Friday, January 20, 2017

PTC'17: Redefining Network Connectivity - PacketFabric


PacketFabric is a cloud computing company that is redefining connectivity services by applying cloud-based principles to provisioning, delivery, and billing. Will Charnock, PacketFabric's CEO, talks about changing the consumption model for network connectivity.  Jezzibell Gilmore, VP of Business Development at PacketFabric, highlights some of the technical capabilities of the platform.

Filmed at PTC'17 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

https://youtu.be/A1i4IWO4qKo


PacketFabric Unveils its Ethernet Cloud Networking Platform

PacketFabric, a start-up based in Culver City, California emerged from stealth to launch an Ethernet-based cloud networking platform in 11 metropolitan markets across North America that aims to redefine how enterprises procure, consume, and utilize networking connectivity services.

The SDN-based, neutral layer-2 connectivity platform combines a completely automated network with terabit-scale performance. The company said its platform enables customers to instantaneously provision massively scalable network connectivity between any two or more points across its private backbone network. Users can dynamically provision capacity as needed to hundreds of different networks and major data center locations. PacketFabric’s any-to-any SDN-powered network facilitates coast-to-coast connectivity between 86 premier carrier-neutral colocation facilities across 11 U.S. markets at the time of launch.

PacketFabric leverages an advanced Application Program Interface (API) and web-based portal that provides visibility and control over the network traffic and services. Real-time analytics and interactive troubleshooting capabilities allow PacketFabric to offer the robustness of a packet-switched network, while ensuring consistent and reliable performance.

“When we set out to create PacketFabric, our goal was to completely change the networking ecosystem, radically overhauling the way companies think about procuring and maintaining their networking services. To do that, we knew we needed to combine technologies from different disciplines in a way that had never before been achieved, and deliver truly disruptive scale and performance, consistent with the vision at NantWorks," said Richard Steenbergen, Chief Technology Officer of PacketFabric. “Our platform is uniquely designed to deliver on the requirements of next-generation networks, with a robust, custom-designed orchestration layer capable of provisioning tens of millions of virtual circuits. The platform includes a real-time telemetry system designed to collect and visualize network performance data and provide complete visibility and control. PacketFabric is built on optical and packet switching platforms capable of delivering hundreds of terabits per second.”

http://www.packetfabric.com
  • PacketFabric is a member of the NantWorks portfolio of companies.


Juniper's QFX10000 Powers PacketFabric

PacketFabric has selected Juniper Networks as its principal packet-switched network infrastructure provider for its next-generation Ethernet-based cloud networking services.

PacketFabric is offering a fully automated SDN-based network that allows users to instantaneously provision terabit-scale connectivity in a direct, private and secure manner across a next-generation transport fabric, powered by Juniper's QFX10000 line of switches.

Juniper said its automation technologies enables PacketFabric's next-generation platform to provide real-time visibility and real-time interactivity, making it easier than ever before to oversee network traffic.

"PacketFabric is delivering a platform that can revolutionize how networks interconnect and interact with each other, which is an initial step towards making Digital Cohesion a reality -- an era in which multiple applications self-assemble to deliver new, predictive services. At Juniper, we are thrilled to be providing the advanced switching technology that will support the PacketFabric platform and provide its users with the superior performance, scalability and flexibility needed to have real-time and on-demand services. We look forward to continuing to work with PacketFabric to deliver networking innovation that helps their customers benefit from the cloud," stated Paul Obsitnik, vice president of portfolio marketing, Juniper Networks.

http://www.packetfabric.com
http://www.juniper.net

NEC to Build 48 Tbps Subsea Cable from Hong Kong to Guam

NEC Corp. was awarded a contract by RTI Connectivity to supply a high capacity optical submarine cable for a new system connecting Hong Kong and Guam.

The 3,900 km Hong Kong Guam Cable System (HK-G) is scheduled to begin operation in January 2020, featuring 100 Gbps optical transmission capabilities that deliver a total capacity of more than 48 Tbps.

The HK-G is slated to connect in Guam with the SEA-US optical submarine cable system that directly connects Southeast Asia to the United States, and that NEC began constructing in March 2015.

"NEC is delighted to be selected as the supplier of the HK-G Submarine Cable planned by RTI Connectivity," said Mr. Toru Kawauchi, General Manager of NEC's Submarine Network Division. "With Guam becoming a new hub in the Pacific, we look forward to helping the RTI group of companies provide for the expanding Asia-Pacific demand for more connectivity."

The contract will partially utilize capital from the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan's ICT and Postal Services (Japan ICT Fund).

http://www.nec.co.jp

Ericsson Installs 10 Gbps E-Band Radio to Base Station

Ericsson has installed a 10 Gbps microwave hop using E-Band spectrum (70/80 GHz) in a 2+0 configuration (two carriers) in T-Mobile Czech Repulic’s live network.

The installation, which uses Ericsson’s commercially available MINI-LINK 6352, connects an optical aggregation site with a base station in the Prague area. This link spans a distance of 4.85 kilometers.

Ericsson said its outdoor MINI-LINK 6352 has the capacity and functionality to enable rapid deployment of 5G networks. The unit includes an embedded L2 switch, enabling full aggregation and switching between all traffic ports, makes it flexible to fulfill almost any site needs.

Lubor Žatko, Network Development & Delivery Director, T-Mobile says: “T-Mobile has been cooperating with Ericsson in the Czech Republic for 20 years, and use their MINI-LINK solutions for base station connectivity. The introduction of the MINI-LINK 6352 E-Band unit delivers the high capacity and low latency connectivity that T-Mobile needs as we prepare for 5G applications. We appreciate Ericsson’s solutions and attention in the microwave area to take care of our future needs. This latest 10Gbps microwave hop shows the potential of a quick 5G rollout in the Czech Republic.”

Marian Bezak, Head of Czech Republic and Slovakia, Ericsson, says: “In cooperation with T-Mobile Czech Republic, Ericsson brings the newest microwave technologies to the Czech market, helping to provide the best user experience for its customers. We strongly believe that we can contribute and support T-Mobile Czech Republic to further develop the Czech telecom industry and we are looking forward to expanding our cooperation towards the 5G era.”

http://www.ericsson.com

Oracle to Acquire Apiary for API Framework

Oracle agreed to acquire Apiary, a start-up based in San Francisco that provides a framework and tools for developing application programming interfaces (APIs) for cloud-based applications and services. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Apiary said it has helped companies create hundreds of thousands of APIs. Its APIFlow framework spans the API creation lifecycle, including design, governance, testing, and documentation, while supporting API Blueprint and OpenAPI industry standards.

“Oracle’s API Integration Cloud enables companies to secure, consume, monetize, and analyze APIs,” said Amit Zavery, Senior Vice President, Integration Cloud, Oracle. “With Apiary, Oracle will also provide customers advanced capabilities to design and govern API’s, allowing companies to manage the entire API lifecycle and deliver integrated applications.”

“Oracle customers will have unique access to a comprehensive API management platform providing control and increased agility, enabling them to focus on innovation,” said Jakub NeÅ¡etÅ™il, Founder and CEO, Apiary. “We are excited to join Oracle and bring even more value to customers as part of Oracle’s Integration Cloud.”

More information about this announcement is available at

http://www.oracle.com/apiary

Private Equity Firms Acquire Source Photonics

A private equity consortium led by Redview Capital and Asia-IO, with participation from investors including TR Capital, Axiom Asia and Aberdeen Asset Management, has acquired Source Photonics from Francisco Partners.

Source Photonics is a global provider of communications and data connectivity components, including 100G QSFP28 modules.

Source Photonics was originally acquired by Francisco Partners in October 2010 as a carve-out from MRV Communications.

“Francisco Partners was an excellent partner in our transformation at Source Photonics,” said Doug Wright, Source Photonics Chief Executive Officer. “FP provided the strategic support and resources to enable the company to execute on our plan and invest in new technologies. These investments helped us strengthen our product offerings, optimize our operational capabilities, and enter new markets.”

Doug Wright continued, “We now have the building blocks in place to accelerate our growth in the global optical communications market and we look forward to working with Redview Capital and Asia-IO as we continue to execute on our strategic plan.”

http://www.sourcephotonics.com

Video: Source Photonics Demos PAM4 - 2x50G QSFP28


Pulse Amplitude Modulation encodes information in the amplitude of a series of signal pulses. In this video, Dr. Manish Mehta, EVP of Product Line Management at Source Photonics, introduces the fundamentals of PAM4 encoding, which is expected to play a major role in enabling lower cost, 100Gbps data center connections. Source Photonics conducted a live demonstration of PAM4 2x50Gbps QSFP28 transceivers at #OFC2016. These will add to the company's...


Zscaler Adds Charles Giancarlo to Board of Directors

Zscaler, which delivers cloud security services, announced the appointment of Charles Giancarlo to its Board of Directors.

Giancarlo is the former Chief Technology and Development Officer for Cisco Systems and now serves as a Managing Director at Silver Lake Partners.

"Zscaler is what we would have built a decade ago if only we had foreseen the critical role that security would play in making the internet safe for business," said Giancarlo. "Zscaler is leading the next wave of security in a world where data and applications are rapidly moving to the cloud and people expect to have access to all their information from anywhere using any device. In this new world, security needs a completely new approach. Zscaler is architected from the ground up on the belief that all devices are suspect and network perimeters no longer exist."

http://www.zscaler.com