MEF Announces 21 Participants in 12 Proof of Concept Showcase Demonstrations at GEN15

• AT&T: Demonstrate Network on Demand services built on software-defined (SDN) and virtualization (NFV) technologies that allow customers to control, scale, and add new services via direct self-service access.
• RAD, Sandvine, CenturyLink: Demonstrate how communication service providers can deploy application-aware network policy control (Layer 7) in conjunction with Layer 2/Layer 3 SLA assured services for a richer business application experience and greater operational efficiency.
• Ciena, Colt Technology Services: Demonstrate multi-domain lifecycle service orchestration of virtual CPE (vCPE) virtual network functions (VNFs) across an NFV-ready data center infrastructure and an SDN-enabled Carrier Ethernet WAN. This Colt-sponsored, multi-vendor PoC showcases an open and future-proof architecture that allows network operators to efficiently integrate best-in-class VNFs, as well as to rapidly develop and operationalize innovative new NFV-enabled Carrier Ethernet business services.
• Accedian, Cox Business: Demonstrate innovative outdoor strand-mount small cells as-a-service and turn-key indoor backhaul solutions that integrate Carrier Ethernet LSO automation and elastic bandwidth with automated deployment, provisioning, service activation testing, and QoS monitoring. Will showcase how Carrier Ethernet can ubiquitously enable the small cell business case.
• ADVA, Time Warner Cable Business Class: As communication service providers eye the revenue potential of fast and agile service activation facilitated by NFV, they are looking for a seamless evolution path from existing networks and operational processes. PoC participants will demonstrate how MEF-principles can form the basis for optimized NFV performance when combining CE 2.0 demarcation technology with VNF hosting capacity and intelligent supporting functions on the basis of open interfaces and open-source software.
• PCCW Global: Demonstrate one-stop-shop for network connectivity and cloud services with event-driven bandwidth adjustments. The solution is based on an open-framework approach enabling future integration with other network service providers and public cloud service providers.
• CENX: Highlight the criticality of LSO-enabled dynamic assurance when machines are connected across a hybrid physical and virtualized core network. Without real-time monitoring, troubleshooting, and service restoration LSO capabilities, essential applications, such as home surveillance, are rendered unreliable.
• Cisco: Demonstrate implementation of the Third Network, featuring CE 2.0 Lifecycle Service Orchestration through SDN over a self-healing infrastructure that includes physical and virtual network elements. Will showcase the business benefits of automating service lifecycle orchestration through integrating SDN into the Carrier Ethernet infrastructure to achieving service agility.
• Oracle Communications, Infovista, Juniper Networks: Inspired by the MEF’s Third Network Vision, will demonstrate real-time, zero-touch lifecycle service orchestration and assurance of a multi-site ELAN service over multiple operator networks with physical and self-adjusting NFV components (vCPEs and vPEs), fully integrated into the service providers’ critical business processes to deliver the ultimate NaaS customer experience.
• MRV: Demonstrate distributed NFV utilizing cloud-based multi-factor authentication. Security is often a concern within a distributed NFV environment; however, adding multi-factor authentication via a cloud service provides enhanced security with ease of use – eliminating the need for resources to build and integrate the authentication service into an internal system.
• WebNMS, Omnitron, Veryx: Demonstrate lifecycle service orchestration of an SDN-managed data center and a CE 2.0 WAN network, providing: elastic service creation and delivery; automated service turn-up testing & active performance monitoring; dynamic bandwidth on-demand; OpenMUL-based software abstraction of network control plane & data forwarding plane; and a cloud-based self-service customer SLA portal.
• Wedge Networks: Demonstrate on-demand security services delivered through a service provider network using NFV and cloud orchestration capabilities.

“The Proof of Concept showcase will feature service and technology innovations that deliver on the MEF’s Third Network and LSO visions in relation to CE 2.0, SDN, and NFV,” said Nan Chen, President of the MEF. “The response to our call for participants was exceptional, with more than 30 companies involved in the submission process. We thank each collaborating group and the individual organization for participating. We congratulate the companies who have been selected and look forward to seeing all of these PoC demos in action at GEN15.”

PoC Showcase participants were required to submit proposals based on interactive, on-site, and live networking that demonstrates new and upcoming implementations. Detailed Showcase profiles will be made available on the PoC Showcase page in the near future.

For questions about the PoC Showcase, please contact Bruno Giguère, Director of Product Marketing, MEF, bruno@mef.net.

For GEN15 program and sponsorship information, contact MEF GEN15 Program Director Stan Hubbard at stan@mef.net.

For more event information, visit www.gen15.com and see the main conference program here.

Register here for GEN15 and receive a 20% early registration savings until 25 September 2015. Attendance is free for qualified service end-user professionals from enterprises, businesses, government, defense, educational, or non-profit organizations.

About GEN15

With a target audience exceeding 1,250 attendees from 325+ companies, GEN15 is the must-attend annual networking event for executives and other senior professionals involved in the combined Carrier Ethernet + Third Network services & technology ecosystem. GEN15 will bring together a global array of 120+ Carrier Ethernet, LSO, SDN, NFV, and Cloud expert speakers from around the world to contribute to the event’s program and networking opportunities. Event content and peer-to-peer networking opportunities are designed to appeal to experts from retail, wholesale, and mobile service providers; cloud service providers; mid to large businesses; government & defense organizations; network solutions vendors; the press; analyst firms; investment firms; and others.

GEN15 will encompass industry-leading keynote speakers, educational roundtables, and panels with dedicated tracks for enterprise end-users; retail, wholesale, mobile, and cloud service providers; and others. This year’s event includes a special Enterprise Day in conjunction with our partner Network Computing as well as the addition of a groundbreaking LSO Hackathon sponsored by Cisco DevNet. We also are expanding popular elements of last year's program, including the MEF Certified Professionals Convention, Verizon Partner Conference, the Proof of Concept Service & Technology Showcase, Global Media Hub, and MEF Excellence Awards program that recognizes outstanding service, technology, and professional leadership and innovation. See www.gen15.com for details.

About the MEF

The MEF is the driving force behind the $80+ billion global market for Carrier Ethernet services and technologies and the defining body for LSO (Lifecycle Service Orchestration) standards that underpin emerging Third Network services with CE 2.0, SDN, and NFV. An industry alliance consisting of nearly 220 member organizations based in 43 countries, the MEF operates through a powerful collaborative framework of service providers, network solutions suppliers, and other stakeholders to achieve CE 2.0 and LSO development and globalization objectives.

MEF’s flagship work is CE 2.0, including specifications, operational frameworks, and certification programs for services, equipment, and professionals. Visit www.mef.net for more details on these programs.

Building on fourteen years of success with Carrier Ethernet, the MEF is now focused on development of LSO with APIs to enable paradigm-shifting agile, assured, and orchestrated services over more efficient, automated networks. The MEF’s vision for the transformation of network connectivity services and the networks used to deliver them is referred to as the “Third Network,” which combines the on-demand agility and ubiquity of the Internet with the performance and security assurances of CE 2.0. For information on the Third Network and LSO download the MEF’s Third Network Vision & Strategy White Paper and Third Network Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) Vision White Paper.