Nokia (NYSE:NOK) has introduced a virtualized version of its Unified Cable Access node for Distributed Access Architecture (DAA). The virtualized solution is designed to support both remote PHY (R-PHY) and remote MAC-PHY (R-MAC-PHY) devices within the same network and switch from one to the other based on network requirements and strategic direction.
R-PHY moves the DOCSIS signal generation (PHY) to the access node; R-MAC-PHY moves both the PHY and DOCSIS processing (MAC) to the node. Nokia's solution is based on technology from Gainspeed, which the company bought last August.
Features of the vDAA include:
- vCMTS Anywhere - A virtualized a cable modem termination system (CMTS), which includes the DOCSIS MAC, as a virtual network function (VNF)
- Universal Node - Capability to convert a Gainspeed cable access node from R-PHY to R-MAC-PHY, or vice versa, on the fly
- Unified Control - A Gainspeed access controller designed to simultaneously support both R-PHY and R-MAC-PHY nodes
- Interoperability - The solution is designed to support any R-PHY or R-MAC-PHY node
Nokia will be demonstrating the product at the SCTE/ISBE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver.
In other Nokia news, the company has introduced Nokia Wi-Fi, a managed service provider solution designed to extend gigabit connectivity to every corner of the home. The portfolio consists of a new line of gateways and extenders, and also features WiFi interference detection and identification.
The meshed solution uses Broadcom's BCM4363 WLAN chipset with Air-IQ technology to analyze and avoid intermediate interference effects caused by other WiFi devices (the neighbor's network, for instance) or non-WiFi devices. The Nokia Wi-Fi gateways are designed to identify up to 17 different interference sources occurring at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and choose the best channel of operation or band to avoid interference.