[ACG]: Mobile Core Virtualization Reduces MNOs TCO by 67% Over 5 Years

A new report by ACG Research, sponsored by Affirmed Networks and VMWare finds that "For mobile network operators (MNOs), the decision to delay network virtualization efforts can be a costly one. Every year that MNOs delay the move to network functions virtualization (NFV) cost them millions of dollars in unnecessary capital and operating expenses.

In a five-year cost comparison between MNOs with traditional and virtualized network architectures, ACG found that: 

• MNOs that transitioned to an NFV-based platform began saving money in the first year and realize an investment payback in 3 years
  
• Adopting a virtualized Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solution reduced Capex by 68% and Opex by 67% on average
  
• MNOs were able to turn up a virtualized network much more quickly"

A scenario of a large-scale broadband service, compares virtualizing the following network elements; "Signaling Gateway (SGW), Packet Gateway (PGW), Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), Subscriber Firewall, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and Web and Video Content Management including caching, image compression, content filtering, TCP optimization, video pacing, header enrichment and gzip compression on text objects" to a traditional best of breed solution:

"the five-year cumulative TCO of the Virtualized solution is 67 percent lower than that of the Traditional solution. Virtualized Capex is 68 percent lower, and Virtualized Opex is 67 percent lower than the Traditional solution"

See "Total Cost of Ownership Study Virtualizing the Mobile Core" - here.

Telekom Austria Implements Connetem NFV-Based EPC w/Procera's DPI

Source: Vis's World premiere 

of VoLTE Service  (here)

Back in June Procera Networks announced that "Connetem Enhances its Virtual EPC w/Procera's DPI" (here). The product is now deployed by the "first operator worldwide to implement virtualization of the entire core network production". 

The two vendors, in conjunction with Telekom Austria Group’s Serbian subsidiary Vip mobile announced a "demonstration of the first fully virtualized LTE stack in a live network delivering data, voice and IMS services. Procera’s Network Application Visibility Library (NAVL) software engine provides the application identification, traffic visibility, intelligence and control for Connectem’s virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) solution".

Two years ago, Procera deployed its h/w devices at Telekom Austria - see "Telekom Austria Selected Procera" - here]. Now, "Telekom Austria Group is now the first operator worldwide to implement virtualization of the entire core network production chain for mobile broadband services in a live environment. Instead of mobile traffic running on dedicated proprietary hardware and software, the data will now terminate in a general purpose IT data center running Intel x86 hardware and virtualization services. Additional solutions providers participating in the demonstration include Intel, VMware, Red Hat, Metaswitch, and Open Cloud".

Dejan Kastelic [pictured], director/CTO Vip mobile, said: “We are more than proud that Vip mobile achieved another successful NFV deployment. Being the youngest mobile operator and challenger in the market, we always seek for new opportunities to reshape the innovation landscape both in the local and regional markets. In this way we are directly improving our customers’ experience and expectation by introducing more efficient, cost-effective and energy saving solutions that enable faster time to market and flexible services delivery. Our dedication is to be the leader in providing new solutions to customers, vendors and local expert community by setting more advanced standards that will bring us closer to advanced European and world markets”.

See "Procera Networks’ NAVL Engine Powers Connectem vEPC for Telekom Austria Group" - here.

SDN Gets Standards and Open Source

 

After several months of being a buzzword and using Software Defines Networks anywhere possible, the big guys establish a new forum to define it, build standards and offer an open-source framework(!).

"The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to open source development and technologies, today announced the founding of the OpenDaylight Project, a community-led and industry-supported open source framework that will accelerate adoption, foster new innovation and create a more open and transparent approach to Software-Defined Networking (SDN)".

Technical Overview

"Founded by Big Switch Networks, Brocade, Cisco, Citrix, Ericsson, IBM, Juniper Networks, Microsoft, NEC, Red Hat and VMware .. on the principles of open and transparent development, OpenDaylight unites technology industry leaders to establish the largest SDN open source project to date .. The first code from the OpenDaylight Project is expected to be released in 3Q13 and expected donations and projects include an open controller, a virtual overlay network, protocol plug-ins and switch device enhancements".

See "Industry leaders collaborate on OpenDaylight Project, donate key technologies to accelerate Software-Defined Networking" - here.