iPhotonix buys Netsocket NFV assets, launches optical access platform

Fiber to the home (FTTH) technology developer iPhotonix has acquired the network functions virtualization (NFV) assets of Netsocket, Inc. and used them to create a new NFV platform for broadband access networks. The iPhotonix Virtual Network (iVN) platform will provide scalable, secure, and agile delivery of enterprise and cloud-based applications, the company asserts.

iPhotonix did not reveal how much it paid for the Netsocket assets. However, it appears to have wasted no time putting them to use.

"iPhotonix is driving the advancement of open and emerging IP technologies," asserted Amir Elbaz, CEO, iPhotonix. "The new iPhotonix Virtual Network NFV platform will significantly enhance our offering with NFV, which plays a major role in helping traditional communications service providers migrate and harness the power of virtualization."

The company has focused on GPON and Active Ethernet products for fiber-optic broadband networks. This includes the iVolve Multi-System Operable Optical Access Platform as well as a range of optical network terminals (ONTs), residential gateways, and other products (see, for example, "Summit Broadband selects iPhotonix ONTs with RF return capabilities").

The line has now expanded with the iPhotonix Virtual Network (iVN) platform. The iVN offers functions such as performance monitoring, firewalls, and end device management that run on commodity hardware. The iVN also leverages a graphical user interface to build service templates and business rules to introduce and manage services.

"This acquisition accelerates the delivery of our value-add services strategy," said Elbaz. “The industry's transition to NFV is a strategic element to the selection criteria of both enterprise and communication service providers as they evaluate future network architectures. Having a solution that enables service providers to deploy and orchestrate these network services in an NFV environment will be increasingly important and in some cases vital for their success."

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