Cisco Posts Record Revenues, up 4% YoY in Latest Quarter

Cisco reported fourth quarter revenue of $12.8 billion  (increase of 4% year over year) , net income (GAAP) of $2.3 billion or $0.45 per share, and non-GAAP net income of $3.0 billion or $0.59 per share.

"I'm stepping into the CEO role at an incredibly exciting time for Cisco. We closed out our fiscal year with record revenues and record non-GAAP EPS, for both Q4 and FY15. I'm particularly pleased with the strong growth of deferred revenue which shows we are very effectively driving our business to a more predictable software-based business model, at the same time as growing revenues and earnings," said Chuck Robbins, Cisco chief executive officer.

Some highlights for the quarter:

• Product revenue and service revenue each increased 4%. 
• Sales of Nexus 3K, 9K and ACI amounted to $438 million for the quarter, up 100% YoY and 50% sequentially
• Nexus 9K added 1,400 customers in the quarter for a total of 4100 customers
• 26 out of the top 28 largest enterprise customers are now 9K customers, with 30% of the customers being new 9K customers in Q4
• Core routing sales are now growing at a triple digit pace and Cisco believes it has solidified its lead in this market
• Meraki's cloud based model is succeeding and is now on a billion dollar annual run rate
• In terms of total revenue by geographic segment, Americas was up 7%, while both EMEA and APJC were flat. 
• Product revenue growth was led by Collaboration and Data Center at 14% each. 
• Service Provider revenue was up 2%
• Switching and NGN Routing grew by 2% and 3%, respectively.
• Gross Margin -- On a non-GAAP basis, total gross margin and product gross margin were 62.1% and 61.0% respectively

http://investor.cisco.com/files/doc_presentations/2015/Q4FY15-Earnings-Slides_FINAL_no-guidance.pdf

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Docker Content Trust Ensures Integrity of Containers

A newly released Docker Content Trust capability uses digital signatures to ensure the integrity of Dockerized content. The idea is to allow Docker users to operate exclusively on signed content when building or deploying Dockerized applications. The capability is built using Notary and The Update Framework.

When enabled, Docker Content Trust ensures that all operations using a remote registry enforce the signing and verification of images. In particular, Docker’s central commands `push`, `pull`, `build`, `create` and `run` will only operate on images that either have content signatures or explicit content hashes.

Docker said it will be signing the Docker Hub Official Repos, providing users with a trusted set of base images they can use to build distributed applications.

“As organizations evolve from a monolithic software architecture to distributed applications, the secure distribution of software becomes increasingly difficult to solve,” said Diogo Mónica, Security Lead for Docker. “Without a standard method for validating the integrity of content, Docker has the unique opportunity to leapfrog the status quo and build a system that meets the strongest standard for software distribution. With Docker Content Trust, users have a solution that works across any infrastructure, offering security guarantees that were not previously available to them.”

Docker Content Trust also generates a Timestamp key that provides protection against replay attacks, which would allow a malicious actor to serve signed but expired content. Docker manages the Timestamp key for the user, reducing the hassle of having to constantly refresh the content client-side.

https://docs.docker.com/security/trust/content_trust/

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Windstream Expands 100G Rollout with Infinera

Windstream Carrier Solutions, which has been deploying a 100G long-haul express network using Infinera's Intelligent Transport Network solution since 2014, confirmed a number of milestones.

This year, Windstream has implemented:

• 12 new 100G markets including:  Buffalo, Denver, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa 
• added 3,900 fiber route miles featuring Infinera’s 500G super-channel technology 
• 20 Day Express Install guarantee for customers leveraging the Long-Haul Core Network

During the remainder of 2015, Windstream plans to expand 100G service to seven additional markets, including Minneapolis and Louisville in September.

The carrier also plans to add 5,600 route miles to its Long-Haul Core Network. providing additional diverse routing options from major cities.

“Carrier customers are increasingly looking to Windstream Carrier Solutions to meet their transport service needs. Windstream is uniquely positioned to provide long-haul and metro services in both Tier 1 and tertiary markets, often via diverse carrier routes,” said Joe Scattareggia, vice president of Sales for the Carrier and Content verticals at Windstream Carrier Solutions.

http://www.infinera.com/j7/servlet/NewsItem?newsItemID=467

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ADTRAN Simplifies Virtual Network Function Rollouts

ADTRAN introduced its Virtual Network Function (VNF) solution suite, offering the same feature set and proven interoperability found in ADTRAN’s advanced multi-service, multi-functional networking solutions currently deployed in small businesses.

The VNF suite is aimed at helping telecom and cable service providers to transition from embedded customer premises equipment (CPE) solutions to virtualized, software-based networks without compromising performance.

ADTRAN said that while most NFV implementation strategies utilize cloud-based VNF components sourced from various vendors to allow best-in-breed networking functions. its approach its to virtualize the most valuable CPE functions—such as routers, firewalls, enterprise session border controllers (eSBC) and voice quality monitoring (VQM).  This gives gives service providers the option to bundle them into a single VNF, eliminating multi-vendor overhead and associated server hardware related expenses.  For additional flexibility and for those service providers that want to pick and choose which network functions are virtualized, ADTRAN offers functions on a more granular basis, allowing the creation of service chains from multiple software vendors.

“ADTRAN has long provided open architecture throughout its entire portfolio of solutions and services to pre-position our customers for a smooth transition to virtual networks. Our expertise in bridging the end-to-end network – from the carrier to the enterprise – gives us unique insight into what service providers need from their VNF functionality. Giving providers the option to bundle multiple networking functions into a single VNF eases deployment headaches, improves efficiency and lowers expenses,” said Chris Thompson, director, customer device portfolio, ADTRAN. “As service providers’ business models evolve, ADTRAN is designing, integrating and managing the next generation of networking solutions to align with that forward-looking vision.”

http://www.adtran.com

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Red Hat Supports Container-Based Deployment Strategies

Red Hat release a new version of its Satellite systems management solution, adding security capabilities, enhanced discovery and container management capabilities across physical, virtual and cloud environments.

Red Hat Satellite 6.1 brings users significant upgrades in three key areas:

• Container management
• Security
• Provisioning
• Container Management

The core capabilities of Satellite 6.1 provide Docker with more control around versioning, authentication and integration with existing platforms. A scalable on-premise registry based with Role-Based Access Controls, auditing and a robust API are now available for developers seeking to manage systems in a container-based environment.

Satellite 6.1 brings upgrades to errata management, allowing users to address security, bugfix and enhancement errata. Improved reporting now enables organizations to more quickly identify and respond to hosts affected by a security vulnerability, minimizing downtime and sensitive data exposure in vulnerability scenarios such as those presented by Shellshock, Heartbleed and GHOST. Additionally, OpenSCAP, a standardized approach to maintaining enterprise system security, is now available in tech preview. OpenSCAP automatically verifies the presence of patches, checks system security configuration settings and examines systems for signs of compromise in daily/weekly/monthly cadences that can be customized by end users to best fit their own internal security protocols.

https://access.redhat.com/products/red-hat-satellite

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SoftBank Group Buys More Shares of Sprint on Open Market

Saying it believes the share price of Sprint is under valued, SoftBank Group announced a program of open market purchases of Sprint's publicly traded shares.

Speaking on Sprint's quarterly financial conference call last week, Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SBG and Chairman of Sprint, said he is enthusiastic about Sprint's prospects.

http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/

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