Ciena incorporates ONAP framework into Blue Planet

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Ciena says it is introducing enhanced policy capabilities into its Blue Planet intelligent automation platform that incorporates the architectural framework from the Linux Foundation’s open-source Open Networking Automation Platform (ONAP) to aid network providers’ evolution to more adaptive, software-centric networks.

Ciena says the new Blue Planet policy subsystem will support advanced closed-loop automation use cases, such as preventing a potential failure or dynamically scaling capacity to support growing bandwidth demands. Additionally, it will give operators more control to create intent-based policies that better guide their networks to address potential obstacles and meet their key growth objectives.

Policy plays an essential role in closed-loop network automation by creating rules that guide the decisions and actions taken by software to automatically modify the behavior of the network.

Blue Planet incorporates numerous best-in-class open-source concepts, components, and frameworks, alongside Ciena-developed innovations, to provide a differentiated platform that meets the current and future needs of customers. By making Blue Planet compatible with key elements of ONAP, Ciena says it is further expanding Blue Planet’s interoperability and applicability.

Ciena Blue Planet is adding support for ONAP virtual network function (VNF) descriptors and packaging specifications to the already supported ETSI ISG NFV Release 2 specification [PDF]. By supporting both specifications, Ciena is providing customers greater choice in how they approach today’s rapidly evolving networking environment, said Ciena CTO Steve Alexander.

“The future of networking lies with openness and the concept of ‘choice’, allowing network operators to select best-of-breed technologies and solutions,” Alexander said. “These Blue Planet enhancements bring us closer towards the common goal of software-led, policy defined, network transformation. They also help forge a path for more adaptive networks that can self-learn, self-configure, self-heal, and self-optimize by constantly assessing network status.”

Blue Planet’s support for ONAP VNF descriptors and packaging specifications are available today, while the enhanced policy subsystem will be available in the second half of 2018.

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