Google Highlights its Software-based "Maglev" Load Balancers

Google disclosed key details on Maglev, the software-based, network load balancer that is used to ensure consistent performance for the Google Compute Engine.

In a blog posting, Google said Maglev load balancing has been handling most of the traffic to Google services since 2008. It runs on the same, ordinary servers that the services themselves use. The system "uses Equal-Cost Multi-Path routing (ECMP) to spread incoming packets across all Maglevs, which then use consistent hashing techniques to forward packets to the correct service backend servers, no matter which Maglev receives a particular packet."

https://cloudplatform.googleblog.com/2016/03/Google-shares-software-network-load-balancer-design-powering-GCP-networking.html

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Nokia Expands 1830 Photonic Service Switch Portfolio

Nokia announced significant enhancements to its 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) portfolio, including the introduction of a new Photonic Service Engine version 2 (PSE-2) chip that enables the platform to double wavelength capacities and wavelengths per fiber. The new electro-optic chipset PSE-2 is available in two versions:

• the PSE-2 Super Coherent (PSE-2s) provides the ultimate in performance and flexibility for applications with very high traffic demands and potentially challenging distance requirements. It can be programmed with seven unique modulation formats to support optimized 100G to 500G transport wavelength capacities, and distances for applications ranging from metro to ultra-long haul - including the industry's first 400G single carrier, the first 200G long haul and the first 100G ultra-long haul. The PSE-2s lowers cost per bit per kilometer by maximizing capacity for every distance, while using 50 percent less power.
• the PSE-2 Compact (PSE-2c) is optimized for 100G DWDM applications where density, space and low power are paramount, including metro access and aggregation networks. The PSE-2c design creates more compact line cards that support "pay as you grow" pluggable optics, while consuming 66 percent less power.

The portfolio update includes:

• a new 1830 PSS-24x packet/OTN multilayer switching platform powered by a new Nokia-designed Transport Switching Engine (TSE) chipset. Nokia said that by combining a TSE-powered switch fabric with PSE-2 coherent interfaces, the 1830 PSS-24x offers 9.6 terabits of switching per half-rack shelf, scalable to 48 terabits per rack. 
• a new 1830 PSS 500G DWDM Muxponder, powered by the PSE-2s and its variable modulation capabilities, offers operators investment protection for their 1830 PSS platforms with an instant capacity upgrade, carrying as many as five 100G services per line card. The 500G line card is available and being delivered to customers now.
• an expanded Wavelength Routing solution that supports the L wavelength band, thereby doubling the number of wavelengths per fiber. By integrating PSE-2 powered interfaces and Colorless, Directionless, Contentionless, with Flexgrid (CDC-F) technology, the 1830 PSS Ultra-Wideband Wavelength Routing solution becomes the industry's first C+L band CDC-F system, giving operators unprecedented programmability in the photonic layer.

Sam Bucci, head of optical networking at Nokia, said: "When we introduced the industry's first single carrier 100G solution in 2010 we became a leader in optical network transformations, a position that was further solidified when we released the first programmable 100G/200G line card. With the launch of the PSE-2, our 500G Muxponder and the 1830 PSS-24x, we are again at the forefront of innovations, leading the way to 100G client services being the currency of modern optical networks. Thanks to the optical innovations of Nokia Bell Labs we are able to keep operators ahead of today's aggressive bandwidth demand curve."

http://www.nokia.com

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Ciena Unveils 6500 T-Series Packet-Optical Platform

Ciena unveiled a new 6500 T-Series packet/optical platform for metro and regional networks.

Ciena’s 6500 T-Series, which converges packet, OTN, and flexible WaveLogic photonics, provides up to ten times more port density, scaling from 2.4 Tb/s to 24 Tb/s in a single chassis, and to more than 100 Tb/s in a multi-chassis nodal configuration.

Ciena confirmed that Verizon is in the process of deploying the new 6500 T-Series to scale its next generation 100G metro network from both a capacity and an operational perspective, as well as efficiently distribute customizable content to end users and provide an on-demand, superior customer experience.

Ciena is also adding greater levels of openness and programmability to its entire 6500 Packet-Optical Platform family by adding open API support and the ability to leverage its Emulation Cloud, which allows service providers to create, test and fine-tune customized applications in a virtual networking environment, giving them the power to innovate and speed time-to-market for new services.

Ciena is also integrating 6500 into its Blue Planet software, enabling service providers to automate services – from creation through orchestration and delivery – across both physical and virtual domains as well as multi-vendor environments.

“More powerful smartphones, tablets and the proliferation of streaming video from consumers and businesses alike are pushing networks to the brink of current capabilities. T-Series adds powerful new capabilities to our market-leading 6500 Packet-Optical Platform family and builds on its widespread installed base to help our customers build larger, more agile and robust networks that cater to rising web-scale demands today and well into the future,” stated Scott McFeely, Senior Vice President, Networking Platforms Division, Ciena.

http://www.ciena.com

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Couchbase Raises $30 Million for NoSQL Databases

Couchbase, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, raised $30 million in a series F round of funding.

Couchbase offers a NoSQL database architected to consolidate multiple layers of functionality delivering the simplicity, speed and performance of a key value database, the flexibility of a document database, the ultra-low latency of a cache, and end-to-end mobile support with on-device storage and synchronization.

The new funding was led by Sorenson Capital with current investors participating in the round, including Accel Partners, Adams Street Partners, Ignition Partners, Mayfield Fund, North Bridge Venture Partners and West Summit. This capital will be used to accelerate sales, and expand technical support and engineering investments as Couchbase extends its leadership as the de facto standard operational database for Digital Economy businesses.

“Our business, built on customers focused on winning in the Digital Economy, is very strong. This funding round will take us to cash flow positive and should be our last round prior to an IPO,” said Bob Wiederhold, Couchbase CEO. “To be successful in the Digital Economy, businesses need to build great Web, mobile and IoT applications that deliver great user experiences that critically depend on the capabilities of the underlying operational database. Developers, architects and CIOs across every industry realize this, and are selecting Couchbase over our competitors as their operational database for modernizing their technology platforms.”

http://www.couchbase.com/

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IO Raises $505 Million for Data Center Operations & Expansion

IO, which operates data centers in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Singapore and London, raised $445 million in debt capital from Deutsche Bank and $60 million in additional growth capital from an affiliate of Macquarie Capital.

The proceeds from the Deutsche Bank loan allowed IO to refinance its existing U.S. indebtedness. In addition, IO has exercised its purchase options to acquire the land and buildings underlying its IO.New Jersey and IO.Ohio data centers. IO will use the proceeds from the Macquarie Capital transaction to further its international and domestic growth and for general corporate purposes.

IO also announced that it purchased approximately nine acres adjacent to its Phoenix data center campus and that it has plans to substantially expand capacity at that campus.

http://www.io.com

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Level 3 Activates Pacific Subsea Cable in Colombia

Level 3 Communications activated a new subsea cable landing station in Buenaventura, Colombia, giving the country a Pacific Ocean route to connect to its international network.  At launch, Level 3´s undersea system has a total installed capacity of eight terabits of which 400-gigabits are already available.

The fiber optic undersea cable runs 300 kilometers to the seaport city of Buenaventura on Colombia's Pacific coast, then 154 kilometers over land to the city of Cali, where it connects with Level 3's national fiber optic system that provides access to the main Colombian markets.

Level 3 said demand for connectivity and network services in Colombia and Latin America is rising.

http://www.level3.com

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