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Advantech > Case Studies > Kapsch CarrierCom* and Advantech* Use NFV to Deploy Universal CPE

Kapsch CarrierCom* and Advantech* Use NFV to Deploy Universal CPE

Technology Category

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Computing
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Storage Services
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms

Applicable Industries

Telecommunications

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Business Operation

Use Cases

Track & Trace of Assets
Edge Computing & Edge Intelligence
Supply Chain Visibility
Vehicle Telematics

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
System Integration

The Challenge

The majority of network functions can now be hosted on Intel architecture-based servers. This has led to the expanded use of virtualized universal customer premises equipment (uCPE) networking systems that can deliver branch office networking functions with the capacity for additional virtual network functions (VNFs) that let communications service providers (CommSPs) deploy custom, value-added services. Kapsch CarrierCom, a global producer, supplier, and systems integrator of end-to-end telecommunications solutions, chose Advantech as its CPE hardware vendor, and together they have developed a comprehensive network customer deployment solution leveraging software contributions from an ecosystem of software vendors, including Cloudify, the TOSCA-based provider of management and orchestration (MANO).

About The Customer

Kapsch CarrierCom, a Kapsch Group company, is a global producer, supplier, and systems integrator of end-to-end telecommunications solutions. The company is shaping the path for railway operators and carrier networks as well as for public authorities and public transport operators. Kapsch CarrierCom offers solutions for the next generation of mission-critical communication, digitalization of railways, and virtualization in the communication domain. The company has developed a complete solution composed of universal CPE equipment, based on Advantech white box hardware using Intel hardware and specialized software from a community of vendors. Combined, these elements help CommSPs reduce networking costs, improve performance, and deliver new revenue-generating services optimized to each customer.

The Solution

Kapsch CarrierCom and Advantech have developed a comprehensive network customer deployment solution leveraging software contributions from an ecosystem of software vendors, including Cloudify, the TOSCA-based provider of management and orchestration (MANO). The solution is based on universal CPE equipment, using Advantech white box hardware and Intel hardware. The solution includes a range of uCPE hardware platforms to meet the needs of small, medium, and large enterprise branch offices. The Advantech FWA-1010VC and FWA-1012VC are off-the-shelf, table-top CPEs that are designed to handle small to medium locations. The FWA-2320 and FWA-2012 are 1U rack-mounted versions designed for larger enterprise offices and provider edge installations. The models use Intel Atom processors with two, four, or eight cores and up to sixteen cores on the FWA-1012VC.

Operational Impact

The uCPE, sometimes also referred to as a virtual CPE (vCPE) or virtual enterprise CPE (vE-CPE), offers economic benefits as the number of physical CPE devices required for branch office networking is significantly reduced.
Operational expenditures can likewise be significantly reduced through simplified operations, maintenance, and updates.
Network functionality can be updated and augmented on the fly, allowing the enterprise to add services in real time as they are needed.