Nokia says it will supply routers featuring its FP4 routing silicon and Network Service Platform to Equinix. The data center, colocation, and interconnectivity services provider will use the Nokia technology to upgrade its IP/MPLS capabilities to keep pace with customer requirements influenced by the move to 5G networks and services.
The upgrade program will see Equinix replace its existing multivendor, multinetwork infrastructure with a more unified IP/MPLS alternative that better supports the ultra-low latency and high capacity customers will require as they implement 5G. The new network also will better enable Equinix to deliver all of its interconnection services worldwide, Nokia states, as well as enable Equinix to leverage routing technologies such as Ethernet VPNs and segment routing.
“We see tremendous opportunity in providing our customers with 5G services, but this poses special demands for our network, from ultra-low latency to ultra-broadband performance, all with business- and mission-critical reliability,” commented Muhammad Durrani, director of IP architecture at Equinix. “Nokia’s end-to-end router portfolio will provide us with the highly dynamic and programmable network fabric we need, and we are pleased to have the support of the Nokia team every step of the way.”
Nokia unveiled a version of its 7750 Service Router, the 7750 SR-s, with the FP4 in 2017 (see “Nokia offers new 7750 Service Router, 7950 Extensible Routing System based on multi-terabit FP4 chipset”). The company’s Network Service Platform offers SDN-based network control capabilities (see "Nokia adds assurance capabilities to carrier SDN Network Services Platform").
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