Telefonica I+D, Infinera demo SDN-based Network-as-a-Service capabilities

Optical transport systems specialist Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) and Spanish Tier 1 network operator Telefónica (NYSE: TEF) say they have successfully demonstrated the use of software-defined networking (SDN) to support Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) capabilities in a multi-layer environment.

The demonstration leveraged a Telefónica-developed multi-layer IETF-based Application Based Network Operations (ABNO) controller. The controller included the path computation functions necessary to control both the IP/MPLS layer as well as the Infinera transport layer. Telefónica integrated the ABNO controller with Infinera's programmable SDN Open Transport Switch (OTS; see “Infinera, ESnet demo Transport SDN via Open Transport Switch”). The OTS runs in conjunction with Infinera's Intelligent Transport Network platforms and leverages both OpenFlow and Infinera's RESTful application programming interface (API). Telefónica also integrated the ABNO controller with what the parties would only identify as “a brand name router” to support multi-layer integration.

Once up and running, the SDN-based capabilities enabled end users to define MPLS services from a single screen, the partners say. Users to perform allocation and configuration of associated networking resources at both the IP/MPLS layer and the transport layer, they assert. Such NaaS capabilities would enable service providers to deploy services more quickly and efficiently and at lower cost, Infinera and Telefónica assert.

"This demonstration with Infinera is the type of research and development that puts us on the forefront of testing new technologies that continually reduce deployment time, the number of manual operations, and deliver more dynamic connections on our network," said Víctor López, responsible for SDN transport innovation activities in Telefónica I+D/GCTO.

"By working closely with the advanced research center at Telefónica I+D we are able to keep our finger on the pulse of network operator requirements for next-generation transport networks," said Chris Liou, vice president, network strategy at Infinera. "These Network-as-a-Service demonstrations highlight an application for software-defined networks that is gaining traction with global carriers."

Infinera and Telefonica I+D will showcase the demonstration at the Open Networking Summit in Santa Clara March 3-5 in booth #704.

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