Verizon says it has partnered with Lanner Electronics, a developer of whitebox network communication, security, and NFV/SDN platforms, on a line of enhanced universal customer premises equipment (uCPE). The collaboration will see Verizon’s enhanced uCPE program run on Lanner’s hardware platforms and integrate with existing virtual network service (VNS) applications on Verizon’s global network.
The Lanner Electronics platforms leverage Intel’s x86 Atom family processors and are designed for small and medium enterprise deployment. The modular platforms aggregate LTE and WiFi connectivity to enable “low touch” provisioning and scalability to reduce opex while supporting SD WAN deployments, according to Verizon. Verizon says its uCPE obviate the need for separate hardware appliances for such virtual network functions (VNFs) as SD WAN, security, routing, WAN optimization, and other network function that can be virtualized (see "Verizon adds whitebox options to universal CPE line"). The service provider adds that the underlying architecture for the hosted network services and uCPE deployment models is built on open source standard components, including OpenStack. This approach shortens development times for adding new features, services, and technology partners, Verizon asserts.
“Organizations are embracing cloud and mobile first strategies that require more complex networking environments. To address this, we have enhanced our product through tighter integration with the hardware and software ecosystems to ensure we meet and exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Jason Kett, SDN product manager at Verizon. “This whitebox solution increases operational management efficiency for hardware maintenance and facilitates easier deployment of multiple virtual network function vendors on a single open platform.”
“Our expertise in building converged network platforms in both communications and security enables the close collaboration with Intel, and we together address the uCPE market,” added Jeans Tseng, VP and GM of the Telecom Application Business Unit at Lanner. “For over 3 years we have invested in this market segment as we have seen the challenges and turned them into an opportunity to become an industrial phenomenon for whitebox solutions based uCPEs. Working closely with the Verizon team and understanding their challenges allows us to meet their requirements and thus be chosen as a uCPE platform provider.”
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