Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Introducing MEF 3.0 - Nan Chen



Nan Chen introduces the MEF 3.0 Transformational Global Services Framework for defining, delivering, and certifying agile, assured, and orchestrated communication services across a global ecosystem of automated networks.

See video:  https://youtu.be/F-gQHi3SFBo


MEF 3.0 is Transformational



MEF 3.0 is now a reality, bringing the transformational services based on SDN and coming over IP and Carrier Ethernet, says Alessandro Talotta, Chairman and CEO of Telecom Italia Sparkle.

See video: https://youtu.be/a4bT5_gewqs




Google launches Cloud Spanner Multi-Region with Five 9s SLA

Google announced the general availability of its Cloud Spanner Multi-Region configurations, which enables application developers to achieve synchronous replication of transactions across regions and continents.

Google describes Cloud Spanner as "the first and only enterprise-grade, globally distributed and strongly consistent database service built specifically for the cloud that combines the benefits and familiarity of relational database semantics with non-relational scale and performance."

So, regardless of location, Cloud Spanner can read and write up-to-date (strongly consistent) data globally and do so with minimal latency for end users. Google is promising a 99.999% availability SLA with no planned downtime.

Google Cloud Spanner also ensures database resiliency in the even of regional failure.

Didi Chuxing opens Silicon Valley Lab

Didi Chuxing, the leading ride sharing service in China, opened a U.S. research facility in Mountain View, California.  The offices encompass 36,000 square feet and offer capacity for more than 200 employees.

DiDi Labs, which was officially launched in March 2017, focuses on AI-based security and intelligent driving technologies.

Bob Zhang, CTO of Didi Chuxing, said at the campus opening, “It’s been an exciting year for DiDi Labs. Our talented team is growing fast and making important contributions across our key tech areas, from smart-city transportation management, AI ride-matching, to security and new product innovation. ”

Didi Chuxing now has over 450 million users and is handling over 25 million daily rides.

DiDi acquired Uber China in August 2016.

CoreSite brings AWS Direct Connect to its Denver data center

CoreSite announced AWS Direct Connect service in its Denver campus (DE1 and DE2), which is located in the center of the city.

CoreSite noted the presence of over 75 network, cloud, and IT service providers within these two data centers.

AWS Direct Connect enables customers to directly access AWS over a private, enterprise-grade network connection.

With this expansion, CoreSite customers have direct access to all AWS Regions globally, with native connectivity to AWS Direct Connect now available in five markets including Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, and Northern Virginia. In addition, connectivity to AWS Direct Connect is available across seven major markets, including Boston and Chicago, through the CoreSite Open Cloud Exchange.

AT&T extends its 5G trial to Minneapolis

AT&T will extend its 5G Evolution trial in parts of Minneapolis in the coming months, including near the host stadium for the upcoming Super Bowl.

Minneapolis is one of 20 markets where the technology trial is expected to begin by the end of the year.

This includes upgraded cell towers with network upgrades that include ultra-fast LTE Advanced features like 256 QAM, 4x4 MIMO, and 3-way carrier aggregation.

“We’re excited about launching this new wireless network in Minneapolis in the coming months as we move towards standards-based mobile 5G,” said Marachel Knight, senior vice president, Wireless Network Architecture and Design. “The upgrades we’re making today in Minneapolis are the foundation for the future of next generation connectivity in this city.”

MACOM reports network infrastructure slowdown in China

MACOM reported revenue of $698.8 million for its fiscal year ended September 29, 2017, an increase of 28.4%, compared to $544.3 million in fiscal year 2016. Gross profit was $326.9 million, an increase of 16.1%, compared to $281.6 million in fiscal year 2016. Fiscal year 2017 gross margin was 46.8%, compared to 51.7% in fiscal year 2016.

FY 17 fourth quarter revenue was $166.4 million, an increase of 9.0%, compared to $152.7 million in the previous year fiscal fourth quarter and a decrease of 14.5% compared to $194.6 million in the prior fiscal quarter. Gross profit was $86.9 million, an increase of 6.2% compared to $81.8 million in the previous year fiscal fourth quarter, and a decrease of 6.2% compared to $92.6 million in the prior fiscal quarter.

"As expected, fiscal Q4 was a very challenging quarter, as we navigated through a hard pause in network infrastructure demand in China, impacting our entire range of Networks businesses," remarked John Croteau, President and CEO of MACOM. "Networks was down 25% sequentially, though it still grew 3% year on year. Somewhat offsetting the decline in Networks, we had a very strong quarter in our A&D and multi-market businesses, which grew 32% and 16% year-over-year, respectively.

"In the December quarter, we expect Networks demand to remain soft, and the A&D and Multi-market businesses to return to more normalized levels. We expect the December quarter will be the bottom of the down-cycle in network infrastructure, which appears to be on the verge of turning.

"We see 2018 providing a more positive environment. In addition to expecting a cyclical recovery in Telecom networks, we’ve expanded our customer footprint, and several of our secular growth drivers look to be approaching major inflection points as we secure deals with industry franchise players. We believe we are poised to be a major beneficiary of the upgrade from 40G to 100G CWDM that’s well underway inside the Data Center."