Thursday, May 31, 2018

MEF advances MEF 3.0 Ethernet, IP, SD-WAN, and Layer 1 Services

Work continues to advance on MEF 3.0, which is the global services framework unveiled last November for “defining, delivering, and certifying agile, assured, and orchestrated communication services across a global ecosystem of automated networks.”

MEF reported progress on the standardization of orchestration-ready Ethernet, IP, SD-WAN, and Layer 1 services that form a core element of the MEF 3.0.

Specifically, MEF has published two new MEF 3.0 Ethernet and IP specifications, progressed two major MEF 3.0 SD-WAN projects, and moved closer to finalizing a MEF 3.0 Layer 1 service definition specification as soon as 3Q18.

“Expansion of MEF 3.0 standardization work beyond Ethernet to include IP, SD-WAN, and Layer 1 services is critical for enabling the streamlined interconnection and orchestration of a mix of connectivity services across multiple providers,” said Pascal Menezes, CTO, MEF. “Combining this work with the ongoing development of our emerging suite of LSO (Lifecycle Service Orchestration) APIs will pave the way for orchestrated delivery of on-demand, cloud-centric services with unprecedented user- and application-directed control over network resources and service capabilities.”

Here are some highlights:

MEF has just published the Managed Access E-Line Service Implementation Agreement (MEF 62), which defines a new service with a specific set of management and Class of Service (CoS) capabilities designed to accelerate service provisioning and to simplify management of services that traverse multiple operators. The MEF 3.0 Managed Access E-Line (MAEL) service is derived from the MEF 3.0 Access E-Line service specified in MEF 51.

MEF 62 reduces ordering and provisioning complexities when a service provider requires an Operator Virtual Connection (OVC) service from an operator by defining a MAEL service with a simplified set of CoS requirements – e.g., a single CoS name per OVC – coupled with a simplified set of management requirements for SOAM fault management, SOAM performance management, and latching loopback. By leveraging the management capabilities in the MAEL operator’s network, MEF 62 also intends to eliminate the need for a service provider to deploy hardware – e.g., a NID – at the subscriber’s location to monitor services.

AT&T, Bell Canada, Canoga Perkins, Ciena, Cisco, HFR, and Zayo joined Verizon in contributing to MEF 62.

MEF has published the Subscriber IP Service Attributes Technical Specification (MEF 61) as the first in a planned series of MEF 3.0 IP specifications aiming to address these challenges. MEF 61 specifies a standard set of service attributes for describing IP VPNs and Internet access services offered to end-users and will be used as a starting point for defining attributes for operator IP services. It introduces IP UNIs and IP UNI Access Links for describing how a subscriber is connected to a service provider as well as IP Virtual Connections and IP Virtual Connection End Points for describing an IP-VPN or Internet access service between those UNIs. Specific service attributes and corresponding behavioral requirements are defined for each of these entities. These include support for assured services – e.g. multiple classes of service, with performance objectives for each class agreed using a standardized set of performance metrics in a Service Level Specification. Bandwidth Profiles that can be applied to IP services are also described, allowing the bandwidth assigned to each class of service to be agreed in a standard way.

“The immediate value of MEF 61 is that it establishes common terminology and provides the ability to standardize service level agreements for IP services with customers,” said David Ball, editor of MEF 61 and Senior Software Architect, Cisco. “In the longer term, MEF 61 provides the basis for specifying operator IP service attributes, and it will enable standardization of LSO APIs for orchestration of IP services across subscribers, service providers, and wholesale operators.”

Albis-Elcon, Ceragon, Ciena, Coriant, Cox, Ericsson, HFR, RAD, TELUS, TIM, Verizon, Zayo, and ZTE joined Cisco in contributing to MEF 61.

MEF 3.0 SD-WAN -- there are two major SD-WAN initiatives underway: the Multi-Vendor SD-WAN Implementation project and the SD-WAN Service Definition project.  The first project is focused on addressing the rapidly growing problem of orchestrating services over multiple SD-WAN deployments that are based on different technology vendor products. MEF member companies – including SD-WAN vendors Riverbed, VeloCloud (now part of VMware), and Nuage Networks from Nokia and software development services provider Amartus –  are collaborating to use MEF’s new, standardized LSO Presto Network Resource Provisioning (NRP) API to meet these interoperability challenges.

In the second project, MEF members are collaborating to develop an SD-WAN service specification that defines the service components, their attributes, and application-centric QoS, security, and business priority policy requirements to create SD-WAN services. This initiative is led by Riverbed and VeloCloud, now part of VMware, with major contributions from Fujitsu.

MEF 3.0 Layer 1 -- MEF is in the final phase of the review and approval process for a new specification that defines the attributes of a subscriber Layer 1 service for Ethernet and Fibre Channel client protocols – used in LAN and SAN extension for data center interconnect – as well as SONET and SDH client protocols for legacy WAN services. Nokia, Bell Canada, Cisco, and HFR have contributed to this project.

Work already is underway on a companion specification defining Operator Layer 1 services between a UNI and an OTN ENNI (access) and between two OTN ENNIs (transit). This will provide the basis for streamlining the interconnection of multi-domain Layer 1 services.

What is included in MEF 3.0

There are four spokes to the MEF 3.0 wheel
       

  • Standardized, Orchestrated Services - including Carrier Ethernet, wavelength, IP, SD-WAN, Security-as-a-Service, and other virtualized services that will be orchestrated over programmable networks using LSO APIs. MEF 3.0 CE R1 is the first release within the MEF 3.0 framework, while work on standardizing orchestration-ready wavelength, IP, SD-WAN, and security services currently is progressing within MEF.
  •         Open LSO APIs - MEF’s LSO Reference Architecture guides the agile development of standardized LSO APIs that enable orchestration of MEF 3.0 services across multiple providers and over multiple network technology domains (e.g., Packet WAN, Optical Transport, SD-WAN, 5G, etc.). MEF recently announced the first releases of two LSO SDKs (software development kits) that feature inter-provider APIs for address validation, serviceability, and ordering and an intra-provider API for network resource provisioning. The LSO APIs included in these SDKs are available for experimental use by MEF members and associated MEF programs.
  •         Service and Technology Certifications. MEF is increasing the agility of its popular certification programs to accelerate availability and adoption of MEF 3.0 certified services and technologies. Iometrix continues as MEF’s testing partner, but the certification process is now being virtualized and taken into the cloud. A subscription model will be used for that vendors and carriers will be able to certify that their services and technologies comply with the latest MEF 3.0 standards. This should speed up the certification process considerably from days to minutes.
  •         Expanded Community Collaboration. MEF is working with service and technology providers, open source projects, standards associations, and enterprises to realize a shared vision of dynamic services orchestrated across automated networks. MEF has created a new compute, storage, and networking platform – MEFnet – that enables development, testing, integration, and showcasing of prototype MEF 3.0 implementations using open source and commercial products. MEFnet projects will help accelerate the understanding and adoption of MEF 3.0, as well as provide immediate feedback for standards development within MEF.

Advancing MEF 3.0 - Ethernet, IP, SD-WAN, and Layer 1 Services



Dan Pitt provides an overview of recent development with MEF 3.0, the transformational framework for defining, delivering, and certifying agile, assured, and orchestrated communication services across a global ecosystem of automated networks.

Filmed at NetEvents at the Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California.

See video: https://youtu.be/D_edtEpuu0s


Tier 1 Service Provider deploys OpenSwith + Intent-based Automation



Mansour Karam, CEO of Apstra, discusses the recent deployment by a Tier One Service Provider in the U.S. of OpenSwitch (OPX) on Dell Z9100-ON switches. The network is automated by Apstra's AOS, which provides an intent-based distributed operating system and a data center application suite for service agility, increased uptime and dramatically improved infrastructure TCO.

Filmed at NetEvents in San Jose, California.

See video:  https://youtu.be/QBVtss71x4k




Zayo announces dark fibre contract in UK

Zayo announced a major contract to provide dark fiber infrastructure in the UK for a leading global carrier. The solution includes 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of dark fiber to connect several data centers across the UK Zayo’s UK network extends from Glasgow and Edinburgh in the north, to Birmingham and Manchester and includes dense metro fiber in London. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We have a strong relationship with this carrier and have worked closely with them to provide a dark fiber solution that delivers high performance and low latency to support a growing volume of data traffic,” said Annette Murphy, managing director of Europe at Zayo. “The carrier is relying on the infrastructure as a key element of its strategic growth and densification efforts.”

Ciena to acquire Packet Design for network analytics and path computation

Ciena agreed to acquire privately-held Packet Design, a provider of network performance management software focused on Layer 3 network optimization, topology and route analytics. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Packet Design's portfolio includes Route Explorer, an IP/MPLS route analytics software that provides management visibility into routing behavior for all IGP and BGP protocols, Layer 2/3 VPNs, traffic engineering tunnels, segment routing and multicast with real-time monitoring, historical reporting, and what-if modeling capabilities.

Ciena said the acquisition will help accelerate its Blue Planet software strategy by extending its intelligent automation capabilities beyond Layers 0-2 and into IP with critical new capabilities to help customers optimize service delivery and maximize network utilization. Specifically, the combination of the Blue Planet software platform and Packet Design’s performance analytics and service path computation capabilities will form a unique, micro-services-based platform that delivers real-time analytics, optimization and orchestration capabilities to support the broadest range of closed-loop automation use cases across multi-layer, multi-vendor networks.

“Blue Planet is already one of the premier brands in the network automation space. The addition of Packet Design will enhance our position by enabling customers to realize networks that are more adaptive – capable of self-optimizing and self-healing for faster time-to-market for new services, more efficient and lower cost network operations, and the ability to deliver an overall better customer experience,” said Rick Hamilton, senior vice president of Global Software and Services at Ciena.


ICN2 subsea cable to link Vanuatu to Solomon Islands

Construction is expected to begin shortly on the ICN2 submarine cable linking Vanuatu to Solomon Islands in the south Pacific. The 1,632km cable will provide initial 200G high-capacity access to several landing sites utilizing SL14-A1 cables and Ciena Submarine Line Terminating Equipment (SLTE). The project is sponsored by Interchange Limited, a Vanuatu-based consortium. TE SubCom is the general contractor. The ready for service date is Q4 2019.

“This submarine cable link is an important part of connectivity for this area of the world,” said Sanjay Chowbey, president of TE SubCom. “We are pleased to work with Interchange Limited and apply our expertise and regional knowledge to this project.”

“Interchange Limited is committed to improved ICT infrastructure to communities we serve throughout the Melanesian region. The ICN2 cable project truly supports our mission,” said Simon Fletcher, CEO of Interchange Limited. “ICN2 is the first CIF submarine cable to the Solomon Islands. With the planned future systems in the region, we feel confident they will be complementary and serve to build a redundant and reliable network. This should provide some confidence to regional investors and data center partners.”

Marvell posts revenue of $605 billion, next quarter excludes $7m is sales to ZTE

Marvell Technology Group reported revenue for its first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $605 million, which exceeded the midpoint of the Company's guidance provided on March 8, 2018. GAAP net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $129 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $165 million, or $0.32 per diluted share. Cash flow from operations for the first quarter was $129 million.

"Fiscal 2019 is off to a strong start, driven by the performance of our storage, networking and connectivity businesses which grew 7% year over year in Q1. Marvell's R&D engine is executing well, and our newly announced products are fueling a growing design win pipeline," said Marvell President and CEO Matt Murphy. "Overall, I'm pleased with the results and thank the entire Marvell team for their effort and contribution."

Revenue for the company's second quarter of 2019 is expected to be $600 million to $630 million. The guidance range excludes approximately $7 million in revenue from a Chinese OEM due to the trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. government.

Ciena posts Q2 revenue of $730M, up 3% yoy

Ciena reported Q2 revenue of  $730.0 million, up 3% year over year as compared to $707.0 million for the fiscal second quarter 2017.

GAAP net income for the fiscal second quarter 2018 was $13.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net income of $38.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted common share, for the fiscal second quarter 2017. Ciena's adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for the fiscal second quarter 2018 was $33.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of $48.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share, for the fiscal second quarter 2017.

"We delivered strong revenue and record order flow in the second quarter as we continue to broaden our leadership and capture market share. Gross margin was impacted by several new, international service provider deployments in their early stages; however, we are confident in our ability to return to our normalized gross margin levels. We anticipate strong revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2018 and we remain confident in our three-year financial targets," stated Ciena President and CEO Gary B. Smith.

Some highlights from the company's quarterly financial presentation:

  • Non-telco represented 34% of total revenue
  • Direct webscale was 17% of total revenue
  • North America represented 59.1% of Q2 revenue
  • EMEA was up QoQ and YoY at 16.7% of total revenue
  • APAC contributed over 20% of total revenue; India revenue was over 10% of total revenue at $79 million
  • WaveLogic Ai: 29 total customers
  • Waveserver: 84 customers

AWS announces Pay-per-Session Pricing for Amazon QuickSight

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced pay-per-session pricing for Amazon QuickSight, which is a fast, cloud-powered, business analytics service.

Pay-per-session pricing for Amazon QuickSight dashboards starts at $0.30 per session up to a maximum of $5 per user, per month, and is available in Amazon QuickSight Enterprise Edition in all supported AWS regions.

“With highly scalable object storage in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), data warehousing at one-tenth the cost of traditional solutions in Amazon Redshift, and serverless analytics offered by Amazon Athena, customers are moving data into AWS at an unprecedented pace,” said Dorothy Nicholls, Vice President of Amazon QuickSight at Amazon Web Services, Inc. “What's changed is that virtually all knowledge workers want easy access to that data and the insights that can be derived. It's been cost-prohibitive to enable that access for entire companies until the Amazon QuickSight pay-per-session pricing-- this is a game-changer in terms of information and analytics access.”

Sierra Wireless' CEO announces retirement

Sierra Wireless Jason Cohenour will retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and will be stepping down as a director of the company.

Kent Thexton, Chair of Sierra’s Board of Directors, has been named interim CEO. A search is underway for a permanent replacement.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Jason for his significant contributions to Sierra Wireless throughout his 22 years with the company, including the last 12 years as CEO,” said Mr. Aasen. “Thanks to Jason’s vision and leadership, Sierra successfully refocused its strategy and transitioned into a global leader in the IoT market. The Board will be taking this opportunity to recruit a world class leader to guide the Company through its next phase of growth and value creation. Kent has extensive experience serving in senior leadership positions in the international wireless and technology industries, and I am confident he is the right person to guide Sierra while we conduct a thorough search for our next CEO.”