Dell launches NVF solution offerings

Dell has introduced its NFV solution offerings and companion starter kits, comprising Dell systems and software combined with software from open ecosystem partners and open source distributions to help jumpstart carrier trials and adoption.

Dell’s NFV solutions can help telecommunications service providers improve cost structures of existing service delivery and simply and quickly enable new service innovation and creation. This is achieved by virtualizing the telecommunications and mobile service infrastructure using industry-standard compute and open networking platforms, combined with commercially available software packages at the infrastructure, management, orchestration and service layers.

Manish Gupta, Director, Enterprise Solutions Group, Dell India said, “Due to the exponential growth of data and expectation from consumers for high speed telecommunication services, telecom service players cannot meet the demands of consumers in the conventional way. We have designed the Network Functions Virtualisation Solutions offerings to provide telecom customers with a more customized approach to their data needs, thereby reducing costs and improving the overall experience of service delivery.  This customized solution is truly end-to-end offering customers with the latest server, storage, networking and storage technologies from Dell combined with software from Dell’s ecosystem partners.”

The Dell NFV platform uses the latest server, storage, networking and software technologies from Dell combined with software from open ecosystem partners to form fully-converged, virtualized infrastructure that can execute virtual network functions (VNFs). The platform also includes foundational software and open interfaces for Management and Orchestration (MANO) for simple operation and ease of integration. From a deployment perspective, the Dell NFV platform can be dimensioned and equipped for application virtually anywhere, at any scale, in a carrier environment.

Dell’s NFV platform delivers distinct advantages to end-customers, OEM partners, and systems integrators.

• 100 Percent Open and Standard: The Dell NFV platform is built on Dell PowerEdge servers with the latest Intel® Xeon™ E5-2600v3 processors combined with the innovative open networking platforms and a rich set of open interfaces ensuring maximum interoperability, manageability, and investment protection. As NFV solutions are increasingly deployed on industry-standard, high-volume servers, the Dell NFV platform is well-positioned as a vehicle to implement proofs-of-concept that benefit from Intel’s ongoing investment in innovations in advanced server technology for networking infrastructure.

• Scalable in Any Direction: The Dell NFV platform can scale easily—up, down, or out—to accommodate a wide range of design goals, service capabilities and environmental conditions from small, unstaffed points-of-presences, to central office environments, and to hyperscale data centers. This includes options for Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) platforms, Fresh-Air systems and modular/containerized solutions.
• Driving Open Source Innovation: The Dell NFV platform aims to provide a choice of software stack to complement Dell’s infrastructure and management software. This announcement extends Dell’s collaboration with Red Hat to co-engineer OpenStack-based NFV and SDN solutions specifically for the telecommunications industry.
• Open Partner Ecosystem: Dell is investing heavily to foster an open partner ecosystem and welcomes participation and engagement without exclusivity across all functional areas. This includes partnerships to:

o   Form the Dell NFV platform itself;

o   Enable complete MANO capabilities;

o   Support other Linux and OpenStack distributions to tailor the Dell NFV platform for VNF deployments including the Ubuntu operating system, Ubuntu OpenStack, Wind River; and,

o   Provide support for a wide range of VNFs.