Debunking the Top 10 Myths of DPDK

The Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) software is a set of Linux user-space libraries and drivers that accelerate packet-processing workloads running on all major CPU architectures.

In this video, Jim St. Leger, Director, Open Source Strategy and Marketing, Intel, dispels popular myths and misconceptions around DPDK.

Myth #10 (1:10): DPDK is code complete
with Wang Yong, Hardware Engineer, ZTE

Myth #9 (1:51): DPDK is just for hardware
with Edwin Verplanke, Solution Architect, Intel

Myth #8 (2:40): DPDK is a closed community
with Harini Ramakrishnan, Program Manager II, Microsoft

Myth #7 (3:21): SmartNICS will kill DPDK
with Georgii Tkachuk, Performance Engineer, Intel

Myth #6 (4:04): Intel controls DPDK
with Honnappa Nagarahalli, Principal Software Engineer, Arm

Myth #5 (5:05): DPDK is only for telcos
with Yasufumi Ogawa, Research Engineer, NTT Service System Lab

Myth #4 (5:47): DPDK is not green
with Jingjing Wu, Software Engineer, Intel

Myth #3 (6:32): DPDK is Linux
Jill Lovato, Senior Manager, Communications, the Linux Foundation

Myth #2 (7:35): DPDK is not for containers
with Muthurajan Jayakumar “M Jay,” Technical Marketing Engineer, Intel

Myth #1 (8:40): DPDK is software dataplane only
with Trishan de Lanerolle, Technical Program Manager, the Linux Foundation, and Thomas Monjalon, Engineer, Mellanox (NVIDIA).

https://youtu.be/eh_lqzRDJho

Also available is a Myth-busting DPDK in 2020 Report, which may be downloaded here: https://ngi.how/dpdk-myths-20

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Fortinet acquires OPAQ Networks for SASE

Fortinet has acquired OPAQ Networks, a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) cloud provider based in Herndon, Virginia. Financial terms were not disclosed.

OPAQ’s Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) cloud solution protects organizations’ distributed networks – from data centers, to branch offices, to remote users, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Fortinet said OPAQ’s patented ZTNA solution enhances its own SASE offering to form the best-in-class SASE cloud security platform with the industry’s only true Zero Trust access and security by providing industry-leading next-generation firewall and SD-WAN capabilities, web security, sandboxing, advanced endpoint, identity/multi factor authentication, multi-cloud workload protection, cloud application security broker (CASB), browser isolation, and web application firewalling capabilities.

Ken Xie, Founder, Chairman of the Board, and CEO, states: "The recent SASE market momentum further validates our Security-driven Networking approach and underscores what we’ve been saying for years. In the era of hyperconnectivity and expanding networks, with the network edge stretching across the entire digital infrastructure, networking and security must converge. In fact the acquisition of OPAQ actually further enhances our existing SASE offering. Now, we will deliver the most complete SASE platform on the market with the broadest security and industry-leading SD-WAN and networking offerings that can all be delivered to customers and partners through a flexible, cost efficient and patented zero-trust cloud architecture."

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SoftBank picks Ericsson for cloud native dual-mode 5G Core

SoftBank has selected Ericsson for its 5G Standalone Network, including Ericsson Cloud Packet Core, Ericsson Cloud Unified Data Management and Policy, as well as Ericsson NFVI.

Ericsson said it will deliver zero-touch operation, including continuous delivery and integration processes (CI/CD), by leveraging container-based microservice architecture and automation capabilities.

Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core provides SoftBank with capabilities that enable the development of new 5G use cases for mobile broadband users, as well as for enterprises and industry partners. Ericsson and SoftBank have been continuously collaborating in developing and deploying 5G technologies throughout the Japanese market including 5G RAN and 5G EPC. In May 2019, Ericsson was selected by SoftBank as its primary 5G radio access network (RAN) vendor.

Keiichi Makizono, Senior Vice President, CIO of SoftBank, says: “Japan is a leading 5G telecom market and together with Ericsson we are building a new platform of innovation for the country. Under our new agreement, we will extend our long-term partnership and provide a high quality and future-proof platform enabling a new wave of innovation for Japanese society.”

Luca Orsini, Head of Ericsson Japan, says: “Ericsson’s cloud native dual-mode 5G Core provides the cutting-edge container-based microservice architecture that will help SoftBank to both develop new business models towards consumers, enterprise and industry partners as well as to move onto the next level of network operational efficiency.”

Ericsson currently has 99 commercial 5G agreements or contracts with unique operators and supports 54 live 5G networks worldwide.

Softbank picks Ericsson and Nokia for 5G

Wednesday, May 29, 2019  5G, Ericsson, Japan, Nokia, Softbank  

SoftBank Corp. awarded major 5G contracts to Ericsson and Nokia, marking a significant change in its preferred vendors. Huawei has been a supplier of 4G infrastructure for Softbank.

Ericsson was selected by SoftBank as a primary 5G vendor for the deployment of a multi-band 5G network in Japan following a series of successful joint proof-of-concept activities that began in 2015. Under a new agreement, Ericsson will provide SoftBank with radio access network equipment, including products from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. This will enable SoftBank to launch 5G services on their newly granted 3.9-4.0 GHz and 29.1-29.5 GHz bands for 5G New Radio (NR).

Nokia also confirmed that it was selected to supply its 5G AirScale solution to Softbank for deployment across Japan. Nokia's 5G AirScale supports multiple frequencies, in both distributed and centralized architectures, giving SoftBank tremendous flexibility in its network evolution. Nokia has also been a long term supplier to Softbank. Nokia also noted that it now has 38 5G commercial contracts, including 20 with named customers.

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Nokia deploys Self-Organizing Network software for Telstra

Telstra will deploy Nokia’s EdenNet SON solution to automate its radio access network (RAN) configuration management, improving network performance and efficiency to support the increased demands of 5G. The agreement will see Telstra roll out Nokia’s SON solution on its multi-vendor, nationwide 3G, 4G and 5G RAN. It will be delivered across model, staging, and production environments. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nokia’s EdenNet SON is an open, 3GPP standards-based platform that enables mobile operators to efficiently realize the full potential of their existing networks, as well as drive transformation to 5G. As a centralized solution, the cognitive EdenNet SON platform eliminates complexities from multi-vendor, multi-technology and multi-layered networks.

Ashley Hunter, Network Engineering Executive, Telstra, said: “Telstra is a world leader in adopting new radio and platform technologies, and Nokia’s EdenNet SON solution will help enable us to automate our network configuration and operations to improve cycle time, repeatability, reliability and cost. Nokia’s Open SON framework APIs hide the complexity of the underlying network, allowing Telstra to focus on automating the configuration of our network to help provide greater reliability, faster speeds and peace of mind for our customers.”

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FCC to support infrastructure rules protecting historic properties

The FCC announced an agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) to support wireless infrastructure builds while continuing to protect historic properties.

The agreement amends the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for the Collocation of Wireless Antennas (Collocation NPA) that the FCC, ACHP, and NCSHPO entered into in 2001.  The Collocation NPA establishes streamlined reviews for infrastructure projects covered by that agreement.

The amendment updates the review process for collocation (or adding wireless equipment at existing tower sites).  Previously, a collocation project that involved any excavation outside of the current tower site would not qualify for the streamlined review process established by the Collocation NPA.  That conflicted with the streamlined review process that applies when providers are taking down and replacing a wireless structure—a process that allows for deployment and excavation up to 30 feet outside of the existing site.  Today’s amendment resolves that inconsistency by bringing the Collocation NPA into conformance with the tower replacement review.

“This is a vitally important agreement to ensure our infrastructure policies can meet the challenges and opportunities of 5G,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has led the Commission’s wireless infrastructure modernization efforts.  “It represents a commonsense approach to encouraging collocations where tower replacements are not necessary.  The FCC team and our partners at ACHP and NCSHPO worked closely, and I want to extend my thanks and appreciation for the time and good-faith efforts that enabled us to reach this agreement.”

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South Africa's rain launches Stand Alone 5G with Huawei

rain, South Africa’s data-only mobile network, launched the first Standalone 5G (SA 5G) network in the country using equipment from Huawei.

rain's Standalone 5G is currently available in Cape Town covering areas including Sea Point in Cape Town, Claremont, Goodwood, Bellville, Durbanville, and Cape Town City Centre.

"Standalone 5G will further improve 5G network performance with increased the uplink rate, lower latency, and improved reliability, ushering in high-end cloud VR and cloud gaming services, more diversified enterprise and home broadband services, " said rain Chief Marketing Officer Khaya Dlanga.

"SA 5G will demonstrate how 5G is powerful in realizing South Africa’s 4IR future. Powered by Huawei’s world’s leading 5G solutions, our SA 5G will enable the industries ‘digital transformation in the future, such as smart healthcare, smart ports, smart mining and smart manufacturing in South Africa. We will work with the trustworthy strategic partner to further expand our 5G networks and bring the best service and experience to our customers," Khaya added.

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WSJ: China May Retaliate Against Nokia and Ericsson

Chinese Commerce Ministry is considering imposing export controls on Nokia and Ericsson China-made products if the EU decides to ban Huawei from participating in 5G deployments, according to The Wall Street Journal. This follows the new restrictions on Huawei imposed by the UK. The U.S. government is increasing its campaign to get other European countries to restrict Huawei.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-may-retaliate-against-nokia-and-ericsson-if-eu-countries-move-to-ban-huawei-11595250557

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IBM's Q2 revenue drops 5.4%

IBM reported Q2 revenue of $18.1 billion, down 5.4 percent (down 1.9 percent adjusting for divested businesses and currency). GAAP EPS from continuing operations was $1.52.

“Our clients see the value of IBM’s hybrid cloud platform, based on open technologies, at a time of unprecedented business disruption," said Arvind Krishna, IBM chief executive officer. "We are committed to building, with a growing ecosystem of partners, an enduring hybrid cloud platform that will serve as a powerful catalyst for innovation for our clients and the world.”

“Our prudent financial management in these turbulent times enabled us to expand our gross profit margin, generate strong free cash flow and improve our liquidity position," said James Kavanaugh, IBM senior vice president and chief financial officer. "We have the financial flexibility to continue to invest in our business and return value to our shareholders through our dividend policy.”

Some highlights:

• Cloud & Cognitive Software (includes Cloud & Data Platforms which includes Red Hat, Cognitive Applications and Transaction Processing Platforms) — revenues of $5.7 billion, up 3 percent (up 5 percent adjusting for currency), with growth in Cloud & Data Platforms, up 29 percent (up 30 percent adjusting for currency) led by Red Hat. Cognitive Applications and Transaction Processing Platforms declined. Cloud revenue more than doubled.
• Global Business Services (includes Consulting, Application Management and Global Process Services) — revenues of $3.9 billion, down 7 percent (down 6 percent adjusting for currency), driven by declines in Application Management and Consulting. Cloud revenue up 12 percent (up 13 percent adjusting for currency). Gross profit margin up 240 basis points.
• Global Technology Services (includes Infrastructure & Cloud Services and Technology Support Services) — revenues of $6.3 billion, down 8 percent (down 5 percent adjusting for currency). Cloud revenue up 18 percent (up 20 percent adjusting for currency).
• Systems (includes Systems Hardware and Operating Systems Software) — revenues of $1.9 billion, up 6 percent, led by IBM Z, up 69 percent (up 68 percent adjusting for currency). Storage Systems revenue up 2 percent (up 3 percent adjusting for currency); Power declined. Cloud revenue up 22 percent. Gross profit margin up 430 basis points.
• Global Financing (includes financing and used equipment sales) — revenues of $265 million, down 25 percent (down 23 percent adjusting for currency), reflecting the wind-down of OEM commercial financing. Gross profit margin up 360 basis points. 

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2021 SPIE Photonics West rescheduled for March in San Francisco

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, has rescheduled its 2021 Photonics West conference and exhibition. The event will take place 6-11 March 2021, in San Francisco’s Moscone Center. The co-located SPIE AR | VR | MR event has been rescheduled for the same week.

“For the photonics community, the conference and tradeshow calendar begins with Photonics West,” said SPIE Senior Director of Technical Programs Marilyn Gorsuch. “This year, that excitement and buzz will be bottled up until March. SPIE knows that in-person conferences are critical opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, share research, and find new solutions. We are working to create the best Photonics West possible with all the exciting events the photonics community has come to expect from us, from BiOS Hot Topics, the Prism Awards and our industry exhibitors, to plenaries from our high-profile LASE and OPTO researchers. We are looking forward to showcasing the best in photonics science and engineering as we welcome our community to San Francisco in March.”

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