Ciena enhances Blue Planet platform’s policy capabilities for more software-centric networks

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) says it is enhancing policy capabilities in its Blue Planet software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) orchestration platform that uses the architectural framework from the Linux Foundation’s open-source Open Networking Automation Platform (ONAP; see "ONAP touts expanded membership, project progress") to support network providers'transition to more software-centric networks.

Supporting improved closed-loop automation use cases, the new Blue Planet policy subsystem will be able to progressively scale capacity with growing bandwidth demands and prevent potential failure, Ciena attests. It will also enhance operators'ability to create intent-based policies for networks that can resolve potential issues and meet significant growth goals. Additionally, Blue Planet will feature the following enhancements:

· Blue Planet policy creates rules determining the decisions and actions software takes to automatically modify the closed-loop network’s behavior.

· Alongside Ciena-developed innovations, Blue Planet combines several open-source concepts, components, and frameworks delivering a differentiated platform to meet existing and future demands of customers. Ciena is continuing to expand Blue Planet’s interoperability and applicability by making it compatible with major ONAP elements.

· In addition to the supported ETSI ISG NFV Release 2 specification, Ciena’s Blue Planet will add support for ONAP virtual network function (VNF) descriptors and packaging specifications. Ciena will offer customers more options for approaching networking environment evolution by supporting both specifications.

Blue Planet’s support for ONAP VNF descriptors and packaging specifications is now available, Ciena says. Enhanced policy subsystem will be available in the second half of 2018.

"Open-source is driving much of the innovation and transformation taking place across the networking industry," said Art Nichols, Windstream’s vice president of architecture and technology. "As a member of the ONAP project and a Blue Planet customer, we see the value that technology providers like Ciena can provide by incorporating open-source software for potential deployment in our production network environment.

Ciena is a multiple open-source initiative contributor, including ONOS and CORD, and MEF LOS.

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