Harmonic (NASDAQ:HLIT) has introduced the CableOS system, a software-based CCAP solution. CableOS features a software-based CMTS core server and full-spectrum DOCSIS 3.1 Remote PHY systems, CableOS Core software runs on 1RU COTS Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) processor-based servers in a headend, hub or data center.
A single CableOS Core server is intended to support tens of gigs of capacity and multiple service groups in fewer rack units than traditional hardware CMTSs. It's designed to cut space and power by up to 75% in a centralized CCAP deployment, or by more than 90% in a Remote PHY deployment.
"Cable delivery infrastructure has traditionally been based on purpose-built silicon platforms," said Dan Rodriguez, Intel's general manager, communication infrastructure division. "Scaling hardware-centric infrastructure to meet new services and IP demand growth leads to capacity, space and power challenges. The move to a software-based model that uses standard servers with Intel processors offers cost and time-to-market advantages to cable operators by delivering more computing at the edge of the network to improve service agility and quality of experience."
CableOS is currently in trials at several tier 1 cable MSOs in North America and Europe. The first commercial deployments are expected in Q4 2016.
In other Harmonic news, the company has entered into a warrant agreement with Comcast NASDAQ:CMCSA). The agreement provides Comcast with the opportunity to acquire shares of common stock of Harmonic based on specific CableOS and other Harmonic product sales and deployment milestones during the term of the warrant.