Nokia rolls out WaveSuite to jump-start optical networking control

Nokia on Tuesday announced a new suite of software-focused applications that give service providers more control over their optical networks.

Nokia's WaveSuite is a portfolio of open, focused business applications that network operators can incorporate into their existing optical infrastructure by using software-defined networking (SDN).

"So this is an exciting announcement for us because this is from our optical networking group and it's really a very concerted effort for us to get into the SDN software business with the purpose of solving some specific problems for our customers," said Kyle Hollasch, director of product marketing for Nokia ION. "This is the convergence of two trends. One of those is this whole SDN tidal wave that started five or six years ago where it was all about how do we control devices, how do abstract the networks and how do develop and implement interfaces so that we have more vendor interoperability and software interoperability?"

"This is the beginning of the fruits of that labor. A lot of the programmable infrastructure is there now. I think we still need to see some churning in hardware and that happens over time, but we have a SDN programmability interface that lets us solve some problems for our business customers."

With WaveSuite, network operators can take their existing optical network assets, including their OSS/BSS systems, and improve them by using either Nokia's NSP SDN controller or OpenDaylight's SDN controller. The controllers interface with the Open Networking Foundation's TAPI, and Hollasch said it should work with competitors' SDN controllers as well.

"You still have OSS/BSS orchestration, but where WaveSuite slides in is an opportunity to jump-start our customers' ability to use SDN, use this programmable infrastructure that they have invested in and to solve a specific set of problems in the optical domain," Hollasch said.

Hollasch said WaveSuite also uses MEF Optical Transport Services standards, MEF 63, that enable the assured delivery of Layer 1 services that are orchestrated across an open environment.

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Nokia's WaveSuite portfolio is organized across three areas:

  • WaveSuite Service Enablement applications virtualize and monetize the network infrastructure by improving customer reach with service fulfillment and assurance models. The applications use business-aware hierarchical service models, reducing the time it takes to turn capacity into revenue-generating services.
  • WaveSuite Node Automation applications use mobile devices to empower the service deployment workforce. By automating provisioning and record-keeping, the applications streamline equipment deployment, service activation and troubleshooting, leading to faster time to revenue and lower costs.
  • WaveSuite Network Insight applications use trending, analysis, and prediction to guide network operators through optimization decisions that can improve performance and increase capacity.

WaveSuite works with Nokia's Network Services Platform carrier SDN solution and its FlowOne OSS by providing improved services orchestration and operational tools for the optical networking domain. Support for open northbound and southbound interfaces ensure its functionality in multivendor environments.

Hollasch said a Tier 1 European operator and New Zealand-based Chorus were trialing WaveSuite, which will be generally available in the spring.