Juniper extends its multivendor Intent-based automation to VMware NSX, SONiC

Juniper Networks announced version 4.0 of Apstra software, the multi-vendor, intent-based data center networking solution acquired earlier in the year.

Apstra 4.0 brings new support for VMware NSX-T 3.0 and Enterprise SONiC, in addition to previously supported data center switching from Juniper, Nvidia (Nvidia Cumulus), Arista Networks and Cisco Systems. The Apstra software also has new intent extensions and connectivity templates that provide a more simple and flexible way of connecting attached systems. Additionally, Juniper is offering Apstra with Juniper Networks QFX Series switches and SRX Series Services Gateways.

Juniper underscored its commitment to preserving Apstra as an open and multi-vendor system. Customers can scale with the Apstra software, removing hardware and operational constraints and accelerating data center evolution.

“Organizations are looking for new ways to enhance the experience of users and operators in the data center,” said Mike Bushong, VP Data Center, Juniper Networks. “Our Apstra software provides the perfect foundation by delivering closed-loop automation, analytics and assurance for intent-based networking across vendors. In operations, speed is nothing without control, and with the newest Apstra extensions and multi-vendor solutions, teams can make changes more quickly with predictable outcomes.”

See video: 

https://youtu.be/DMqkRkiaZPg

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AWS to open data centers in UAE

Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to open an infrastructure region in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first half of 2022. 

The new AWS Middle East (UAE) Region will consist of three Availability Zones and become AWS’s second region in the Middle East with the existing AWS Region in Bahrain

AWS Regions are comprised of Availability Zones, which place infrastructure in separate and distinct geographic locations with enough distance to significantly reduce the risk of a single event mpacting customers’ business continuity, yet near enough to provide low latency for high availability applications that leverage multiple Availability Zones. Each Availability Zone has independent power, cooling, and physical security and is connected through redundant, ultra-low-latency networks.

.“We are excited to build on the great momentum of cloud adoption in the Middle East by providing more choice for customers in the UAE to run applications and store data locally,” said Peter DeSantis, Senior Vice President of Global Infrastructure, AWS. “The new AWS Region supports the UAE’s focus on promoting technology innovation that has made it a thriving global hub for entrepreneurs, e-governments, and multi-national businesses. With the new region, organizations of all sizes will be able to innovate faster and serve end-users with even lower latency across the region.”

His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said, “AWS's expansion into the UAE is a testament to our rapidly growing innovation ecosystem that will benefit from access to the world's leading cloud platform and its advanced technologies and solutions. Building on Abu Dhabi's smart infrastructure and digital transformation, AWS’s investment will further enable innovators and companies with globally-relevant solutions to realize new opportunities in the UAE and beyond.”

Globally, AWS has 80 Availability Zones across 25 geographic regions, with plans to launch 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Australia, India, Indonesia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/global-infrastructure/

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Dell'Oro: Optical transport equipment market stagnant in Q1

 The Optical Transport equipment market came in roughly flat with the year ago quarter in 1Q 2021, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. The North American market was the main culprit for this stagnant growth rate, offsetting all of the year-over-year growth in the other regions.

"Although the North American region was down this quarter compared to last year, it did improve from last quarter," said Jimmy Yu, Vice President at Dell'Oro Group. "In fact, the growth quarter-over-quarter was really strong. It grew just a little over 15 percent, and we think this strength will carry forward through the remainder of the year," added Yu.

Highlights from the 1Q 2021 Quarterly Report:

• The top manufacturers by revenue share were Huawei, Ciena, ZTE, and Nokia. Among the top four, Nokia gained the most revenue share over the year ago quarter.
• Three vendors (Ciena, Huawei, and Infinera) are actively shipping 800 Gbps-capable coherent line cards. However, due to the company's early entry, Ciena holds the lion share of shipment volume.
• Communication service providers comprised 71 percent of WDM market revenue in the quarter.

The year-over-year revenue growth in each region was as follows:

Regions Growth Rate in 1Q 2021

• North America -15%
• Europe, Middle East and Africa 10%
• Asia Pacific 0%
• Caribbean and Latin America 15%

https://www.delloro.com

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Xanadu raises $100 million for its photonic quantum computing

Xanadu, a start-up based in Toronto, announced US$100 million in Series B venture funding for its photonic quantum computing.

Xanadu was founded in 2016 to use particles of light for quantum computing to perform extremely fast and previously impossible computations at room temperature. The company says this round of funding positions it to achieve its next major milestone: the building of a fault-tolerant quantum computing module.

"The strong interest from VC firms to fund this Series B financing demonstrates significant market confidence in Xanadu's photonic approach and our world-class team," said Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO. "We believe this confidence is grounded in the significant advantages offered by photonics: The ability to leverage preexisting foundries and off-the-shelf optical components, and the capability to naturally network photonic chips together to form a larger quantum computer with one million qubits".

"This fault-tolerant module is the size of a few conventional server racks and will be the key building block to reaching one millions qubits and to solving meaningful problems, leading to the opening up of a new global market," said Weedbrook. "Photonics has the advantage that networking these modules together is achieved using light, which is already the medium of choice for our quantum computer".

Bessemer Venture Partners led the round with participation from Capricorn, Tiger Global, BDC Capital, In-Q-Tel, along with returning investors Georgian, OMERS, and Tim Draper. The round brings Xanadu's total investment to date to US$145 million.

https://xanadu.ai

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Keysight acquires Quantum Benchmark

Keysight Technologies has acquired Quantum Benchmark, a start-up offering error diagnostics, error suppression and performance validation software for quantum computing. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Quantum Benchmark, which is based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, was backed by venture funds VanEdge Capital and Quantonation. The company's technology is based on research conducted by the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing. The acquisition of Quantum Benchmark supports Keysight's goal to deliver a comprehensive quantum portfolio addressing customer needs across the physical, protocol, and application layers. Quantum Benchmark represents Keysight's third acquisition in the quantum space after Signadyne in 2016 and Labber Quantum in 2019.

"Joining forces with Keysight is a strategic and timely opportunity to accelerate the development and delivery of our industry-leading solutions," said Joseph Emerson, Ph.D., Quantum Benchmark CEO, Founder and Chief Scientist. "Together, we bring the world closer to achieving the break-through applications of quantum computing including the design of energy-efficient materials, the acceleration of drug discovery, the promise of quantum machine learning, and so much more."

"As the quantum ecosystem continues to form, Keysight is committed to providing customers with a full suite of solutions for the overall quantum stack. We are pleased to announce the addition of Quantum Benchmark to our portfolio, providing unique capabilities for solving complex qubit error and validation challenges," said Kailash Narayanan, president of Commercial Communications at Keysight. "The talented Quantum Benchmark team will be a valuable addition to Keysight and will further our mission to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world."

http://www.quantumbenchmark.com

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Keysight delivers test solution for devices operating in unlicensed spectrum

Keysight Technologies introduced a egulatory test solution for the certification of wireless devices that use the unlicensed bands at 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Highlights of the new Keysight IOT0047A regulatory test solution: 

• support for Wi-Fi 6E-ready hardware
• flexible software that is continuously updated according to the latest ETSI and FCC standard releases.
• increase throughput and asset utilization with a system that can easily scale into separate test stations and used in parallel to address different standards and test cases.
• upgrade as needs evolve with an expandable system – add additional channels, software capabilities or standards coverage.
• reduce turnaround time and improve process efficiency with purpose-built test automation software that simplifies and automates the testing cycle, from test configurations to report generation.

"Rapid growth of new IoT devices and designs creates challenges for test labs to address the increasing complexity in regulatory testing. Keysight’s IOT0047A enables labs to simplify the testing process, increase throughput and easily upgrade to support new standards,” said Boon Juan Tan, vice president and general manager, General Electronics Measurement Solutions at Keysight Technologies. “Our goal is to help customers improve ROI in capital investment and gain a competitive edge by enabling their clients to be first-to-market by supporting the latest wireless standards.”

http://www.keysight.com

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