CenturyLink notes use of CORD design as part of virtualized broadband network gateway is part of extensive virtualization use in IP core by end of 2019.
The telecommunications industry’s adoption of the central office re-architected as a data center design continues as CenturyLink said it is the first carrier to use its own virtualized broadband network gateway to support broadband services using the CORD design as part of an ongoing transition of its central offices using network virtualization technology.
The implementation includes the use of a CenturyLink software-defined networking access controller, which is based on an OpenDaylight-based controller stack, designed to integrate the operator’s legacy operating support systems and “latest generation orchestration platforms.” The Louisiana-based operator said by using the CORD design it’s able to tap SDN and network functions virtualization technologies to “bring data center economics and cloud agility” to its central offices.
CenturyLink said it was also continuing to develop and implement virtualized services, including virtual firewall, data center interconnection and software-defined wide area networking for enterprise customers. The operator said it was targeting full global virtualization coverage in its IP core network by the end of 2019.
“Our CORD deployment is a significant milestone on our path to achieve full network virtualization,” said Aamir Hussain, EVP and CTO at CenturyLink, in a statement. “This is a key component in our strategy to bring virtual network services to our customers while driving virtualization into our last-mile network, allowing us to quickly and efficiently deliver new technologies that meet our customers’ rapidly changing needs.”
The CORD project, which was formed by the Open Network Operating System in early 2015, is focused on accelerating the adoption of open source SDN and NFV solutions for service providers using open source platforms like ONOS, OpenStack, Docker and XOS. The project was recently folded into The Linux Foundation as an independent open source project, and was quickly followed up by the release of its first open reference implementation targeted at providing a single integrated solution platform for creating new customer services. The reference design is said to allow developers to autobuild CORD on a single node within one hour.
CORD members include AT&T, China Unicom, Google, NTT Communications, SK Telecom, Comcast and Verizon Communication; and vendor partners Ciena, Cisco, Fujitsu, Intel, NEC, Nokia, Radisys and Samsung.
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