Challenges for telecom equipment manufacturers addressed with new Intel communications infrastructure platform

The challenges faced by telecom equipment manufacturers (TEMs) are to be addressed with a new cost effective communications infrastructure platform launched by Intel Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of semi conductors.

Previously code named ‘Crystal Forest’, the infrastructure platform will aid service providers by enabling TEMs to develop energy-efficient equipment capable of supporting higher traffic quicker that is put through the network core, access, and edge.

To keep up with market demand, many service providers are also being forced to make substantial infrastructure investments. This is creating a requirement for networking and telecom equipment that provides greater agility, security and better economics. To gain greater efficiencies, service providers need to consider a transition from hardware-focused equipment platforms to a single, software-focused architecture.

For effective operation, service providers have to ensure that a wide number of computing systems work efficiently across an entire network, using a range of architectures to support different workloads. This complicated process hinders service providers who need to deploy services quickly, whilst reducing infrastructure support costs – the new Intel communications infrastructure platform addresses this issue.

Based on the Intel® Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, the platform is specifically designed for communications infrastructure applications and complementary cryptographic and data compression workloads. The platform also includes Intel® QuickAssist Technology.

Benefits for service providers include:

•   Efficiency: Avoid underutilised hardware caused by mismatched subsystem capacities.

•   New services deployment: Create network-aware services more easily, since applications and networking functions run on the same platform.

•   Operating expenses: Simplify the deployment, maintenance and inventory of industry standard server architectures.

•   Power consumption: Conserve energy by using power-optimised Intel platforms and removing all other computing systems associated with other processor architectures from the box.

•   Solution footprint: Decrease the number of physical assets by consolidating their functions using network virtualisation.

•   Scalability: Increase performance of any function just by adding more platforms. Optimise performance across workloads by dynamically reallocating computing resources.

Benefits for TEMs include:

•   Platform development: Use a common platform that makes it easier to deploy different services and is easier to control.

•   Engineering resources: Reduce development effort with one platform architecture to know, one code base to write and one development team to manage.

•   Product cost: Take advantage of more manufacturing options, such as using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions that are refreshed yearly.

•   In-field support: Minimise system support cost with just one type of hardware platform to learn, deploy and maintain.

To find out more regarding the new Intel communications infrastructure platform, visit http://www.intel.co.uk/crystalforest.