NTT Communications introduced a suite of NFV-enabled services that can be instantly activated online and are powered by Virtela's global SDN platform. Virtela Technology Services was acquired by NTT Com in January 2014.The new services are offered via a pay-per-use model under NTT Com’s Arcstar Universal One portfolio, which are delivered to enterprise customers in more than 190 countries/regions worldwide. The new services will become officially available for sales starting from July 2014.
NTT Com said the new cloud-based network services make branch office networking more asset-light, agile, scalable and economical. The launch includes the following four new cloud-based network services:
- Cloud-Based Application Acceleration: Optimizes application performance over the IP-VPN network, enabling global IT consolidation and faster access to cloud-hosted applications
- Cloud-Based Firewall: This service offers Firewall, IPS, and URL Filtering options, and enables secure Internet access at branch offices using the nearest of 50 Local Cloud Networking Centers distributed globally
- Cloud-Based IPSEC VPN Gateway: Establishes quick enterprise network connections from public cloud or any site with Internet access
- Cloud-Based SSL VPN: Enables remote workers or partners using any device to access the enterprise network.
"NFV is a technology to virtualize network functions that traditionally run on physical appliances. Leveraging NFV technology in our Local Cloud Networking Centers worldwide, we can now deliver varieties of network functions - such as firewall and application acceleration for branch offices - from our network cloud. This eliminates the ‘one device, per service, per location’ model, resulting in significant cost savings for our customers."
"Virtela and NTT Com’s SDN and NFV innovations give enterprises unprecedented choice and control in transforming their global enterprise networks," said Virtela President Ron Haigh. "We are accelerating the delivery of new innovative services, setting the highest bar in the industry with a flexible subscription model that enables CIOs to simplify network architecture and allow them to focus on their core business."
All Nippon Airways was cited as an early customer. "The ANA Group is deploying NTT Communications services, such as Arcstar Universal One IP-VPN service and a newly introduced cloud-based unified communication solution. The unified communication solution, which is supported by a highly reliable network, is further helping us to improve operational efficiency and save four million USD annually. By making use of cutting-edge technologies and services, such as NFV, we expect to continue benefitting from reliable, flexible and cost-effective ICT infrastructure from NTT Communications," stated Takanori Yukishige, Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Business Process Innovation Committee.
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In January 2014, NTT Communications completed its previously announced acquisition of Virtela Technology Services Incorporated (Virtela), a leading global managed and cloud-based network services company. The deal was valued at $525 million when it was first announced.
"Leveraging advanced virtualization technologies, such as Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), features such as firewall, WAN acceleration and SSL remote access will be delivered from network cloud. Furthermore, these features are automated for on-demand activation and configuration, helping enterprises save capital and operating expenses. These features are planned to be available to NTT Com customers starting Q2 2014," said Akira Arima, CEO of NTT Com. Virtela Technology Services (Virtela), which is based in Denver, is a leading global managed and cloud network services provider serving over 500 multinational companies. Virtela integrates 1,000+ local and regional network providers, enabling the customer to build a virtual overlay network from multi-carrier MPLS, Ethernet, DSL, 3G/4G/LTE and other IP links, while benefitting from a single SLA and management portal. Virtela operates global operations and delivery centers in the U.S., India and the Philippines. It has over 400 employees.
In May, NTT, Alcatel-Lucent Japan Ltd. and Fujitsu demonstrated Virtual Network Platform as a Service (VNPaaS) to ETSI's NFV ISG. The Virtual Network Platform as a Service (VNPaaS) is one of the use cases defined by ETSI NFV ISG. The platform framework can be used for developing, deploying and administering applications on the virtualised network. Alcatel-Lucent supplied its CloudBand NFV solution for this project. Fujitsu is supplying middleware that is capable of offering stateful VNF.
