DriveNets, a leader in cloud-native networking software and network disaggregation solutions based in Israel, has officially announced that KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecommunications provider, has deployed DriveNets Network Cloud as its internet gateway peering router.
DriveNets Network Cloud issues carrier-grade peering router connectivity across the KDDI network, allowing KDDI to scale its network and services rapidly while decreasing hardware requirements, reducing costs and accelerating innovation. More applications will reportedly be deployed on DriveNets Network Cloud later on.
“KDDI prides itself on deploying the most advanced and innovative technology solutions that allow us to anticipate and respond to the ever-changing usage trends while providing considerable value to our customers,” said Kenji Kumaki, Ph.D., General Manager and Chief Architect, Technology Strategy & Planning, KDDI Corporation. “DriveNets Network Cloud enables us to quickly scale our network as needed while controlling our costs effectively.”
“While many of Japan’s service providers have been aggressively pursuing the virtualization of network functions on their 4G and 5G networks, disaggregation of software and hardware in service providers’ routing infrastructure is just getting started,” according to Ido Susan, DriveNets’ co-founder and CEO. “I am extremely proud that our Network Cloud solution was selected by KDDI, a leading innovative service provider, and is already deployed in their network, supporting the needs of KDDI’s customers.”
Leading the Trend Toward Disaggregation
The deployment of DriveNets Network Cloud on the KDDI network is the culmination of multiple years of testing and verification in KDDI’s labs. It also shows the continuous development of disaggregated architectures in service provider networks around the globe.
“The move to disaggregated networking solutions will continue to be a prevailing trend in 2023 and beyond as savvy service providers try new technologies that can enable them to innovate faster and reduce costs. We are now seeing this technology also adopted in other high-scale networking environments, such as AI infrastructures,” Susan added.
A DDBR solution unites software and equipment from various vendors, permitting service providers to break vendor lock and transition to a new model that allows exception vendor choice and faster scale and introduction of new services through modern cloud design. It is relatively superior when compared to traditional routers, which are comprised of software, hardware and chips from a single vendor.
Besides KDDI, DriveNets is already teaming up with other service providers in Asia Pacific to meet the growing interest in its disaggregated networking solutions in the region. By mid-2021, the company had already established a Tokyo-based subsidiary to strengthen its presence in the region.
DriveNets provides an architectural model similar to that of cloud hyperscalers, resulting in better network economics and rapid innovation. DriveNets Network Cloud includes an open ecosystem with elements from leading silicon vendors and original design manufacturers (ODMs), certified by DriveNets and empowered by partners, which secures the seamless integration of the solutions into providers’ networks.
