Data centre networking

Cisco unveils business transformation suite for hyper-connected enterprise

New tools claimed to help businesses push their boundaries by reimagining their applications, empowering their teams, securing their data and transforming their infrastructure Continue Reading

Pluribus claims industry’s first central office edge compute switch

Open networking and controllerless SDN automation tech provider aims to respond to the extensive and exacting needs of distributed cloud environments Continue Reading

Future of networking technology relies on 5G, edge computing

In this roundup of networking blogs, experts discuss the key trends they look forward to in 2020 and how these advancements could benefit networking's future. Continue Reading

Plan for simplicity when approaching HCI networking

HCI networking isn't as easy as plugging cables in and hoping the HCI system works. IT teams need to strategize around capacity and resiliency to achieve true simplification. Continue Reading

Portsmouth City Council taps MLL Telecom for future network

Initiative designed to offer schools, residents and businesses a fibre framework that will support existing and future digital services Continue Reading

Spirent lands at China’s Daxing International to assure critical communications

Beijing airport seeks to create an unrivalled technology experience for passengers and airport personnel Continue Reading

Nokia inks TIM Brazil IoT contract and supplies Deutsche Bahn 5G automated rail operation

Finnish tech provider gains Wings in the IoT arena with Brazilian telco TIM, as well as providing 5G-based network for automated rail operations in Germany Continue Reading

Cisco unveils plans for internet of the future

Online technology giant Cisco introduces platform for the internet of the future based on $5bn of investment in areas covering silicon, optics and software, bringing the ability to support massively scaled enterprise networks and 5G networks Continue Reading

European first for Vodafone as global telcos tune into AWS Wavelength

In an endorsement of the cloud giant’s push towards the edge, leading global telcos pile in on AWS Wavelength, eyeing up large low-latency gains in key 5G use cases Continue Reading

Telefónica reveals global restructuring plan

Global telco to undergo wholesale changes to prioritise markets where it says it can be relevant and grow sustainably in the long term Continue Reading

Qualcomm and Bosch Rexroth target industrial device market for 5G tech

Collaborating companies successfully demonstrate industrial devices utilising time-sensitive networking technology while operating over a live 5G network Continue Reading

State backs Norway’s fibre cable capacity building

Norway is increasing investment on communications infrastructure in an effort to reduce reliance on Swedish and Danish networks Continue Reading

Juniper claims longest 400GbE deployment

As pressure grows to support bandwidth demands from advanced high-performance computing uses cases, Juniper Networks announces success in 1,300-mile 400GbE network test Continue Reading

CW Nordics: Automation pays off for Sweden’s social workers

Software robots are freeing up time for social workers in Sweden to help benefits claimants find employment and to receive the money they are entitled to. Also in this issue, read how Sweden’s SEB bank is using a Google-inspired, cloud-native core banking platform, and why India is leading the pack when it comes to IT outsourcing from the Nordic countries. Continue Reading

Vodafone calls up Google Cloud for digital transformation platform

Vodafone is using Google Cloud to create products and services based on deeper customer insight to engage customers with better, more personalised support Continue Reading

How Nicigas is disrupting Japan’s gas market with IoT

Japanese energy retailer Nicigas is deploying 850,000 IoT devices to convert traditional gas meters into smart meters to unlock consumption data amid efforts to shake up the utilities industry Continue Reading

Extreme stretches datacentre fabric with added automation

As the battle for the datacentre becomes much more than speeds and feeds, Extreme Networks announces new capabilities for its Fabric Automation software Continue Reading

Investec Bank cashes in on WAN acceleration

Investec Bank turns to WAN acceleration to cut down distributed database response times and ensure that more traders can go online and earn more money Continue Reading

Cord-cutting driving global broadband usage to surpass 500GB of data per month

Exodus from traditional video services to online spurs surge in average broadband data usage, presenting untapped opportunities for service providers Continue Reading

Booming broadband drives EU cable to new highs

Record revenue fuelled by continued growth in cable revenue generating units, says European broadband cable yearbook Continue Reading

Uploadcare gets $1.7m cash investment to expand CDN

Funding will help bi-directional CDN technology provider to accelerate content delivery speed, reduce internet traffic volume and acquire Blinkloader content optimisation platform Continue Reading

Telcos take to commercial blockchain to seize new revenue streams

GlobalData report finds blockchain usage among telcos increasing, with use cases such as roaming fraud management, wholesale fees settlement, mobile money payments and IoT management Continue Reading

Nokia and Microsoft announce tech partnership

IT behemoth Microsoft and comms technology provider Nokia forge first joint solutions, to enable communications service providers and enterprises to accelerate digital transformation Continue Reading

AT&T puts major acquisitions on hold for three years after mixed Q3

Acquisitions on hold at AT&T after third quarter growing strategic and managed business services, US wireless and IP broadband are offset by declines in revenues from legacy wireline services, recently acquired WarnerMedia assets and domestic video Continue Reading

Edge computing use cases and drivers to watch

Edge computing use cases span across multiple industry sectors, including manufacturing, retail and medical. The motives for adoption filter down to three main drivers. Continue Reading

Nordic governments open to Huawei’s ‘no spy’ offer

Chinese tech giant seeks to reassure Nordic governments over security concerns in 5G contracts Continue Reading

Virtual Instruments is now Virtana and aims at cloud, containers

Searches for “Virtual Instruments” returned too many synthesizers, so storage monitoring pioneer went through a blue sky ordeal. It has new plans for cloud and container capability, too Continue Reading

VR over 5G helps Belfast Harbour vision to become smart port

Harbour teams up with BT to deploy 5G-enabled applications including virtual reality Continue Reading

Intel makes Pivot towards 5G with Smart Edge acquisition

Chip giant Intel has signed a definitive agreement to buy the Smart Edge intelligent-edge platform business from infrastructure and service provider Pivot Technology Solutions Continue Reading

AI Singapore to set up on-premise HPC infrastructure

Singapore’s national AI programme is getting its own high-performance computing infrastructure to support more compute intensive workloads Continue Reading

All change: How big data could shake up cloud strategies and fuel demand for edge environments

As enterprise data volumes continue to grow and grow, for cost and performance reasons, enterprises might find an all-in approach to public cloud may not be the way forward, according to several NetEvents panellists Continue Reading

CW Europe: Dutch authorities call temporary halt to datacentre construction

Two Dutch municipalities are putting all datacentre construction on hold while they put together a strategy to help them control developments. A local alderman said datacentres take up a lot of space and place a large burden on the electricity grid. Also read how France is racing ahead of Germany in making the most of service companies in India, and about Google’s plans for a new datacentre and technology training hub in Finland. Continue Reading

Buyers think SD-WAN is too expensive and complicated

Building and maintaining an SD-WAN is perceived as a complicated endeavour, and the industry’s messages are not getting through, says a new report Continue Reading

Cisco frozen out of China as Trump’s trade war rages on

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins reveals the firm is being edged out of the Chinese market Continue Reading

Cloud demand fuels 18% rise in colocation M&A activity in first half of 2019

Merger and acquisition activity in colocation market leaps as demand for cloud continues to reshape the enterprise and hyperscale datacentre landscape Continue Reading

Data center performance requirements spur 25 GbE upgrades

Enterprises are upgrading their data centers with 25 GbE to achieve better throughput and support I/O-intensive applications. Here are some best practices for making the switch. Continue Reading

Storage: How ‘tail latency’ impacts customer-facing applications

Henry He of Virtual Instruments looks at tail latency, the small percentage of storage I/O that could be causing big and costly problems for business applications Continue Reading

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – episode 27

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, Brian McKenna and Caroline Donnelly are joined by Alex Scroxton to weigh up the tech credentials of Boris Johnson’s new cabinet, Huawei’s half-year results, LinkedIn’s cloud migration plans and smart cities Continue Reading

Huawei ‘galvanised’ by Trump ban

Huawei has found itself caught in the crossfire of the US president’s trade war with China, but chairman Liang Hua says the firm is rising to the challenge Continue Reading

Australia to upgrade supercomputer in HPC boost

The Gadi supercomputer at the Australian National University will run 10 times faster than its predecessor, giving researchers access to high performance computing resources to solve the toughest research problems Continue Reading

BT picks Canonical Ubuntu to build 5G core

Canonical will help BT and EE deliver new services to end-users more quickly Continue Reading

There’s no free lunch in SD-WAN, says Tata Communications

Software-defined wide-area networks may help to lower connectivity costs and prioritise network traffic, but enterprises must still invest in bandwidth to reap the benefits of the technology Continue Reading

NTT picks London for newly formed global business

NTT says unifying its various units under one umbrella and basing it in London will help it take full advantage of both its clients’ demands for joined up digital services, and the capital’s booming tech economy Continue Reading

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 20

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Brian McKenna and Caroline Donnelly are joined by Computer Weekly’s networking editor, Alex Scroxton, to talk about some of the past week’s biggest news stories Continue Reading

Cisco shows off AI-driven network analysis at customer event

New tools to help IT departments better understand network behaviour and predict potential problems were among a series of announcements made on the opening day of Cisco Live in the US Continue Reading

What's In A Number? Er, Lots Of Packets Per Second...

I remember when first testing Gigabit Ethernet (Packet Engines and Foundry Networks for the record) and thinking: "how do we harness this much bandwidth - maybe take a TDM approach and slice it? ... Continue Reading

ISPs get nine months prep time for Ofcom shake-up of broadband contract renewal rules

Regulator Ofcom is giving broadband, phone and pay-TV service providers nine months to ready their systems and processes for the emergence of new rules, designed to make it easier for consumers to switch providers Continue Reading

Digital transformation at the Crown Prosecution Service

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine how the Crown Prosecution Service is helping to transform the UK justice system with a world-first digital overhaul. We report from Google’s cloud conference on the firm’s plans to expand its presence in enterprise IT. And we look at the opportunities and challenges of using artificial intelligence in the education sector. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

EDF awards Hinkley Point C comms services contract to Telent

Network services company will run communications and IT infrastructure at new nuclear power plant Continue Reading

Demand for edge datacentres set to grow in APAC

More edge datacentres will be needed in the Asia-Pacific region to cope with greater adoption of edge computing and IoT when 5G networks are up and running Continue Reading

How Australia’s Curtin University is transforming the digital classroom

The Perth-based institution has been using collaborative learning spaces to better engage students and bring its classes to the world Continue Reading

Singapore’s UOB signs up for VMware Cloud on AWS

United Overseas Bank has become the first in Southeast Asia to use VMware Cloud on AWS in its move to the hybrid cloud Continue Reading

Colt picks Cisco to simplify 5G backhaul services

Colt is to deploy Cisco’s segment routing and Ethernet VPN-based architecture on its IQ Network for mobile operators Continue Reading

How Europe’s largest datacentre is helping to expand broadband access

NGD, the operator of the largest datacentre in Europe, is playing an unlikely role in helping expand access to full-fibre broadband in south Wales. We find out how, and why Continue Reading

Modernising IT at the Bank of England

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the Bank of England as it starts the modernisation programme for its core system – one that the UK economy relies on. We look at the rise of DevSecOps and how it can help deal with increasingly complex security threats. And we examine the different approaches to storage for structured and unstructured data. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

What are the CDN options for enterprises?

We look at how content delivery networks can give your organisation’s web presence a literal edge Continue Reading

MWC 2019: Vodafone powers 5G with VMware

Vodafone is using VMware’s telco cloud platform to prepare its mobile networks for 5G in 15 geographies Continue Reading

MWC 2019: 5G driving telcos into the cloud, says VMware CEO

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger explained how the requirements of 5G mobile networks are helping to push more telcos into the organisation’s arms Continue Reading

Delving into viewer data at the BBC

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the BBC about how the UK broadcaster is using data analytics to better understand its viewers and grow its audience in the face of competition from the likes of Netflix. We look at how CERN is using IT automation in its quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe. And we examine the impact of GDPR on cloud storage. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

IT Priorities 2019: Security concerns top agenda for network buyers again

The ability to gain visibility into what is happening on enterprise networks has once again topped the agenda for network managers and buyers, according to the latest Computer Weekly/TechTarget IT Priorities survey Continue Reading

CW Nordics: Sweden to test e-krona and plans cashless society

Sweden’s vision of a cashless society has gained traction after the Riksbank (central bank) rolled out plans to test a digital currency, the e-krona. Also read how the Nordic region’s longer-established companies are playing a forceful role to advance digital transformation, and how Finland’s IT sector has rebounded strongly after Microsoft’s takeover of Nokia’s mobile phones and smart devices business units in 2014. Continue Reading

MWC 2019: Huawei claims massive lead on 5G readiness

At a pre-Mobile World Congress event in London, Huawei’s Ryan Ding shared details of the firm’s rapidly expanding 5G mobile portfolio, and laid into his competitors Continue Reading

Cisco CEO brushes off Brexit and other crises

Chuck Robbins has been speaking about the networking business’ resilience in the face of multiple geopolitical trends and crises, and says his customers just can’t stop spending Continue Reading

What are the SD-WAN requirements for a multicloud environment?

SD-WAN is becoming an important option for businesses migrating branch and other edge communications to the cloud. But what makes a successful deployment? Continue Reading

Coders and developers: The new heroes of the network?

Cisco is moving towards a software-based future. We chatted to Susie Wee, founder and leader of Cisco developer and innovation programme, DevNet, to find out how she is helping to enable this change Continue Reading

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload - Episode 2

In this week’s episode of Computer Weekly’s Downtime Upload podcast, the team discuss what went on at Cisco Live Europe, consider the benefits of office robots, and deep dive into the financial results of AWS, SAP and Microsoft Continue Reading

Cambridge launches urban data IoT project

The city of Cambridge will use Telensa IoT sensors and a Microsoft Azure platform to better manage its urban data assets Continue Reading

Cisco breaks out of physical datacentres to support app-based future

At Cisco Live Europe, extending datacentre capabilities beyond the confines of the physical site to enable app innovation formed the core of a swathe of announcements made by the networking kingpin Continue Reading

MPs challenge Huawei over spying allegations

The chair of the cross-bench Science and Technology Committee has written to Huawei seeking answers over its activities in the UK Continue Reading

The pitfalls of multicloud network management

Migrating to and managing a multicloud network introduces new complexities into the network. We look at how to avoid the potential pitfalls Continue Reading

Vodafone and IBM prep user clouds for future network tech

Companies expand existing collaboration to enable enterprise customers to prepare for the impact of advanced networking technologies Continue Reading

Dutch pharma firm Centrient switches out MPLS for Cato SD-WAN

Centrient Pharmaceuticals, a Netherlands-based drug company, has switched out its global MPLS service in favour of a high-performance software-defined WAN from Cato Networks Continue Reading

NHS plans for a digital future

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the NHS Long-Term Plan and examine how it intends to transform UK healthcare for a digital age over the next 10 years. We analyse the latest chip developments from Intel and AMD to see what will change in the datacentre in 2019. And we ask the experts if cloud giant Amazon Web Services can continue its impressive growth trajectory. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Singapore companies gearing up for hybrid cloud

Traditional datacentres are making way for hybrid cloud adoption among Singapore companies, a study finds Continue Reading

BT faces tussle to keep EU contracts after Brexit

The European Union will likely re-evaluate its telecoms contracts with BT following Brexit, and cancelling them altogether is a real risk in a no-deal scenario, according to leaked documents Continue Reading

Technology innovation in music

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we visit the first hackathon at Abbey Road Studios, once home to The Beatles, to find out how tech startups hope to revolutionise music creation. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the technologies and benefits of perimeterless network security. And we look ahead to the key CIO skills and jobs trends for 2019. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Equinix to open fourth Singapore datacentre in 2019

The latest investment by Equinix in Singapore comes as datacentre operators look to fill vacant real estate arising from intense market competition between 2017 and 2018 Continue Reading

Huawei debuts Arm-based chip, eyes broader server market

Huawei’s Kunpeng 920 processor is geared towards big data and infrastructure applications, marking its foray into Arm-based servers that are set to change the dynamics of the datacentre market Continue Reading

Top 10 network stories of 2018

2018 was the year when software-defined networking, and more specifically software-defined WANs, took centre stage. We look back at a transformative year for the world of the network manager Continue Reading

Interview: Comms sector ripe for disruption as climate change takes hold

Humanity has just 12 years left to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5⁰C and prevent climate meltdown. Paul Dickinson from the Carbon Disclosure Project discusses how CIOs can help take steps to avert disaster by changing their attitude to business communications Continue Reading

Securing the SD-WAN: The next network challenge

Every time an enterprise weighs up whether or not to try SD-WAN, security is an essential part of the picture Continue Reading

AWS cloud network architecture could put users at heightened risk of disruption, study claims

A comparison study of AWS, Google and Microsoft's network architectures reveals stark differences in how they process user traffic, ThousandEyes report shows Continue Reading

CW Benelux: Bikes face scooter challenge in Netherlands

The concept of rental scooters is perfect for the Netherlands, where bicycles are already the most widely used method of transport. Scooter startups see the potential to apply the latest smart technologies to the concept, but regulations could be a barrier. Also in this issue, read how chatbots are taking off with Dutch organisations, with KLM's chatbot a pioneering example, and find out how Dutch bank ING is getting a financial boost from an employee performance management rethink. Continue Reading

APAC firms warm up to SD-WAN to solve networking woes

A third of enterprises in the APAC region have already deployed SD-WAN at most of their sites, while 55% are in the process of doing so, a study shows Continue Reading

Automation and CSR are driving reskilling process for UK plc, says Cisco

UK business leaders are planning to make dramatic changes to their organisations between now and 2020, according to a new report from Cisco Continue Reading

BT makes progress with Global Services restructuring

Telco sets out plan to get its troubled Global Services business unit fighting fit Continue Reading

NGA secures £22m for Bristol-Newport fibre link

Ultrafast wholesale network builder Nextgenaccess has been awarded funding from the National Digital Infrastructure Fund to improve connectivity in South Wales Continue Reading

BT picks fintech leader to succeed Gavin Patterson

BT has named Philip Jansen, current co-chief executive of global payments services group Worldpay, as the successor to outgoing chief executive Gavin Patterson Continue Reading

Huawei Connect 2018: Huawei tackles barriers to effective AI

At its annual customer and technology event, Huawei chairman Eric Xu set out 10 key challenges facing AI, and revealed how the networking supplier’s strategy will help to address these Continue Reading

Huawei Connect 2018: China on the hunt for AI talent

At Huawei Connect 2018 in Shanghai, Huawei shared insights into how the developing artificial intelligence industry is changing the face of IT talent development in Asia-Pacific Continue Reading

At the new Cisco, culture is as important as innovation

Cisco’s newly appointed SVP of Emear, Wendy Mars, shares her thoughts on the state of network innovation within the industry, and explains why cultural change is just as important an element of a digital strategy Continue Reading

Intelligent automation and the WAN: Is SD-WAN moving mainstream?

Take-up of software-defined networking in corporates is slower than expected. Where have we reached on the journey to software-controlled networks – and SD-WAN in particular – becoming the norm? Continue Reading

Indigo subsea cable lands in Perth

Cable system will utilise new spectrum sharing technology, so each consortium member can take advantage of technology advancements to support growing demand for bandwidth Continue Reading

Foreshadow mitigation obscures licensing impact

Performance of virtual machines could be severely affected by the workaround for Intel’s latest processor flaw. To compensate, more processors will be needed Continue Reading

What are the current SD-WAN options for enterprises?

Software-defined wide area networking is well on its way to being a multi-billion dollar market. We assess the current state of the market and look at some of the options for enterprise CIOs and network managers Continue Reading

Keppel, Salim Group to build new datacentre in Indonesia

The facility located on the outskirts of Jakarta is a response to the growing demand for connectivity and data services in Indonesia’s fast-growing digital economy Continue Reading

When networks collide: how M&A brings infrastructure together

Enterprise IT runs on networking, so fixing up the network should be a priority issue during mergers and acquisitions – but that’s not always the case. Find out how the pros manage it Continue Reading

VMware debuts VMware Cloud on AWS in Australia, cuts entry price

Virtualisation juggernaut VMware rolls out its hybrid cloud service in Australia and has halved the entry price to sweeten the deal for enterprises Continue Reading

CW Nordics: Sweden eyes geo-fencing to protect against terror attacks

Sweden is developing an integrated IT/geo-fencing system to protect the country’s towns and cities against attacks by terrorists using vehicles as “killing machines”. Also read about Microsoft building two more datacentres in Norway to support its cloud computing services in Europe, and find out why investigators have closed the Nokia extortion probe without finding a motive or making an arrest. Continue Reading

Riverbed plots to take the network from IT blocker to IT enabler

The move towards automation and next-gen networking will help the network deliver more value to the enterprise than ever before, argues Riverbed’s new CEO, Paul Mountford Continue Reading