Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) has selected the VMware vCloud for NFV platform to support a new Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) virtual CPE (vCPE) service.
The new vCPE “IIJ Omnibus Service,” due to launch in September 2015 will include its proprietary SEIL series of high-performance routers and VPN gateway services to business customers. By moving to a virtualized CPE deployment model, IIJ will be able to transform the economics of the company’s CPE-based services while attaining the agility to adapt quickly to new service opportunities and integrate with their broad digital services portfolio.
IIJ currently uses physical appliances deployed on site to provide its value-added services, including Internet access, outsourcing, and systems integration for all network usage requirements.
VMware vCloud for NFV is an integrated Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) platform that combines VMware’s production-proven virtualized compute, networking, storage and management solutions with integrated support for OpenStack. The platform currently offers support for more than 40 different virtual network functions (VNFs) from more than 30 vendors.
“IIJ and VMware have been longstanding partners, having first collaborated on the successful IIJ GIO Virtual Platform VW Series based on VMware vSphere,” said Kiyoshi Ishida, Executive Managing Officer, Product Division Director, IIJ. “When IIJ decided to extend its virtualized platform to support network functions, we saw VMware’s production-proven technologies and professional service capabilities as the most reliable and fastest route to market.”
“IIJ has fully embraced NFV in a way that will allow sustained differentiation in a highly competitive market,” said Shekar Ayyar, corporate senior vice president, Strategy and Corporate Development, and General Manager, Telco NFV Group, VMware. “They are creating a single horizontal platform that will not only allow the onboarding of their own new VNF today, but provide choice to IIJ for the addition of best in class VNFs from external vendors and developers as service needs evolve.”
