ADVA intros Ensemble Activator network OS for bare metal switches

ADVA introduced a carrier-grade network operating system (NOS) for bare-metal switches.

ADVA's Ensemble Activator is designed to extend disaggregated NOS applications from data centers into fixed and mobile networks. The multi-layer NOS technology features open management and control interfaces for multi-vendor networks. It offers a rich set of Ethernet and IP protocols for the widest range of underlay and overlay applications. With Ensemble Activator, CSPs can deploy open networks, evolve infrastructure at their own pace and select solutions tailored to their exact needs.

ADVA describes its Ensemble Activator as the industry’s first disaggregated NOS for true carrier-class services. The NOS was designed through the TIP Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway group to meet the requirements of global service providers with geographically dispersed networks. Its comprehensive set of CE 2.0- and MEF 3.0-compliant interfaces is complemented with proven IP and MPLS protocols. It also includes telemetry streaming and supports the ONIE framework. Ensemble Activator is the result of ADVA’s formidable experience in harnessing NFV to turn application-specific hardware into highly effective open software. It also builds on ADVA’s in-depth knowledge of CSPs’ operational, security and synchronization requirements.

“Packet networks are growing at an ever-increasing rate, but so too is the pace of innovation. CSPs no longer have time to wait for their chosen vendor to deliver higher capacity or the latest features. They need complete flexibility to evolve their infrastructure in a way that best suits their business. Our Ensemble Activator frees customers from vendor lock-in and provides unprecedented agility and scale,” said Stephan Rettenberger, SVP, marketing and investor relations, ADVA. “At the end of last year, we launched our FSP 150-Z4806, a highly efficient 100Gbit/s aggregation switch for edge data centers. Now we’re going one step further and making the software solution at the heart of that product independently available. Our Ensemble Activator turns standard bare-metal switches into feature-rich Ethernet/MPLS switch routers and empowers operators to deploy affordable, purpose-built hardware for even the most challenging environments.”

“Our Ensemble Activator offers the best of both worlds. It lets customers combine the agility of software-based feature development with the performance and economics of bare-metal switches. This solution opens the door to a completely different method of growing and developing telecommunication infrastructures. With agile, scalable and vendor-neutral packet networks, CSPs can tackle huge growth in data demand while also rapidly responding to new feature requirements,” commented Ulrich Kohn, director, technical marketing, ADVA. “We want our customers to have the opportunity to develop their networks however they want. Some CSPs prefer purpose-built hardware optimized for their specific needs. For others it’s about harnessing the latest innovation. With Ensemble Activator integrated in their network management system, the choice is entirely theirs.”

https://www.advaoptical.com/
http://adva.li/ensemble-activator-slides

Read More

Telefónica and Seat to show 5G connected car

Telefónica, in conjunction with SEAT and other partners, will present a 5G connected car scenario at the upcoming MWC19 event this month on the streets of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Two technologies will be showcased: C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle to Everything) and .C-V2X, which enables assisted driving by allowing the vehicle to communicate with all the elements around it (cars, traffic lights, traffic signals, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles...). The 5G network ensures the low latency necessary for the cars to be able to "talk" to the city.

• Telefónica provides the end-to-end connectivity and, as a novelty, is opening-up its network so third parties can deploy applications at the edge of the network, such as traffic management for this use case. 
• Ficosa has developed and produced the in-car C-V2X communications platform that allows the transmission of information from the car to any entity that might impact the vehicle, and vice versa.
• i2CAT was in charge of the development of the ultra-precise location solution for bicycles.
• ETRA is the supplier of the road infrastructure that provides connectivity with the traffic light system.
• Mobile World Capital Barcelona, representing 5G Barcelona, is the global supervisor of the project.
• Ericsson has provided 5G technology and Qualcomm Technologies the 5G connectivity platform both for the network communication and for the direct communication.

The project is framed within the 5G Barcelona initiative, aimed at consolidating the city of Barcelona as the reference 5G hub in Europe.

Read More

Gigalight: QSFP-DD might be the mainstream form-factor for 400G

Optical transceiver manufacturers are recognizing the Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) as the mainstream form factor for 400G optical modules, according to Gigalight, athough some manufacturers have also introduced 400G optical modules with OSFP and CFP8 form-factors.

The QSFP-DD form factor expands the standard QSFP four-lane interface by adding a row of contacts providing for an eight-lane electrical interface, each operating up to 25 Gbps with Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) modulation or 50 Gbps with Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM4). This adaptation allows the QSFP-DD form factor to address solutions up to 400 Gbps aggregate per QSFP-DD port, while providing backward compatibility to 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps.

This Gigalight paper traces the work of the QSFP-DD MSA group since its inception two years ago in March 2016, features and benefits, as well as marketplace progress.

https://www.gigalight.com/show-1142.html

Read More

FT: UK says Huawei is a manageable risk to 5G

The UK National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, has concluded that it is possible to mitigate the security risks of using Huawei equipment in 5G networks, according to a report from The Financial Times.

The Financial Times describes the finding as "a serious blow to US efforts to persuade allies to ban the Chinese supplier from high-speed telecommunications systems."

Furthermore, the report quotes the former head of GCHQ as stating that no evidence of malicious state cyber activity through Huawei has come to light.

https://www.ft.com/content/619f9df4-32c2-11e9-bd3a-8b2a211d90d5

Read More

GSMA: Policymakers should balance 5G security with cost

On the issue of securing 5G networks, the GSMA is calling on European policymakers not to lose focus on the big policy objectives – security, competition, innovation and consumer impact.

Specifically, the GSMA argues that an outright ban of equipment from Chinese vendors would "disrupt the equipment supply for the various segments of the network (access, transport and core), increase costs to European operators, businesses and citizens; delay 5G deployment by years across Europe and potentially also jeopardise the functioning of existing 4G networks upon which 5G is intended to be built."

The recommendation is for European policy makers to adopt a fact-based and risk-based approach, recognizing the mobile operators already have considerable experience in securing their networks; that government agencies and mobile operators already cooperate in safeguarding the integrity of telecommunications infrastructure; and that further testing by mobile operators and third-party laboratories could help assure confidence in the network.

https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/gsma-calls-on-europe-to-safeguard-network-security/

Read More

BBC: The US cannot crush us, says Huawei founder

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Huawai founder Ren Zhengfei takes a defiant stance against pressure on his firm, stating "there's no way the U.S. can crush us. The world needs Huawei because we are more advanced."

Ren argues that the arrest on his daughter was politically motivated but that it is time for the courts to settle this case.

In addition, Ren reiterates that he would rather shut down the company that spy on his customers on behalf of the Chinese government.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47274679

Read More

SubCom completes repair of Tonga Cable System

The cable ship SubCom Reliance successfully completed the repair of two Tongan submarine cables within eight days of arrival on repair ground. The Tonga Cable and the Tonga Domestic Cable were damaged on January 20, 2019. The ship was on standby in the South Pacific at a port in Apia, Samoa.

The Tonga Cable System is an international cable in the Pacific Ocean that spans 827 kilometers with landing points in Nuku’alofa, Tonga and Suva, Fiji. The Tonga Domestic Cable Extension is a 406-kilometer cable with three landing points in Tonga: Neiafu, Nukualofa and Pangai.

SubCom maintains these two cables in addition to 31 other systems as part of the South Pacific Marine Maintenance Agreement (SPMMA), which was signed in 2017 and covers the area from Singapore in the west to Tahiti in the east and from the southernmost point of New Zealand to Hawaii. This covers over 69,000 km of cable consisting of 33 data and power cable systems in the Pacific Ocean.

Read More

Viavi: Forty-two 5G network launches anticipated in 2019

Viavi Solutions estimates that there will be 55 commercial 5G networks in operation before the start of 2020.

A total of 13 commercial 5G networks were launched during 2018, including both mobile and fixed wireless deployments, and 42 more are expected to launch this calendar year. A large proportion of these deployments will be located in Europe and the Middle East (21 and 14, respectively), followed by 10 in Asia, 8 in the Americas and 2 in the Australasia region.

Viavi notes that at this time last year, only 28 service providers had reported that they were in field trials with 5G architecture. This rapid escalation of deployment plans comes in spite of the fact that 3GPP standards for 5G are not expected to be final until 2020.

"5G represents a paradigm shift in the way that networks are designed, deployed and managed, introducing inherent complexities in the architecture as well as exacting demands on performance and latency," said Sameh Yamany, Chief Technology Officer, VIAVI. "The anticipated improvements that 5G offers will depend on precise operation of multiple elements throughout the network. As service providers worldwide deploy and activate their commercial networks, they are relying on VIAVI 5G test solutions, from the lab to the field, to ensure optimal customer experience and quality."

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, VIAVI will showcase the Lab To Field™ 5G testing portfolio in Hall 6, Stand 6G40, February 25-28, 2019.

Read More

Tokyo Tech's 28 GHz transceiver with dual-polarized MIMO hits 15 Gbps

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a 28 GHz transceiver that integrates beamforming with dual-polarized multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technology.

Preliminary testing showed that the maximum data rate achieved was 15 Gbps using 64-QAM.

The transceiver measures just 3 mm by 4 mm and could help improve performances of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

"Compared with the conventional switch-based bi-directional approach, our bi-directional amplifier completely shares the inter-stage matching networks between the transceiver and the receiver. Thus, the required on-chip area is further minimized," states Kenichi Okada at Tokyo Tech's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/news/2019/043432.html

Read More

Tokyo Tech develops atomic clock for small satellites

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ricoh co. and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed an ultra-low-power atomic clock (ULPAC) for small satellites.

The fully functional atomic clock consumes an order of magnitude less power than that of previously reported devices. It also excels in two other critical aspects: volume occupied and Allan deviation, which is a measure of the stability of the frequency of a clock.

https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/news/research/

Read More

NTT DOCOMO sets pace for 5G patents amongst mobile operators

NTT DOCOMO is claiming the No.1 spot amongst leading mobile operators in terms of applications for candidate standard-essential patents (SEPs) for 5G and also No.1 in terms of 5G technical proposals (contributions). DOCOMO ranks sixth in 5G SEP applications among all companies in all fields. The rankings are based on a study conducted by Cyber Creative Institute Co., Ltd., a Japanese firm that researches information and communication technology regarding intellectual property rights.

DOCOMO has applied for some 1,400 candidate 5G SEPs and submitted some 3,700 5G-related contributions to the 3GPP. One of its contributions to the 5G effort covers the issuance of early warnings of imminent natural disasters. The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) is used extensively for services that provide citizens with disaster and evacuation-related emergency information, such as DOCOMO's Area Mail service and the emergency messaging services of counterpart mobile operators in Japan. Similar systems have also been introduced in the United States, South Korea and Europe.

Read More

BT appoints Allison Kirkby to Board

BT Group has appointed Allison Kirkby to its Board as a non-executive director.

Kirby has been President & Group CEO of TDC Group since December 2018. TDC Group is the largest telecommunications company in Denmark. She was previously Group CFO and then President & Group CEO of Tele2 AB, the Swedish based challenger mobile operator. Allison has also held roles within 21st Century Fox, Virgin Media, Procter & Gamble and Guinness. She has been a non-executive director of Greggs (the UK’s leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer) since 2013 and is chair of its audit committee and a member of its nomination and remuneration committees. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Read More

Windstream postpones financial results

Windstream postponed the release of its Q4 and full-year 2018 financial results, which were expected on Feb 21, following a court ruling last week against the company regarding the 2015 spinoff of certain telecommunications network assets into a real estate investment trust (REIT) and its agreements with bondholders.

Windstream said it is evaluating its options, including post-trial motions and an appeal.

Read More

NoviFlow and netElastic team on Virtual BNG

NoviFlow, which develops SDN network operating software (NOS), cybersecurity middleware and programmable network solutions, has partnered with netElastic to launch a Virtual BNG (vBNG) solution.

The disaggregated vBNG solution combines NoviFlow’s high-performance SDN switches and netElastics’s highly scalable NFV software.

Some highlights

• The vBNG can scale from 10 Gbps x86 hardware-only to 400 Gbps with NoviFlow SDN switches. 
• The single control plane can operate seamlessly across DPDK and SDN switches enabling service providers to scale services
• The solution is compatible with existing installed switches and routers
• The vBNG supports up to 256,000 subscribers
• The vBNG offers full support of NETCONF & YANG for maximum programmability and easy integration with existing infrastructure
• Port Density – Up to 100 ports in a 2U format; Support for 10G, 40G, and 100G ports

“Our partnership with NoviFlow gives carriers the very best of SDN and NFV – greater scalability, performance, and flexibility, along with lower costs,” said Weixiao Liu, CEO of netElastic. “This joint solution enables carriers to realize the true benefits of SDN and NFV technologies while still leveraging existing investments. That’s what we’re hearing carriers ask for.”

Dominique Jodoin, president and CEO of NoviFlow, explained, “NoviFlow’s NoviWare forwarding planes and the netElastic Virtual BNG were made for each other. The alliance between netElastic and NoviFlow provides a compelling new disaggregated vBNG solution with unprecedented price performance and scalability, and extends the radical CAPEX and OPEX benefits of SDN-based programmable forwarding planes to the BNG segment.”

Read More

L-com's Active Optical USB 3.0 cables offer 20m reach

L-com Global Connectivity introduced a series of active optical USB 3.0 cable assemblies which can extend USB signals up to 20 meters. 

The cables were developed to extend USB 3.0 beyond the five meter limit while supporting transmission speeds up to 5 Gbps. These new active optical assemblies also feature high-flex construction supporting greater than five million cycles, Type A to Micro-B connectors and gold-plated contacts to support repeated mating cycles.

"Many of our customers' USB 3.0 applications require device connectivity over longer distances where standard, passive USB 3.0 cables won't work due to their five meter limitation. Our single cable solution eliminates the need for bulky USB repeaters and offers our customers streamlined USB 3.0 connectivity up to twenty meters," said Brian Gates, Product Manager.

http://www.l-com.com

Read More