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Network Technologies

Vol. 52, No. 2, April 2016

This special issue introduces network system platforms and solutions for providing diverse services, advanced technologies supporting network services, and telecommunications technologies supporting social infrastructures, all revolving about communications-infrastructure technology development nurtured by Fujitsu over many years.

Japanese version: Magazine FUJITSU (Vol. 66, No. 6, November 2015)

Preface

Special Issue on Network Technologies (464 KB) Tango Matsumoto, Corporate Executive Officer, EVP, Vice Head of Digital Service Business, Head of Network Business Group, pp.1-2

Vision

Fujitsu's Vision for Next-generation IoT Network (793 KB) Satoshi Takeda, pp.3-7: The Internet of Things (IoT) will greatly change lifestyles and business processes. It will necessitate moving from networks that simply connect things to networks that generate intelligence through the linking of things in the real world with information in the digital world. This requires scaling up information and communications technology (ICT) systems to enable them to accommodate the increasing number of things being connected to networks, to deal with temporal and regional fluctuations in demand, and to adapt to the diverse requirements of new services and applications that are continually being launched. In response to these challenges, Fujitsu envisions a next-generation network of distributed computing that facilitates dynamic coordination between networking and computing. This paper describes Fujitsu's vision of the next-generation network and the new value such a network creates.

Network System Platforms and Solutions to Provide Various Services

Network DevOps Solution for Creating New Network Services (544 KB) Minoru Takimoto, Hiroaki Komine, Kiyoko Tamura, pp.8-12: Fujitsu has systematized its experience and expertise in DevOps (a portmanteau of "development" and "operations") into a cloud solution that integrates products and services on the basis of software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV). This Network DevOps Solution provides telecom carriers with network development and operations-management systems and enables them to independently improve their systems and achieve flexible operations management by combining Fujitsu's network platforms, management system products, and partner products. Customers can then quickly respond to changing market needs and continuously enhance their service quality. These abilities will be crucial for carriers as network users' needs increasingly diversify and the demand for new network services multiplies in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT). This paper outlines this Network DevOps Solution, describes application examples, and discusses future development.

Transforming Carrier Networks by Utilizing Network Functions Virtualization (617 KB) Masato Okuda, Tetsuya Yamada, pp.13-19: The rapid evolution of cloud technologies has led to efforts to commercialize network functions virtualization (NFV), which uses software applications running on virtualized resources instead of dedicated hardware to provide various network functions. Fujitsu's NFV operation management software—FUJITSU Network Virtuora OM and Virtuora RV—brings the advantages of virtualization to the telecommunication industry and thereby enable network operators to introduce new services by flexibly allocating resources and to meet fluctuations in traffic through simplified and efficient operation management. Fujitsu provides additional features that improve performance and enhance operability. They include a virtualized system test solution, a service chaining function for on-demand network service creation, and a distributed services platform as a key technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) platform for network operators. This paper outlines NFV, describes the challenges in its practical application, and explains how Fujitsu is working to meet the requirements for NFV to be introduced to carrier networks.

Platform Technology to Support Network Functions Virtualization Solution (786 KB) Shoji Temma, Hiroaki Tanaka, Masataka Sakata, pp.20-27: The concept of network functions virtualization (NFV), introduced at SDN & OpenFlow World Congress 2012, is bringing about a significant change in the network environment. NFV enables various networking functions to be virtualized on general-purpose servers and thereby makes it easier to create highly reliable networks at low cost. Fujitsu has applied NFV to its FUJITSU Intelligent Networking and Computing Architecture (FINCA), introduced in 2013. This paper explains this concept and describes Fujitsu's initiatives in developing platform technologies to support NFV. It also takes a look at how NFV will affect future networks.

SDN Solution for Wide Area Networks (677 KB) Takuya Miyashita, Tomohiro Suzuki, Toshio Soumiya, Akiko Yamada, pp.28-34: The expanding use of cloud computing is driving a growth in the amount of data traffic carried by wide area networks (WANs). Software-defined networking (SDN) is potentially capable of handling this growth efficiently while offering new services. SDN makes networks more flexible, leading to more timely service implementation and more efficient network operation. Such timely service implementation should enhance network value. Although SDN has already been applied to networks within data centers, it has not yet been applied to WANs. This is because WANs support social infrastructure, which demands strict quality and functionality, among other requirements. However, the application of SDN to WANs would promote open-source platforms, which would help eliminate vendor lock-in and support market expansion through open innovation. This paper first describes the challenges inherent in the application of SDN to WANs, presents Fujitsu's SDN solution for WANs, and introduces Fujitsu's projects related to WAN control technology and its open-source initiatives.

Solution for Virtualization to Ensure Optimal Network Security Environment (659 KB) Shoji Kohira, Kenji Mitsuhashi, Shuji Yahiro, Shinichi Ikeda, pp.35-40: The Internet became widely diffused once the Internet Protocol (IP) was defined in an Internet technical standard, Request for Comments (RFC). Meanwhile, security measures were left insufficiently discussed. Given this situation, intruders disguised as normal communication can relatively easily penetrate and disrupt Internet services. Their methods of attacks are becoming more sophisticated on a daily basis, meaning that present-day security measures cannot be guaranteed to work in the future. Against this background, security measures are becoming an indispensable technological component for an all-IP network, as opposed to a one-off program. In addition, a paradigm shift is occurring with respect to the way the cost of such measures is perceived, from burdensome expenses to investments indispensable for business continuity. In responding to this shift, Fujitsu undertakes the development of network security technology and offers network security solutions. This paper reviews issues with the current security measures, and outlines some technological factors to address them. It then describes specific features of the Fujitsu products that have introduced software-defined networking (SDN) and/or network functions virtualization (NFV)—key technologies for virtualizing network and communication services.

MVNO Solution to Embody Diversifying Market Needs (785 KB) Hiroaki Sato, Masaaki Takase, Youhei Konno, Takuya Arai, pp.41-48: An emerging interest in the services provided by mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) focuses on the ways to economize on telecom costs, leveraging budget smartphones and SIM cards. Many magazines and television programs have been eagerly featuring the topic in recent years, and the services are widely recognized, almost by 70% of the Japanese population today. Backed by this growing popularity, the MVNO services are provided not only by telecom carriers and Internet service providers (ISP), but also by players from other industrial fields, such as major logistics companies and content providers. Fujitsu provides these operators, which are considering the possibilities of providing an MVNO service, with a comprehensive solution. A special focus is placed on the development of solutions that address the unique circumstances of Japanese telecom services, coupled with the provision of consulting and integration services. This paper first outlines the MVNO services and their technical factors. It then explains Fujitsu's MVNO solution that facilitates the adaptation to the Japanese version of MNVO services. The paper concludes with descriptions on some hypotheses regarding the future development of the MVNO services, and the directions Fujitsu aims to head in for this.

Small-cell-based Solution to Make Diverse Services Possible (1.31 MB ) Masanori Hashimoto, Hideo Iwamoto, pp.49-55: The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought the age of connection where everything is linked to a network, but it is also causing an eruption of mobile network traffic and non-uniform traffic concentration in certain areas. While a mobile telecommunication network will become more important than ever, the current network configuration is not capable of handling the increasing demand. To address this situation, and having the future mobile network in mind, it is important to consider reinforcing the existing macro cells with small cells to counter data traffic concentrations in certain small areas called hot spots. This paper introduces the small-cell-based solution that has been developed to address this challenge by bolstering the data traffic capacity in specific areas. It explains the solution in terms of its structure as well as the functions and technologies that it deploys. The paper also describes the services this solution offers, touching on the diversity of the applicable fields as well as the solution's scalability and adaptability to future technologies.

Advanced Technologies to Support Network Services

Improving Quality of Experience for Users through Distributed Service Platform Technology (768 KB) Kenichi Abiru, Hitoshi Ueno, Kouichirou Amemiya, pp.56-63: In tandem with the improvement in mobile network speed and diffusion of cloud services in recent years, the increasing data traffic from mobile devices is degrading network responses. It is of current interest to apply decentralized computing technology to the network to counter this situation. The distributed service platform developed by Fujitsu Laboratories is one such technology, and it makes it easier to expand the domain for process execution and data storage, which has been hitherto confined to data centers, and thus draw closer to user devices and terminals. This is cloud technology enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and it facilitates easy development, construction, and operation of ever-increasing applications to cater to their use with mobile devices. This technology enables data to be located either in the users' devices or in their surroundings, making it easier for them to have immediate access to the data as they move. This paper re-examines the role of the network in a distributed computing environment that will expand amid changes in the environment surrounding information and communications technology (ICT). At the same time, it introduces the technology for a distributed services platform that Fujitsu Laboratories is currently working on.

WAN Acceleration Technology for Enhanced Data Transmission Performance (649 KB) Naoki Oguchi, Hiroaki Kameyama, Shinichi Sazawa, Masaya Naito, pp.64-70: In tandem with the recent globalization in business, data center consolidation with server virtualization, as well as the increasing use of cloud computing and mobile terminals, there are growing needs for faster data transmission via a wide area network (WAN). However, the transmission control protocol (TCP) which is most widely used by many applications today is often unable to attain the maximum speed on a WAN due to the restrictions of the congestion control. Fujitsu Laboratories has developed two types of protocol that replace TCP, and also technology for automatically selecting these protocols depending on the conditions of the WAN and characteristics of the applications. Furthermore, we have developed technology to surpass the maximum speed only by software, through data compression and enhanced efficiency of transmission sequences, leading to a faster transmission speed via a WAN. This paper explains this best-in-industry WAN acceleration technology developed by Fujitsu Laboratories. It then describes Fujitsu's middleware product (FUJITSU Software Interstage Information Integrator) to which the technology is applied.

Full Capture System and Big Data Analysis: Connecting Businesses and Networks in IoT Era (572 KB) Hideyuki Chiba, Shingo Kamuro, Yuji Nomura, pp.71-74: As the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications become prevalent, the number of devices that connect to networks is rapidly increasing. Data traffic via networks has thus grown to a significant volume. The connectivity to a network, and the quality of the network itself, are becoming prerequisites as opposed to added value that generates profits. Given this as a background, the service-oriented business models based on requests by upper layers, which have been around for some time, are expected to develop further and faster. To support such business models, Fujitsu has developed a real-time full capture system compatible with the 200 Gbps bandwidth, leveraging the Company's networking and big data analysis technologies. The system is designed to capture and analyze a large volume of high-speed data using virtual platforms. This paper briefly looks at user expectations for virtual platform services and challenges with regards to providing such services. Then it describes the characteristics of the developed system.

Communication Technology to Support Social Infrastructure

"Conscious Optical Network" with Reliability and Flexibility (704 KB) Yasuko Nozu, Yasuhiko Aoki, Kosuke Komaki, Satoru Okano, pp.75-82: The most important requirements in optical networks have been high speed, large bandwidth, long transmission distance, and reliability of optical fiber communications. In recent years, however, simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency of network operation have been rapidly becoming more important as a wide range of applications are offered by emerging providers of content and other services. In order to respond to changing demand, Fujitsu is developing a conscious optical network that monitors optical fiber communications at an unprecedented level of precision and optimizes the network operation accordingly. It aims to facilitate and speed up service provisioning, optimization of power and signal quality, and early failure detection and preventive maintenance, thus relieving the optical network of complicated operations and making it environmentally more efficient. This paper introduces Fujitsu's unique light probe technology in the field of optical digital signal processing, and describes its effectiveness for the realization of the conscious optical network.

CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks (1.11 MB ) Yasushi Sugaya, Takuji Maeda, Yuichi Suzuki, Takeshi Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Ito, Hiroki Ooi, Gaku Kimura, pp.83-89: The rapid increase in traffic flowing through data centers and mobile networks in recent years is making it increasingly important that the supporting optical trunk line networks have high-speed, high-capacity, long-distance, and high-reliability features. Various types of applications have been discussed for flexibly reconfiguring the optical trunk line networks, and it is agreed that flexibility and high availability are needed at the optical level. In its development of a re-configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) that serves as an optical-direction switch, Fujitsu focused on the implementation of "colorless, directionless, contentionless, and gridless (CDCG)" functions to meet the needs of telecom carriers for greater flexibility, remote operation, and higher capacity. This paper introduces the key devices and elemental technologies of CDCG-ROADMs, describes CDCG-ROADM functions, and touches upon the application of CDCG-ROADM technology to future optical trunk line networks.

10G-EPON System Broadens Possibilities of Optical Access (718 KB) Masahiro Arai, Eisaku Toma, Takashi Kawakami, Norio Sakai, pp.90-96: Fiber to the home (FTTH) service encourages the growth of high-speed broadband services. Today, 26 million people are subscribed to such service in Japan. Further, the optical access network is expanding its coverage, leveraged as a backhaul or offload for mobile network services, to compensate for ever-increasing traffic due to an increasing number of services that distribute high-definition image data and enhanced data communication speed. The emerging popularity of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, the smart grid being an example, also relies on the optical network, making this indispensable social infrastructure. Fujitsu currently offers an FTTH-compatible product range based on the Gigabit Ethernet-Passive Optical Network (GE-PON). Meanwhile, a 10G-EPON system is under development, designed to realize easy migration to a 10G-based system. The 10G-EPON system will improve FTTH service quality as it reduces equipment and maintenance footprint, and minimizes the impact of system failures if they happen, as well as the recovery time. This paper describes the outlines of the 10G-EPON system, specific features, and future prospects.

From LTE-Advanced to 5G: Mobile Access System in Progress (1.10 MB ) Takashi Dateki, Hiroyuki Seki, Morihiko Minowa, pp.97-102: There is a surge in the amount of mobile data traffic due to the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets and the increasing use of diversified applications that use pictures and movie files. The amount of mobile data traffic is expected to continue increasing with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) era, due to a huge increase in the number of telecommunication devices and technological advancements for enhancing the resolution of video data. The current prevalent system is LTE-Advanced—the so-called fourth-generation (4G) mobile access system—while technology is already under development across the world for fifth-generation (5G) systems. 5G involves very advanced technological requirements as it aims to increase transmission capacity by a thousand-fold compared with the current LTE. One of the required technological developments is to increase cell density. This paper first explains the mobile access system technology developed to counter increasing data traffic, and then it describes the centralized base band unit supporting LTE-Advanced and indoor femtocell base stations, each developed by Fujitsu. It also discusses the technological trends for 5G mobile access systems, with descriptions of activities to realize such technology.

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