Amdocs will serve as integrator for telecom companies and cloud developers who want to use AT&T’s ECOMP platform to build their own software-centric network services.
ECOMP is the service orchestration system that powers the AT&T software-defined network (SDN). Earlier this month, AT&T confirmed that it is committed to releasing ECOMP into open source. Amdocs said it will help companies deploy that open source software into their own networks. ECOMP is a vital tool for service providers struggling to meet today’s network demands while preparing for an even greater load in the next few years from applications like virtual reality and augmented reality, 4K video and the Internet of Things.
“ECOMP is the engine of our software-centric network. And recently, we revealed our plan to build a global community around ECOMP to help service providers and developers meet the network demands of next-gen technologies,” said Chris Rice, VP of Advanced Technologies and Architecture at AT&T Labs. “Today, we’re excited to share that a few months back Amdocs became an early collaborator on ECOMP and will become an integrator for ECOMP in the industry. We believe ECOMP will set the standard for virtual network (VNF) automation, and Amdocs will support the growth of the platform as more and more service providers begin using it.”
“Achieving better service agility is at the heart of this initiative and is one of the key business imperatives. Using carrier-optimized cloud infrastructure to separate hardware and software layers will increase the value of the network by allowing the rapid onboarding of new services to our customers,” said Anthony Goonetilleke, division president at Amdocs. “Together, we will deliver the ECOMP platform to the industry to simplify network environments and drive operational and capital savings, while continuing to accelerate service innovation and network value through agile software powered networks.”
AT&T confirmed that it is committed to releasing into open source its current Enhanced Control, Orchestration, Management and Policy (ECOMP) platform, which is the service orchestration system that powers the AT&T software-defined network (SDN).
AT&T said ECOMP is mature, feature-complete, and tested in real-world NFV deployments. The company believes open source ECOMP will bring maturity to SDN and become the industry standard for orchestration, management and policy control.
By releasing the ECOMP code as open source, AT&T said other service providers will be able to use this software to meet non-stop network demands as data-hungry technologies like autonomous cars, augmented and virtual reality, 4K video and the Internet of Things (IoT) take off.
“In March, we opened the hood of our network, showed you the engine and the industry responded asking to join us,” said John Donovan, Chief Strategy Officer and Group President, Technology and Operations, AT&T. “Over the last few years, AT&T invented what we believe to be the most sophisticated, comprehensive and scalable software-centric network in the world. Today, we’re letting anyone use and build upon our millions of lines of software code by committing to releasing it into the open source community.”
“This is a big decision and getting it right is crucial,” Donovan continues. “We want to build a community – where people contribute to the code base and advance the platform. And, we want this to help align the global industry. We’ve engaged a third-party company to be the integrator and provide support in the industry for the ECOMP platform. And we’ve received positive feedback from major global telecom companies. We’re excited to share more on that front very soon.”
http://about.att.com/story/network_playbook_into_open_source.html
Big changes are underway in the IT industry, with new architectures being defined for application delivery, new cloud models, and the rise of software-defined everything, says VMware's Yanbing Li, Senior VP and GM of Storage and Availability.
The microQSFP connectors are the next step forward in high-density faceplates for data center infrastructure. MicroQSFP connectors deliver QSFP28 functionality in a smaller, generally SFP-sized form factor while providing significantly better thermal performance to help save energy costs, improved electrical performance at 25 gigabits per second (Gbps) and 33 percent higher density than QSFP to fit more ports on a standard line card.
GAAP gross margin for the quarter was 47.8% compared to 47.5% in the first quarter of 2016 and 46.7% in the second quarter of 2015. GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 6.2% compared to 6.1% in the first quarter of 2016 and 8.0% in the second quarter of 2015.
