Qwilt has launched its Open Edge Cloud platform, a service provider content and application delivery platform for streaming at scale through a managed platform and an open API for commercial CDNs and publishers. The platform creates a distributed content delivery solution to support applications such as 4K live streaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), self-driving cars and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Edge Cloud is intended to extend and complement the centralized cloud infrastructure run by Amazon, Microsoft, Google and others. The balance between the centralized cloud and Edge Cloud is dynamic - based on consumer and enterprise demand for compute resources, publishers and cloud service providers can decide when content or application delivery should be pushed from the centralized cloud out to the Edge Cloud.
The platform consists of three core elements. First, a centralized management and control plane orchestrates dynamic assignment of edge cloud resources for content delivery. Second, an open API to commercial CDNs and publishers serves as a single point of integration for access to worldwide Open Edge Cloud infrastructure. The third component is Qwilt's software-based edge delivery nodes that run on common compute and storage hardware, which are deployed deep in service provider networks, at the home or in the enterprise. The nodes are designed to deliver both service provider-owned and third-party content.
The Open Edge Cloud platform delivers two service provider solutions today, and the company plans to add more. Qwilt's Open Cache solution is engineered for scalable content delivery in operator networks, regardless of content source or streaming protocol. Qwilt's Open Edge Service Provider CDN is an in-network CDN that is cloud managed and relies on the company's software-based edge nodes for delivery of service provider content. It is designed to support VOD, live event streaming and live linear TV streaming.