Tuesday, December 13, 2022

MEF issues first SASE standard and Zero Trust Framework

MEF published the first Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) standard defining SASE service attributes, a framework and common definitions, and a Zero Trust framework that together allow organizations to implement dynamic policy-based actions to secure network resources for faster decision making and implementation for enterprises.

  • SASE Service Attributes and Service Framework Standard -- This standard specifies service attributes to be agreed upon between a service provider and a subscriber for SASE services, including security functions, policies, and connectivity services. The standard defines the behaviors of the SASE service that are externally visible to the subscriber irrespective of the implementation of the service. A SASE service based upon the framework defined in the standard enables secure access and secure connectivity of users, devices, or applications to resources for the subscriber. MEF’s SASE standard (MEF 117) includes SASE service attributes and a SASE service framework.
  • Zero Trust Framework for MEF Services --The new Zero Trust Framework for MEF Services (MEF 118) defines a framework and requirements of identity, authentication, policy management, and access control processes that are continuously and properly constituted, protected, and free from vulnerabilities when implemented and deployed. This framework also defines service attributes, which are agreed between a subscriber and service provider, to enable service providers to implement and deliver a broad range of services that comply with Zero Trust principles.

MEF said its new SASE standard aligns stakeholders on common terminology and service attributes when buying, selling, and delivering SASE services, and makes it easier to interface policy with security functions for cloud-based cybersecurity from anywhere. MEF’s Zero Trust framework defines service attributes to enable service providers to implement and deliver a broad range of services that comply with Zero Trust principles.

“Enterprises are challenged to compare feature sets and solutions when selecting SD-WAN, SSE, and SASE services, including Zero Trust Network Access, which can result in incomplete service offerings that don’t meet needs and expectations. At the same time, service providers want to offer a complete, unified SASE service that includes networking and security under a single pane of glass,” said Pascal Menezes, MEF Chief Technology Officer. 

According to the July 2022 SASE & SD-WAN 5-Year Forecast Report from Dell’Oro Group, the SASE-related technologies market will exceed $13 billion by 2026. SASE has quickly gained traction due to its work-from-anywhere cloud approach to security and networking. The MEF SASE service standard and Zero Trust framework have been developed by the industry’s top managed security and service providers to make it easier to bring to market robust, easy-to-understand, easy-to-manage SASE services for the enterprise. The new standards include:

“With SASE still at an early stage and generating confusion, I applaud MEF’s standardization efforts. In the near-term, they are contributing vocabulary and aligning conceptual frameworks that are vital to getting the industry to rally behind common, interoperable approaches,” said Mauricio Sanchez, Research Director for Network Security & SASE/SD-WAN research at Dell’Oro Group. “In the long-term, I see the resulting standards help make multi-vendor SASE a reality and accelerate overall adoption.”

https://www.mef.net/news/mef-introduces-first-sase-standard-and-zero-trust-framework/

Video: Standardizing SD-WAN and (soon) SASE

SD-WAN evolved independently with a number of big players and, as a result, all of their solutions are different, notes Dave Larson, GM and CTO of Spirent.SASE, as an extension of SD-WAN, brings a new set of monetization possibilities.MEF is about using standards and APIs to level of playing field.https://youtu.be/wwWMah7y...

Edgecore builds a server/switch with Intel's Tofino and Xeon silicon

Edgecore Networks introduced a Server Switch with 32x 100G QSFP28 ports in 2U form factor and powered by dual Intel scalable Xeon processors and a P4 programmable Intel Tofino switch chip.

The CSP-7550 is a server-switch offers 4 open PCIe slots that can be used for various FPGA, Smart NIC, AI/ML etc PCIe cards for adding new types of functions and capabilities. 

The CSP-7550 includes eight DDR4 DIMM slots per CPU, with local storage options including two SATA III or PCIe. In addition, the CSP-7550 supports an optional FPGA card, which has a high-speed connection to the Tofino chipset. With the FPGA card, the CSP-7550 is able to support extra-large tables for hundreds of millions of session entries or provide tens of GBs of high-speed buffering for Hierarchical Quality of Service (HQoS).

Potential applications include high-performance network visibility monitoring, hardware-enhanced virtualized security, and mobile LTE/5G gateway applications. The CSP-7550 could also function as a Server Load balancer (SLB), Network Packet Broker (NPB), Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), or 5G User Plane Function (UPF). The new server-switch solution delivers high-performance and flexibility in cloud data centers and at the edge, enhancing computing, switching, and storage applications to meet the demands of modern network deployments.

Nanda Ravindran, Vice President of Product Management of Edgecore, said, “Network operators are starting to embrace open network solutions and requiring more powerful platforms for high-performance computing. CSP-7550 Server-switch with enhanced CPU capacity and performance enables value-added application development to address continuously expanding network requirements. Edgecore offers greater choice and flexibility for network operators to build modern networking infrastructures for the multi-cloud and mobile-centric world."

“As the industry is gearing towards programmable infrastructure, we are pleased to offer multi-terabit performance with Intel Tofino Expandable Architecture optimized for customers evolving edge-to-cloud requirements, such as load balancing, security, telco user plane functions and broadband gateways,” said Barry Davis, General Manager of Marketing and Software Planning at Intel. 

https://www.edge-core.com/productsList.php?cls=1&cls2=679

Lightpath expands fiber backbone across the NY region

Driven by the 5G network rollout of a major wireless provider, Lightpath is expanding its fiber infrastructure across the New York Metro region, in total adding over 300 route miles. The expansion also serves thousands of additional enterprise, education, and government customers.  

The announcement is an aggregation of numerous builds throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Long Island. Manhattan alone will see over 50 route miles of new network, including express fiber routes up and down the borough. Expansions in other areas, including Brooklyn and Queens, will further densify Lightpath's network to reach more customers, as well as support the 5G wireless deployment.    

"5G wireless network deployments require incredibly dense fiber networks to backhaul and aggregate the massive bandwidths that they support. Expanding our fiber footprint in New York Metro to accommodate 5G is going to bring our network to thousands of new organizations," explained Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath. "Lightpath already had the largest and deepest, by far, all-fiber network in New York Metro (among competitive fiber providers) and now we will be able to serve even more customers in the market."

Lightpath's traction serving the wireless industry has continued its blistering pace in 2022. In May, Lightpath announced over 2,000 wireless sites active or in-process, which was an increase of almost 1,000 sites over the previous year. Since May, this number has grown to over 2,500 sites throughout the Lightpath footprint. 

New York Metro expansion area customers will have access to the entire portfolio of Lightpath all-fiber solutions, including Optical Transport up to 800 Gbps, Ethernet, Internet Access, Private Networks, Dark Fiber, SD-WAN,  Security Solutions, Voice Services, and other Managed Services.

https://lightpathfiber.com/our-network

Lightpath builds high-fiber-count Miami network

Lightpath disclosed plans to build a high-fiber0count fiber network in Miami. Lightpath's entry into Miami will kick off with a 55-mile subterranean network of new, high-count fiber in early 2023. All together, the company is planning 135 route miles.The Miami Central Business District (CBD) network will be customer-ready in January 2023, while two rings to the north and west of the CBD will come online in April 2023. During the initial...

Lightpath now connects 2,000 wireless towers

Lightpath, which operates an all-fiber network in the New York and Boston metro regions, now connects 2,000 wireless towers.  This represent a doubling of on-net wireless sites in the last 12 months.Carriers can choose flexible connectivity including 10G optical, dark fiber, or custom connectivity, with optical transport services now riding on Lightpath's state-of-the-art Ciena network. Additionally, Lightpath offers carriers geographically...


Aligned Data Centers to acquire ODATA data centers in Latin America

Aligned Data Centers agreed to acquire ODATA, a data center service provider offering scalable, reliable, and flexible IT infrastructure in Latin America, from Patria Investments and other selling stakeholders. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In connection with the acquisition, Aligned, which is majority owned by funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management, entered into a definitive agreement to receive a structured minority investment in ODATA from funds managed by SDC Capital Partners.

ODATA operates data centers in Brazil (4), Colombia (1), Mexico (1), and Chile (2).

“The acquisition combines a significant growth runway for expansion and a proven ability to deliver capacity at maximum speed, with regional expertise and partnerships, enhanced fiscal resources, and a resilient supply chain, to deliver a world-class data center platform that meets the demands of our global hyperscale and enterprise customers,” states Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned Data Centers. “We’re excited to welcome Ricardo and the ODATA team to the Aligned fold and look forward to fostering our joint commitments to customer centricity and operational excellence as we embark on the next phase of innovation and growth.” 

https://www.aligneddc.com 

Intelsat's Galaxy 35 and 36 launch on Ariane 5

Intelsat's Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36 geosynchronous satellites were successfully launched aboard Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana.

Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36 are part of five satellites that Intelsat contracted Maxar to build for the C-band transition. In addition to the five C-band satellites Intelsat has ordered from Maxar in 2020 to support their C-band spectrum transition, the company also contracted Maxar to manufacture its next-generation Intelsat 40e geostationary communications satellite, currently in assembly.

“With yet another successful launch, Intelsat has demonstrated its continued commitment to its media customers,” said Intelsat CEO Dave Wajsgras. “The continued refreshment of the Galaxy fleet will provide broadcast viewers with quality programming all across North America.”

https://www.intelsat.com

https:/www.maxar.com

Intelsat Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 satellites successfully launched

 On Saturday, November 12th, SpaceX successfully launched Intelsat's Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32 geosynchronous communications satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.Intelsat's Galaxy 31 and Galaxy 32, which were manufactured by Maxar, will ensure service continuity to Intelsat’s North American media customers.Galaxy 31 will replace Galaxy 23 at 121 degrees west and will begin service in early 2023....

SpaceX launches Intelsat Galaxy 33 and 34 GEO satellites

Intelsat Galaxy 33 and Galaxy 34 geosynchronous communications satellites were successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:07 p.m. EDT on October 8th.Galaxy 33 will be the replacement satellite at 133 degrees west once it is in service in early November. The satellite will provide service continuity for distribution to cable headends throughout the United States.Galaxy 34 will replace...


Aqua Comms names Jim Fagan as next CEO

Aqua Comms has appointed Jim Fagan as its new CEO, effective 1 May 2023, replacing Nigel Bayliff, who leaves the business on 30 April 2023.

Fagan currently serves as  Chief Strategy & Revenue Officer at GCX. He was previously with Telstra, Pacnet and Rackspace based in Asia and USA.

Aqua Comms provides services on seven subsea fibre cables connecting North America to Ireland, UK and onwards to northern Europe and soon on the new EMIC1 route opening up from southern Europe to India.

https://aquacomms.com/latest-news/aqua-comms-dac-announces-appointment-of-new-chief-executive/

Aqua Comms signs with Telecom Egypt for EMIC-1 subsea cable

Aqua Comms has signed a crossing and landing agreement with Telecom Egypt for the Europe Middle-East India Connect 1 (EMIC-1) subsea cable, which will connect the key European hubs of Barcelona, Marseille and Genoa with Salalah, Oman and Mumbai, India,.Telecom Egypt will provide EMIC-1, which is a new intercontinental subsea cable and terrestrial fibre system, a seamless optical path between East Africa, Asia, and Europe. EMIC-1 will land in Ras...

Aqua Comms activates CeltixConnect-2 and North Sea Connect

Aqua Comms confirmed the launch of CeltixConnect-2 (CC-2) and North Sea Connect (NSC) as part of its ownership of the Havhingsten cable system, which links Ireland, the UK and the Nordics.CC-2 is Aqua Comms’ second unrepeated system between the key data hubs of Ireland and the UK, with diverse landings into the Isle of Man (IOM). Together with CC-1 the new system brings resilient, high fibre count, capacity connectivity between these key hubs for...

Havhingsten Cable System links Ireland, UK and the Nordics

Construction has completed on the Havhingsten cable system linking Ireland, the UK and the Nordics. Partners in the project include Aqua Comms, Bulk Fiber Networks, a leading builder and operator of fiber network infrastructure, and Meta. The subsea cable was built by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN).The Havhingsten cable system runs across the Irish Sea from north of Dublin, Ireland to south of Blackpool on the west coast of the UK, with a section...