Challenge #3: Migration to packet. An obstacle to some. An opportunity for others
In the third of our ‘Taming the Big Four’ blog series, looking at the key challenges facing power distributors, Marco Berger, ECI’s Head of Critical Infrastructure Solutions, explores how to upgrade legacy infrastructure smoothly and, just as importantly, see it as an opportunity, not just an obstacle.
Topics: Cyber Security, Critical Infrastructures, Utility
Pro versus Con
We have entered a time in our industry where telecom system vendor mergers abound. After every merger, someone from the acquiring company usually makes a statement about how mergers are good for the industry by reducing excess competition and capitalizing on synergies. While they have a point, they are also not talking from the perspective of an uninterested observer. Being of two minds on the subject, I thought it best to set up an informal debate between myselves to try to solve this issue.
Debates in the SDN controller space
Not too long ago, in all meetings with people close and less close to the matter there always was the same question… which controller do you work with? ONOS or Open Daylight? And why that one? Why not the other? Religious debates… where have they gone? Why has it become so quiet? And is there anything we can learn from them?
Topics: SDN, Open Source, Open
Same, same, but different
We hear lots of discussion about the fundamental changes to the fronthaul and backhaul transport networks as we move towards 5G mobile networks. However, in my opinion, much remains the same, with some key advances made to support changes in radio technology and provide increased service support and flexibility.
Topics: Mobile Backhaul, 5G
In a second blog Andreas Hegers takes a step back from software revolution
Really? What's going on with this guy, I hear you say. In his last blog he’s praising the beauty of standards, and now he’s going completely retro? Hardly anyone is talking about anything but the endless opportunities of software these days. It’s even difficult to find a decent webinar that talks about Hardware … how dare I?
Topics: SDN, Disaggregation, Hardware
Part 1 – Network Value Shifting to the Cloud
When Service Providers (SPs) look to the future they see a tsunami bearing down that threatens to drown their traditional world. The over-the-top (OTT) delivery of cloud-based services has already diminished the SP role in many cases to being a pipe supplier and bit transporter. Cloud services are now also beginning to endanger SP’s value-added business, residential, and mobile services.
Topics: Service Providers
Part 1 - The Composable System
A revolution is taking place at the network edge. In the early days, rack mount computers were purchased in various sizes, mounted, and dedicated to a particular application. Over time, virtualization took hold, as well as the idea of separating storage from the processor and memory with it, leading to a disaggregated solution. Storage was often connected through the network as a Storage Area Network (SAN) or Network Attached Storage (NAS), providing pooled, high efficiency storage for large scale applications. The trend, in recent years, has been towards converged systems, which primarily means moving the storage back into the box, as a device locally attached to the processor’s bus.
Topics: Other
Take Aways from NGON 2017 in Nice
The other week’s annual trip to the south of France for the lucky few in the industry with travel budgets was, once again, a nice confirmation of the strength of the optical industry. While not as big as some of the major shows of the past, the attendees were informed, interested, and attentive. The optical industry is going through some significant changes, and it’s always useful to get together occasionally with colleagues and talk through some of the recent challenges and opportunities.
Topics: Optical Networking
