Aricent is taking advantage of an Intel reference design in rolling out software-defined network and network functions virtualization software that runs on the chip maker’s Open Network Platform Switch Reference Design.
Aricent explained that the design, which is now available for trials, is designed to help original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers build data center switches, including top-of-the-rack switches, blade switches and other hardware accelerated data center fabric switches. Intel, which delved into a SDN reference design platform last April, noted its reference platform is designed for emerging SDN and NFC switching and routing requirements and is based on its Xeon process and Ethernet Switch FM6764.
In taking advantage of the platform, Aricent said its Layer 2 suite will include virtual local area network; link aggregation control protocol; and Internet group management protocol. Its Layer 3 suite will include open shortest past first and intermediate system to intermediate system protocols; and border gateway protocol. The suite will also include the Openflow data plane software.
At this year’s Mobile World Congress event, Aricent showed off its cloud-based virtual customer premise equipment framework, which is part of its NFV software solution. The company said the VCPE framework is based on its Intelligent Switching Solution and virtualizes several CPE network functions in a move to reduce the cost of a physical CPE. The platform is designed to integrate with SDN, NFV and cloud architectures, and can run from a cloud environment as a virtualized application or on the edge routers as a service.
A recent report from Maravedis-Rethink predicts nearly three-fourth of mobile operators will deploy some form of NFV by 2018, noting the move to NFV will be one of the most important ways carriers will “transform their cost base and their service delivery in the next few years.” However, the firm cautions that hurdles will need to be overcome for carriers to realize the full potential of NFV.
“This figure has already risen from our previous estimate of 67%, made six months ago indicating the accelerating momentum behind NFV,” explained Caroline Gabriel, research director at Maravedis-Rethink and author of the research note. “This quickening pace of adoption reflects rising confidence in the platform, often as part of an SDN strategy and the urgent need for operators to reduce costs and deliver new services more quickly and responsively.”
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