NTT Develops Flexible Access System Architecture with Virtualized OLTs

NTT is developing a new Flexible Access System Architecture (FASA) that aims to leverage a new generation of virtualized optical line terminals (OLTs).

NTT said FASA will not make use of conventional purpose-built equipment, but instead modularize the various individual functions of access equipment as much as possible. The idea is to use generic OLT hardware that allows modularized software components to run for specific functions, such as bandwidth control, OAM, multicast, and future services.  NTT is developing an API with multiple industry partners. The first API is schedule for release in May 2016.

With FASA, the components of access equipment are separated into the three types: 1) Software components, 2) Generic hardware, and 3) External modules. FASA enables access equipment to provide its necessary functions through the unrestricted combination of these three component types. With software components (1), it will become possible to add new functions quickly and flexibly just by adding or updating necessary software in response to the requirements of services. For the generic functions of access equipment, generic hardware (2) will make it less frequently necessary to newly develop equipment from the device level by striving to achieve a set of common generic components. The creation of such components can also be expected to lower equipment costs and make maintenance simpler by reducing the number of component types that need maintenance. For functions like optical transmission that are difficult to address with either software components or generic hardware, things like optimal transmission capacities can be achieved through the use of external modules (3) that can be substituted for dedicated hardware in response to the requirements of services.

NTT is also working on a a visualized testing environment.  Its NetroSphere concept will undertake testing of FASA and other key technologies, such as Multi-Service Fabric (MSF), new server architecture (MAGONIA), and Integrated Management.

http://www.ntt.co.jp/news2016/1602e/160208a.html

NTT's NetroSphere Concept Pushes NFV to Next Level

Sunday, February 22, 2015  #NFV, NTT  No comments

NTT outlined its work developing the “NetroSphere concept” -- a new way build carrier network infrastructure that differs from other NFV approaches by taking the decoupled software/hardware paradigm all the way down to the component level.

NTT said its approach promises enhanced flexibility and elasticity while also drastically reducing costs. Breaking up the functions of conventional large-scale equipment into modules will enable a greater diversity of suppliers to participate in the market and hence widen the selection of available products.

Instead of using conventional purpose-built high-functionality equipment, NetroSphere aims to divide them into small modular components, and flexibly assemble those components at will.  NetroSphere will not limited to decoupling software components from equipment. It pursues modularization as much as possible, ultimately at the sub-device level such as the CPU and memory. These modules will be distributed in locations that are optimal for each type of them, and prepared to be used as resource pool. Then, they will be virtually assembled to form a virtual system to provide required functions.

There are two components to the NetroSpher concept:  (1) Multi-Service Fabric (MSF), an architectural design of carrier network in which functions are achieved using simple general-purpose servers and switches, and (2) New Server Architecture (MAGONIA).

NTT plans to open its work on “MAGONIA” and “Multi-Service Fabric (MSF)” to other carriers and vendors.

http://www.ntt.co.jp/news2015/1502e/150219a.html

Read More

NTT Com Cuts Latency for JPX-SGX Interconnect

NTT Communications has activated a new, ultra-low-latency connectivity service between the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) and Singapore Exchange (SGX). This new connectivity service will offer the telecom industry’s lowest-latency level for international leased lines that directly connect the colocation facilities of JPX and SGX.

The carrier claims a latency of just 63.5 milliseconds between JPX’s Access Point 3-equipped data center (AP3 center), where many financial institutions have their servers, and SGX’s data center. The latency level is a round-trip latency measured using a 1Gbps test cable and 1000Base-LX/64-bite packet environment. The latency level may vary depending on network environment.

Since April 2015, NTT Com's JPX-SGX Co-Location Direct has been providing the lowest-level latency between JPX and SGX at 63.7 milliseconds by leveraging the company's Asia Submarine Cable Express (ASE), the shortest cable route between Japan and Singapore. This new connectivity service succeeds in further shortening that time by adding an NTT Com Point of Presence (PoP) at the AP3 center in a more advantageous location that connects to the landing point via the shortest possible route. Additionally, since the new PoP is directly connected to the structured cable, an external connection is no longer needed, ultimately reducing the lead time.

http://www.ntt.com/aboutus_e/news/data/20160208.html

Read More

Bell to Offer IBM Cloud Services in Canada

Bell, Canada's largest communications company, will give businesses across Canada access to the IBM Cloud via a secure, high-speed private connection.

New services include:

• Bell Cloud Connect: connecting the largest and most advanced IP network in Canada to IBM Cloud for end-to-end performance, security and reliability
• Bell Cloud Compute: running on IBM Cloud to offer a secure, scalable, self-serve environment for managed virtual machines that improves operational performance while reducing costs
• Backup & Restore: providing access to IBM Cloud to protect customer data and applications through a secure backup location as well as ensuring availability of data and applications.

"Bell is an established leader in data hosting and cloud computing, providing customers with exceptional support from an expert nationwide team,” said Tom Little, President, Bell Business Markets. “With businesses of all kinds increasingly relying on cloud services for their mission critical applications, adding IBM Cloud services to Bell Business Cloud provides customers with the seamless integration, security and dependability they expect and require.”

https://business.bell.ca/shop/enterprise/business-cloud
http://www.ibm.com

Read More

CTIA Calls for Mobile Device Theft Prevention Database

CTIA has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to create and operate the Mobile Device Information Portal based on the Mobile Device Theft Prevention (MDTP) Working Group's recommendations to the FCC's Technological Advisory Council (TAC).

Using multiple source databases, the Mobile Device Information Portal will provide timely, succinct responses so that consumers and commercial resellers know if a mobile device is reported lost or stolen before they purchase it. In addition, law enforcement will be able to check, and hopefully return, found mobile devices to their authorized users.

By creating a central portal of reported lost and stolen mobile devices, it will help limit the black market resale of these used mobile devices in the United States.

CTIA will oversee the creation and implementation of the Mobile Device Information Portal.

The RFP is available at: http://www.ctiasmartphonecheck.org/

Read More

Infoblox Acquires IID for Cyber Threat Intelligence

Infoblox has acquired IID, a leader in global cyber threat intelligence, for $45 million in cash.

IID, based in Tacoma, Washington, collects threat data from thousands of trusted sources including law-enforcement agencies, Internet infrastructure providers, and open-source providers. IID’s threat research team verifies, enhances, and aggregates this data to create clear, high-quality machine-readable threat intelligence (MRTI) that is compatible with automation standards such as STIX and TAXII. This consolidated threat intelligence is distributed to more than 100 customers, among them dozens of Fortune 500 companies and U.S. government agencies, including Microsoft and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Infoblox specializes in managing DNS, DHCP, and IP addresses—the category known as DDI. Because these services are uniquely at the center of every network, Infoblox is well positioned to spot suspicious activity, instantly block outbound communications to malicious destinations, and prevent exfiltration of intellectual property, customer information, and other sensitive data. Infoblox said the addition of IID’s ActiveTrust federated threat intelligence and big-data analytics platform enables its customers to get true context-aware security—harnessing real-world data from an organization’s IT infrastructure to improve the accuracy and relevance of security decisions.
f-premise.

“By bringing together the deep and very rich threat intelligence from IID with the context and the central control point that Infoblox has in the network through our DDI services, we can deliver a unique value proposition to our customers and the partners that resell our products,” said Jesper Andersen, president and chief executive officer of Infoblox. “Infoblox and IID are also both committed to the emerging standards for automated sharing of threat intelligence information that will help extend our ecosystem.”

Last year, Infoblox and IID partnered in creation of the Infoblox DNS Threat Index, a quarterly report tracking the growth of malicious domains created by cybercriminals.

https://www.infoblox.com/

http://www.internetidentity.com

Read More

Con Edison Picks Silver Spring for Smart Grid and IoT

Con Edison and Orange & Rockland (O&R) Utilities, both regulated operating companies of Consolidated Edison, selected Silver Spring to support its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) plan for electric and gas customers. The program is expected to connect approximately 3.9 million electric and 1.3 million gas customers through the deployment of Silver Spring’s multi-application networking, data, and control platform.

“We are honored to partner with Con Edison and O&R on this groundbreaking project,” said Mike Bell, CEO and President of Silver Spring Networks. “The technology being deployed and their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers through the application of advanced technology builds on their nearly two centuries of innovation and customer service.”

Silver Spring also announced upgrades to its Gen5 critical infrastructure networking platform, including doubling the maximum speed of its Gen5 network to up to 2.4 Mbps, increasing computational performance by 10x, supporting simultaneous mesh communication on both 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies, integrating 4G LTE communications, and delivering simplified modularity for easier device integration. These Gen5 platform enhancements, coupled with Silver Spring’s existing multi-application, range, latency, scale, distributed intelligence, and power optimization capabilities, further enable utilities, cities and other Internet of Things (IOT) device and application providers to deliver multiple applications on a single, unified network without compromising reliability, speed, security, or cost.

Silver Spring said its systems are now supporting nearly 23 million devices.

http://www.silverspringnet.com/blog

Read More

Eutelsat Prepares for Launch of Latin American Satellite

Space Systems Loral (SSL) delivered the EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite to the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. The advanced high throughput satellite will be used by Eutelsat to provide new broadcast and broadband services in Brazil and across Latin America.

EUTELSAT 65 West A has 10 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, for video and data services and 24 Ka-band spot beams for broadband connectivity in key regions. The satellite is designed to provide approximately 16-kW of power at end of life. It is based on the SSL 1300 platform.

"EUTELSAT 65 West A is an exceptional and complex satellite with advanced capabilities that will bring information, entertainment and new opportunities to Latin America and to Brazil in an Olympic year," said John Celli, president of SSL. "It is our pleasure to collaborate closely with the Eutelsat team, which shares our focus on innovation and performance."

http://www.eutelsat.com
http://www.sslmda.com

Read More