Abstracts of Magazine FUJITSU 2009-7 (VOL. 60, NO. 4)

Special Issue: Network

• Evolution of Network Society and Technical Innovation

Information and communications systems have been evolving for some time in a cycle that begins with their effect on society and daily life followed by innovation and its penetration through society. In wide area networks which provide the infrastructure for such evolution, Next-Generation Network (NGN) are now deploying in commercial operation and Fiber To The Home (FTTH) system for the family house and broadband wireless access system for mobile users are actually penetrating in the network as variety of access options. Those momentum is leading and driving further innovation in social activities. In this paper, we examine changes in everyday life that are actually taking place in society and advances in corporate and business systems from the viewpoint of network technology. We also present trends in technology innovation with an eye to the future and introduce Fujitsu's activities in this area.

• Next-Generation Access Architectures and Distributed MSAN Concept

Within Europe network operators are starting to consider the deployment of deep fibre infrastructure (either Fiber to the Home or Fiber to the Cabinet) to deploy high speed broadband services. The decision on FTTH or FTTC will be dependent on territory and regulatory environments and a range of solutions including direct fibre, PON and xDSL will be required. Fujitsu's existing Multi Service Access Node (GeoStream Access Gateway) has been developed by Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe and is currently deployed in BT's 21st Century Network where it provides integrated PSTN/ISDN and DSL access from the central office. There are a number of features of GeoStream Access Gateway that make it possible to distribute its functionality within a network, creating a distributed MSAN. This mode of deployment is particularly suitable for those carriers wishing to deploy an FTTC solution and Fujitsu's strong track record in baseband voice support provides a unique selling point for carriers looking to migrate existing infrastructure to an FTTC infrastructure.

• Optical Access Transport System—GE-PON Platform—

In Japan, the number of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) users surpassed the number of DSL users in 2008. Half of all broadband users are now FTTH users, and the service menu for FTTH is growing. This achievement is attributed to lower service rates as related technologies progress and to services that approach an appropriate level of satisfaction for the user. Fujitsu is proposing the use of the Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (GE-PON) system, which is applicable to mass production, as an access platform to support this dramatic growth in FTTH users. This paper describes the functions of two key GE-PON products—the optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network unit (ONU)—and those of their supervision and control system. It also touches upon 10G-EPON, a next-generation technology now being standardized at IEEE. Fujitsu intends to develop hardware technology to achieve a smooth transition from the existing GE-PON system and to provide an access transport system that enables users to enjoy safe and pleasant services in a stress-free way.

• Trends in LTE/WiMAX Systems

In Japan, the total number of mobile-phone and personal handy-phone system (PHS) users reached 111 million as of the end of February 2009 and the penetration rate of the third-generation mobile communications system (IMT-2000) exceeded 88%. These figures testify to the provision of a data communications environment for mobile users. At the same time, the use of data communications via mobile phones, mainly Internet connections and video transmission, is growing as social and economic activities become increasingly advanced and diversified. As a result of these trends, there is eager anticipation for the introduction of mobile communications systems that surpass existing ones in speed, capacity, and convenience. In this paper, we describe the current state of Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) for achieving high-speed mobile wireless access services, discuss trends for bit-rate enhancement, and describe the future outlook for these systems. We also outline the technologies used for these systems.

• 40-Gbps Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Transmission System

Fujitsu Telecom Networks develops and supplies optical transmission systems for domestic telecommunications carriers. It has recently developed the world's first 40-Gbps dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission system using the return-to-zero differential quaternary phase shift keying (RZ-DQPSK) modulation format for Japanese telecommunications carriers. This system can multiplex and transmit up to forty 40-Gbps (STM256) signals (total: 1.6 Tbps) over one optical fiber. In this paper, we explain the technical problems and solutions for multiplexing 40-Gbps optical signals on a DWDM system, discuss the characteristics of various optical modulation formats, and show the superiority of RZ-DQPSK.

• Multilayer Convergence Platform: FLASHWAVE 9130

Construction of the next-generation network is accelerating, and at the metro-network level, a variety of networks are being created as the SONET/SDH-based network (SONET: synchronous optical network, SDH: synchronous digital hierarchy) is replaced with ones based on Internet protocol (IP) and dense wavelength division multiplexing. At the same time, leased lines and other components of the existing network continue to exist, which results in diverse types of transmission equipment and complicated operations management. To alleviate this problem, Fujitsu Telecom Networks has proposed a multilayer convergence (MLC) platform and, on the basis of this concept, has developed the FLASHWAVE 9130. This paper introduces the MLC concept and describes how FLASHWAVE 9130, the heart of MLC, can efficiently merge the existing network and next-generation network. It also describes equipment and expanded functions for dealing with future increases in traffic and advances in IP transport.

• Submarine Optical Communications System Providing Global Communications Network

The capacity of the global communications network has been increasing significantly to handle the rapid growth in telecommunication traffic brought about by the Internet. Fujitsu supplies optical submarine cable systems that can provide the required huge capacity and short transmission delay. There are two ways to increase the capacity: construct a new submarine cable system or upgrade the existing one. For the latter, in particular, coupler insertion technology has been established. This allows the existing submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) and new SLTE to co-exist in one system. As the existing submarine portion will continue to be used unchanged, this technology can reduce the amount of work done at sea and contribute to cost and lead-time reductions. Fujitsu has chosen to use return-to-zero differential phase shift keying (RZ-DPSK) technology to improve the upgradeable capacity and has applied it to some trans Pacific projects.

• IP Network Trends and Fujitsu's Strategy

Internet protocol (IP) networks are now used in various ways by individuals and companies, and they are expected to become even more important in future. One trend for IP networks is the convergence of their core platforms and another is the diversification of segments closely linked to services. An important issue for the future is how it make possible to provide frameworks that can handle highly diversified services on converged IP network platforms. One example of a product that can handle diversified services is WANDIRECTOR, which has recently been commercialized by Fujitsu. WANDIRECTOR provides high-speed communications for file backup and video distribution applications over a wide area network. In this paper, while referring to past shifts in IP networking, we describe future directions and give an overview of WANDIRECTOR.

• Approaches to Green Networks

Communication networks show promise as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, as networks carry more traffic, their electric power consumption will increase: network power consumption in 2025 is predicted to be 13 times the 2006 level, so energy-saving technology that reduces power consumption is becoming increasingly important. Besides the energy-saving technologies currently under development for application to individual devices, technology that provides system-wide energy-savings for networks overall will be necessary in order to meet the target of keeping the power consumption in 2025 down to 2006 levels. The power consumption of routers is almost constant, irrespective of the volume of transferred packets, and about 40% of it is generally used for the processing necessary for packet transfer routing. In response, we have investigated the end-to-end traffic flow and traffic characteristics. In this paper, we clarify technical problems related to system-wide energy-savings focusing on router power consumption and introduce technology under development to solve these problems.

• Advanced Technologies for New Market of Network Services

Progress in network technologies, virtualization, and other forms of information and communication technology (ICT) and the revamping of communications and broadcasting laws are helping to create an environment in which a vast quantity of ICT resources are even easier to use. As ICT takes on an even bigger role in corporate management, companies are being expected to increase customer value and to become even more competitive. In actual business situations, however, ICT usage still depends on the user, and ICT has not yet become applicable to business activities overall. As such, companies are concerned that they lack the control to increase customer value. This paper describes the problems involved in applying ICT to the new application field of network services and introduces Fujitsu's progressive work in three-dimensional virtual space technology and brain-activity research as part of its technology-development activities for solving these problems.

• The World's First One-Segment Transmission System Using Weak Radio Waves

The integration of broadcasting and telecommunications is continuing to advance. In the broadcast field, terrestrial digital broadcasting and one-segment broadcasting for mobile devices have started and conventional analog broadcasting will end in 2011. Moreover, as the shift to digital broadcasting enables bidirectional communication by data transmission, broadcasting is gaining telecommunication functions. On the other hand, in the telecommunications field, network broadcasting over the Internet has started. In this manner, the boundary between broadcasting and telecommunications is disappearing and integration is advancing. Looking forward to the new age, Fujitsu is developing SpotCast, the world's first one-segment transmission system using weak radio waves. SpotCast makes it easy for anybody to transmit one-segment information to a limited area by using low-power radio waves. This is suitable for the age of broadcasting and telecommunications integration and paves the way for new applications. In this paper, we describe problems that had to be solved in order to realize SpotCast, present actual examples, and discuss future approaches and problems.

• Service Delivery Platform Implementing IMS

The focus of telecommunication carrier business has shifted from voice telephony services to packet-based data services for E-mail and Web browsing, and the provision of advanced services has become possible as a result of increases in network speed; consequently, there is a need for architectural frameworks that facilitate the creation of new services. One such framework is IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). Since IMS separates call control networks and applications, it is attractive as an architecture that enables the convergence of voice and packet services. However, even when an architecture is designed in accordance with industry standards and recommendations, there are still problems such as insufficient functionality for business operations and poor connectivity with service providers. In this paper, we introduce problems related to IMS from the network architecture viewpoint and we propose a service platform that solves these problems.

• Toward Implementation of Trusted Computing

A trend toward "trusted computing" has started. In the trusted computing architecture, relationships of trust are established over the Internet between users, and the level of trust on each side is decided; then, many kinds of information can be used simply depending on the level of trust. This method minimizes risks and has advantages compared with traditional complex security, which preserves information exclusively. It is a cost-effective and rational approach to handling the huge number of terminals connected to the Internet, which has increased to tens of billions, including devices other than personal computers, and the lower average level of technical expertise of mass users. One of the main factors for realizing trusted computing is technical specifications drafted and published by an industrial association called TCG (Trusted Computing Group). Fujitsu is actively participating in TCG at all levels as a Promoter Board Member, Committee Members, and a Working Group Chair contributing to standardization activities through comprehensive and unified efforts. In this paper, we explain the concept of trusted computing, overview TCG technologies and proposals for solutions that incorporate them, and, with due consideration of the strategies of other companies, describe Fujitsu's business results, recent developments, and opportunities to make a social contribution and develop new businesses.

• Sensing Platform Service that Contributes to Field Innovation

Sensing platform services will be used for knowledge management and to guide people by providing relevant advice according to the circumstances on the basis of data obtained from sensors in addition to the experience and know-how of veterans. Fujitsu is focusing on two fields and aims to provide innovative solutions that will transform field operations. For medicine and welfare, Fujitsu is developing a next-generation navigation system that recognizes patients when they insert a registration card into a compact terminal at a medical facility and displays up-to-the-minute advice for that particular person as well as a queuing time estimate. For the food and agriculture field, Fujitsu has begun a field trial of an integrated agricultural support system that gathers and analyzes various types of sensing data, performs price evaluations and operation management by sensing the actions of the operators, and extracts and integrates the know-how of veteran operators.

• Visualization of Network Equipment

The term "visualization" in the world of networks has, until now, meant showing an operational manager, for example, the state of equipment, the amount of traffic each device is handling, and the congestion status of the network. Although this is an important aspect of the network infrastructure supporting the communication platform for electronic stock trading and the like, network devices cannot provide direct visualization of business conditions, especially end user behavior. In the future, business visualization will be necessary to support clients' businesses, and network devices will have to supplement and function as components that cannot be achieved by only servers. In this paper, we focus on a server load balancing device as an example of visualization and describe an end user visualization method based on adding a new access control gateway function to the server load balancer.

• Service Delivery Platform Technologies

The penetration of broadband networks is being accompanied by major changes in the way services using those networks are provided. New schemes such as software as a service (SaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) let subscribers use a variety of services over networks. Applications, computers, storage, and other necessities combined over the network enable the rapid delivery of various services. Fujitsu also provides a low-cost, quick, and highly reliable SaaS service based on technology it developed while building systems and on operational know-how accumulated at data centers. In response to the shift to such a service economy, it will become increasingly important in terms of the network society's infrastructure to increase the value of the network and build a service platform that can rapidly provide new services. In this paper, we introduce future directions of network services and a service delivery platform architecture and approaches to the research and development of its key technologies.

• Flexible Transmission Network Structure and Operations System: AW Navi

Communication services based on Internet protocol (IP) have rapidly become widespread, making it easy for users to enjoy video images and high-quality music at home by fiber-to-the-home access or on a portable terminal by mobile communications. While IP communications can transmit broadband signals, the signal traffic fluctuates depending on the location and time, so the relaying transmission network must have sufficient capacity to absorb these traffic fluctuations. In contrast, conventional transmission networks are stable and highly reliable because the traffic of conventional telephone and leased-line services can be systematically forecast. This paper introduces Fujitsu's network operations system (OpS), AW Navi, which enhances the OpS already established for conventional transmission networks and provides a transmission profile for this new IP network OpS.

• Network Sensing—Network Monitoring and Diagnosis Technologies—

Problems that occur in information and communication technology (ICT) systems (network services) deployed on top of Internet protocol (IP) networks may originate in the network, servers, or even data (content), which makes troubleshooting difficult and lengthens the time required for system restoration. In response to this situation, we have been developing monitoring and diagnosis techniques for network services based on capturing packets flowing in the network. These highly sensitive techniques can detect problems that affect network service users and can quickly determine the cause and location of a problem without imposing an unnecessary load on the network. In this paper, we present integrated monitoring and diagnosis techniques for network services that can determine the causes and locations of network problems, diagnose server delays in services that span multiple servers, and detect sound-quality deterioration in IP phone services.

• Proactnes II: Visualization for Next-Generation Network

The voice telephony, video distribution, and data transmission services provided over independent legacy networks are being progressively integrated into Internet protocol (IP) networks by telecommunications carriers around the world. Each integrated next-generation all-IP network, which handles data for services having different quality requirements, will provide a multitude of services. Proactnes II is a system for supporting the operational management of network services by providing network visualization. It will contribute to the provision of safe and reliable services and networks. In this paper, we outline the network sensing, voice quality control, failure analysis, and dashboard technologies incorporated into Proactnes II.