Coriant Offers Converged IP-Optical for Mobile Backhaul

Coriant is introducing an IP-Optical solution for mobile backhaul evolution in LTE and LTE-A networks.

Specifically, Coriant is combining its 8600 Smart Router Series, which is widely deployed in Tier 1 mobile networks, with optical layer capabilities to deliver an enhanced multi-layer solution with SDN programmability features.

The company said tighter coupling between the IP and optical domains will enable mobile operators to address key challenges as LTE/LTE-A networks evolve over time to support the stringent performance requirements of 5G. These challenges include an approximately 20-fold increase in end-user data rates (up to 10Gpbs) compared to LTE/LTE-A, ultra-low latency of 1msec round trip, and ultra-dense deployments that will set unprecedented requirements for synchronization of cells sites as small and overlapping cell sites proliferate.

Some highlights of the Coriant multi-layer solution include:

• Synchronization – optimized for ultra-dense small cell architectures and CoMP/MIMO transmission environments, Coriant’s suite of integrated synchronization capabilities (frequency, time-of-day, phase) supports the stringent end-to-end synchronization demands of LTE-TDD, LTE-A, and 5G-ready networks.
  
• Enhanced IP-Optical Layer Optimization – to support cost-efficient scalability in evolving backhaul networks, Coriant is extending the reach and cost/performance benefits of optical layer transmission with the introduction of colored interfaces on its 8600 Smart Routers. In addition, the 8600 Series is designed to support interworking with Coriant’s newly introduced Pluggable Optical Layer.
  
• LTE-A/5G-optimized Scalability – from cell site access at 10G to multi-terabit switching and transport in aggregation and metro core applications, the Coriant IP-Optical Solution delivers optimal capacity-, space-, and power-efficient scalability across the mobile backhaul network. By extending optical layer connectivity closer to the mobile edge and maximizing lowest cost-per-bit optical transport, the Coriant multi-layer solution can help network operators cost-efficiently address current LTE-A capacity and performance demands, while creating the scalable foundation for the massive scalability requirements of future 5G services and a world of highly distributed Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
  
• Multi-layer SDN Automation – powered by the Coriant Transcend SDN Solution, which includes a recently introduced SDN packet controller, the Coriant IP-Optical Solution enables multi-layer and multi-domain SDN automation and control for optimal utilization of network resources, improved reliability, and simplified end-to-end provisioning. 

“Recent industry research has reinforced the critical challenge that mobile backhaul networks face as they brace for the new scalability, latency, and synchronization requirements of 5G,” said Mikko Hannula, Director of Product Management, Coriant. “Optimizing the value of both the IP and optical layers with purpose-built solutions and ensuring world-class synchronization will enable network operators to scale cost-efficiently as they transform mobile backhaul networks to support a new era of mobile broadband and cloud connectivity.”

http://www.coriant.com

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Dialogic Jumps into Cloud-based Communications Apps Business

Dialogic announced a strategic shift towards cloud-optimized applications and infrastructure for service providers, enterprises, and developers. The privately-held company, which is based in Parsippany, New Jersey, a the leading supplier of software-based media servers and also provides Class 4 switches, MGCF, mobile signaling interworking and VoIP gateways.

As part of its transformation, Dialogic has acquired APEX Communications to accelerate its entrance into real-time communications applications for service provider customers. APEX Communications has been a long-time media processing partner of Dialogic and is a global real-time communications applications supplier with solutions for service provider and enterprise networks.

Dialogic will begin delivering packaged as well as customizable applications, including adding video to existing voice solutions, migrating existing voice / video solutions to WebRTC-based solutions and/or IMS/VoLTE-based solutions, and various forms of IoT communication applications. The company is also launching a new brand and website to reflect its expanded market focus.

“The competitive world is changing rapidly for service providers, and they need to be able to respond quickly, working with platforms and vendors that provide them the flexibility and extensibility to evolve, compete, and win,” said Bill Crank, President and CEO of Dialogic. “Through the acquisition of APEX Communications, Dialogic can now supply ‘mission-critical’ real-time communications applications directly to our customers. Additionally, we’re investing in resources to provide full application development customization of existing applications to meet the needs of customers.”

“We are very excited to be joining Dialogic as a key element of their strategy to deliver applications to service providers.  We’ve been doing just that for many years. We chose Dialogic because we felt its financial condition and global reach will enable applications to be delivered and well supported around the globe going forward,” said Ben Levy, former CEO of APEX Communications, who is now Vice President of Applications at Dialogic.

http://www.dialogic.com/

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Wind River Intros NFV Platform for vCPE

Wind River introduced a new Titanium Server CPE platform to speed the deployment of early Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) use cases such as virtualized customer premises equipment (vCPE).

The company said its Titanium Server CPE platform enables service providers to deploy cost-sensitive NFV applications such as a virtual business CPE (vBCPE) on only two servers. Each server runs the full set of carrier grade compute, control, and storage functions, while working to deliver best-in-class virtual network function (VNF) performance to maximize the number of users supported per server and thereby also maximize OPEX savings. At the same time, Titanium Server CPE helps service providers to maintain full carrier grade uptime for their vBCPE services, which enables them to minimize any revenue impact resulting from Service Level Agreement (SLA) penalties triggered by service downtime.

“Use cases such as virtual CPE are emerging as early applications of NFV that can deliver significant operational cost savings as well as improved deployment agility,” said Paul Senyshyn, vice president of commercial operations for networking solutions, Wind River. “As service providers evaluate the NFV benefits and opportunities possible today, Wind River is delivering solutions that can help the industry introduce new services, minimize costs, and maintain carrier grade reliability for business-critical services.”

The latest release of the Titanium Server portfolio provides additional new features including:

• Dynamic CPU scaling
• Increased system scalability
• Support for latest high-performance network interface cards (NICs)
• Virtual switch packet trace tool
• Support for “QinQ” tunneling
• IPv6 support for all interfaces
• Bulk provisioning and automated deployment capabilities
• Support for VNF access to hardware acceleration devices, including the Intel Communications Chipset 8925 to 8955 Series

http://www.windriver.com

Wind River Offers Reference Design for Virtual Business CPE (vBCPE)

Thursday, December 10, 2015  NFV, Wind river  No comments

Wind River introduced a reference design for a virtual business customer premises equipment (vBCPE), following extensive collaboration with four Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) software partners: Brocade, Check Point, InfoVista and Riverbed.

The vBCPE design, which runs on the Wind River Titanium Server™ NFV infrastructure (NFVI) platform, supports virtual network functions (VNFs) from each of these partners.

"We are grateful to our VNF partners for their collaboration in developing this reference design,” said Charlie Ashton, senior director of business development for networking solutions, Wind River. “Together we have demonstrated that it’s possible to integrate VNFs from multiple sources into a service chain that provides the end-to-end functionality for an enterprise-class vCPE solution, running on an NFVI platform that ensures carrier grade reliability.”

http://www.windriver.com

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Fuze Raises $112 Million for UCaaS

Fuze (formerly ThinkingPhones) closed $112 million in financing for its global voice, video, and collaboration services.

Fuze is a global, unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platform for enterprises. In 2015, the company grew revenue by more than 100 percent, adding more than 175 new customers and expanding existing customer relationships.

The new funding was led by Summit Partners and joined by existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP) and Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV). This investment brings the company’s total funding to $200 million. The new capital will be used to expand global operations and to support continued investment in innovation, with a specific focus on simplifying enterprise communications.

“Enterprises of all sizes are benefiting from new business processes and workflows associated with cloud-based communications platforms. This new investment will enable Fuze to expand geographically and accelerate our innovation to address global demand in the UCaaS, video conferencing, and web collaboration markets,” said Steve Kokinos, CEO & Co-Founder, Fuze . “We view Summit as a long-term strategic partner with deep experience scaling growth stage companies in the enterprise software and communications market. Together with our existing investors TCV, BVP, and G20, Summit’s support will help Fuze realize its vision to be the undisputed leader in this growing market. ”

http://www.fuze.com

• ThinkingPhones acquired Fuze in November 2015. In February 2016, it announced a new corporate brand platform officially uniting the companies as Fuze.
• Fuze is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and has additional locations including New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Ottawa, London, Amsterdam, Aveiro (Portugal), Paris, Zurich, and Copenhagen. 

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NEC Debuts ExpEther 40G, Connecting PCIe Devices over Ethernet

NEC announced the general availability in North America of its ExpEther 40G technology as an advanced version of ExpEther 1G/10G.

The ExpEther technology enables system expansion by connecting PCI Express devices directly, using an Ethernet infrastructure. As the ExpEther keeps the native PCI Express connectivity, the PCI Express devices can also be operated as a single system, despite being distributed in different locations connected by Ethernet. This process enables standard PCI Express configurations, interruptions, and hot plugging to be remotely performed with an Ethernet LAN, as if they were connected to a virtual single-hop PCI Express switch.

NEC said its ExpEther 40G technology delivers a compelling solution for real-time Big Data processing and other data center workload acceleration. It does so by enabling the connection of GPGPU, NVMe SSD, or FPGA-based accelerators via an Ethernet connection. NEC has closely collaborated with Xilinx, a fellow ExpEther Consortium member, to validate and enable the ExpEther 40G technology as either an IP core or an ExpEther platform leveraging Xilinx UltraScale FPGAs. NEC launched the IP core business in January 2016.

NEC hopes to develop additional business opportunities by collaborating with OpenPOWER foundation members IBM and Xilinx to increase the scalability of ExpEther technology and the Power8 Processor.

http://www.expether.org/
https://www.necam.com/

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President Obama Proposes 35% Boost in Cybersecurity Initiatives

President Obama outlined a $19 billion plans to bolster the nation's cybersecurity posture. This represents a more than 35 percent increase from last year’s national cybersecurity initiatives.

Highlights of the Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP):

• Establishes a Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity that will bring top strategic, business, and technical thinkers from outside the government to make critical recommendations on how to use new technical solutions and best practices to protect privacy and public safety
• Transforms how the government will manage cybersecurity through the proposal of a $3.1 billion Information Technology Modernization Fund and a new Federal Chief Information Security Officer to help retire, replace, and modernize legacy IT across the government
• Empowers Americans to secure their online accounts by using additional security tools – like multi-factor authentication and other identity processing steps – and by working with Google, Facebook, DropBox, Microsoft, Visa, PayPal, and Venmo to secure online accounts and financial transactions.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/09/fact-sheet-cybersecurity-national-action-plan

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A10 Networks Hits Revenue of $57 Million, up 25% YoY

A10 Networks posted record quarterly revenue of $56.6 million for Q4 2015, up 25 percent when compared with $45.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Total revenue for the year 2015 was $199.0 million, an increase of 11 percent, compared with $179.5 million reported for the year 2014. On a GAAP basis, A10 Networks reported a net loss for the fourth quarter 2015 of $7.4 million or $0.12 per share, compared with a net loss of $16.0 million or $0.26 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014.

“The fourth quarter was a strong close to the year and we are pleased with our momentum driven by our continued execution and innovation,” said Lee Chen, president and chief executive officer of A10 Networks. “Revenue in the fourth quarter exceeded our guidance and we achieved our third consecutive quarter of record revenue, while significantly improving our bottom line year-over-year. Our results this quarter were driven by a broad-based increase in demand across our ADC, CGN and TPS solutions.

http://www.a10networks.com

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Radisys Posts Q4 Sales of $44 Million, Growth in Software-Systems Sales

Radisys reported Q4 2015 revenue of $44.1 million, compared to $44.8 million in the prior quarter and $48.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Gross margin (GAAP) in the fourth quarter of 2015 was 31.6%, compared to 29.0% in the prior quarter and 29.0% in the fourth quarter of 2014. There was a GAAP net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.06 per share, in the prior quarter and GAAP net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.12 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Some highlights for Q4:

• Software-Systems revenue was $15.7 million, representing over 50% year-on-year growth, with gross margin of 61.5%;
• Received orders totaling approximately $19 million for the company’s next-generation datacenter infrastructure product, targeted at telecom and cable operators, from a tier-one North American carrier; and
• GAAP loss per share improved $0.08 year-on-year. Non-GAAP earnings were $0.08 per diluted share, an increase of $0.07 per share year-on-year.

“As highlighted in our January preannouncement, our fourth quarter results are indicative of the strong traction we are making across all of our product lines,” said Brian Bronson, Radisys President and CEO. “For the full year, we shipped over $14 million of MediaEngine product to our large Asian carrier customer, exceeded expectations by delivering over $5 million of FlowEngine products predominately to a tier-one North American carrier and returned CellEngine to revenue growth. These achievements, coupled with strong operating income from our Embedded Products segment, enabled us to exceed our initial guidance for both revenue and earnings in 2015.”

http://www.radisys.com

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Ruckus Wireless Reaches $100 Million in Sales, up 17% YoY

Ruckus Wireless reported Q4 2015 revenue of $100.1 million, an increase of 16.6% from the fourth quarter of 2014. GAAP net income was $2.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with GAAP net income of $2.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. GAAP operating income was $3.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with GAAP operating income of $3.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.

"Our fourth quarter revenue was impacted by a multi-million dollar E-rate opportunity that was postponed late in the quarter. Nevertheless, we achieved non-GAAP operating margin at the high-end of guidance, demonstrating strong operating execution," said Selina Lo, president and chief executive officer, Ruckus Wireless. "I believe our strategy remains sound and our product portfolio differentiated, keeping Ruckus in a position to outgrow the market again in 2016. We are equally focused on driving bottom-line growth in 2016, and we are committed to grow earnings faster than revenue, driving operating margin expansion throughout the year."

A few notes:

• 11ac access points in aggregate accounted for 79% of access point product sales in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from 74% in the third quarter of 2015. Wave 2 comprised 11% of access point product sales in the fourth quarter.
• The company reported 16.6% year-over-year revenue growth for the quarter; Americas revenue grew 17.3%, EMEA revenue grew 25.4% and APAC revenue grew 5.9% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Added 11 new service provider end-customers in the fourth quarter of 2015, bringing the total service provider end-customer base to over 260.
• Added approximately 4,300 enterprise end-customers in the fourth quarter of 2015, bringing the total enterprise end-customer base to over 65,000.

https://www.ruckuswireless.com/

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