Source Optical (OSO) Forum has been established to promote the adoption of standards-based, interchangeable, easy-to-use, and power-efficient optical networking technologies into next-generation data centers and cloud environments.

The new forum, which was initiated by Vello Systems and includes the initial participation of Accelink, CoAdna, CrossFiber, O-Net, PacketLight and Pacnet, aims to bring together optical component and system vendors, software companies, channel partners and end-users in order to define and promote OpenFlow-based, merchant-optical networking solutions.

Vello's mission is to provide the software that fundamentally changes IT consumption models, making them better tailored to the demands of enterprise and individual end users. Customers are calling for more flexibility and new tools to realize their IT delivery solutions. Vello's goal has been to unify standard software with vendor-agnostic merchant hardware to ease adoption by users," said Karl May, CEO, Vello Systems. "One major goal with OSO is to decouple the hardware and software innovation cycles and give vendors in both categories greater freedom to innovate. We want to extend the open networking revolution to optical systems."

The OSO Forum organizers expect that some members will simply port OSO software onto their existing optical systems, making them instantly compatible with OpenFlow controller and application frameworks. Other members may choose to build next-generation Native OpenFlow, enterprise-friendly 10G/40G/100G 1RU "pizza box" optical systems, or other appliances, as their go-to-market solutions. Moving forward, any software solution that supports OpenFlow 1.4 can also be used to run OSO-based optical solutions. Vello will also be making the optical extensions generally available to be incorporated into other OpenFlow network controller frameworks. Importantly, OSO software will include the optical extensions that are part of OpenFlow Version 1.4, which were authored and contributed by Vello in the Open Networking Foundation.

"Specific application of OpenFlow-based SDN to optical components and networks opens up novel opportunities to add connectivity options within and between data centers, improve price-performance, and apply dynamic software control to flexible, application-independent infrastructure," said Dan Pitt, executive director of the Open Networking Foundation. "We look forward to collaborating with the OSO community to understand their requirements and contribute solutions."

http://www.vellosystems.com/osocomingsoon/
http://www.opensourceoptical.org

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Ciena's WaveLogic Photonics Extends its Network Vision

Ciena introduced its WaveLogic Photonics -- a set of programmable, optical transmission capabilities combining adjustable packet and OTN traffic management, including flexible line elements such as programmable line amplifiers, Smart Raman and customizable Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADMs) configurations – from metro to core.

Ciena said its goal with WaveLogic Photonics, which represents the next step in its OPn architecture evolution, is to make the network more dynamic and responsive to changing demands and applications needs.  The new capabilities build upon the intelligence already found in Ciena’s WaveLogic coherent optics across the entire optical line system.

Product enhancements include:

• Expanded control plane capabilities – Ciena’s OneConnect Intelligent Control Plane now includes additional distributed intelligence across the photonic and OTN layers. This ensures that operators can offer a broad selection of service level guarantees and new service offerings.
  
• Smart Raman – Eliminating time consuming manual configuration steps as well as the potential damage to equipment and fiber that accompanies traditional Raman deployments, Ciena’s Smart Raman provides simple and automatic turn-up by autonomously testing and ensuring proper fiber conditions are met prior to self-activation. The ability to plug and play Raman into the network helps service providers optimize span and system designs and minimize the use of costly regenerators.
  
• PinPoint – Ciena’s advanced fiber analytic software leverages Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) capabilities that are now integrated directly into the network elements to create a complete fiber loss profile – analogous to a CT scan of the network. This allows network operators to precisely localize and deal with potential trouble spots, reducing the risk of outages and accelerating repair times from days to hours. It creates the opportunity for proactive maintenance to improve network characteristics and also keeps track of historical information so administrators can remotely validate that installation, maintenance and repairs have been properly executed, which ensures the fiber plant is always conditioned for optimal system performance. 

"Wavelogic Photonics is another step in realizing our OPn network architecture vision, which is designed to make networks more responsive to business needs. As networks become strategic application-responsive assets, an intelligent, agile optical layer is vital to achieving the necessary flexibility to support changing network demands. WaveLogic Photonics enables network operators to reliably shift their operating model from just ‘configuring’ to actually ‘programming’ the network in real-time– increasing service velocity while eliminating the potential for manual errors and the cumbersome tracking processes that plague networking today. It also allows operators to easily view their network assets and program them to automatically respond to service requests and intelligently route packet services across the network," stated Steve Alexander, Chief Technology Officer, Ciena.

http://www.ciena.com/

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Windstream Picks Infinera for 100G Long-Haul Express Network

Windstream is deploying the Infinera DTN-X platform, featuring 500 Gigabit per second (Gbps) super-channels, across its long-haul express network.

Windstream operates a nationwide fiber and IP network, covering 118,000 miles of fiber and 27 data center locations across the nation. As a cloud solutions provider, Windstream serves businesses with a wide range of cloud communication needs, in addition to offering an advanced data, voice and video network that provides customers low latency and reliable 100 Gigabit Ethernet services.

Infinera said the deployment enables an Intelligent Transport Network featuring single-card 500 Gbps FlexCoherent super-channels.  This provides Windstream with a solution integrating DWDM optical transmission and five terabit per second non-blocking OTN switching in a single platform.

"By deploying the Infinera Intelligent Transport Network, Windstream will significantly increase the capacity of our network infrastructure to meet the needs of our customers," said Randy Nicklas, executive vice president of engineering and chief technology officer for Windstream. "The DTN-X platform enables us to offer services that result in lower latency for mission critical applications while providing a network that is even more reliable and enables rapid provisioning of services."

“Windstream’s selection of the DTN-X reinforces the value of the Infinera Intelligent Transport Network architecture,” said Tom Fallon, Infinera CEO. “It’s clear that in addition to the need for scale and efficiency, network operators value the ability to turn time into a competitive weapon by delivering the high capacity services their customers want, quickly and more reliably than their competitors.”

http://www.infinera.com/j7/servlet/NewsItem?newsItemID=394

http://youtu.be/xRKlZSv5Zdo

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"Huawei Cup" Hosted by Arsenal Slated for Emirates Stadium in May

"The Huawei Cup"’ a new 5-a-side tournament hosted by Premier League Club Arsenal, will take place at the iconic Emirates Stadium on 21 May 2014.  The inaugural tournament will be attended by former England and Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.

Huawei will be inviting customers, staff, press and partners to take part in this annual branded pitch event at the Emirates Stadium.

http://www.consumer.huawei.com/en/

• In January, Huawei was named the "Official Smartphone Partner" of Arsenal Football Club until the end of season 2015/16. The deal brings together two high performing organisations with a global presence; Huawei, a global technology and communications market leader, and Arsenal FC, one of the world's biggest football clubs.  
  Tom Fox, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, said: "We are delighted to welcome Huawei to Arsenal as an official partner. This is the first global deal we have signed with a Chinese brand, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the market through pre-season tours and sustained digital fan engagement.

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Iliad Saw Big Jump in 2013 in France

Iliad reported consolidated 2013 EBITDA of €1,204 million, up 31% over 2012, as profit for the period jumped by just over 42% to €265 million.

Some key indicators:

• 13.7 million subscribers (landline and mobile)
   
• Revenues up by nearly 19% to more than €3.7 billion
   
• 24% of revenues reinvested in 2013, representing the largest capital expenditure program in the industry 

• Landline business: Ongoing development of the Group's profitable growth model. With 276,000 net adds and a net add market share of 35%, in 2013 the Group was France's leading recruiter of broadband subscribers for the second year in a row, despite a fiercely competitive environment. Landline revenues climbed by almost 8% year on year to €2,498 million and EBITDA advanced 13%.
• Mobile business: 2.8 million new subscribers, the highest number of net adds among French mobile operators in 2013. This sharp increase in Free Mobile’s subscriber base drove up the Group’s market share to 12% at December 31, 2013, less than two years after its mobile offerings were first launched. Revenues generated by the mobile business surged 50% year on year to €1,261 million, representing a third of the Group's total revenue figure. In line with its strategy of enhancing its commercial offerings, Free proposed numerous innovations in 2013, including roaming services in Portugal, the launch of Femtocells, 4G services and a rental offer for smartphones. 

 http://www.iliad.fr/en/finances/2014/CP_100314_Eng.pdf

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Rogers Gains Funding for Purchase of 700 MHz Spectrum

Rogers Communications secured approximately $2.1 billion in funding for paying for 20 year licenses for two contiguous, paired blocks of lower band spectrum - acquired in the recent 700 MHz spectrum auction.  Combined with cash on hand, Rogers will pay $3.29 billion for the spectrum covering both rural and urban areas across Canada.

"We went after and won this spectrum because we know it will pay off for our customers for the next 20 years and likely beyond. Not only did we get the spectrum we wanted for our customers, but we have financed it with $2.1 billion of long term funding for up to 30 years at some of our lowest rates ever, with an average interest rate of just 3.9%. In addition, we have made this long term investment for our customers while maintaining our Baa1/BBB+/BBB+ senior credit ratings, which have been affirmed by each of Moody's, Standard and Poor's and Fitch, reflecting their confidence in the investment and in Rogers," said Anthony Staffieri, Chief Financial Officer, Rogers Communications.

http://www.rogers.com

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PMC-Sierra and Acacia Test 100G OTN Interoperability

PMC-Sierra and Acacia Communications, which develops intelligent subsystems for ultra-high speed fiber optic transmission, have completed interoperability testing between PMC’s DIGI 120G OTN Processor and Acacia’s AC100 100G Coherent module. The devices could be used together for a 100G OTN line card for metro networks.

Initial implementations of 100G OTN switching were expensive, high-power multi-card solutions. PMC’s DIGI 120G supports both 100G and simultaneous switching of OTN and packet clients with a single chip, enabling greater than 50% power reduction and single-card 100G OTN switching implementations. Acacia’s AC100-MC is the first 100G Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) compliant 100G coherent module and is the industry’s lowest-power solution.

“By demonstrating interoperability, PMC and Acacia are providing the ecosystem to support the transition to 100G in metro networks worldwide,” said Acacia’s President and CEO Raj Shanmugaraj. “Our AC100 Coherent module reduces power, cost and size, making 100G for the first time more cost effective than 10G. With PMC’s DIGI 120G also bringing down the cost of 100G OTN switching solution, and the optical performance enabled by our digital signal processing techniques, we expect to see the market for 100G OTN in the metro to grow rapidly.”

“Our DIGI 120G allows equipment makers to deliver 100G and OTN switching in the form factor and power profile needed to enable mass deployment of 100G OTN in the metro,” said Babak Samimi, vice president of marketing and applications for PMC's Communications Business Unit. “Demonstrating interoperability with Acacia’s module is an important step to show that the ecosystem is ready for the 100G transition.”

http://www.pmcs.com
http://WWW.ACACIA-INC.COM

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Skorpios Technologies Launches Micro-ITLA Tunable Laser for 100G

Skorpios Technologies, a start-up based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, demonstrated a micro-ITLA tunable laser utilizing its Template Assisted Bonding (STAB) process.

The laser was designed for next gen coherent 100G transceivers with linewidths of less than 100 kHz, low optical noise, high power and high stability.

"Launching our micro-ITLA is an important inflection point for Skorpios," commented John Zyskind, VP Engineering. "Not only have we productized one of the hardest types of laser to develop, but we have initiated production based on our STAB platform, where we integrate a small amount of heterogeneous material using a wafer-scale process within a commercial CMOS fab. This gives us a very attractive cost structure, as well as high reliability because the device is natively hermetic.  The Skorpios micro-ITLA will be used as a springboard into more highly integrated devices with a wide range of applications."

http://www.skorpiosinc.com

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NeoPhotonics Samples Dual Rate 100G LR4 CFP2 Transceivers

NeoPhotonics has commenced sampling of its Dual Rate 100G LR4 CFP2 for 100G Client side applications. The 100G LR4 CFP2 requires less than half the power is one half of the size of the currently shipping 100G LR4 CFP form factor, thus making it an attractive form factor for bandwidth hungry data center applications where both faceplate port density and lower electrical power are highly desired.

NeoPhotonics’ 100G LR4 CFP2 transceiver is designed to fully comply with the IEEE 802.3ba 100GBASE-LR4 standard for links up to 10km and also supports the higher OTU4 datarate for telecom applications. The transceiver utilizes a 4-channel PIC-based integrated transmitter based on NeoPhotonics’ proven high performance, high volume manufacturing platform for 28G EML lasers and drivers, which are designed to meet stringent OTU-4 optical performance requirements.

“The introduction of our second 100G Client transceiver module underlines our commitment to the ultra-high speed segment of the transceiver market,” said Tim Jenks, Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. “We are pleased to support our customers with a growing portfolio of high performance Client side transceivers based on our proven 28G EML laser and driver technologies and to facilitate the rapidly expanding 100G market with cost-effective pluggable solutions,” continued Mr. Jenks.

http://www.neophotonics.com

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NTT Electronics Adds First 100G ROSA Products

NTT Electronics (NEL) has released the first high performance 100G ROSA products for client optical interfaces. The ROSA products offer a cost effective solution for the NRZ 25G optical tributary signal with lower power dissipation.

“Today, NEL announced the availability of APD ROSA devices with very high performance which offer significant advantages by reducing the size and power dissipation of 4x25G transceivers particularly for 10km and longer reach applications close to 40km,” said Mr. Hagimoto, President of NTT Electronics. The ROSA device will be a key enabler of the next generation networks.

“Availability of NEL’s APD ROSA devices is an important development for the industry which will enable compact, low power, extended reach 100G solutions for large scale network deployment. A key advantage over existing solutions is compatibility with cost effective, directly modulated laser transmitters,” said Chris Cole, Director of Transceiver Engineering at Finisar.

http://www.ntt-electronics.com/en/

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Mellanox Showcases 100G QSFP for Data Centers

Mellanox Technologies is showcasing a number of 100G technologies at this week's OFC conference in San Francisco, including silicon photonics that more than double the speed of today’s 40 Gbps QSFP solutions.  Feature demos include:

• 100G silicon photonics modules in the popular QSFP form factor providing 300% more density than CFP2 or C-PAK footprint solutions
• 100G VCSEL based solutions in the same QSFP package, the most popular pluggable form factor for 40G Ethernet applications
• Multi-channel 28Gbps VCSEL drivers and TIAs with integrated retiming

“High-performance data centers, Web 2.0, cloud and storage infrastructures will need to scale their 40Gb/s and 56Gb/s interconnect to 100Gb/s to address the exponential growth in data,” said Shai Cohen, COO at Mellanox Technologies. “The QSFP transceiver has provided excellent density for speeds up to 56Gb/s, but until now 100Gb/s technologies were only available in large form factors such as the CFP and CFP2. With silicon photonics, faster VCSELs and new electronics, we can squeeze multiple 100Gb/s technologies into the same QSFP form factor, supporting a wide range of applications with the same physical port. Our LinkX™ interconnect family has QSFP options for any data center reach - from less than 2 meters to more than 2 kilometers.”

“When the industry settled on the QSFP form factor for 40Gb/s, the market increased dramatically,” said Dale Murray, principal analyst at LightCounting Market Research. “That is not happening as quickly for 100Gb/s links in part because of the large size and variety of form factors. Data centers need low-cost, dense 100Gb/s ports in an industry standard form factor. The emergence of 100Gb/s in the QSFP form factor is an important innovation that will accelerate large scale data center deployments.”

http://www.mellanox.com

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