Fusion of gridless optics and programmable software enables highly-elastic networking fabric ideal for cost-effective cloud computing and storage

MENLO PARK, Calif., November 16, 2010 – Vello Systems, a leader in high performance cloud infrastructure solutions , today announced the introduction and availability of its innovative Cloud Switching™ technology. The new solution harnesses state-of-the-art gridless optical technologies through the VellOS™ real-time operating system enabling CX4000 and CX16000 systems to deliver terabits of economical, low-latency, virtualized capacity in the wide area. This new technology is critical to service providers, enterprise, and government institutions seeking cost-effective capacity and intelligence in their wide-area infrastructures, as they migrate to private, public and hybrid cloud architectures.

Cloud Switching defines a new software framework to dynamically program gigabits to terabits of capacity in the wide-area. Cloud Switching takes advantage of Vello Systems’ own company-developed advanced gridless optical technology, producing an unprecedented 7 terabits of virtualized capacity per fiber. With Cloud Switching, capacity is made elastic, allowing bandwidth to be assigned, and re-assigned, where and when it’s needed. This is critical functionality especially for data center operators seeking to virtualize resources across the wide-area and content providers seeking dynamic capacity to move large amounts of content through their infrastructure.

“With the increasing adoption of 10G, especially within data centers and colocation facilities, finding solutions to meet growing capacity needs in the wide-area is becoming increasingly challenging,” said Eve Griliches at ACG Research. “Vello Systems’ Cloud Switching technology addresses these needs with a compelling combination of features, capabilities and economics.”

Vello Systems is also announcing the initiation of the Cloud Switching API development program. The Cloud Switching API is designed to provide partners and 3rd party developers access to the Cloud Switching bandwidth assignment and virtualization capabilities. The ultimate goal of the API is to enable an open, extensible framework for higher layer applications and systems to define, manage and enforce infrastructure-level policies aligned to critical business processes. This grants IT managers unprecedented access to network resources, paving the way for a common control environment to orchestrate virtualization and automation tasks.

“We’re very excited to introduce Vello System’s new Cloud Switching technology to our network and customers as we accelerate the evolution of our cloud infrastructure and services portfolio,” said Stephen Klenert, CEO of Atlantic Metro Communications, a full-service Internet Solutions Provider offering Managed Hosting, Colocation, IP Bandwidth, Dark Fiber and Metro Transport services. “Cloud Switching will deliver the performance and economics we need to scale our operation, providing the most nimble, adaptive infrastructure for our customers.”

Cloud Switching is fully-manageable through the company’s CloudMaster™ management and provisioning system providing an easy-to-use GUI-based system to control Cloud Switching parameters. CloudMaster also serves as the primary interface to higher layer network and IT systems via an array of northbound programmatic interfaces including SNMP and XML. “Cloud Switching is a significant advancement for customers seeking low-latency, multi-terabit, virtualized solutions for their networks,” said Karl May, Vello Systems President and CEO. “Cloud Switching’s elastic, virtualized capabilities and open API pave the way for a new breed of IT architectures enabling complete virtualization and automation.”

About Vello Systems
Vello Systems develops advanced low-latency, multi-terabit, cloud infrastructure systems and solutions for service providers, enterprise and government institutions worldwide. Its CX Family™ of systems and patented Cloud Switching technology are purpose-built to make the cloud faster, more agile, and above all more economical. Vello Systems is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA.

Media Contact: Jeff Baher, VP Marketing, jbaher@vellosystems.com

For more information, please visit www.vellosystems.com.
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Read top Telecom thought leaders’ views on current industry news at Telecom News Now, the JS&A Blog: http://www.jaymiescotto.com/jsablog/ 

Do you have any comments or concerns that you would like to share with us? You can contact us by e-mail at pr@jaymiescotto.com .

Low Latency Path between Asia and Europe to Provide Added Value to Tinet’s IP Transit and Ethernet Customers
 
MILAN, ITALY – July 29, 2010 – Tinet, formerly the carrier arm of Tiscali Group (Tiscali Internetional Networks), the only global carrier exclusively committed to the IP and Ethernet wholesale market, announces today the addition of a new terrestrial route to its backbone between Hong Kong and Europe.
The new low latency route runs over the Transit Europe-Asia (TEA) cable system, extending over a terrestrial path from Stockholm, Sweden, across Russia and China, and into Hong Kong.
“Tinet’s acquisition of the capacity on the TEA systems adds further value, both in terms of increased network diversity and improved latency for our IP Transit and Ethernet customers, particularly those who run time-sensitive applications,” remarks Paolo Susnik, CEO of Tinet. “The route is indicative of Tinet’s continued focus on the needs of our wholesale customers who engage in carrier solutions to the financial trading markets, VoIP and other time sensitive applications.”
For more information please email sales@tinet.net or visit www.tinet.net
 
# # #
About Tinet:
Tinet, formerly the carrier arm of Tiscali Group, is the only global carrier exclusively committed to the IP and Ethernet wholesale market. With network presence and customers in EMEA, Americas and APAC, Tinet provides global IP Transit and Ethernet connectivity to Carriers, Service and Content Providers worldwide, within 7 working days. The carrier guarantees customers proactive management of SLAs and protection from dDoS attacks.
Established in 2002, Tinet’s unique business model, based on focus and simplicity, assures the delivery of the highest standard of service. Tinet has grown to become one of the top 10 global IPv4 backbones and the number one IPv6 network worldwide.
 
For more information on Tinet, please visit www.tinet.net.
 
For Tinet media inquiries, please contact Jaymie Scotto & Associates at +1.866.695.3629 or pr@tinet.net. From Ilissa Miller … on behalf of Tinet.

With ITW 2010 just two weeks away, Jaymie Scotto & Associates is sure you are scheduling meetings with the fierce veracity of the business you will be doing at this leading global event for the wholesale telecom industry.  The Marriott Wardman Park will be a flurry with men and women in suits doing deals.  But in order to do deals – you need to know the companies that you can do business with.  Here are six companies that  Jaymie Scotto and Associates say you may want to consider meeting:

Allied Fiber -spearheading the US Nation’s first long-haul dark fiber network system in over 10 years, this company is building a next-generation dark fiber network that will circumvent the United States providing access to all types of communication companies including carriers, service provides, mobile operators, microwave operators and more.  Allied Fiber is changing the way that networks are built in the US.  It is ‘America’s All Access Network’ bridging the communications gap between the middle mile and local mile together with International submarine cable systems – coast-to-coast.  Simply search for ‘Allied Fiber’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.

Arbinet- No longer just the voice exchange that was launched in the late ’90’s – in the past year+ the company has transformed itself into a leading service provider and partner enabling companies, large and small, to leverage its world class infrastructure to achieve greater ROI on global termination of international voice minutes.  Connecting customers now companies have the control they require, with the intelligence to support them – without the traditionally heavy operating expenses.  You will want to find out about their premium voice services, carrier services, private exchange, mobile routes and developing products that will help you get the most out of your minute margins.  Oh – and their Data Exchange and IP solutions are cool too.  Simply search for ‘Arbinet’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.

Hibernia Atlantic- The company has transformed substantially in the past year.  It’s Project Kelvin – submarine cable system connecting Northern Ireland to North America and Europe is now live.  The company also acquired MediaXstream in December 2009 bringing them into the media space.  The company has re-branded this group to Hibernia Media.  With services ideal for the financial industry - Hibernia’s Global Financial Network, for the streaming media/content industry – Hibernia Media and its wholesale carrier services via its leading transatlantic network, this is a company you will want to get to know – again.  Simply search for ‘Hibernia’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.

Lexent Metro Connect- want to provide custom services and solutions in the New York Metro market?  Then this is the company you need to know.  Lexent Metro Connect constructs and operates its own dark fiber network throughout the NY Metro market.  It has the ability to build and design custom solutions ensuring the lowest latency through the shortest path.  Simply search for ‘Lexent’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.

PacketExchange - This company has been quietly building an enhanced value global IP and Ethernet network based on its vast peering relationships and solutions.  In February 2010 the company acquired Mzima Networks, a provider of layer-2 Ethernet solutions throughout the US with reach to Asia and Europe.  With PacketExchange’s roots in Europe, the combined company has the ability to provide end-to-end bandwidth solutions to meet any growing network demand.  Simply search for ‘PacketExchange’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.

Tinet Tinet, formerly the carrier arm of Tiscali Group, is the only global carrier exclusively committed to the IP and Ethernet wholesale market. With network presence and customers in EMEA, Americas and APAC, Tinet provides global IP Transit and Ethernet connectivity to Carriers, Service and Content Providers worldwide, within 7 working days. The carrier guarantees customers proactive management of SLAs and protection from dDoS attacks.  Simply search for ‘Tinet’ in the DealCenter to request a meeting.-

Of course these are Jaymie Scotto & Associates’ recommendations – there are many others to meet with as well.  You can download a list of all companies and attendees through the DealCenter – this way you can plan your meetings more effectively and ensure you get deals done.   And if you’re not going to ITW (a. you will be missed, b. still time to plan) you can request a meeting with these companies directly by visiting their websites.  Hope to see you in DC – May 24-26, 2010!  

Need help?  Want more information about ITW or these companies?  email: support@deal-center.com

DIDXchange will be at ITW at bilateral table A378, Hall A. See the complete list of exhibitors and sponsors at http://www.internationaltelecomsweek.com. Connect with the ITW Facebook business networking group now.

2010 is telecom merger megamania!

By Kelly M. Teal on 04/22/2010 …

On April 22, CenturyTel (CTL) – which operates as CenturyLink thanks to the buyout of Embarq that closed last year – said it will buy Qwest Communications International Inc. (Q) in an all-stock, tax-free transaction. The news shocked many industry observers, not the least of whom are the companies’ respective channel partners.

Together CenturyTel and Qwest will reach 37 states with in-house broadband and wireline services, and outsourced video and wireless products. And once the $22.4 billion deal ($10.6 billion before CenturyTel assumes Qwest’s debt) closes, CenturyTel also predicts it will run a lean operation; it plans to save $575 million in three to five years by cutting overhead costs, and duplicate jobs and systems, and another $50 million by chopping capital expenditures.

Most of all, CenturyTel will become the third-largest carrier serving business markets, according to research firm ATLANTIC-ACM, holding a 7.6-percent share in the United States, behind AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) That could have a major impact on the indirect sales channel; the Qwest Business Partner Program (QBPP) arguably is the largest in the country, so agents want to know what’s in store for the channel once CenturyLink is in charge.

There’s no clear answer.

CenturyLink runs an indirect sales channel that combined Embarq’s partner presence in the SMB and enterprise space with CenturyTel’s focus down-market. But the company has been very quiet about its channel strategy – at least to the media, deferring requests for interviews with leadership about its channel plans.

A spokesperson for CenturyLink did not respond to requests for comment on the ILEC’s plans for the channel once the Qwest acquisition is finalized. However, Ted Wietecha, Qwest’s corporate communications manager, said, “It’s too early to tell.”

“For now it’s business as usual and we will continue to work with Qwest Business Partners to provide customers with exceptional products and services,” he said.

Ken Mercer, senior vice president for Telecom Brokerage Inc., a large master agency based in Chicago that works with both telcos, on April 22 sent a memo to TBI subagents that puts a positive spin on the pairing.

“We here want all of our agents to know that this possible merger with Qwest could be a very good thing with more footprint, more products and more opportunity,” Mercer wrote. He added that he did not expect to see “changes in operation, product or commissions happening in the next 18 months.”

More at http://www.phoneplusmag.com/articles/centurytel-qwest-impact-on-channel–too-early.html …

By Grant Kirkwood, CTO of Mzima Networks

Mzima Network's CTO Grant Kirkwood

  The Internet is a tool that is enabling ubiquitous communications. From our computers to our handheld devices, televisions, video surveillance, financial institutions, hospitals, homes and beyond, applications are continually developed that require end users the ability to access higher bandwidth speeds. But speed isn’t the only factor to consider when evaluating quality Internet transit: access to content and the quickest route (reduced latency) is important to realizing optimal IP connectivity as well. Content providers, ISPs, Cable companies and telcos that service the general marketplace are continually evaluating the most efficient routes and the providers that offer those routes in order to achieve the best cost and quality service for its end users. This is why it is important to understand the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 IP backbone Providers to ensure the end-user experience is the best balance of both price and quality.

To understand how to choose an IP backbone provider, we first should understand how providers differ from one another. Tier 1 network providers are networks that peer with all other Tier 1 networks, settlement free (ie; no money changes hands). Tier 1 networks pass traffic between each network for free; there is no cost to transit another Tier 1 network’s backbone. Tier 2 IP backbone providers must pay to transit another network’s backbone that includes buying transit from Tier 1 networks as well as other Tier 2 networks, though there is often the opportunity to peer (exchange traffic destined for each other’s networks at no cost) with other Tier 2 networks.

Most of these peering interconnection points are done within Colocation facilities, like Telx. Telx is also an example of an interconnection facility that also offers an Internet Exchange platform, the Telx Internet Exchange (TIE), to facilitate peering between Tier 1 and Tier 2 network providers on a platform, managed specifically for the purpose of offering the greatest number of networks through a single connection (or port). As networks interconnect with one another, Internet traffic can pass over other networks that are controlled by engineers seeking the best (can’t say that—engineers don’t care about price!) price, distance or latency and the number of ‘hops’ (the number of routers or networks traffic has to pass through to reach its end point), which could effect latency and price (adversely).

To further complicate matters, the routing tables that decide which path the data should travel are highly complex. The Internet routing table is made up of about 300,000 individual routes that represent IP address ranges. A Tier 1 network, by definition, is required to peer with all other Tier 1 networks and by definition, does not have to pay to route traffic to another Tier 1 network (or any of those specific IP routes). Therefore, since sending traffic over a Tier 1 peer doesn’t cost anything, these providers are motivated to get traffic off their network as quickly as possible. But this will not help the end-user who is streaming live video from a cable provider, for example. By doing so, Tier 1 Network providers send traffic via routes that are learned through other Tier 1 providers, regardless of performance, flexibility or redundancy. In addition, since routing traffic among Tier 1 peers is free, it is extremely cost effective to sell access to their networks, particularly to content heavy users (gigabit connections and higher). Therefore, Tier 1 IP backbone providers can offer reduced IP transit costs. However, since they are motivated by cost-savings, quality isn’t a factor in how traffic is routed. Therefore, price, not quality, is achieved but rarely both.

Tier 2 network providers, inherently, have many more routing options to choose from – since they are buying transit routes no matter which provider the traffic needs to traverse. However, these purchasing decisions can be made for a variety of reasons, including the type of traffic, the global reach required, budgets, network speed required and more. This flexibility also creates an immense amount of confusion to buyers, since clearly some Tier 2 networks route solely on price, or quality or luck of the draw. So choosing the right Tier 2 becomes critical.

There are many ways to test network providers’ routing choices, but at the end of the day buyers should consider the following:
1.The extent (quantity + quality) of the provider’s global peering relationships
2.The ability to provide quality end-to-end solutions
3.The flexibility in providing its services
4.The companies the provider partners with
5.Perhaps most importantly, the customer service provided throughout the process

Since Tier 1 network providers are motivated to keep get traffic off their network as quickly as possible through their other Tier 1 peering relationships, the buyers’ experience can be unpredictable. A Tier 2 network provider, such as Mzima Networks, can offer visibility into its routing procedures, which ensures IP traffic will be routed through the most direct and closest path; this direct path provides a more reliable transit solution. In addition, quality Tier 2s like Mzima who manage multiple, global peering relationships have the ability to configure the network to consistently optimize the IP route.

When evaluating providers, here are a few key questions to consider:

1.How many global direct peering relationships does the provider have?
2.Which Tier 1 backbone providers does it connect to?
3.Where can you interconnect to the provider?
4.Are there SLAs offered?
5.Lastly, during the process it is important to recognize how questions were answered and how quickly you received a response.

Mzima Networks has focused its business model on creating more efficient peering connections among other Tier 2 providers in order to deliver content and streaming media more efficiently for and between its customers. The company’s goal is to connect to as many networks as it can, in as many locations as possible, in order to bypass the Tier 1 ‘inner circle’ as often as possible. This doesn’t mean that Tier 1 providers are not necessary, because indeed they are – but more often than not, Tier 1s are not the shortest or more efficient route to a destination from a cost and quality stand-point.

Another factor is whether a buyer has its own Autonomous System Number (ASN). Today there are over 43,000 unique ASNs active in the routing table, which allows each network to connect to the Internet. A benefit for a network to have its own ASN is the ability to multi-home. Multi-homing is the ability to connect to multiple transit providers in order to improve performance. It provides operators the ability to route traffic through a best route, as well as having an alternative redundant provider should a network connection fail. In order to have a multi-homed solution, a provider must use Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), and in order to BGP, a network operator must have an ASN.

As a buyer evaluates its Internet backbone options, consider multi-homing as well. This will give network operators the opportunity to choose a primary provider as well as a secondary provider. This will ease the burden on your network decision, since you could purchase transit from two complimentary providers – which could include both a Tier 1 and a Tier 2 IP backbone provider – just make sure the Tier 2 is not already buying from your Tier 1 choice.

For more questions on how to choose your network provider, either a Tier 1, Tier 2 or even both, please email info@mzima.net.

Mzima Networks is not to be confused with Mzinga whose Director of Strategic Consulting Isaac Hazard, also Vantage Communications‘ Rob Adler, and Techistan and DIDX vice president Suzanne Bowen will present How to Leverage Social Media for a Successful Marketing Campaign collaboratively at ITEXPO East Jan. 20, 2010 at 2 PM. Peter Radizeski is the moderator. He is a telecom specialist, for example assists businesses to become a CLEC. He is with Rad-Info, Inc. Check the session list and sign up to participate. Telx has also a very exciting Youtube video channel where our VP is interviewed.

Jaymie Scotto Cutaia, CEO of Jaymie Scotto & Associates (www.jaymiescotto.com)and publishers of Telecom News Now (TNN) is a graduate of New York University and known in the IP communications industry as a social media innovator and one of the best marketing and public relations consultant experts around. Their group, composed of Jaymie Scotto, Illissa Miller, Vanessa Eixman, Karissa Campbell, Lauren Lemoi, Max Pomeroy, Brian Menecola, and Kris Stepney.

As always, this “famous for out of the box thinking and doing” group did something quite unique. They scheduled a podcast interview with the original Techistan team (which has grown since then and is as always a combination of East and West) to speak with Suzanne Bowen, Vice President of Marketing of Techistan, DIDX and Super Technologies, Inc.; Nusrat Zehra, Marketing Manager and Omar Shaikh, Senior Editor of Techistan.

Jaymie shares kind words to describe the Techistan team member Suzanne as “a pioneer in the Telecom space where she hails over a variety of companies including Super Technologies and DIDx companies that provide VoIP Hosted Platforms and VoIP 2.0 Enabling Technologies.”

Rehan Ahmed Allahwala is the inventor and founder of Techistan and holds the patent pending for DIDX, the real pioneer of the company Super Technologies, Inc. A modest guy, his Facebook profile says, “A simple guy, who prefers not to give up on life, People, and the planet earth.” Rehan was not able to participate in this podcast interview by Jaymie Scotto & Associates because of business travel.

Some of Jaymie’s top tier clients include Allied Fiber, Arbinet, Capacity, Datagram, DealCenter, Hibernia, HKColo, Hugh O’Kane Electric Company, Iland, ITW, IPSmarx, Mzima, Pangaea Networks, RCN, Telehouse America, TelServ, Tinet, and 4Connections.

The podcast interview among Nusrat, Jaymie, Omar and Suzanne is a discussion about TECHISTAN and its mission. As Jaymie’s blog mentions, Omar Shaikh, one of Techistan’s senior editors “describes it as an online media magazine featuring broadcasts, radio interviews, podcasts and articles for the Telecom industry. An issue that propelled TECHISTAN to the market is the founders observed that the majority of online news media magazines seem too commercial and don’t pay enough attention to the ‘little guys.’”

There are “powerful little guys and women” all over the world, in the remotest villages and in the highest level penthouses, full of positive-life changing ideas and inventions. But how to get the word out about them? Techistan has access to around 14,000 IP communications related parties hailing from 170 nations via its sister service DIDX. It is a media partner and press agent alongside its DIDX at dozens of the globe’s most exciting conferences such as ITEXPO, 4G Wireless Evolution, PTC, EXPO Comm Mexico, EduRG, Softec, CTIA, Convergence India, Connect IT Pakistan, CeBIT, and SUPERCOMM. The team who also are a part of Super Technologies, Inc. started up in 1999 in the USA, and has team members in Mexico City; Miami, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; Sharjah, U.A.E.; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Karachi, Pakistan are connected to hundreds of thousands via social media platforms such as Skype, Gizmo5 (now Google), Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, TelecomYou, and more where they hear and see first hand, mind-boggling cool innovations to showcase.

As Jaymie and Illissa’s blog at http://www.jaymiescotto.com/jsablog/ states, “TECHISTAN promises to provide telecom related press releases, interviews and news in one location. In this podcast interview, Suzanne Bowen explains that TECHISTAN is collaborating with other entities, including other online media organizations and aims to reach the early adopters, developers, open source and IP communication industry managers and executives.

TECHISTAN’s motto is definitely ‘No Boundaries’… to help keep everyone informed and entertained. To hear the complete interview and read Jaymie Scotto & Associates’ article, visit: http://www.jaymiescotto.com/jsablog/?p=1067.