Light Reading Validates Cisco's NFV Infrastructure

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Light Reading today published the initial results of an industry-first validation of the NFV (network functions virtualization) infrastructure from Cisco Systems. The independent test was conducted by leading networking technology test company EANTC, and paid for by Light Reading, to ensure impartial and authoritative results. 

EANTC evaluated four essential functions that service providers must have in order to make the move to 21^st century cloud-based services. They are: performance; reliability; multi-service capabilities, including two major applications, virtual packet core and cloud video; and so-called "single pane of glass" management.

Part 1 of the report is available on the Light Reading site: http://www.lightreading.com/nfv/nfv-tests-and-trials/validating-ciscos-nfv-infrastructure-pt-1/d/d-id/718684

The report is both timely and important. Communications service providers, including all of the world's major telecom operators, are now in the process of implementing bold new technology and service strategies that take advantage of emerging virtualization capabilities. A key part of that process is the introduction of NFV infrastructure (NFVi), as the workhorse and centerpiece of their commercial operations.

As one of the global leaders in the networking technology sector, Cisco has developed its own NFVi to offer to its customers and partners, based on open source components.  

The Light Reading/EANTC evaluation is immensely significant because communications network operators need an independent and trusted source of information about the performance and capabilities of the various virtualization technologies available to them.  

"Service providers understand that the future of communications lies in an NFV-enabled cloud, but they are starting to get really fed up with the ratio of hype to reality in the marketing being put out by both individual vendors and the industry associations that concern themselves with virtualization specifications. What service providers need is quantitative, authoritative data that will allow them to create business technology strategies that move them into the cloud, profitably and without stymieing their current revenue streams. That's exactly what this test delivers," said Steve Saunders, CEO and founder of Light Reading.

"EANTC's evaluation shows that Cisco's vSwitch is ready to meet the needs of those communications service providers that are ready to embrace virtualization and that, in well-defined test scenarios, Cisco's vSwitch technology outperformed Open vSwitch, a commonly used open source virtual network element," added Ray Le Maistre, Editor-in-Chief of Light Reading.

"It's time to start with real, no-nonsense performance and scalability tests of the core NFVi elements upon which every virtualized application will depend. Cisco has skillfully implemented its own vSwitch and virtual router with consistent performance, while keeping committed to Open vSwitch, which we tested side by side," said Carsten Rossenhovel, Managing Director at EANTC. "We also validated Cisco's integrated NFV management solutions based on OpenStack and OpenDaylight that streamline previously cumbersome VNF provisioning and service assurance procedures."

This is just the latest phase of Light Reading's virtualization test program with EANTC in 2015. The test specialist has already performed an in-depth evaluation of Cisco's Service Provider Virtualization and Cloud Portfolio (March 2015) and is currently performing a multivendor interoperability evaluation to determine whether NFVi and VNF technology from different suppliers can interwork.     

Light Reading has a long track record of running unique industry tests. In 2000 it was a performance 'bake-off' between the terabit routers from Cisco and Juniper that put Light Reading on the map for the first time.

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About Light Reading
Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) helps the global communications industry make informed decisions. The Lightreading.com site is the definitive source for next-generation communications analysis for more than 450,000 users each month, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading also produces live events for executives charged with monetizing cable, New IP, optical, Ethernet, mobile, gigabit cities, security, virtualization, components, communications drones, next-gen analytics, Internet of Things, and wireline networks.

About EANTC
EANTC (European Advanced Networking Test Center -- www.eantc.de/) is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading independent test centers for telecommunication technologies. Based in Berlin, Germany, the company offers vendor-neutral consultancy and realistic, reproducible high-quality testing services since 1991.  Customers include leading network equipment manufacturers, Tier 1 service providers, large enterprises and governments worldwide.  EANTC's proof of concept, acceptance tests and network audits cover established and next-generation fixed and mobile network technologies.

Media Contact:
Ray Le Maistre
Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading
O: +44(0)1372 800 585
[email protected]

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SOURCE Light Reading

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