Thursday, March 12, 2015

CenturyLink Readies NFV-Enhanced Service Launch with Cyan

CenturyLink is preparing to launch NFV-enhanced services to enterprise and small and midsized business (SMB) customers based on Cyan’s Blue Planet NFV Orchestrator.

Specifically, CenturyLink will use Cyan’s Blue Planet orchestration for their Programmable Services Backbone (PSB), its platform that for next-generation virtualized services to its customers.  Blue Planet NFV Orchestrator bridges multiple technologies to instantiate virtual network functions (VNF) from multiple vendors. Blue Planet will add these virtual network functions to CenturyLink’s network for quickly providing software-enabled services and ubiquitous service coverage to CenturyLink’s broad set of customers.

Cyan said its Blue Planet software can instantiate and control virtual functions, coordinate with physical and virtual network resources, and interconnect virtual functions (i.e., vFirewall, vDPI, vEncryption, vRouter, vDNS, etc.) to achieve service chaining. The programmability of the Blue Planet NFV Orchestrator allows carriers like CenturyLink to onboard and define new services through a flexible template-based architecture. The open architecture of Blue Planet’s NFV Orchestrator enables rich, multi-vendor environments within the NFV Infrastructure (NFVI), including support for different cloud management software and physical servers.

“CenturyLink has taken a leadership position in driving the changes required to build a more service- centric network that derives maximum value from network assets while addressing evolving customer requirements,” said Aamir Hussain, CTO, CenturyLink. “The Programmable Services Backbone delivers an open, software-enabled architecture based on Cyan’s NFV orchestration technology that will allow us to rapidly deploy new services to enterprise and SMB customers across our footprint.”

“CenturyLink is leading the network transformation movement that is so critical to the future of our industry,” said Mike Hatfield, president, Cyan. “We’re proud that Cyan’s Blue Planet is playing a critical role in how they deploy multi-vendor VNFs as services to end customers. Together, CenturyLink and Cyan are unifying the data center, virtual resources, WAN, and managed services to create a new way of doing business for network operators.”

http://www.centurylink.com
http://www.cyaninc.com/company/news-room/press-releases/2015/centurylink-to-offer-nfv-enhanced-services-to-enterprise-and-smb-customers-with-cyans-blue-planet-#.VQGtyPm-2-1

  • In June 2014, CenturyLink sponsored an ETSI NFV ISG-approved proof of concept (PoC) solution based on RAD’s dedicated customer-edge D-NFV equipment running Fortinet’s Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) and Certes Networks’ virtual encryption/decryption engine as Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) with Cyan’s Blue Planet system orchestrating the entire ecosystem. The companies said their D-NFV allows the placement of VNFs where they will be both most effective and least expensive, including at the customer edge.  Cyan's Blue Planet can orchestrate both NFV and multi-vendor Ethernet services.

    VNFs at the customer edge were implemented with RAD’s ETX-2, a D-NFV empowered NID, the cornerstone of RAD’s Service Assured Access solution. RAD's solution integrates an x86 server platform to host value-added service capabilities, as well as network functionalities that run on virtual machines.  Fortinet and Certes Networks provided VNFs that were instantiated on RAD’s ETX-2 by Cyan’s Blue Planet SDN Platform. Fortinet’s FortiGate-VM enforces next-generation firewall security functions that provide network and application layer protection. Real-time security updates are pushed to the FortiGate-VM by FortiGuard subscription services to ensure it is aware of and enforcing protection from the latest security threats.  The virtual Certes Enforcement Point (vCEP) is a virtual encryption solution that secures data in motion over any public or private network. vCEPs can be dynamically provisioned to create Certes’ CryptoFlow VPNs, fully meshed multi-point VPNs safeguarding data in physical, virtual and Cloud environments. CryptoFlows protect critical data for any application with automatically enforced policies and simplified control of encryption keys.

Interoute Launches Check Point Security Gateway Virtual Edition

Interoute has begun offering the Check Point Security Gateway Virtual Edition (VE) via its Interoute CloudStore.

Applications available on the Interoute CloudStore have been tested and approved to run on Interoute Virtual Data Centre (VDC), the global networked cloud infrastructure with locations across Europe, North America and Asia. The company enables customers to provision the VDC as either a private, public or hybrid cloud. This complements the advanced capabilities of Check Point VE gateways and gives companies the ability to provision and control computing and storage infrastructure on demand, using Pay-as-You-Go or committed payment models. Interoute VDC customers and partners can also select the specific zone they want their data to be hosted and stored in, which can help companies needing to comply with stringent data protection regulations.

Check Point VE gateways protect dynamic virtualized environments and external networks, such as private and public clouds, from internal and external threats by securing virtual machines and applications with extensive security using the full range of Check Point’s award-winning Software Blade Architecture. With Check Point VE gateways available on the growing Interoute CloudStore appliance marketplace, organisations can leverage Check Point’s multi-layer security protection on demand in an easy and flexible way.

http://www.interoute.com/press-release/interoute-virtual-data-centre-expands-its-demand-security-services-check-point%E2%80%99s

Australia's NBN Co Picks Coriant for Optical Transport

NBN Co is extending the rollout of its nationwide optical transport network with deployment of a high-capacity fiber optic ring built upon the Coriant hiT 7300 Multi-Haul Transport Platform.

The fiber ring spans over 10,000 kilometers in Western Australia and will expand the capacity of NBN Co's backbone network supporing fast broadband services to businesses and consumers in the region. NBN Co's transcontinental optical transport backbone currently spans 60,000 kilometers of fiber configured in over 100 fiber rings nationwide.

Coriant noted that its the hiT 7300 is currently deployed in over 850 operational sites worldwide. The hiT 7300 is a 96-channel coherent optical communications system that supports the transmission of 100G per channel for a total system capacity of up to 9.6 Tbps per fiber pair.

"We are pleased to continue our strategic partnership with NBN Co as they expand the capacity, reach and performance of their fiber optic infrastructure," said Pat DiPietro, Chief Executive Officer, Coriant. "Our end-to-end support for the National Broadband Network encompasses not only best-in-class optical transport technologies, but also a comprehensive range of world-class planning, design, logistics, implementation, and support services that enable NBN Co to meet critical deployment timelines and ensure the highest level network and service availability."

http://www.coriant.com


Alcatel-Lucent Delivers Next Gen 1830 PSS Metro Optical

Alcatel-Lucent is expanding its line of 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) optical transport platforms with new, small form-factor models designed for metro and data center networks. Targeted Service Provider applications include access aggregation, content delivery, and mobile backhaul, while large enterprises and cloud providers could use the new systems for data center interconnectivity and wide area networking.

The Alcatel-Lucent 1830 PSS family uses the 400G Photonic Services Engine and common software and interface cards for all models. Compared to previous systems, Alcatel-Lucent said these next gen 1830 PSS-4/16 and the new PSS-8 offer 2X the capacity, 50% less footprint and 40% power savings, enabling them to be deployed out in the network.

The new 1830 PSS-4, 1830 PSS-8 and 1830 PSS-16 support any mix of high-performance packet, optical and photonic services. Alcatel-Lucent is also bringing distributed switching capability for better metro aggregation with smooth capacity scaling from 400 Gbps to 1.6Tbps.  Slots offer any mix of 10G, 100G and 200G-based services. Alcatel-Lucent is also adding enhancements such asu 100G/200G rate adaptive uplink capability, 1 20-port X 10G multiprotocol switchponder and integrated ROADMs. The platforms are SDN-enabled to support application-driven, dynamic service instantiation.

Alcatel-Lucent noted that its 1830 PSS platform is currently in use by more than 500 customers worldwide with more than 240 already deployed with 100G (more than 25,000 units of 100G).

“As traffic continues to grow, operators and enterprises need to deploy optical transport switches specifically tuned for metro applications. By optimizing our 1830 PSS for the metro environment, we are able to offer solutions that are right-sized to help meet transport demand now at low initial cost, with the right scale and switching flexibility, allowing them to grow capacity and deliver services rapidly as demand grows,” stated Sam Bucci, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Terrestrial Optics, Alcatel-Lucent.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/press/2015/alcatel-lucent-expands-optical-networking-portfolio-meet-enterprise-and-operator-demand-video-cloud

FCC Releases 400-Page Open Internet Order

The FCC released its newly adopted Open Internet rules, which were approved by a 3-to-2 vote last month. The actual text of the order had not been publicly available until now.

The new rules aim to establish a legal standard for broadband provider practices to ensure that they do not unreasonably interfere with or disadvantage consumers' access to the Internet.

At the time of the vote, FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler said the order would establish three "bright line rules":


  • No Blocking: broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.
  • No Throttling: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices.
  • No Paid Prioritization: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind—in other words, no “fast lanes.”   This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates. It also prohibits practices that target specific applications or classes of applications.  

http://www.fcc.gov/openinternet

Ericsson Cuts 2,200 Positions in Sweden, Mostly R&D

Ericsson confirmed plans to cut 2,200 positions in Sweden, mainly in R&D and Supply, as part of its on-going cost and efficiency program announced last November.

The program targets savings of approximately SEK 9 b. with full effect during 2017.

Ericsson said it strategy is to excel in core areas: Radio, Core and Transmission and Telecom Services; and to fund growth in the targeted areas: IP networks, Cloud, TV & Media, OSS & BSS and Industry & Society.

http://www.ericsson.com/news/1901885?categoryFilter=press-releases_1270673222_c

OpenDNS Acquires BGPmon, Extending its Network Monitoring Services

OpenDNS, which provides network security and DNS services, has acquired BGPmon, a provider of network and routing monitoring services based on the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Financial terms were not disclosed.

BGPmon’s service monitors customer networks from hundreds of vantage points worldwide and delivers near real-time alerts in case of a route-hijack, network instability or policy violations.

“Network attacks are becoming more sophisticated everyday and companies need to prepare for the fact that unexpected parts of their internet infrastructure will be targeted,” said David Ulevitch, founder and CEO of OpenDNS. “BGPmon has built a service that helps the largest companies, networks, and services on the Internet better understand traffic changes and maintain a stronger security posture. Its network security monitoring and routing features will enhance the OpenDNS Global Network and broaden our ability to discover, catch and better predict advanced attacks.”

https://www.opendns.com/
http://www.bgpmon.net/