14 / 84
LatestNews
R-PHY vs R-MACPHY debate is over: Nokia leapfrogs competition with
cable industry’s first virtualized Distributed Access Architecture
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced
the next generation of its Unified Cable
Access solution that will fundamentally
change the way cable operators
implement a Distributed Access
Architecture (DAA). The enhanced,
virtualized solution gives cable operators
the flexibility to deploy both R-PHY and
R-MACPHY devices within the same
network and easily switch from one to
the other based on their network requirements and strategic
direction.
Cable operators are leveraging DAA to increase throughput,
reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of new services by
moving cable access layer functions that are traditionally placed
in the headend and hub sites to the access nodes. To date, cable
operators have had to choose between two DAA approaches:
R-PHY, which moves only the DOCSIS signal generation (PHY)
to the access node; and R-MACPHY, which moves both the PHY
and DOCSIS processing (MAC) to the
access node.
Having to choose one option or the other
greatly limits the flexibility to deploy
the best technology for each use case.
This has forced many operators to lock
in a decision before fully understanding
the potential impact on their network.
With Nokia’s next-generation Unified
Cable Access solution, operators are no longer forced to choose
between R-PHY and R-MACPHY. Features of Nokia’s new vDAA
include:
vCMTS Anywhere – Nokia has virtualized a cable modem
termination system (CMTS), which includes the DOCSIS MAC,
as a virtual network function (VNF). This provides the flexibility
to run the vCMTS anywhere in the network: on the node, or on
an off-the-shelf server in the outside plant, hub, headend or
data center.
Universal Node – Cable operators can convert a
is good for the environment, for Ireland and for our
company.”
This PPA builds on Microsoft’s strategic partnership with
GE, announced last year. The wind farm will integrate GE’s
Digital Wind Farm technology, which makes renewable
energy outputs even more reliable. Digital models, built
on the Predix platform, ensure energy generation supplied
can meet demand forecasted and reduce intermittency
concerns.
Andres Isaza, chief commercial officer of GE Renewable
Energy, said, “This partnership with Microsoft expands GE’s
considerable presence and investment in Ireland, where
we already employ over 1,500 people and in particular in
the renewable energy sector. Wind is now one of the most
competitive sources of electricity on the market today, and
we’re excited about the capability to use data generated
from these wind turbines, using the Predix platform, to
maximize the output and value of this project.”
Microsoft is also acquiring an Irish energy supply license
from GE. The supply license will benefit both Microsoft and
the Irish power grid, as it allows the company the flexibility
to easily grow and invest in renewable energy in Ireland
over time. ElectroRoute will act as trading service provider
for the supply company.
“ElectroRoute is delighted to work with Microsoft and GE
to structure and manage the energy trading activities for
the supply company,” said Ronan Doherty, chief executive at
ElectroRoute. “The wind energy sector is particularly vibrant
in Ireland at the moment, and we are seeing the emergence
of an array of new structures and procurement approaches,
which I feel will persist and grow into the future.”
This agreement continues Microsoft’s history of supporting
sustainability projects in Ireland, including a new forestry
initiative announced earlier this year and investments in
energy efficiency measures and technologies that have
greatly reduced its energy and water footprint.
Once operational, the new wind project will bring Microsoft’s
total global direct procurement in renewable energy projects
to almost 600 megawatts. In 2016, Microsoft set clean
energy commitments to power its datacenters and bring
new renewable energy sources online in the communities in
which it operates.
14 l New-Tech Magazine Europe