Top Telcos Join Facebook Open Source Hardware Project (thestack.com)

An anonymous reader sends word about the latest telcos to join Facebook's Open Compute Project. The Stack reports: "A new wave of communications companies has joined Facebook's non-profit Open Compute Project (OCP), including AT&T, Verizon, Deutsche Telekom and South Korea's SK Telecom, as the movement seeks to share innovative hardware designs and drive down costs in the telecom arena. An OCP sub-section focused entirely on telecom requirements has been set up to look into servers and networking efficiency in the field. As one of the largest hardware buyers, telcos will provide a significant new market for the project, alongside its successful data center efforts.

Comments

Reserved Word

[freeze128]

I'm sorry, we already have an "OCP", and Officer Alex Murphy can tell you how well that worked out.

Re:Reserved Word

[U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M]

Can't wait to see their logo. Can you imagine Hollywood vs Telecoms+Facebook? That's a lawsuit everyone on Slashdot would like to see happen.

Re:Reserved Word

[U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M]

It's not about the lawyers. It's about two giants we hate, fighting one another.

Costs, but...

[jelabarre]

> ...as the movement seeks to share innovative hardware designs and drive down costs in the telecom arena...
      .
Is it coincidence they talk about reducing *costs*, but fail to mention reducing *prices*?

Re:Translation:

[aaarrrgggh]

Some, but it mostly sucks to be a telecom switch manufacturer like Alcatel-Lucent-Nokia. Surprised Digium didn't jump in at the same time.

Re:Translation:

[Shatrat]

This product does not even remotely compete with anything Nokia makes, which is specialized network hardware, software and solutions.
This is generic x86 server hardware with a clever form factor, not IP/MPLS, DWDM, OTN, LTE, GPON et cetera with very expensive specialized ASICs and expensive specialized software.

it's _NOT_ open source hardware

[Gravis Zero]

don't let the name confuse you, the Open Compute Project is not open source hardware! the Open Compute Project is a set of specifications for form factors intended for use in data centers. it would be like declaring an "Open Desktop Project" and then publishing a spec for the ATX and ITX form factors. sure, you could make a case and people could make motherboards for it but it's not open source, it's just a physical specification.

Re:it's _NOT_ open source hardware

[Wootery]

Correct.

'Open compute' seems to be about publishing Facebook's techniques to run a large server-farm.

Perhaps it's meant to remind us of OpenStack, but it's certainly nothing to do with FOSS hardware.

'thestack.com' is clearly garbage.

Re:it's _NOT_ open source hardware

[DriveDog]

Then this is way too boring for me to comment on...

Re:Translation:

[Anonymous Coward]

The telecom industry is moving towards Network Function Virtualization, which means "virtual machine" versions of specialist telecoms hardware running on Intel based server hardware. This is a push from companies like AT&T trying to cut hardware costs.

Google
Affirmed Networks --- Maker of a compact virtualized Enhanced Packet Core
Metaswitch Networks -- Makers of Perimeta, a virtualized session boarder controller and Project Clearwater an Open Source IMS switch

These are just two of the upstarts looking to make Telecom Equipment a software business.

Re: Translation:

[MatthewDuggan]

Agreed Avaya is the only traditional switch provider who are still making any money really.