Huawei Released the CloudFAN Prototype for MSOs, Promoting Cloud Evolution for HFC Networks

[Cologne, Germany, May 30, 2017] At ANGA COM Exhibition 2017, Huawei released the CloudFAN prototype for multiple system operators (MSOs), and demonstrated fast service provisioning capabilities and smart home based on cloud under the cooperation between open protocols and network controllers.

With the development of new services, such as HD videos, over the top (OTT), bring your own device (BYOD), cloud services, and Internet of things (IoT), network traffic has increased sharply. Operators need to increase their bandwidth to Gigaband service, but face long network construction duration and low return on investment (ROI). To solve this problem, these operators have to explore new services as well as business models, and redefine their business blueprints. Huawei noted that building agile, intelligent, efficient, and open cloud-based networks is the key for operators to transform their businesses.

Huawei released the CloundFAN prototype for MSOs, so as to implement its All-Cloud Network solution. Based on the distributed converged cable access platform (D-CCAP) solution, the CloudFAN prototype enables smooth evolution to the cloud. By supporting agile services, converged architectures, and intelligent O&M, this CloudFAN prototype helps MSOs achieve commercial transformation.

• For home users, the cloud platform of CloudFAN along with intelligent terminals can deliver various innovative services, such as one-touch bandwidth acceleration, intelligent Wi-Fi, home safeguard, security surveillance, and parental control. Users are able to define their services flexibly and have better experience. For enterprises, the CloudFAN prototype provides cloud management, which enables the automatic E2E configuration of business services over DOCSIS (BSoD) and Layer 2 virtual private network (L2VPN) leased lines. By using this platform, enterprises can deploy new services by themselves, adjust bandwidths flexibly, improve new service provisioning efficiency, and enhance network security.
• The cloud platform of CloudFAN supports product integration and interoperability by using the Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF) and Yet Another Next Generation (YANG) interfaces. That is, this platform shields the differences between the CMTS, I-CCAP, R-MACPHY, R-PHY, and DPoE architectures to realize fast network integration. Next-generation optical line terminals (OLTs) support both fiber to the home (FTTH) and D-CCAP solutions. They also support the interconnection with the CloudFAN cloud platform and network controllers, meeting cloud architecture requirements of all-optical access evolution in the future.
• The cloud platform of CloudFAN supports intelligent O&M for HFC networks. This O&M includes proactive detection of network-wide faults, automatic identification and demarcation of typical faults, lightweight and visualized web pages, and smartphone Apps, eliminating the use of handhold testers, and improving network reliability and O&M efficiency.

Huawei's HFC network–based D-CCAP solution has been large-scale commercially deployed by mainstream MSOs in 30 countries, including Denmark, New Zealand, Spain, Mexico, France, Japan, and Brazil, covering over 50 million home broadband users. Huawei's HFC network–based CloudFAN prototype will further help MSOs realize smooth evolution to the cloud and achieve business success.