Fujitsu Unveils Open 1FINITY Networking Platform

Fujitsu is introducing a new multi-layer category of networking equipment that leverages disaggregated architecture and dense form-factor blades for fast time-to-market, low initial investment, and efficient scaling. The first product is targeted at the data center interconnect market (DCI).

The Fujitsu 1FINITY platform marks a strategic departure from physically aggregated platforms, emphasizing open development, optimized functionality, and increased operating efficiencies.  Leveraging functional disaggregation, the initial platform release comprises four distinct product families providing transport, lambda, switch, and access functionality.

Fujitsu said each product in this 1FINITY family will be an independent system on a blade that is capable of being a full network element. The self-contained, modular blades can stand alone to deliver specific functionality or be combined with others for a broader network solution. The software framework logically reaggregates modular functions and provides a consolidated northbound interface, supporting communication with a user’s operations support system (OSS) and business support system (BSS).

The Fujitsu 1FINITY platform will use blades as compact as one rack unit (1RU).  The design eliminates rack partitioning due to chassis boundaries. Fujitsu will offer open pluggable optics. This will simplify procurement for users. Fujitsu will also support open APIs and open standard protocols. By separating the blades from a shelf, network operators will benefit from independent blade improvement and replacement as functionality advances.  Fujitsu also promises interoperability and backward compatibility between the new 1FINITY and its existing FLASHWAVE platforms.

The first product in the series is the 1FINITY T100 blade, which is designed specifically for metro data center interconnect (mDCI) applications.  The blade delivers 1.6 Tbps of bidirectional transport capacity.  Other key features include SDN-enabled Linux software, support for the latest optical technologies, and compliance with DWDM transmission standards. Customer trials of the 1FINITY T100 blade are in progress, and general availability is scheduled for December 2015.

“DCI is the fastest-growing application for optical networking equipment,” said Rod Naphan, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Fujitsu Network Communications. “Fujitsu’s response to this market demand is a purpose-built product with cost, space, and power attributes that will enable hyperscale data center operators to reduce their footprints and power requirements, efficiently scale their metro clouds, and create new Fujitsu will expand the 1FINITY portfolio beyond the mDCI solution with blades for wavelength services, extended-reach transport, high-density packet switching, innovative access, and multilayer interoperation with the FLASHWAVE 9500 platform."

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