Wednesday, November 1, 2017

NTT Com launches low latency Tokyo-Chicago link

NTT Communications (NTT Com) has launched an ultra-low-latency connectivity service between Tokyo and Chicago.

The JPX-Chicago Co-Location Direct links the financial markets of Tokyo operated by Japan Exchange Group (JPX), including the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the Cermak data center used by trading firms in Chicago. For the lowest latency, NTT Com’s point of presence (PoP) in the JPX colocation center connects directly to the PC-1, NTT Com’s submarine cable linking Japan and U.S. in the shortest route available.

NTT Com is also offering low-latency connections between JPX and financial markets in Hong Kong and Singapore. The high-speed connections can be used for high-frequency algorithm trading.

Juniper intros disaggregated Optical Line System

Juniper Networks is introducing a new optical line solution that disaggregates hardware from network control software.

The new optical solution, which features the Juniper Programmable Photonic Layer and new TCX1000 Series Programmable ROADM aims to bring flexibility, cost control and multi-layer visibility to packet-optical transport.

The new TCX1000 is enabled by a colorless, directionless, flex-grid ready programmable ROADM device from Lumentum. The ROADM supports 100G, 200G, 400G rates and above, without having to upgrade line system hardware.

Juniper's proNX Optical Director microservices-based optical network management and control software uses a microservices-based architecture that allows operators to integrate customer and third-party applications in an agile operational environment. Additionally, proNX Optical Director uses a standards-based YANG API to integrate seamlessly with Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller, which enables network visibility and coordination from Layer 0 to Layer 3.

Juniper said operators can now confidently disaggregate the line system hardware from the transponder layer and from the photonic layer control plane to better optimize the network for use cases such as data center interconnect.

"The continuously evolving dynamics presented by the cloud requires that all elements of the network be agile, open and easily disaggregated -- and Juniper is ensuring that the optical layer follows suit. Closed systems that prevent true agility abound, but Juniper understands the importance of disaggregation and we're excited to give customers the power to move faster within the cloud era with a true turnkey solution for end-to-end packet optical network operation," stated Donyel Jones-Williams, Director of Service Provider Portfolio Marketing, Juniper Networks.

Juniper unveils Cloud-Grade Networking


Juniper Networks has announced new developments with Cloud-Grade Networking, designed to offer service providers and enterprises a simplified way of building cloud networks that allow faster provision of services.

Juniper's Cloud-Grade Networking establishes a new set of principles for the way applications and services are architected, delivered and secured and combines telemetry, automation and machine learning capabilities to support the transition to the cloud.

Cloud-Grade Networking is based on four principles: a platform-first approach, disaggregation, a Self-Driving Network, and software-defined security. This foundation is designed to bring cloud agility and scale to network operators, speed innovation and streamline operations. Leveraging new orchestration and automation capabilities, this approach combines carrier-grade reach and reliability with enterprise-grade control and usability.
Juniper's Cloud-Grade Networking approach specifically features:

1.         Junos Node Slicing, based on the ability of Junos OS to support the convergence of multiple concurrent network functions on the same physical routing infrastructure by decoupling the network software from the underlying infrastructure.

2.         Universal Chassis, a cloud-grade chassis supported on the new PTX10008, PTX10016, QFX10008 and QFX10016, and in the future the MX series line cards, which allows customers to standardise on a hardware platform across the data centre, core and network edge; by decoupling line cards from the physical chassis, users can reduce the operational complexity of sourcing, procuring and deploying disparate routing platforms across different use cases.

3.         Professional services (PS), including two new automation PS engagements, with a PS that provides continuous network infrastructure integration to automate design, test, deployment and audit network environments, enabling evaluation of new network changes within hours.

4.         NorthStar controller enhancements, with Juniper's wide-area network SDN offering extended support for Source Packet Routing in Networking (SPRING) for more precise traffic engineering control and programmability across the network, plus support for real-time stream telemetry via the Junos Telemetry Interface (JTI).


Juniper to Acquire BTI Systems for Metro Optical and DCI

Juniper Networks has agreed to acquire BTI Systems, a supplier of cloud and metro networking systems and software. Financial terms were not disclosed.

BTI Systems, which is based in Ottawa, features a software-driven metro optical networking architecture.  BTI’s flagship metro packet optical networking system (BTI 7800 Series Packet Optical Transport platform) offers high-density 10G/40G/100G connectivity for metro service providers. The platform leverages 100G Coherent modules and features integrated ROADM capability and MPLS switching. The compact BTI 7000 Series integrates MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0-certified switching, 10G WDM optical layer and 2 Degree and 4 Degree ROADM Dynamic Optical Layer capability. BTI's Intelligent Cloud Connect platform for data center interconnect delivers up to 3.36Tbps of full duplex wavelength capacity in a compact 14RU footprint, and is scalable to more than 10Tbps in a single rack.  The company claims more than 380 customers (service providers, content providers, colocation providers and cloud infrastructure companies) in over 40 countries.

Juniper said the acquisition will accelerate its delivery of open and automated packet optical transport solutions that integrate with its NorthStar Controller, including network management features that enable end-to-end provisioning of new services.  The deal is expected to close in Q2 of this year.

Equinix cites wins from Alibaba, Baidu, Blade, Charter, Netflix

Equinix reported quarterly revenue $1,152 million, up 25% year over year (10% yoy on a normalized and constant currency basis), and up 8% over the previous quarter. The figure includes $137 million of revenues from the acquisition of 29 Verizon data centers. Net income was $80 million.

Some highlights:

  • Record number of new wins across every vertical in Q3, 
  • 10 new Fortune 500 wins from the enterprise and financial services verticals
  • The network vertical achieved record bookings with expansions from Charter Communications, and with continued momentum within the subsea space from Seaborn Networks and Aqua Comms.
  • Interconnection revenues in Q3 grew 31% yoy and 17% year-over-year on a normalized and constant currency basis, significantly outpacing colocation revenues and reflecting the movement towards Interconnection Oriented Architecture.
  • Cross-connects between customers increased to more than 248,000, and the Equinix Cloud Exchange platform now serves more than 950 customers.
  • Key customer wins and expansions included Alibaba.com, Baidu, Blade, Charter Communications, Netflix, Priceline.com, Oracle, Salesforce.com, SAP, Tencent and Walmart

Oclaro posts rising revenue - 100G now 81% of sales

Oclaro reported revenues of $155.6 million for the first quarter of its fiscal 2018, compared with revenues of $149.4 million in the preceding quarter , and revenues of $135.5 million for the period a year earlier.

GAAP gross margin was 40.3% for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. GAAP operating income was $31.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. This compares with GAAP operating income of $29.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, and GAAP operating income of $17.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

"The Oclaro team once again produced strong quarterly results, fueled by our CFP2-ACO and QSFP product lines.  We generated sequential revenue growth and strong profitability," said Greg Dougherty, Chief Executive Officer, Oclaro. "Our near-term visibility includes continued softness in China, compounded by a recent slowdown in data center sales.  Despite our reduced outlook, we expect to remain solidly profitable for the December quarter, which would serve as a further testament to our strong financial model."



Aerohive lands OEM deal with Dell EMC

Aerohive Networks announced an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) agreement with Dell EMC covering its full portfolio of Wi-Fi Access Points and HiveManager NG Cloud Management Platform as a Dell EMC-branded solution.

Aerohive said the agreement includes comprehensive and collaborative sales, marketing, support, services, and logistics capabilities that enable Dell EMC’s sales teams and channel partners to go to market with a unified Wi-Fi and Switching solution that is managed by a Dell EMC-branded and Aerohive-based Cloud. The OEM agreement announced today is globally operational, effective immediately.

“We are proud that Dell EMC has shown the confidence in both our product and organization to move to a full OEM partnership,” said David Flynn, chief executive officer, Aerohive Networks. “With Dell EMC’s global reach as a trusted partner to IT organizations around the globe, Aerohive now has a partner that is a force multiplier to help drive Cloud Managed Wi-Fi and Switching to the broader market.”

BT awards 5-year contract renewal to Ciena

BT awarded a five-year contract renewal to Ciena to deploy its 6500 Converged Packet Optical Platform. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The UK-wide deployment, which commenced in summer 2017, will enable BT to grow its optical services business.

Telia to sell its 19% stake in MegaFon to Gazprombank

Telia Company is selling its 19% holding in MegaFon to Gazprombank for RUB 514 per share, raising gross proceeds of RUB 60.4 billion (equivalent to approximately SEK 8.6 billion or US$1.03 billion).

MegaFon (Russian: МегаФон), which is based in Moscow, is the second largest mobile phone operator[3] and the third largest telecom operator in Russia.

Gazprombank has agreed to a lock-up of six months from the date of the sale, subject to certain exceptions.

Gazprombank is the third largest bank in Russia and is funding the acquisition with cash in immediately available funds.

Telia noted that although Gazprombank is subject to EU capital market sanctions and to Russia US Directive 1 Sanctions, which prohibit US and EU companies from financing, directly or indirectly, entities that are subject to the sanctions, this transaction does not involve any financing of Gazprombank or any trade in stock or other securities issued by Gazprombank and the sanctions are therefore not applicable.

Telia narrows focus on Nordics and Baltics


The summer break is now well past its peak for many regions. For telecom operators, traffic must be carried whether the whole country is on holiday or not, and this is surely the case for Telia Company. The recent news from Stockholm was not good. A disappointing financial report for Q2 2017 issued on July 20th forced the company to announce a 3% cut in employment, or roughly 850 people, just before the summer holidays and precisely the time many...


Inphi sees boost from DCI and DSP segments

Citing an increase in demand for its "COLORZ" inter-data center solutions and coherent DSP products from its ClariPhy acquisition, Inphi reported Q3 revenue of $84.5 million (GAAP), up 19% year-over-year, compared with $70.7 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Gross margin from continuing operations under GAAP was 49.8%, compared with 68.1% in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to a Q3 impairment charge of acquired intangibles. GAAP operating loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2017 was $52.5 million or (62.1%) of revenue from continuing operations, compared to GAAP income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2016 of $10.2 million or 14.5% of revenue from continuing operations.

“Q3 was a solid quarter of execution for Inphi, in a market still waiting for a rebound in China long haul and metro,” said President and CEO Ford Tamer. “Once again, we had strong growth in the data center market from COLORZ, and we continue to introduce new PAM-based products, like Vega and Polaris that will lead to continued growth in the data center market in 2018 and beyond.”