Nuage Networks, which is a division of Nokia, is set to supply a SDN platform to Vodafone in support of data center and VPN+ SD-WAN operations.
Vodafone Group tapped Nokia’s Nuage Networks division to supply a software-defined networking platform for the carrier’s data centers and to power its VPN+ pilot of software-defined wide area network services.
Nokia noted the Nuage Networks Virtualized Service Platform provides a single framework for policy based automation across the data center and WAN deployment, which can help telecom operators synchronize their multiprotocol label switching virtual private network, hybrid WAN and hosted cloud services. The platform is also said to support cloud orchestration platforms based on open source standards like OpenStack and CloudStack
Vodafone’s VPN+ project, which is described as a multivendor mobile VPN services portfolio and part of its Ocean Transformation software initiative, is said to demonstrate aspects of SD-WAN in support of network functions virtualization and internet of things applications.
The latest agreement builds on a long-standing SDN and NFV working relationship between Vodafone and Nokia, with the vendor noting the two have been working on virtualization platforms for the past three years.
Vodafone late last month added Juniper Networks’ Contrail Networking SDN platform to its list as a “global approved vendor,” which included the vendor hosting a presentation of Vodafone’s VPN+ at the Mobile World Congress event.
Nokia last year was cited by IHS Markit as one of the telecom market’s top SDN vendors based on a survey of global services providers that had deployed or planned to deploy SDN and NFV platforms. The vendor was singled out as having the greatest brand awareness in terms of SDN orchestration software.
IDC last year forecast the SD-WAN space to reach $6 billion in technology and service sales by 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 90% over the next five years.
Bored? Why not follow me on Twitter.
