Product

Nokia launches data centre automation platform for AI era

Nokia has announced the availability of its AI era, Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform. The company is seeking to raise the bar on data centre network operations with a modern approach that builds on Kubernetes to bring highly reliable, simplified, and adaptable lifecycle management to data centre networks. Aimed at driving human error in network operations to zero, Nokia’s new platform reduces network disruptions and application downtime while also decreasing operational effort up to 40%. Ongoing digital transformation and the rise of AI applications, coupled with data centre workforce shortages and skills gaps, are driving webscalers, enterprises, and service providers to scale and adapt their data centre infrastructures to meet exponential demand and evolving workload requirements. As more critical workloads move to the cloud, interruptions in cloud services can have significant economic, safety and social implications. Increasing automation in cloud and networking operations is essential to respond to demand while reducing service disruptions. Despite the benefits of network automation, a study by Enterprise Management Associates shows that most organisations have automated less than half of their data centre network management tasks. Barriers to adopting automation include a lack of scalable, open, multi-vendor solutions; legacy systems and complexity requiring skilled resources; and a lack of trust in fully automated systems delivering the right outcomes. Nokia’s new infrastructure automation platform is designed to overcome these barriers while providing a new path to addressing key challenges in today’s data centre network environment. The risk of human error and associated network downtime is mitigated through EDA’s integrated digital twin, pre- and post-deployment checkpoints, highly responsive multi-dimensional observability, and a robust CI/CD methodology with revision control. Simplicity in operations is enabled through intent-based declarative automation, GenAI assistance and a low-code/no-code approach to building customised dashboards. EDA easily integrates into multi-vendor, multi-domain environments with support for a wide range of IT service management systems, event notification systems, and cloud management platforms. As a modern software platform, EDA builds on Kubernetes, a cloud automation and orchestration environment with millions of users worldwide, for its cloud-based microservices architecture. The platform adopts Kubernetes constructs to bring an intent-based, event-driven, and declarative approach to network automation, and complements it with network-wide transactions. Further, through leveraging the Kubernetes resource model, APIs and toolchain, EDA enables network resources to be easily consumed in the same fashion as other data centre applications. EDA is available through on-prem and cloud-based 'as-a-service' subscription models. The EDA app store, a cloud-inspired approach, allows operators to easily customise their automation environment. The new Nokia platform complements the company’s Service Router (SR) Linux network operating system and extensive portfolio of data centre switching and routing platforms to provide webscale and enterprise organisations access to fully modernised data centre networks. By breaking down barriers for organisations to adopt automation in the data centre, EDA ushers in a new era of highly reliable, simplified, and adaptable lifecycle management to data centre networks designed for an AI world. Roy Chua, Founder and Principal at AvidThink, says, “Nokia’s decision to leverage Kubernetes for its EDA platform is a smart move. Enabling the network to be managed and orchestrated in the same manner as compute will be a ground-breaking innovation for data centre operations staff. EDA’s focus on enabling network-wide transactions at speed with enhanced reliability is a key differentiator for automation in swiftly evolving, business-critical data centre environments.” Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia, adds, “Our next generation EDA platform is a game-changer for data centre networks. By leveraging the power of Kubernetes, we are enabling our customers to access a modern approach to network automation that significantly reduces operational effort and helps eliminate human error. This is a major step forward in our mission to deliver the world’s most trusted networks.” For more from Nokia, click here.

VIAVI introduces VAMOS automation platform

VIAVI Solutions has introduced the VIAVI Automation Management and Orchestration System (VAMOS), an intelligent automation platform that incorporates AI/ML capabilities to enable wireless and cloud service providers, network equipment manufacturers and their ecosystems to reduce operational expenses and accelerate time-to-market. The complexity of network architectures continues to increase, as operators and equipment manufacturers investigate the next generation of technology, migrate to the cloud, and leverage AI and ML. Continuous Testing (CT) becomes ever more prevalent to provide a unifying perspective on real-world performance. However, labs are confronting the dual challenges of more tests and limited headcount. Automation has become a crucial way for them to manage the complexity, scheduling and manpower demands of CT, allowing technicians to efficiently power through hundreds of test cases, and to focus on higher-order analysis and problem solving. VIAVI has developed VAMOS as part of its NITRO Wireless portfolio to automate test campaigns and their execution in one centralised cloud-based, Lab-as-a-Service platform. Built-in AI and ML capabilities enable test optimisation and faster response times. VAMOS’s customisable workspaces and configurations streamline the testing process across organisations and lab locations. Shared tool testbeds and individual sandboxes accommodate multiple test needs while the platform’s robust analytics and reporting help maximise test resource utilisation and boost test accuracy. “As VIAVI works with leading labs around the globe to integrate wireless, cloud and AI, the need for automation and orchestration has never been clearer,” says Ian Langley, Senior Vice President, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI. “In initial implementations at major labs, VAMOS has already demonstrated significant reductions in cost per test-hour and increases in hardware utilisation.” In addition to providing a standalone solution to schedule and run test campaigns based on VIAVI’s NITRO Wireless portfolio, VAMOS can be integrated with a third-party automation framework, allowing it to interact with a wider range of products and existing test environments. Connection is available via both software and hardware. VAMOS will be integrated into the VIAVI Automated Lab-as-a-Service for Open RAN (VALOR) for the lab’s on-demand, cloud-based testing. VALOR is designed to manage and support 5G and Open RAN deployments that would benefit from access to tools and expert staff with a minimal ramp-up time. The project is funded by the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. For more from VIAVI Solutions, click here.

Veeam expands data resilience for Microsoft 365

Veeam Software, a data resilience specialist, has announced the release of Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8, delivering comprehensive and flexible immutability for Microsoft 365 data. Organisations can now ensure their Microsoft 365 data is resilient by employing a zero-trust, multi-layered immutable strategy, ensuring that backup data is safe from potential changes or deletions so that its original integrity stays intact. Currently protecting more than 21 million Microsoft 365 users, Veeam safeguards customers’ critical Microsoft 365 data to ensure that their business keeps running no matter what happens. "Losing the critical data, files and communications housed in Microsoft 365 is a catastrophic scenario for any organisation," says John Jester, CRO at Veeam. "That’s why we’re protecting over 21 million users today, more than any vendor in market, making Veeam the number one data resilience solution for Microsoft 365. "Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 ensures that despite expected cyber-attacks and data disruptions, organisations have ready access to critical business information to ensure business continuity. Now with the most comprehensive backup immutability for Microsoft 365, this release includes new architecture designed for efficiency and scale, as well as added support which is based directly on customer requests.” Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 combines immutable backups with existing immutable copies, delivering total defence for organisations’ backups. It provides the flexibility to store backup data on any object storage, including Azure Blob Storage, Amazon S3, IBM Cloud Object Storage, or S3-compatible storage. In addition to enhanced immutability, Veeam enables increased enterprise scale and efficiency with Veeam Proxy Pools. This architectural update boosts backup processing speed by distributing traffic across multiple proxies. By intelligently sharing the load and staying under the radar of throttling, enterprises can achieve better backup performance and efficiently scale up large environments with tens of thousands of users. Responding to customers, Veeam has expanded its support with several new features. Organisations now have the ability to use Linux-based backup proxies, providing more choices and a lower total cost of ownership. Additionally, Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 now supports private and shared Microsoft Teams channels, offering comprehensive protection for this popular communication and collaboration platform. Key features of Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 include: • Comprehensive immutability: The most comprehensive backup immutability for Microsoft 365 on the market. • Enterprise scale: Purpose-built architecture designed to handle the largest enterprise datasets. • Added support: Private and shared Teams channels, Linux-based backup proxies, and MFA access to the UI. Learn more about the new Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 and discover how organisations of all sizes can keep their data secure, protected, and accessible during the VeeamON Data Resilience Summit, taking place virtually October 1 (AMER and EMEA) and October 2 (APJ). Register now for free by clicking here. For more from Veeam, click here.

R&M expands ready-to-install cabling systems

R&M, a developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks, is expanding its range of terminated fibre optic cables. The VARIOline family now includes three plug-and-play solutions. The ready-to-assemble loose tube cabling system simplifies installation in buildings, data centres and outdoor areas as installers only have to feed the cables into shafts, ducts and racks and connect them in patch panel modules. The overall solution, consisting of ready-to-use cables and fitted fan-out legs, saves field-mounting, splicing and measuring on the construction site. Installation work can be carried out in a time and cost-saving manner with just a few specialists. The VARIOline overall solutions are used for backbone, trunk and campus cabling with either single or multimode fibres. VARIOline Easy is designed for protected environments, making it ideal for high-density packing in data centres and enterprise networks within commercial buildings and factories. This solution enables efficient space utilisation and easy management of fibre optic connections, providing a seamless and reliable network infrastructure for critical applications. VARIOline Classic provides a mechanically stable solution suitable for medium-density packing in both indoor and certain outdoor installations. It serves as a robust alternative to splicing, offering enhanced durability and ease of installation. This product line is ideal for backbone, trunk, and campus cabling, available with either single-mode or multi-mode fibres, making it versatile for various network setups. For the most demanding environments, VARIOline OP is available for outdoor environments. It withstands extreme mechanical and thermal stresses, making it suitable for industrial applications, Fibre to the Antenna (FTTA), events, tunnels, and smart cities. VARIOline OP can endure a tensile strength of up to 999 N, is waterproof with IP67 protection, and remains temperature stable from -25°C to +70°C. This product line ensures reliable performance even in the harshest conditions, providing robust and long-lasting connectivity. The VARIOline products are compatible with all R&M fibre optic platforms. R&M offers terminations to suit customer requirements with two to 144 fibres, commercially available connector types and custom lengths. The maximum total length is 600 metres. Depending on the use and number of fibres, the integrated fibre distributors with tube fittings have plastic or aluminium housings. R&M supplies the factory-tested VARIOline cables ready for assembly on recyclable cardboard drums. VARIOline cables are manufactured at all R&M sites and are therefore available worldwide at short notice. For more from R&M, click here.

Kingston Digital launches SSD for data centre environments

Kingston Digital Europe, a flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company - a provider of memory products and technology solutions - has announced its latest data centre Solid State Drive (SSD), DC2000B; a high-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD optimised for use in high-volume rack-mount servers as an internal boot drive. Using the latest Gen 4x4 PCIe interface with 112-layer 3D TLC NAND, the DC2000B is ideally suited for internal server boot drive applications as well for use in purpose built systems applications where higher performance and reliability are required. DC2000B includes on-board hardware-based power loss protection (PLP), a data protection feature not commonly found on M.2 SSDs. It also includes a new integrated aluminium heatsink that helps to ensure broad thermal compatibility across a wide variety of system designs. “Whitebox server makers and Tier 1 server OEMs continue to equip their latest generation servers with M.2 sockets for boot purposes as well as internal data caching,” says Tony Hollingsbee, SSD business manager, Kingston EMEA. “DC2000B was designed to deliver the necessary performance and write endurance to handle a variety of high duty cycle server workloads. Bringing the boot drives internal to the server preserves the valuable front loading drive bays for data storage.” DC2000B is available in 240GB, 480GB, and 960GB capacities and is backed by a limited five-year warranty and free technical support. For more from Kingston Digital, click here.

Aggreko invests in cooling fleet to support data centres

Energy solutions specialist, Aggreko, has significantly invested in its European fleet of cooling solutions to bring reliable, clean and efficient cooling to the market. As weather forecasts predict warmer than normal temperatures for the continent this summer, companies across Europe will require HVAC solutions to maintain operations on site while keeping energy consumption to a minimum. Specifically, Aggreko has grown its fleet of chillers to support data centres with the most efficient short and long-term solutions to maintain critical operations, assist during emergency scenarios and support with increasing capacity. Growing its expertise in HVAC, the company is expanding its fleet to make greener cooling provision both for production processes and cooling applications. Complementing its existing range of industrial HVAC solutions and wider Greener Upgrades portfolio, Aggreko is introducing two new cooling product ranges. Its new very low temperature chiller, the VLTC550, uses CO2 (R774) refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) equal to one, and provides stable and exceptionally efficient cooling. The containerised unit is capable of achieving 220 kW of cooling at -40°C in a condensed 10ft footprint. As companies are under pressure to use low GWP refrigerants, Aggreko is able to help companies accelerate the transition with this new fleet. To further support the transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants, the company is switching all screw chillers in its fleet to R513A, significantly reducing the GWP of Aggreko’s fleet of industrial chillers by almost 60%. For larger scale cooling requirements, Aggreko has also introduced a new range of water-cooled chillers which delivers 1.5 MW of cooling and uses R513A refrigerant. Designed to meet the needs of data centres, manufacturing, petrochemicals, food and beverage, and mining sectors, the modular and scalable water-cooling solution provides advanced control capabilities to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Danny Quinn, Head of HVAC and Compressed Air Product Lines at Aggreko, comments, “Supplementary cooling solutions are important for any data centre operators looking to maintain smooth operations while balancing cost and environmental impact. We have invested in our European fleet of temperature control equipment so that we can provide the most efficient solutions that meet all regulatory requirements for customers, which can be implemented quickly on their site. Our expert teams can ensure the correct level of equipment is selected, with no project too complex.” Further enhancing the environmental credentials of its cooling solutions, Aggreko has also recently invested significantly in its portfolio of Greener Upgrades to efficiently and sustainably power the chillers. This includes incorporating Stage V generators, greener fuels and Battery Energy Storage Systems to enhance efficiency, reduce fuel use and carbon footprint. By investing in its Greener Upgrades, Aggreko is aiming to make efficient and clean technologies more accessible to customers, in addition to the skills and expertise required to correctly implement them – a fundamental part of the company’s sustainability framework, Energising Change. By providing turnkey cooling solutions, Aggreko can ensure that customers across Europe are able to prioritise resilience and uptime on site while keeping operational costs under control and emissions to a minimum. Danny adds, “Ensuring our customers can make progress with their sustainability strategies while balancing costs and resilience is something we remain committed to. As we come into key seasons for temperature control, we are making sure we are equipped with a strong fleet and the right people to implement solutions to make this a reality.” For more from Aggreko, click here.

Trystar announces new Time Sync Hub

Trystar, a provider of precision time solutions for critical power facilities, has announced the release of the Time Sync Hub, available in two models. It is the latest addition to the company's data centre product line-up, which also includes the SER-32e Sequence of Events Recorder. Modern power monitoring solutions rely on accurate data to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure business performance. The key to accurate data is having all monitored devices aligned to one common time source. Time-aligned data ensures that the power system’s analysis is based on solid and reliable information. The Time Sync Hub provides time synchronisation for power system devices such as Sequence of Events Recorders (SERs), power meters, protective relays, transfer switches, UPS's, PLCs and other devices used across the power distribution system. This ‘hi-res’ data can be used for commissioning, equipment testing and event reconstruction in the case of a power outage or loss. Both Time Sync Hub models (TSH-100 / TSH-200) receive time input over an Ethernet network using PTP (Precision Time Protocol) or NTP (Network Time Protocol) to provide accurate time and date information essential for time synchronisation. Both Time Sync Hub modules output highly accurate time reference signals using standard time protocols (PTP, NTP, IRIG-B, DCF77, 1per10, PPS, ASCII) throughout a substation, campus, or entire enterprise. The TSH-200 adds the ability to receive time input from the Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) via a bullet-style GPS antenna and time input from standard time protocols (IRIG-B, DCF77). “We are excited to release the Time Sync Hub to enhance our already robust product line,” says James Clark, Director Product Development and Engineering. “Our new Time Sync Hub builds on the foundation of accuracy among our precision timing devices. The Time Sync Hub is a great addition to our portfolio of timing solutions, including the Sequence of Events Recorder and Event Manager. “It will also be a key component in the time synchronisation of power system devices, ensuring reliability for critical power facilities such as data centres, hospitals and microgrids, as well as continuous processes such as semiconductor fabrication, water treatment plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing, refineries and more.”

Vertiv expands single-phase UPS portfolio

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has introduced 1kVA to 3kVA capacities of the Vertiv Liebert GXE, an online double conversion, single-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for 230V applications designed to support critical applications deployed at the network edge. With the addition of the new models, the Liebert GXE family is now available in a complete 1kVA to 10kVA capacities range and is ready for immediate shipping from stock within Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia, and LATAM warehouses. The Liebert GXE 1-3KVA UPS is available in a compact tower-only model or in a flexible rack/tower convertible design and delivers high efficiencies of up to 91% in online mode and up to 96% in ECO mode. It features a battery management system that supports prolonged battery lifespan and minimises the need for replacements. Additionally, its output power factor of 0.9 allows for more active loads to be connected within a given space, while its online double conversion technology protects equipment from power disturbances. The Liebert GXE rack/tower models provide scalable runtime for applications that need extended backup during AC mains outages, achievable by adding up to four external battery cabinets, and a fast recharge time thanks to its powerful 6 Amp internal charger. The hot-swappable VRLA batteries are user-replaceable without needing skilled personnel or powering down the loads, ensuring smooth operation and reduced maintenance costs. In addition, the Liebert GXE features an intuitive LCD display that offers insights into the UPS status, facilitating straightforward installation and operation. This unit provides remote monitoring capabilities, enabling convenient access to IT infrastructure via the optional Vertiv Liebert Intellislot Unity Communications card, along with a complimentary download of the Vertiv Power Insight software. Finally, Vertiv offers a wide service offering including limited warranty extensions, power emergency packages, and other options, depending on the country and UPS model. “The rapid advancement of digitalisation, including AI and the growing reliance on data services, makes power continuity increasingly crucial for all businesses, even at the network edge," states Andrea Ferro, Vice President for Channel, IT and Edge Applications at Vertiv in EMEA. "The Liebert GXE provides energy-efficient and reliable power protection, helping small and medium businesses sustain operations in these distributed applications." The UPS is available with a comprehensive range of limited warranty extensions and service programmes designed for single-phase UPS systems. These service programmes are available in select countries; visit Vertiv's website for specific availability or contact your local representative. EMEA resellers in participating countries can earn points through the Vertiv Incentive Programme (VIP) for various activities, including sales of the Liebert GXE and other products in Vertiv’s IT channel portfolio. This programme allows partners to win rewards, without any need for reporting. Bonus points are added to the Vertiv Partner Portal monthly, and partners simply need to log in to redeem them. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Verkada launches AI-powered search

Verkada, a provider of cloud-based physical security solutions, has announced it will offer customers a new AI-powered search in Beta. Leveraging a large language and large vision model, Verkada’s AI-powered search will enable customers to use everyday language to search their video security camera footage for people and vehicles, making their investigations even more intuitive and efficient. “Our new AI-powered search is an exciting expansion of the way that Verkada leverages the latest AI and computer vision models to keep people safe,” says Brandon Davito, Senior Vice President of Product at Verkada. “We are eager to continue improving and expanding our capabilities as we make Verkada’s platform the operating system of buildings of the future.” With the ability to search for people and vehicles across a much wider – and more granular – range of descriptive features, Verkada customers can now search through footage faster than ever. AI-powered search also enables customers to address industry-specific operational concerns – everything from retailers looking to identify shoplifters to manufacturing customers looking to ensure workplace safety. Verkada customers already beta testing its AI-powered search have been able to reduce the amount of time spent on investigations. Retail customers, for example, are saving time by searching for specific objects on a person like, “person wearing a striped sweater” or “person with a red purse near front door.” Verkada also announced a range of additional features and updates across its platform, including: an integration with ASSA ABLOY WiFi locks, a new Door Unlock API, four additional FIPS-validated Bullet cameras, and more. Designed with simplicity in mind, Verkada's six product lines – video security cameras, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, workplace, and intercoms – provide building security through an integrated, secure cloud-based software platform. Over 24,000 organisations across 85 countries worldwide trust Verkada as their physical security layer for easier management, intelligent control, and scalable deployments. For more from Verkada, click here.

VIAVI introduces sensing innovation for fibre optic cables

VIAVI Solutions today announced the launch of Nitro Fibre Sensing, an integrated real-time asset monitoring and analytics solution for critical infrastructure ranging from oil, gas and water pipelines to electrical power transmission, border/perimeter security and data centre interconnects. Operators face challenges in protecting and optimising their critical infrastructure. The costs associated with damage to critical assets often dwarf initial investment, so swift detection, localisation and prevention of external threats can help to minimise damage and outages, while also leading to a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). In addition, optimising operation helps ensure that production targets are met. Comprising Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS), Simultaneous Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technologies, Nitro Fibre Sensing provides the critical intelligence needed to swiftly identify and pinpoint threats. Nitro Fibre Sensing uses remote Fibre Test Heads (FTH), commonly known as interrogators, to monitor fibre optic cables or fibre-enabled infrastructure. By performing real-time distributed fibre optic sensing, FTH can measure temperature and strain along a fibre or detect acoustic vibrations close to a fibre. Deployed at strategic locations, including along power cables and pipelines, FTH provides valuable infrastructure health data that can be used to drive proactive maintenance and prevent downtime. Alerts notify operators of potential threats from human interference, vehicle movement, digging operations, fishing nets or ship anchors encroaching on valuable assets. These alarms include precise location information to assist maintenance, response or repair teams. Kevin Oliver, Vice President and General Manager, Fibre and Access Solutions, VIAVI, comments, “As a leader in fibre monitoring, VIAVI is trusted to monitor millions of miles of fibre with thousands of test heads around the world today. We take fibre monitoring to the next level with the Nitro Fibre Sensing solution. As the use of fibre optic cables increases across various industries to enable accurate, resilient monitoring - while complying with security regulations - our broad portfolio serves each customer’s unique needs.” For more from VIAVI, click here.