Axians UK delivers open virtual managed hosting services via ADVA Ensemble
ICT solutions and services supplier Axians UK will leverage the ADVA (FSE: ADV) Ensemble software suite to enable an open managed hosting service. The network functions virtualization (NFV) services will include a host of virtual network functions (VNFs), including software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and firewalls, as well as other network functions and customer applications.
Axians serves a range of customers, including private-sector companies, public-sector organizations, network operators, and service providers. “With this solution, we’re empowering our customers with a hosting platform that enables them to dynamically select and manage VNFs,” explained Russell Crampin, managing director, Axians UK. “No longer will they have to replace hardware at multiple sites when they change IT or network applications. Now they can access the Axians customer portal to control the customer-located managed hosting platform. This is especially important for our customers with an international footprint, especially the Tier 2 and 3 CSPs, financial institutions, logistics and retail verticals.
“As a part of this offering we’ll start with at least two qualified suppliers for SD-WAN, two for firewall, and two for the hosting servers, and grow all of those later. ADVA’s Ensemble technology perfectly supports our vision of customer choice,” Crampin added.
Axians UK will employ several elements of the Ensemble suite. Ensemble Connector will be deployed at the customer site to provide networking capabilities at Layer 2 and 3, including LTE access and Carrier Ethernet 2.0 functionality. Ensemble Connector also will deliver zero-touch provisioning. Overall, use of the Ensemble platform will enable Axians UK’s customers to use their choice of hardware and software components.
“The cloud is driving technology innovation for networking, and this means openness and choice. By harnessing our Ensemble software, Axians UK is offering businesses and CSPs a way to achieve the efficiency and flexibility benefits of NFV with only minimal investment and virtually zero risk,” commented James Buchanan, general manager, edge cloud, at ADVA.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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