Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Fujitsu demos 600G single wavelength optical transmission

Fujitsu Network Communications announced the first demonstration of flexible 600 Gbps single wavelength optical transmission using its 1FINITY T600 Transport platform. Software-provisioned data rates up to 600 Gbps per wavelength were achieved by a combination of high-performance components and electronics on the T600, maximizing spectral efficiency and reach for optimized network performance.

Specifically, Fujitsu publicly demonstrated error-free 600 Gbps transmission using 64QAM modulation at 69 Gbaud and 75GHz grid spacing in a point-to-point configuration. Service turn-up and onsite reprovisioning of signal rates and modulation formats were achieved among 300 Gbps, 400 Gbps and 600 Gbps. Fujitsu’s FSS2 system software provided OpenConfig over gRPC Network Management Interface (gNMI) for system configuration, streaming telemetry for network monitoring, and enhanced diagnostics. The demonstration showcased a 600G 64QAM live constellation shown on a Fujitsu-built vector signal analyzer.

The 1FINITY T600 is powered by third-generation digital signal processor (DSP) technology developed by NTT Electronics (NEL) in partnership with Fujitsu. The plaform delivers sophisticated and flexible modulation schemes and variable forward error correction (FEC). The advanced modulation flexibility provides optimum reach, capacity and power consumption, thereby enabling network operators to reduce cost per bit per kilometer for data center interconnect (DCI), metro, long-haul and submarine applications.

“At OFC 2018, Fujitsu was the first optical vendor to exhibit 500G per lambda,” said Rod Naphan, Deputy Head of the Network Products Business Unit at Fujitsu. “This week’s public demonstration of 600G further validates our leadership in next-generation coherent technology and positions us to bring the 1FINITY T600 to market in 1Q19.”

The Fujitsu 600 Gbps single wavelength optical transmission demonstration occurred during the NANOG 74 conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 1-3, 2018.

http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

Cloudera and Hortonworks to merge, promising a single enterprise cloud platform

Cloudera (NYSE:CLDR) and Hortonworks (Nasdaq:HDP) agreed to a merger of equals with the goal of becoming "the world’s leading next-generation data platform provider, spanning multi-cloud, on-premises and the Edge."

The combination establishes the industry standard for hybrid cloud data management, accelerating customer adoption, community development, and partner engagement.

Cloudera, which is based in Palo Alto, California, began operations in 2008 as a hybrid open-source Apache Hadoop distribution. The company completed its IPO in April 2017. Cloudera has partnerships with AWS and Microsoft Azure.

Hortonworks, which is based in Santa Clara, California, was formed in June 2011 to supply open source software for enterprises. Hortonworks has partnerships with Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and IBM Cloud.



Tom Reilly, chief executive officer at Cloudera, stated, “Our businesses are highly complementary and strategic. By bringing together Hortonworks’ investments in end-to-end data management with Cloudera’s investments in data warehousing and machine learning, we will deliver the industry’s first enterprise data cloud from the Edge to AI. This vision will enable our companies to advance our shared commitment to customer success in their pursuit of digital transformation.”

“This compelling merger will create value for our respective stockholders and allow customers, partners, employees and the open source community to benefit from the enhanced offerings, larger scale and improved cost competitiveness inherent in this combination,” said Rob Bearden, chief executive officer of Hortonworks. “Together, we are well positioned to continue growing and competing in the streaming and IoT, data management, data warehousing, machine learning/AI and hybrid cloud markets. Importantly, we will be able to offer a broader set of offerings that will enable our customers to capitalize on the value of their data.”

The all-stock transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Cloudera stockholders will own approximately 60% of the equity of the combined company and Hortonworks stockholders will own approximately 40%.

The combined company will have approximately $720 million in annual revenue, more than 2,500 customers, more than 800 customers over $100,000 ARR, and more than 120 customers over $1 million ARR.

The two companies have over $500 million in cash and no debt.


New numbering system differentiates Wi-Fi technologies

The Wi-Fi Alliance is rolling out a new numbering system to differentiate between generations of Wi-Fi technology.

Under the naming convention:

  • Wi-Fi 6 identifies devices that support 802.11ax technology
  • Wi-Fi 5 identifies devices that support 802.11ac technology
  • Wi-Fi 4 identifies devices that support 802.11n technology

The Wi-Fi Alliance says the change is needed because these waves of technology introduce new features – faster speeds, increased throughput, and better experiences - that benefit consumers.  Industry adoption of the new is expected to help in this regard.

https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-6


Palo Alto Networks to acquire RedLock for $173M

Palo Alto Networks agreed to acquire RedLock, a cloud threat defense company, for approximately $173 million in cash.

RedLock's Cloud 360 platform takes an AI-driven approach that correlates disparate security data sets to provide visibility, detect threats, and enable rapid response across an organization’s public cloud environment, including  Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and AWS.  RedLock is based in Menlo Park, California. RedLock co-founders Varun Badhwar (previously co-founded CipherCloud) and Gaurav Kumar (previously Software Architect at CipherCloud), will join Palo Alto Networks.

Palo Alto Networks notes that it already provides a broad security offering for multi-cloud environments with inline, host-based, and API-based security, which was bolstered by the acquisition of Evident.io in March 2018. The company currently serves more than 6,000 cloud customers globally with its cloud security portfolio that includes VM-Series next-generation firewall, Aperture, Evident, and GlobalProtect cloud service. Palo Alto Networks now plans to combine the Evident and RedLock technologies to provide customers with cloud security analytics, advanced threat detection, continuous security, and compliance monitoring in a single offering anticipated early next year.

"We are thrilled to add RedLock’s technology to our cloud security offerings. The addition of their technologies allows us to offer the most comprehensive security for multi-cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure, and significantly strengthens our cloud strategy going forward," stated Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks.

https://redlock.io/

Orange Business delivers IoT across Europe for Octo Telematics

Orange Business Services has been awarded a 3-year contract renewal to provide global IoT services to Octo Telematics, the leading provider of telematics and data analytics for the auto insurance industry.

Under the contract, Orange Business will help Octo to manage, monitor and diagnose a large fleet of IoT devices autonomously. Octo develops and markets a complete range of vehicle telematics solutions, such as automatic crash alerts, on-call assistance, and car accident liability analysis. The solutions also range from personal insurance models, such as Usage Based Insurance to shared mobility, fleet management, and eco-driving management. Octo has more than 5.6 million connected users across the world and has a commercial relationship with more than 100 partners.

The Orange IoT Managed Global Connectivity includes SIM coverage across Europe to personalize Octo services, carry out remote analysis and reduce overall running costs. They will be able to collect information and conduct analytics using behavioral, contextual and other telematics data. This will help insurance companies assess risk and enhance the accuracy of crash notification and claims management while improving customer relationships. Using this technology, insurance companies will also be able to make critical business decisions, evaluating the price risk while looking after their customers.

“Octo Telematics was facing a business transformation and needed an IT partner able to support its growing business throughout Europe, while also providing a personalized service, analysis and remote management. We were able to meet their needs with a solution to manage their connected users in full autonomy, offering them more operational efficiency and flexibility,” said Fabrice de Windt, senior vice president, Europe, Orange Business Services.

Telstra delivers SD-WAN to Ruralco, an Australian agribusiness

Telstra will deliver SD-WAN to more than 500 locations for Ruralco, one of Australia’s leading agribusinesses.  Under the multi-million dollar deal, Telstra's SD-WAN connectivity will improve Ruralco’s operational agility, application performance and increase overall bandwidth to its outlets. It will also enable the roll out of an updated point of sales and customer relationship management solution.

The partnership, which also includes 2,200 mobile devices, will improve access to technology services for Ruralco’s vast communities of customers across rural and regional Australia. The agreement will see all Ruralco’s technology services brought together under one partnership with Telstra simplifying its operations, which were previously managed by different providers as separate bespoke solutions.

John Ieraci, Chief Customer Officer, Enterprise Australia, Telstra said, “Telstra has a long and proud history supporting customers and businesses in rural and regional Australia. By partnering with Ruralco we are helping to provide innovative technology services to the communities that provide critical services to the rest of the country."

Google Cloud builds deeper integrations for SAP

Google Cloud Platform announced new capabilities and integrations for SAP workloads.

The new functionality includes SAP workload sizing, and SAP HANA dynamic tiering, which provides disk-based, large-volume extended storage for SAP HANA warm data.

https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/partners/google-cloud-platform-your-cloud-destination-for-mission-critical-sap-workloads

Tata Communications acquires Teleena, an IoT specialist

Tata Communications has agreed to acquire Teleena, a Netherlands-based Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity specialist and mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE). Financial terms were not disclosed.

Tata Communications bought a 35% equity stake in Teleena in January 2017.

Teleena’s solution is a key part of the Tata Communications’ MOVE platform, which enables enterprises and device manufacturers to capture, move and manage information worldwide through borderless, secure and scalable connectivity. The acquisition gives Tata full access to Teleena’s technology portfolio, including its MVNE platform, its Operational Support System / Business Support System (OSS/BSS) solution, and the expertise of Teleena’s mobility and IoT industry specialists.

“The growth rate in the global mobility and IoT market is phenomenal: by 2021, enterprises’ spending on mobility alone is set to surpass USD 1.7 trillion,” said Anthony Bartolo, Chief Product Officer, Tata Communications. “Our vision is to create an environment where anything can be ‘born connected’. Providing everyone and everything in the world with seamless connectivity globally will support businesses’ digital transformation. The combination of the Tata Communications MOVE™ platform, and Teleena’s technology and talent, will help us fulfil this vision, and accelerate our growth in the mobility and IoT market.”