Lanner Electronics and Napatech have announced their collaboration on an optimised server platform for hosting mobile core infrastructure and enterprise security functions. As operators of both mobile networks and data centres scale up their deployments that use software-based virtualised functions and services rather than physical appliances, they need to maximise amount of user traffic that can be supported on each server thereby minimising their energy consumption.
Lanner and Napatech are collaborating to address these challenges by integrating Napatech’s smartNIC-based solutions for 5G user plane function (UPF) offload and high-speed data capture into Lanner’s NCA-5520 and NCA-5540 1U network appliances that are optimised for deployment in remote locations such as edge data centres with restricted space and power. These integrated solutions provide an ideal platform for hosting mobile packet core and enterprise security software in scenarios that require maximum throughput, capacity, density and/or energy productivity.
“Lanner and Napatech bring complementary technologies that address the complex challenges of running high-performance networking and security workloads in locations constrained by limited space and power. High-bandwidth packet processing and data capture are more efficiently handled by programmable SmartNICs than general purpose CPUs (central processing units). Having both in an optimised server represents the ideal architecture for delivering cost-effective mobile core infrastructure and security appliances.” says Roy Chua, founder and principal, AvidThink.
“The seamless integration of Lanner’s network appliances and Napatech’s SmartNIC herald a transformative era for service providers, enabling them to build and manage virtualized and containerised infrastructures with unmatched efficiency and scalability. Through programmable network accelerators and efficient resource utilisation, the optimised server platform is shaping the future of networking by enhancing performance, facilitating new applications, and strengthening security measures.” says Sven Freundenfeld, CTO of Lanner Telecom Applications BU (business unit).
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Lanner to deliver this optimised, integrated platform for 5G core infrastructure and enterprise security based around our NT200 2x100Gbps SmartNIC. The first application, using our software stack for 5G UPF offload, enables network operators to maximise the capacity and energy efficiency of their mobile packet core. The second leverages our data capture software to ensure best-in-class performance for enterprise security functions while guaranteeing zero packet loss and complete data integrity.” says Charlie Ashton, senior director of business development, Napatech.
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