Twenty years after the first network processors were launched, we are now moving toward the fully programmable data plane, with network operator virtualization efforts driving that trend. Most physical networking systems are being replaced by virtual network functions (VNFs) running on servers at the core and edge of the network. These servers have general-purpose processors […]
Virtualizing the Customer Premises
Universal CPE (uCPE) solutions enable a new approach in which remotely provisioned virtual functions provide key network functionality and bring the benefits of virtualization to enterprise networks. A growing number of service providers are deploying uCPE platforms that support one or more virtual network functions (VNFs) for WAN connectivity (including SD-WAN), security, routing, switching and […]
Looking to the Future With ON2020: An OFC Perspective
The ON2020 panel session at OFC this year, titled “Industry Visions for a Converged Optical Networking Roadmap,” provided a fascinating insight into the challenges faced by a diverse set of network operators and highlighted some of the technologies that will be required in future optical networks. Some key themes were shared by the various operator […]
400G Achieves Significant Market Availability
400G is now supported on systems from many companies, providing an attractive alternative to using multiple 100G interfaces where higher throughput is required. 400G interfaces and optical modules have been challenging to develop, but these are rapidly becoming available from multiple suppliers. During 2018, companies will introduce second-generation 400G interfaces and optical modules, significantly increasing […]
ON2020 Shares Operator Visions for the Future of Optical Networking at OFC 2018
Operators are already looking at the optical networks required to deliver cloud and 5G services over the next five to ten years, and ON2020 provides a forum for the industry to share these visions and develop technology roadmaps and evolution scenarios to ensure the right solutions are available. At OFC, the ON2020 group, now officially launched as […]
Competition Heats Up for SDN/NFV Processing
The shift to application and network virtualization by operators and service providers requires a new generation of multicore processors that are being introduced by many vendors. Cloud services are being delivered from hyper-scale data centers and through edge networks where support for virtual applications and virtualized networks requires servers with multicore processors that have many […]
Why Gfast Is About to Come of Age
The latest Gfast chipsets, supporting Amendment 3 functionality, are offering a mature solution for gigabit broadband that is re-igniting the copper-versus-fiber debate. Since the first Gfast chipsets were introduced in 2014, vendors have worked with network operators and system developers to run trials and experiment with higher performance, longer reach and support for coax. The […]
Ubiquitous SDN Acceleration Is Coming
Smart network interface cards (NICs) with high-level programming are enabling the step up in application and virtualization performance that is needed to deliver on the promise of software-defined networking (SDN). By using smart NICs in every server, operators can ensure that network virtualization, load balancing and other low-level functions are offloaded from the server CPUs, […]
100G Growth Fuels Race to 400G & Beyond
The widespread deployment of 100G connections in data centers and across networks is driving demand for 400G solutions and funding the development of 400G components. Those vendors that have successfully developed competitive 100G optical modules and components are simultaneously growing 100G volume, developing lower-cost 100G solutions and introducing 25G, 50G, 200G, 400G and 600G products. […]
Switching Redefined for the Virtual Network
The shift to cloud services and virtual networks has made data center switches — and the switch devices used in them — key to delivering maximum network performance and service flexibility. Maximum network performance requires low latency switches with 25Gbit/s serial interfaces and 25GE and 100GE ports. Maximum service flexibility requires switches with support for […]