Optimized Software for PP50 Enables Network Equipment Providers to Dramatically Accelerate Time to Market and Scale the Performance of “4G” Wireless Core Nodes
SAN DIEGO – November 16, 2009 – Continuous Computing, the only company deploying uniquely architected systems comprised of telecom platforms and Trillium software, today announced the incorporation of Trillium fast path protocol software into its pre-integrated, application-ready system solutions for Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network elements. Based on the 6WINDGate software suite from 6WIND and designed to meet the unique needs of the next generation mobile core, Trillium Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) and GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) fast path software is highly scalable and performance-optimized for the company’s FlexPacket ATCA-PP50 packet processing blade, yielding performance gains of up to 3X over generic implementations.
The Third Generations Partnership Project’s (3GPP) choice of SCTP as the IP-transport layer for all signaling in the LTE EPC has created a significant strain on SCTP processing that was not anticipated when the protocol was first defined. In addition, the focus on small cell wireless deployments has also increased the sheer number of SCTP connections that need to be managed by the EPC. While the built-in reliability mechanisms of SCTP are attractive for providing carrier-grade networks, they create substantial overhead and thus generic SCTP implementations are unable to scale sufficiently to meet the massive core networking requirements of the EPC.
Similarly, 3GPP has identified GTP as the primary bearer plane protocol in the EPC. Since each LTE eNodeB could provide more than seven times the current throughput of today’s 3G base stations, the EPC will be expected to handle a much larger amount of data traffic than legacy mobile networks. Coupled with the fact that both voice and data are expected to traverse the core and that consumer appetite for data remains insatiable, the EPC must be built to support massive data plane scalability. Trillium fast path SCTP and GTP are designed to meet these demands whereas standard implementations fall short.
“The challenges of the LTE core network cannot be met by a generic collection of hardware and software components”, said Ronald Gruia, principal telecom analyst with Frost & Sullivan. “Continuous Computing is a unique vendor within the EPC ecosystem providing a comprehensive portfolio of optimized Trillium LTE software integrated with leading edge ATCA platforms. The introduction of Trillium fast path on the PP50 represents an innovative and important milestone in the company’s LTE-focused product set.”
Leveraging the 6WINDGate software suite from 6WIND, Trillium fast path enables key protocols such as SCTP and GTP to move into the native execution environment on Continuous Computing’s PP50 packet processing blade, yielding unparalleled scalability and performance gains. Trillium fast path software complements the company’s extensive selection of Trillium LTE protocols, includingS1AP, X2AP, Diameter and more. All Trillium LTE protocol stacks are optimized for multi-core / multi-threaded processing architectures and each stack includes a reference application for the relevant LTE network interfaces including LTE-Uu, S1, S6, S7, S10 and X2.
Continuous Computing’s ability to combine deep insight of packet processing technology, along with more than 10 years of experience optimizing and hardening Trillium SCTP and GTP software in over 100 customer deployments, is unmatched by any other company. By delivering up to a 3X advantage over generic SCTP performance, Trillium fast path software enables network equipment providers to allocate a higher percentage of system processing capacity to customer traffic rather than signaling overhead, thereby freeing up valuable payload slots for customer-bearing traffic.
“Continuous Computing is a key partner for 6WIND because of their unique ability to combine core competencies in packet processing and wireless protocols, thereby bringing to market products with distinct features and capabilities,” said Eric Carmes, CEO of 6WIND. “The level of integration between Trillium fast path software on the PP50 and our 6WINDGate software suite is unparalleled and displays a high level of expertise in optimizing fast path protocols.”
The complete suite of Trillium LTE protocols and professional services is available now, as is the PP50 packet processing blade.
About 6WIND
6WIND provides high-performance packet processing firmware solutions used by networking and telecom companies providing equipment for converged, all-IP networks. The 6WINDGate solution maximizes the packet processing performance of single- and multi-core platforms from several processor suppliers, allowing customers to focus on their own value-added software applications and minimize their time-to-market. To ensure the availability of a complete system-level ecosystem, 6WIND partners with industry-leading suppliers of multi-core processors, board-level products, operating systems and embedded software products worldwide. 6WIND is a privately owned company based near Paris, France with a subsidiary in California, sales office and support in Asia, and an R&D center in Beijing, China. For more information, visit www.6wind.com.
About Continuous Computing
Continuous Computing is the global source of integrated platform solutions that enable network equipment providers to overcome the mobile broadband capacity challenge quickly and cost effectively. Leveraging more than 20 years of telecom innovation, the company empowers customers to increase Return on Investment (ROI) by focusing internal resources on differentiation for 3G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Femtocell and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) applications. Expertise and responsiveness set the company apart: only Continuous Computing combines best-in-class AdvancedTCA (ATCA) platforms with world-famous Trillium protocol software to create highly-optimized, field-proven wireless and packet processing products. www.ccpu.com
Continuous Computing is an active member of 3GPP, CP-TA, eNsemble Multi-Core Alliance, ETSI, Femto Forum, Intel Embedded Alliance, PICMG and the SCOPE Alliance.
Continuous Computing, the Continuous Computing logo and Trillium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Continuous Computing Corporation. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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