IDC: Cloud infrastructure spending continues double-digit growth rate

Vendor revenue from sales of infrastructure products (server, enterprise storage, and Ethernet switch) for cloud IT, including public and private cloud, grew 48.4% year over year in the second quarter of 2018 (2Q18), reaching $15.4 billion, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker. IDC also raised its forecast for total spending (vendor recognized revenue plus channel revenue) on cloud IT infrastructure in 2018 to $62.2...

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California enacts Net Neutrality law, Washington moves to block

California governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018 (Senate Bill 822), which prohibits fixed and mobile Internet service providers from blocking lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices, impairing or degrading lawful Internet traffic on the basis of Internet content, application, or service, or use of a nonharmful device, and specified practices relating to zero-rating. The...

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SSE teams with Three UK and O2 for fibre through London sewers

SSE Enterprise Telecoms, which operates a 13,700km private telecoms network and an estate of 15 data centres across the UK,  announced a fibre agreement with Three UK and O2 that will form the basis of enhanced fibre access in the country’s capital. The companies will intend to deploy fibre through the sewers of London to enhance backhaul capabilities of 4G and 5G networks. Under the agreement with Three UK and O2, approximately 100 points...

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South Atlantic Cable System ready for service with Angola-Brazil

The South Atlantic Cable System (SACS), which is a 40 Tbps, 6,165 km cable linking Angola to Brazil, is now on-stream and open for commercial traffic. SACS features four fibre pairs, with each fibre pair capable of transmitting 100 wavelengths at 100 Gbps. NEC served as lead contractor on the project. The SACS cable system lands at Sangano cable landing station in Angola, near the capital city of Luanda, and will provide onward connectivity to...

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Facebook open sources LogDevice data store

Facebook is committing to the open source community its LogDevice distributed data store for sequential data. LogDevice was originally developed and currently deployed within Facebook for a variety of workloads, including event streaming, replication pipelines, transaction logs, and deferred work journals. LogDevice comes with a command-line administration tool called LDShell. https://code.fb.com/core-data/open-sourcing-logdevice-a-distributed...

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Gremlin adds $18m in funding for its Failure-as-a-service

Gremlin, a start-up based in San Francisco, announced $18 million in Series B for its Failure-as-a-Service platform. Gremlin, which was founded by a former engineer at Amazon and Netflix, said it helps customers build more resilient system through a new engineering philosophy called chaos engineering. The new tool simulates how a system would react when encountering challenges, such as network latency, data center outages, etc. With nearly a dozen...

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Zayo to supply high-bandwidth IP to Mexican carrier

Zayo announced a contract to provide a high-bandwidth IP solution to a leading Mexican carrier. The solution will facilitate interconnection to U.S.-based content, gaming and webscale companies via Zayo’s data center at 1950 N. Stemmons in Dallas. Zayo operates a Tier 1 IP backbone delivering IP solutions in North American and European data centers and Internet exchange points. “We continue to see growing demand from global carriers for interconnection,...

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Molex to acquire Laird Connected Vehicle Solutions Division

Molex agreed to acquire the Connected Vehicle Solutions division of Laird Limited. Financial terms were not disclosed. Laird CVS specializes in the design, development and delivery of vehicle antenna systems, smart device integration and vehicle connectivity devices. Molex said the acquired solutions will add to its agile connected vehicle technology ecosystem, which feature a 10Gbps Ethernet backbone for automotive OEMs building next-generation,...

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Facebook plans big expansion of Virginia data center campus

Facebook announced a major expansion of its data center campus in Henrico County, Virginia. Under the plan, Facebook will build two new data center buildings, for a total of five at this campus. Facebook said the expansion builds on its original $1 billion investment in its initial 940,000 square foot campus, and that there are currently more than 800 construction workers on-site and, so far, over 925,000 hours have gone into building the project. Facebook...

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AWS intros EC2 12 TB instances for large in-memory databases

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the availability of new High Memory instances for Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) for running large in-memory databases, including production deployments of SAP HANA. Amazon EC2 High Memory instances deliver 6 TB, 9 TB, and 12 TB of memory today, with 18 TB and 24 TB instances coming in 2019. These are the largest memory sizes available in the cloud, according to AWS. “Amazon EC2 provides the most...

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SoftBank tests Non-IP Data Delivery for NB-IoT

SoftBank is testing NIDD (Non-IP Data Delivery) for NB-IoT over its commercial network. NIDD, which is defined by 3GPP, enables users to transmit data to IoT devices without allocating an IP address. Two benefits are cited: better security by not using IP in transmission; and better efficiency by not requiring header information. SoftBank said it aims to leverage NIDD technology to introduce and commercialize devices tailored to various businesses...

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Cignal AI: Compact modular optical equipment market to top $1 billion in 2018

The market for compact modular optical equipment is on track to top $1 billion in revenue this year, according to the latest Optical Applications Report from Cignal AI. the category includes equipment designed specifically for use in DCI, open & disaggregated hardware applications. Cignal AI has raised its CY18 forecast for 200G and 400G coherent port shipments and cut its 100G coherent forecast. “Operators are rapidly adopting second and third...

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ECOC 2018: Synopsys and SMART Photonics announce InP kit

At ECOC 2018, Synopsys and SMART Photonics, which is a European manufacturer of InP Photonics components with production and research facilities located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, introduced a production-ready process design kit (PDK) based on SMART Photonics' Indium Phosphide (InP) process. Synopsys said its PIC Design Suite, which comprises OptSim Circuit and OptoDesigner tools, provides a seamless PIC design flow from idea to manufacturing...

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ECOC 2018: Inphi highlights 100G and 400G Single Lambda PAM4

At ECOC 2018, Inphi highlighted its ecosystem collaboration with multiple optical solution industry leaders, including AOI, Delta Electronics and Source Photonics, showing readiness in delivering 100Gbps and 400Gbps PAM4 based module solutions for hyperscale cloud data center networks. “As the pioneer of PAM based solutions with a proven history in the data center, Inphi is excited to be demonstrating single lambda PAM4 based solutions in conjunction...

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ECOC 2018: Tektronix shows PAM4 test and debug solutions

At ECOC 2018, Tektronix showcased its optical test solutions, including: PAM 4 Testing - DSA8300 sampling oscilloscope with an 80GHz optical sampling module showing support for IEEE 802.3bs based 400G optical testing for TDECQ, including new advances in high-sensitivity single-mode/multi-mode optical measurements for NRZ and PAM-4. PAM 4 design and debug- DPO70000SX 70GHz ATI performance oscilloscope analyze single shot PAM-4 signals with live triggering...

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Nokia Bell Labs joins Alex Thomson Racing for Vendée Globe race

Nokia Bell Labs will serve as Technology Partner to UK-based sailing team Alex Thomson Racing. Skipper Alex Thomson, supported by his onshore team, will compete in the next Vendée Globe race, a 24,000-mile solo, non-stop unassisted sailing race around the world. The next Vendée Globe is scheduled to begin in November 2020. The Vendée Globe race is often described as "the ultimate physical and psychological challenge" especially as the boats traverse...

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In Memoriam: Sir Charles Kuen Kao, 1933-2018, Pioneer of Fiber Optics

Sir Charles Kuen Kao, recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics, passed away on September 23rd in Hong Kong. Dr. Kao, who was often called the "Father of Fibre Optics", is credited with breakthrough research in the realization of fiber optics as a telecommunications medium in the 1960s while at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories (STL) based in Harlow, UK. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1965 from University College London. Over...

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FCC eases regulatory barriers for small cells and 5G infrastructure

The FCC adopted an order aimed at removing regulatory barriers that inhibit the deployment of infrastructure necessary for 5G and other advanced wireless services. In a Declaratory Ruling, the FCC focuses primarily on local fees for the authorizations necessary to deploy small wireless facilities.  Specifically, the Declaratory Ruling concludes that state and local governments may not charge fees that "are greater than a reasonable approximation...

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Ericsson and Telstra complete 100-km NB-IoT connection

Ericsson and Telstra announced a technical milestone for extending IoT over long distances. The companies have deployed and tested Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) data connections up to 100km from a base-station in Telstra’s commercial network — the longest-range NB-IoT connection of its kind. Telstra said this helps extend its LTE footprint in rural and regional Australia. Ericsson notes the achievement extends the 3GPP standards-based...

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ECOC 2018: Cisco shows 400 Gigabit Ethernet Nexus switch

At ECOC 2018. as part of the 100G Lambda multisource agreement (MSA) interoperability demonstration, Cisco demonstrated Nexus 32-port 100 GbE & 400 GbE 1RU switches populated with modules from various manufacturers. In a blog post, Cisco's Mark Nowell writes "It is very exciting that 400 GbE is now becoming available for testing, deployment, and adoption by network operators, paving the way for Terabit Scale Ethernet being a mainstream technology....

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ECOC 2018: EXFO reveals open transceiver system for testing 400G and up

At ECOC 2018, EXFO unveiled a new 400G test module featuring its Open Transceiver System (OTS), which is a modular design concept that enables compatibility between current or future high-speed transceivers and EXFO's test platforms (lab and field). EXFO said inserts to test specific transceiver types, including those used in 400G systems (e.g., QSFP-DD, OSFP, COBO, and CFP8), eliminate the need to replace entire testing modules and can be interchanged...

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ECOC 2018: Sicoya shows 100G Embedded Optical Module, 400G DR4

At ECOC 2018, Sicoya held private demonstrations of one chip 100G solutions based on its SETR-CDR-E100 Silicon Photonic Engine, which integrates CDRs, TIAs, drivers, modulators, and PINs. The engine enables QSFP28 transceivers using chip on board assembly technology or embedded optical modules utilizing Sicoya's optical ASIC packaging solution. Highlights: a 100G Embedded Optical Module (EOM) that comes in a 20x20mm BGA ASIC package. The EOM can...

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ECOC 2018: ColorChip shows 40-400G optical transceivers

At ECOC 2018, ColorChip showcased its portfolion of optical transceivers ranging from 40 to 400G. During the exhibition, ColorChip demonstrated a new family of 100G-400G PAM4 optical transceivers, including 100G Single-Lambda PAM4 QSFP28, 200G FR4 (2km) and LR4 (10km) QSFP56 and 400G QSFP56-DD DR4/FR4 transceivers, built with power efficient uncooled DML/EML-based CWDM4 optical engines. ColorChip's CEO, Yigal Ezra, commented: "Today we are proud...

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ECOC 2018: MaxLinear intros 400 Gbps DR4 Optical Modules, 100G transceiver/driver

At ECOC 2018, MaxLinear introduced a 100 Gbps transceiver with integrated driver. MaxLinear’s new MxL93512 is part of the Telluride family of devices, which are DSP SoCs with integrated electro-absorption modulated laser (EA-EML) drivers for 100 Gbps/400 Gbps optical interconnects. The new device allows optical module vendors to develop a 100 Gbps optical interconnect module in a compact form factor for intra-datacenter applications with a transmission...

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ECOC 2018: DSFP form factor doubles data rate and density of SFP

A rev 1.0 hardware specification has been released for new DSFP (Dual Small Form-Factor Pluggable) modules -- doubling the data rate and port density of SFP modules in the same footprint. Whereas SFP has a single electrical lane pair operating at bit and data rates up to 28 Gbps using NRZ and 56 Gbps using PAM4, the new DSFP has two electrical lane pairs, each operating at bit rates up to 26 Gbps using NRZ and 56 Gbps using PAM4, supporting aggregate...

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ECOC 2018: Finisar debuts 400G QSFP-DD DR4 transceiver

At ECOC 2018, Finisar is demonstrating several 200G and 400G transceivers, including 400G QSFP-DD DR4, 400G QSFP-DD eLR8 (extended-reach), 200G QSFP56 FR4 and 200G QSFP56 eFR4. In addition, Finisar is showing the industry’s first 64 Gbaud Integrated Tunable Transmitter and Receiver Assembly (ITTRA) and a new Flextune self-tuning feature for tunable DWDM modules. Some highlights: 400G QSFP-DD DR4 Transceivers -- a new 400G QSFP-DD DR4 transceiver...

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ECOC 2018: Finisar shows transceivers with Flextune self-tuning

At ECOC 2018, Finisar is demonstrating its new Flextune self-tuning feature for tunable DWDM transceiver modules.  Finisar says its new Flextune automatic transceiver wavelength tuning feature can significantly reduce provisioning time and operating expenses when deploying tunable DWDM transceivers.  Using Finisar-patented technology, each transceiver on a DWDM optical link can self-tune to the correct wavelength determined by its physical...

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ECOC 2018: Source Photonics and Huawei showcase PAM4-based transceivers

At ECOC 2018, Source Photonics is partnering with Huawei in showcasing 50G and 400G optical transceivers based on PAM4 technology. The companies are participating in the Ethernet Alliance Interoperability Demonstration, which consists of multiple 400G and 50G links among participating network and test equipment manufacturers including Huawei. Source Photonics said it is working with Huawei in providing operators an environmentally friendly and...

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Arista integrates with Microsoft Azure Stack

Arista Networks' Any Cloud software platform is now supported in Microsoft Azure Stack.  This includes the virtualized Arista vEOS Router combined with CloudVision with Cloud Tracer functionality. Arista's vEOS Router leverages a cloud-grade routing stack and IPsec VPN tunnels to reliably and securely interconnect workloads across multi-cloud deployments. As a virtual network appliance, it runs identically in both Azure Public Cloud and on...

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NBN Co doubles national transit network capacity with Coriant CloudWave Optics

Australia's NBN Co. has begun deployment of Coriant CloudWave Optics technology across its 60,000-kilometer transcontinental optical transport backbone network. The network upgrade enables NBN Co to double bandwidth capacity using coherent optical technology that supports per-wavelength transmission rates of 200 Gbps. Coriant CloudWave Optics is an ultra-compact coherent interface solution that supports software programmable high-speed transmission...

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Keysight intros 5G Base Station manufacturing test solution

Keysight Technologies introduced a compact and scalable 5G base station manufacturing test solution that enables network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) to streamline volume test of 5G New Radio (NR) infrastructure equipment. The Keysight S9100A 5G multi-band vector transceiver (S9100A) uses common hardware and software platforms (including Keysight's PathWave) which support the latest 3GPP 5G NR Rel. 15.2.0 standards.  It also uses Keysight's...

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Chef integrates its automation tools with Microsoft Azure #msignite

Chef introduced several automation tools to help customers migrate legacy applications onto and manage configuration and compliance of their Microsoft Azure infrastructure. The company said the integration of its suite of automation tools with Azure gives users the computing power needed to continuously automate infrastructure, applications and compliance across their environments, regardless of their size. This results in increased velocity with...

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Lattice Semiconductor pushes ahead with AI software stack for edge

Lattice Semiconductor is boosting the capabilities of its "sensAI" stack designed for machine learning inferencing in consumer and industrial IoT applications. Specifically, Lattice is releasing new IP cores, reference designs, demos and hardware development kits that provide scalable performance and power for always-on, on-device artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The release includes an updated neural network compiler tool with improved...

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Intel adds to portfolio of FPGA programmable acceleration cards

Intel is expanding its line of field programmable gate array (FPGA) acceleration cards with a new model based on its most powerful Stratix 10 SX FPGA. The card leverages the Acceleration Stack for Intel Xeon CPU with FPGAs, providing data center developers a robust platform to deploy FPGA-based accelerated workloads. Hewlett Packard Enterprise* will be the first OEM to incorporate the Intel PAC with Stratix 10 SX FPGA along with the Intel Acceleration...

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Microsoft rolls out big upgrades to Azure networking

Microsoft announced major upgrades to Azure networking capabilities, including the launch of ExpressRoute 100Gbps Direct, ExpressRoute Global Reach, and the general availability of Azure Virtual WAN.  There are also enhancements to Azure Virtual Networks and DNS. The Azure Networking Fall 2018 update comes as part of the company's #MSIgnite conference underway this week in Orlando, Florida. Here are the highlights: Azure ExpressRoute Direct...

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ECOC 2018: Intel announces 100G silicon photonics transceivers for 5G

At ECOC 2018, Intel announced new 100G silicon photonics transceivers targetted at 5G wireless fronthaul applications. The new transceivers are designed to meet the harsh outdoor conditions of cellular towers with the capability to support optical transport to the nearest baseband unit or central office (up to 10 km). Commercial availability is expected in Q1 2019. “Our hyperscale cloud customers are currently using Intel’s 100G silicon photonics...

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ECOC 2018 - Lumentum intros Contentionless Wavelength Switch

At ECOC 2018, Lumentum introduced its next-generation, contentionless MxN Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS), adding to its extensive portfolio of Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) solutions for optical networking applications. Lumentum's TrueFlex Twin 8x24 contentionless WSS delivers low loss, removing the need for Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) arrays in many network designs while enabling add/drop port scaling to support...

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