Oracle has just released its Communications Application Orchestrator designed to address the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) requirements for communications service providers. Virtualized infrastructures are increasingly popular, both in the enterprise and in service provider infrastructures. Oracle's new solution is also designed to work with Oracle Communications Core Session Manager, a solution that helps CSPs virtualize network infrastructures to support NFV efforts.
Virtual environments allow for increased efficiency and reduced infrastructure costs in both the enterprise and service provider environments, and service providers are also attracted to virtualized networks elements because they can be used to deploy new services and applications more quickly. NFV is considered a next-generation network architecture, reducing telecommunications network complexity by replacing incompatible network appliances with standardized software.
The Oracle Communications Application Orchestrator supports NFV architecture standards from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the main standards body guiding NFV development, according to the company. The features include the capability to manage the lifecycle of a virtual network function, and respond to changes in network capacity requirements by monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs.) It can also integrate with multiple virtualization infrastructure systems to include other vendor environments.
Commenting in a statement on the latest portfolio addition, Bhaskar Gorti, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Communications said, "As smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices explode in popularity, communications service providers are experiencing increasing pressure to deliver compelling data services while competing with over-the-top providers to remain relevant. Oracle Communications Application Orchestrator enables CSPs to move away from rigid network architectures to a flexible platform that can be easily reconfigured to address any number of current or future services."
