PRESS RELEASE

10 March 2014

Software Takes Center Stage as Vello Systems Leads Industry’s First Open Source Optical (OSO) Effort

Menlo Park, CA, March 10, 2014 – Vello Systems, a leading provider of software solutions that revolutionize how IT systems and services are deployed and consumed on standards-based hardware, today announced that it is initiating the Open Source Optical (OSO) Forum, which is chartered to promote new user models for both enterprise and cloud service provider customers.
 
The forum brings together optical component and system vendors, software companies, channel partners and end-users looking to promote the adoption of standards-based, interchangeable, easy-to-use, and power-efficient optical networking technologies into next-generation data centers and cloud environments. The aim of the group is to spur the adoption of open source optical solutions in data center and enterprise networks by providing an “open optical” counterpart to the rapidly growing world of merchant-Ethernet-based Software-Defined Networks (SDN).
 
The initial charter members of OSO include Vello, Accelink, CoAdna, CrossFiber, O-Net, PacketLight and Pacnet with more companies and organizations expected to be announced over the coming weeks.
 
It is software interoperability among multiple optical solution vendors that makes OSO possible and breaks the existing model of expensive vendor-locked optical systems that dominate the market today.  To this end OSO will provide and maintain community-supported open source software that will power a variety of merchant-optical systems from current and future OSO members.  This Open Source code will reside on the consortium’s web site, www.opensourceoptical.org.
 
Initially, some OSO members will simply port OSO software onto their existing optical systems, making them instantly compatible with OpenFlow controller and application frameworks.  Other members may choose to build next-generation Native OpenFlow, enterprise-friendly 10G/40G/100G 1RU “pizza box” optical systems, or other appliances, as their go-to-market solutions. Moving forward, any software solution that supports OpenFlow 1.4 can also be used to run OSO-based optical solutions.  Vello will also be making the optical extensions generally available to be incorporated into other OpenFlow network controller frameworks.
 
Importantly, OSO software will include the optical extensions that are part of OpenFlow Version 1.4, which were authored and contributed by Vello in the Open Networking Foundation. This means that OSO-based systems can be deployed and configured directly alongside OpenFlow-based Ethernet switches from a single screen, completely eliminating today’s requirement of complex optical system commissioning. This unprecedented orchestration of packet and optical network assets has never been attempted until OSO and promises to not only accelerate the penetration of optical technology into the data center – by making it easy to use and in an enterprise form factor -- but also provide new tools to enhance the way IT systems and services are purchased and consumed by end users.
 
“Vello’s mission is to provide the software that fundamentally changes IT consumption models, making them better tailored to the demands of enterprise and individual end users.  Customers are calling for more flexibility and new tools to realize their IT delivery solutions.  Vello’s goal has been to unify standard software with vendor-agnostic merchant hardware to ease adoption by users, said Karl May, CEO, Vello Systems. “One major goal with OSO is to decouple the hardware and software innovation cycles and give vendors in both categories greater freedom to innovate. We want to extend the open networking revolution to optical systems.
 
“We share the industry’s growing belief that open networking is a compelling ‘no brainer’ to achieve cost-effective control of applications and infrastructure – and it is time to extend its benefits to the optical realm, particularly now that optical systems can be as easy to use and deploy as an Ethernet switch under OpenFlow control using OSO software.
 
This is why we are spearheading the formation of the new Open Source Optical Forum, which will help to coalesce the optical industry around open source optical solutions to drive the innovation necessary for end-user customers to realize the benefits of more powerful, versatile and power efficient next-generation data centers.
 
Specific application of OpenFlow-based SDN to optical components and networks opens up novel opportunities to add connectivity options within and between data centers, improve price-performance, and apply dynamic software control to flexible, application-independent infrastructure,” said Dan Pitt, executive director of the Open Networking Foundation. “We look forward to collaborating with the OSO community to understand their requirements and contribute solutions.”
 
“The convergence of IT and telecom is having a profound impact on the optical transport layer. Rapid advances in SDN/NFV software technology are creating new opportunities for companies to collaborate and solve networking problems that were unimaginable only a few years ago,” said Ron Kline, Principal Analyst, Network Infrastructure, Ovum.  “OSO OpenFlow-based software combined with merchant optical equipment has the potential to radically change the data center interconnect market enabling low-cost white box approaches to optical connectivity that operators ultimately crave.”
 
Initially OSO will be focused on data center and enterprise solutions as, among other reasons, data centers are becoming clusters in metro areas and enterprises are running more ultra-high-speed (100Gb/s link) networks.  OSO also anticipates folding in long-haul optical solutions under its umbrella over time.
 
About Vello
Vello Systems is delivering cutting-edge software that revolutionize IT consumption without any reliance on expensive and proprietary hardware.  Vello eliminates the complexity of connecting storage and compute systems to improve overall IT performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness.  The company’s open networking solutions, with standard programmatic interfaces, integrate seamlessly into leading IT solutions. Vello solutions are built around the VellOS operating environment and provide new levels of automation, visibility, security and analytics to cloud service providers and enterprise customers alike.  Vello’s solutions are commercially available and have been deployed by both Tier 1 Managed Service providers and blue chip Fortune 500 customers in mission-critical environments. For more information contact www.vellosystems.com
 
About Accelink
Accelink Technologies Co., Ltd. manufactures passive optical components, optical instruments, and integrated photo-electronic devices. The Company also provides technical service and solution consultation.
 
Accelink Technologies Co Ltd
88 Youkeyuan Road
Hongshan District
Wuhan, Hubei, 430074
China
Phone: 86-27-87694060
Fax: 86-27-87694060
www.accelink.com
 
About CoAdna
CoAdna is a leading supplier of dynamic and tunable modules for ROADM and WXC applications.
CoAdna designs and delivers highly integrated and intelligent optical modules, such as Nx1/1xN
WSS, TMX, and more based on its patented and Telcordia qualified LightFlow™ subsystems for data center networking applications. These solutions enable customers worldwide to expand their offerings of high speed broadband services, IPTV, VOD, smart phones, big data, cloud computing and other emerging applications to generate more revenue while reducing CAPEX and OPEX to help save energy and space, and to make people’s lives better.
 
To learn more about CoAdna please visit www.CoAdna.com or email www.CoAdna.com or email to sales@CoAdna.com.
 
About Crossfiber
CrossFiber develops and manufactures breakthrough photonic switches for data centers and telco fiber optic networks. CrossFiber photonics switches are based on proprietary technologies which combine 3D MEMS micro-mirrors on silicon, non-invasive beam steering (NIBS), and custom ASICs. CrossFiber's unique combination of performance and cost makes LiteSwitch™ systems the most suitable across all major applications in data centers and telco fiber optic switching. More information can be found at www.crossfiber.com.
 
Media contact: Cynthia Guiang CG Communications (858) 793-2471 cynthia@cgcommunications.com
 
About O-Net
O-Net Communications (Group) Limited, with headquarters in Shenzhen, was listed on the Stock
Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 29 April 2010. It is a leading supplier of passive optical networking
subcomponents, components, modules and subsystems used in high-speed telecommunications and
data communications network systems. To broaden the product offerings through innovation and
diversification, the Group started the research and development (“R&D”) of certain active optical
networking products used in the next generation telecommunication and data-communication systems.
The Group has a high quality client base including Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei as well as contract
manufacturers to Ciena and Infinera. Building on its unique vertically integrated business model, the
Group designs, manufactures and delivers cost-competitive customised products and solutions based
upon individual customers’ product needs and specifications. Apart from strengthening the core optical
networking businesses, the Group adopted a new strategy “Diversity for Growth” and identified certain
new businesses included automation, fiber laser and touch panel with an aim to become a leading
high-tech company. For more details, please visit www.o-netcom.com
 
Media enquiries:
Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Heidi So +852 2864 4826 heidi.so@sprg.com.hk
Maggie Au +852 2864 4815 maggie.au@sprg.com.hk
Agnes Luo +852 2864 4851 agnes.luo@sprg.com.hk
Fax: +852 2527 1196 / 2804 2789
 
About ONF
Launched in 2011 by Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, and Yahoo!, the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) is a growing nonprofit organization with more than 120 members whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of open SDN. ONF promotes open SDN and OpenFlow technologies and standards while fostering a vibrant market of products, services, applications, customers, and users. For further details visit the ONF website at: http://www.opennetworking.org.
 
U.S. Media Contact:
Andi Bean
McGrath/Power Public Relations for ONF
408-727-0351
AndiBean@mcgrathpower.com
 
 
About Packetlight
PacketLight Networks offers a suite of Leading 1U Metro CWDM/DWDM and OTN solutions for transport of data, voice and video applications, over dark fiber and WDM networks, featuring high quality, reliability and performance at affordable prices. Our products are distinguished with low power consumption ideal for CLE (Customer Located Equipment) allowing maximum flexibility as well as ease of maintenance and operation and providing real Pay-as-you-grow architecture. For product and reseller information, Please contact
info@packetlight.com.
PacketLight Networks Ltd. Tel: +972-3-768-7888
 
About Pacnet
Pacnet is Asia-Pacific’s leading provider of managed data connectivity solutions to major telecommunications carriers, large multinational enterprises and government entities in the region.  Ownership of the region’s most extensive high-capacity submarine cable systems with over 46,000 km of fiber and connectivity to interconnected data centers across 14 cities in the Asia-Pacific region gives Pacnet unparalleled reach to major business centers in key markets including China, India, Japan and the United States.  Combined with a comprehensive set of managed network and value-added data center services, its assets and experience in the region have helped Pacnet service large businesses worldwide including Fortune 500 companies.  Pacnet is headquartered in Hong Kong and Singapore, with offices in all key markets in the Asia-Pacific region and North America.  For more information, please visit: www.pacnet.com.
 
Annie Ho                                  
Pacnet 
Tel:       +852 2121 2728
Email:   annie.ho@pacnet.com