RAD Data Communications and Nakina Systems reported product interoperability for a “major” North American cable operator that the companies claim is one of the first real-world examples of network functions virtualization, with software being using to control hardware deployment.
The interoperability was generated between RAD’s ETX-2 Carrier Ethernet demarcation device and Nakina’s NI-Directors software. The firms noted that with the NI-Director “pre-configured and in place, the service provider’s installers can simply select an appropriate RAD CPE unit from available stock, plug it in at the customer premises, and be assured of immediate, successful operation. The NI-Director software detects the specific RAD device, fully configures the device and provisions the end-to-end service automatically.”
RAD President Uri Zilberman noted that the NFV solution “frees installation and operations staff from implementing complex and costly device-specific configuration processes.”
“At the time the service is designed, existing resources are fully configured and left in a service ready state,” explained Mary O’Neill, CEO of Nakina. “Virtual versions of CPE units that are not yet present are pre-provisioned. As each of the end points of the service is installed, NI-Director matches the physical device to a virtual resource that has been pre-provisioned and fully automates the commissioning and activation of the device in accordance with the service provider’s standards.”
Telecommunications providers are expected to use NFV solutions in conjunction with software-defined network offerings to ease the cost burden associated with rolling out next-generation networks. SDN solutions are expected to require more initial investments as carriers look to enhance their current network infrastructure, while NFV solutions are set to remove deployment costs by reducing the physical complexity in rolling out and updating network equipment.
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