AWS hit by outage in US-EAST-1 region

Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced an outage started on Dec 7, 2021 at approximately 15:40 UTC impacting various regions worldwide.

The AWS status page reported API and console issues in the US-EAST-1 Region, which is used to host the AWS global console landing page. The trouble included elevated error rates for EC2 APIs in the US-EAST-1 region. 

At 12:34 EST, the company said the root cause was "impairment of several network devices," confirmed that recovery was underway, but could not provide an ETA for full recovery.

https://status.aws.amazon.com

Read More

Marvell samples 50G PAM4 DSP chipset for 5G optical fronthaul

Marvell has begun sampling the industry’s first 50Gbps PAM4 DSP and TIA chipset solution for 5G fronthaul.

Key features of the new Marvell AtlasOne chipset:

• PAM4 digital core for optimal performance across a range of applications.
• Marvell’s companion IN5662 TIA for linearity while maintaining ultra-low noise and power.
• The industry’s first PAM4 DSP integrated Direct Modulated Laser driver in mainstream CMOS technology.
• Industrial temperature range support for 5G fronthaul applications.

Marvell said its new AtlasOne chipset enables advanced fronthaul solutions that scale to 50G while offering lower power consumption for integrated radio access networks (RAN), as well as Open (O-RAN) and virtualized (vRAN) architectures.

Increased fronthaul capacity will be required as mobile operators upgrade radio capacity with wider bandwidths – up to 200 MHz – and massive MIMO technology with up to 64 transmit and receive antennas per Radio Unit (RU).

Similarly, the adoption of O-RAN and vRAN architectures will drive require greater fronthaul capacity. With vRAN, baseband capacity instances can be aggregated in a Distributed Unit (DU) and dynamically shared among multiple RUs. When sufficient radio and fronthaul bandwidths are provisioned, carriers can adaptively shift capacity towards unforeseen traffic spikes to improve network efficiency and user experience.

Marvell also highlighted the combination of its AtlasOne fronthaul, widely deployed OCTEON Fusion RAN silicon, Prestera switches and Alaska Ethernet PHYs for OEMs offering 5G solutions.

“We’re proud to introduce the AtlasOne chipset, a robust, high-performance solution that is helping to make 50G a reality in 5G infrastructure,” said Xi Wang, VP Product Marketing, Optical Connectivity at Marvell. “With this latest addition to our portfolio, we offer telecom carriers access to the same trusted solutions that Marvell has successfully delivered to top hyperscale data center operators.”

https://www.marvell.com/company/newsroom/marvell-50g-pam4-dsp-chipset-5g-ran-optical-fronthaul.html

Marvell intros Atlas 50Gbps PAM4 DSP chipset

Tuesday, June 08, 2021  #OFC21, Inphi, Marvell  

Marvell announced its Atlas 50Gbps PAM4 DSP chipset which integrates transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) and laser drivers in the CMOS package.

The integration of the new Atlas chipset, which is based on Marvell’s Polaris 50G PAM4 DSP family,  reduces supply chain complexity and power consumption by up to 25%. Atlas is also the industry’s first PAM4 DSP available to wire bond directly with lasers and photodiodes, further simplifying the assembly process for optical module integrators, effectively reducing both product lead times and time to market. Sampling is underway.

Atlas PAM4 DSP Key Features:

• Leverages Polaris-class quad-channel DSP core, providing world-class performance and signal integrity while driving faster time to market and product yields.
• Uses existing Polaris DSP software, minimizing software development expense for module developers.
• Comprehensive suite of performance monitoring tools to reduce bring-up time and support mission-mode telemetry critical for hyperscale deployments.
• Integrated laser drivers support both single- and multi-mode interconnect applications.
• Suitable to support a wide range of module form factors including OSFP, QSFP56, QSFP-DD and AOCs.
• Broad range of IEEE standard support including 100G-xR2, 200G-xR4 and 400G-xR8.
• Manufactured in mainstream CMOS process technology optimized for high volume production to deliver a high-performance, low-power PAM4 DSP solution.

https://www.marvell.com/ 

Read More

Marvell and OE Solutions target 100G QSFP-DD module

 

Marvell and OE Solutions are collaborating on 100G QSFP-DD optical modules optimized for 5G backhaul and metro access applications.

The OE Solutions 100G QSFP-DD Coherent Transceiver with the Marvell Deneb Coherent DSP (CDSP) will enable the transition of 10G to 100G coherent solutions for 5G, metro and access applications. The companies anticipate product release in early 2022.

"Marvell's innovative Deneb coherent DSP enables new opportunities in the 100G access transport market and expands our industry-leading 5G RAN portfolio offering to address growing carrier infrastructure needs," said Samuel Liu, Sr. Director Product Line Management at Marvell. "By choosing the industry's first production-ready 100G optimized CDSP for its backhaul transceivers, OE Solutions is expanding its technology leadership position in coherent pluggable modules for 5G networks."

"As the first 100G CDSP in production to enable the I-temp QSFP-DD pluggable module form factor optimized for 5G backhaul applications, Deneb is the best choice for our new 5G optical transceiver products," said Walter Lee, GM of Transceiver BU at OE Solutions. "We look forward to further collaboration with Marvell as we ramp production of our  new 100G transceiver portfolio in 2022."

http://www.oesolutions.com

http://www.marvell.com

Marvell intros low power, multi-mode 400G DSP

Monday, June 07, 2021  #400G, Marvell  

Marvell announced sampling of is new Deneb ultra-low power, multi-mode 400G DSP for disaggregated optical platforms. The new 7nm CDSP for 400G pluggable, which is compatible with its predecessor (Canopus), provides a seamless upgrade to interoperable pluggables across multiple platforms. Deneb can be used to enable standards based ITU, Open ROADM and OpenZR+ compliant 100G/200G/300G/400G pluggable transceivers."Standards-based interoperable...

READ MORE

Read More

Jessica Rosenworcel confirmed as FCC Chairwoman

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel as Chairwoman of the FCC and as an agency commissioner for an additional five-year term. 

Jessica Rosenworcel has served as an FCC Commissioner since 2012. Prior to joining the agency, she was Senior Communications Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Jessica practiced communications law. 

Rosenworcel's statement: “It is a tremendous honor to be confirmed and designated as the first permanent Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.  I would like to thank President Biden for the opportunity.  People across the country count on the FCC to support the connections they need for work, learning, healthcare, and access to the information we require to make decisions about our lives, our communities, and our country.  I look forward to working with the Administration, my colleagues on the Commission and FCC staff, members of Congress, and the public to make the promise of modern communications a reality for everyone, everywhere.” 

http://www.fcc.gov

Read More

Video: How Europe's Data Sovereignty Rules Change the Vendor Landscape

 

https://youtu.be/pWYthYfYYBk

With different laws in place around the world it can be challenging for cloud vendors to manage data locally. In this video, Sylvain Quartier, Vice President, Marketing and Product Strategy at Ekinops, talks about how these challenges drive a more secure network and highlight the importance of an open operating system.

Ekinops Software-Defined Solutions

https://www.ekinops.com/solutions/software-defined

Ekinops OneOS6

https://www.ekinops.com/products-services/products/compose/oneos6

Read More

Equinix to acquire MainOne data centers in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire

Equinix agreed to acquire MainOne, a leading West African data center and connectivity solutions provider, with presence in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire, for $320 million. 

MainOne's assets include:

• Three operational data centers, with an additional facility under construction expected to open in Q1 2022. These facilities will add more than 64,000 gross square feet space to Platform Equinix, in addition to 570,000 square feet of land for future expansions.
• An extensive submarine network extending 7,000 kilometers from Portugal to Lagos, Accra and along the west African coast, with landing stations in Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
• A terrestrial network of more than 1,200 kilometers of reliable terrestrial fiber in Lagos, Edo and Ogun States. Connectivity to terrestrial sites extends across 65 PoPs (points of presence) in cities across Portugal, Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
• Access to key internet exchanges enabling low latency to key global networks, including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Google and Facebook.
• An estimated 800+ business-to-business customers, including major international technology enterprises, social media companies, global telecommunications operators, financial service companies and cloud service providers.
• Nearly 500 employees and a management team with a deep understanding of local and international markets.
• The facilities generate approximately US$60M annualized (Q2'21LQA) revenue with a purchase multiple of approximately 14x EBITDA.

The acquisition is expected to close Q1 of 2022.

Charles Meyers, President and CEO, Equinix: "The acquisition of MainOne will represent a critical point of entry for Platform Equinix into the expansive and rapidly growing African market. MainOne's leading interconnection position and experienced management team represent critical assets in our aspirations to be the leading neutral provider of digital infrastructure in Africa. Growth of data consumption in Africa is amongst the fastest in the world, and our customers are looking for a trusted partner to pursue the opportunities presented by broad mobile adoption and greater connectivity across the region. MainOne's infrastructure, customer relationships, partner ecosystem and operating capability will extend the reach of Platform Equinix and bolster opportunities for customers in Africa and throughout the world."

Globally, Platform Equinix is comprised of 237 data centers across 65 metros and 27 countries.

https://www.equinix.com/newsroom/press-releases/2021/12/equinix-to-expand-into-africa-with-acquisition-of-mainone

Read More

Dell'Oro: Data Center Switch Sales Soar

According to a recent report by Dell’Oro Group, the trusted source for information about the telecommunications, networks, and data center IT industries, 

Global Data Center Switch revenue was up 11 percent year-over-year in 3Q 2021, reaching an all-time high, according to a recent report from Dell'Oro Group. Arista and white box switch suppliers captured most of the growth and gained more than one point of revenue share each.

“We have been predicting the strong demand in the market to persist for various reasons explained in our report, but what surprised us is the level of sales that the vendors were able to fulfill during the quarter, despite ongoing supply challenges,” said Sameh Boujelbene, Senior Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “What was clear though is that certain vendors, for instance, Arista and certainly white box suppliers have been so far able to better navigate the supply issues and take advantage of the situation to gain share, ” added Boujelbene.

Additional highlights from the 3Q 2021 Ethernet Switch – Data Center Report:

• 400 Gbps cumulative shipments eclipsed 3 Million ports, the vast majority of which are still driven by Google and Amazon.
• Microsoft initiated 400 Gbps deployments in 3Q 2021, the vast majority of which were reported under deferred revenue due to pending qualification cycle.
• Huawei, Star-Net Ruijie, and Juniper Networks recorded double-digit revenue growth.

The Dell’Oro Group Ethernet Switch – Data Center Quarterly Report offers a detailed view of the market, including Ethernet switches for server access, server aggregation, and data center core. (Software is addressed separately.) The report contains in-depth market and vendor-level information on manufacturers’ revenue; ports shipped; average selling prices for both Modular and Fixed Managed and Unmanaged Ethernet Switches (1000 Mbps,10, 25, 40, 50, 100, 200, and 400 Gbps); revenue split by market segments as well as regional breakouts. 

https://www.delloro.com/news/data-center-switch-sales-soar-to-record-high-despite-ongoing-supply-challenges/

Read More

Broadcom to buy AppNeta for SaaS network performance monitoring

Broadcom agreed to acquire privately held AppNeta Inc., which provides a SaaS-based network performance monitoring solution. Financial terms were not disclosed.

AppNeta, which is headquartered in Boston, delivers visibility into the end user experience of any application, from any location. AppNeta's SaaS-based solution can quickly pinpoint issues that affect network and business-critical cloud application performance, regardless of where they occur.

"We are excited about the new Digital Experience Management (DEM) capabilities AppNeta will add to our DX NetOps network monitoring solutions.  Hybrid cloud deployments, work from home and prevalence of SaaS-based applications have made enterprises incredibly reliant on the Internet to deliver business-critical applications to employees and customers," said Serge Lucio, vice president and general manager, Enterprise Software Division, Broadcom. "Visibility and control for most performance management teams ends at corporate network boundaries. With AppNeta, DX NetOps solutions by Broadcom Software have visibility into Internet connections and can monitor and manage digital experiences for any user across any cloud, mobile, SaaS or remote work scenario."

https://investors.broadcom.com/news-releases/news-release-details/broadcom-acquires-appneta-bolster-network-performance-monitoring

Read More

AT&T selected to modernize the U.S. Coast Guard's data network

AT&T has been selected to consolidate the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) disparate data communications networks onto a single modernized data communications platform..

AT&T will become the USCG's principal provider of data telecommunications services globally. The USCG's network data services support a variety of connectivity, communications, and operational requirements that enables its users to access and use the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN), Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) Voice, the Internet, authorized intranets, appropriate extranets, and other operations.

The contract, which was awarded by the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, is valued at $161 million over 11 years if all options are exercised.

AT&T said it will provide services including IP-based Wide Area Network, Ethernet, virtual private networking, private line, fixed wireless, optical wavelength, and commercial satellite communication. We will manage the services for the USCG in support of its diverse missions across 1,200 locations.

USCG officials also use FirstNet to securely distribute mission-critical guidance, references, and policies, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and safety during both day-to-day operations as well as large-scale disaster responses. As a subscriber to FirstNet, the USCG uses FirstNet services and capabilities for routine and special operations. As of October 2020, USCG had equipped more than 1,300 pilots and aircrew across all aviation equipment types with FirstNet-enabled tablets for pre-flight planning and awareness purposes.

https://about.att.com/story/2021/coast-guard-data-network.html

Read More

Huawei’s connectivity supports new China-Laos High-Speed Train

Huawei has supplied the connectivity elements supporting the newly launched China-Laos Railway, which runs more than 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in Southwest China to the Laotian capital Vientiane.

Huawei's Smart Railway Solution is a technology suite that boosts safety and security in all phases, from the construction stage to the operational phase. Huawei has worked closely with Laotian telecom operators to build a high-speed network along the high-speed line. The stable connection it provides will benefit passengers, as well as rural residents along the way.

“The launch of the Laos-China Railway reflects the grand vision of leaders of both countries. It marks the culmination of five years of tireless efforts by workers in both countries. Huawei worked with Laos telecom operators to build the wireless network along the railway,” said Dr. Boviengkham VONGDARA, Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos. “With 5G coverage available in the near future, people will enjoy a stable, high-speed and smart connectivity. Working in the train and getting in touch with friends and families anytime anywhere will become a possibility. Thanks to everyone’s big contributions to this project. Following the opening of this railway, we shall implement One-Belt-One-Road on the digital stage as well.”

https://www.huawei.com/en/news/2021/12/huawei-laos-china-railway

Read More

FAA issues directives concerning altimeters and 5G

 The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued two airworthiness directives concerning the expansion of 5G and aviation:

• 
  AD 2021-23-12 for all transport and commuter category airplanes equipped with a radio (also known as radar) altimeter. This AD was prompted by a determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band). This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing airplane/aircraft flight manual (AFM) to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when in the presence of 5G C-Band interference as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
• AD 2021-23-13 for all helicopters equipped with a radio (also known as radar) altimeter. This AD was prompted by a determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7- 3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band). This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your helicopter to incorporate limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when in the presence of 5G C-Band interference in areas as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In March 2020, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted final rules authorizing flexible use of the 3.7-3.98 GHz band for next generation services, including 5G and other advanced spectrum-based services.1 Pursuant to these rules, C-Band wireless broadband deployment is permitted to occur in phases with the opportunity for operations in the lower 100 megahertz of the band (3.7-3.8 GHz) in 46 markets beginning as soon as December 5, 2021.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-statement-5g

Read More