POINT

Dramatically reduce network costs by adopting third-party (non-genuine) optical transceivers. This technique, which started in large data centers, is now spreading to smaller networks. Okinawa Cable Network, a CATV operator, has made the decision to go open with a communication service infrastructure of six devices.

The first step towards openness starts with Third Party Optics

“Many people may feel uneasy about using non-genuine optical transceivers, but there is nothing to worry about. You can use them with peace of mind.

Masakuni Miyagi, Deputy General Manager of Marketing Department and Communications Department of Okinawa Cable Network, which provides cable TV and Internet connection services in nine municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture, including Naha City, speaks to network operators in the same industry. "Non-genuine optical transceivers" are so-called third-party products that are not genuine products of router/switch manufacturers. Also called "Third Party Optics". In recent years, major data center (DC)/cloud operators who procure large quantities of optical transceivers are increasingly adopting them because they are cheaper than genuine products.

The adoption of Third Party Optics is a new trend in network construction that started with ultra-large cloud providers such as GAFA.

Large-scale DC networks are also becoming more open in various ways, such as hardware/software disaggregation using white Box switches and the adoption of open-source network operating systems. Since the end of the 2010s in Japan, major companies such as Yahoo! Japan and LINE have been working on openness, such as by adopting white Box switches. Among them, Third Party Optics can be said to be a relatively easy area to work on.

Separating hardware/software and adopting an open source OS would result in a major change from the existing environment, forcing major changes to the maintenance and operation system for network equipment/software. In comparison, just shifting to non-genuine optical transceivers can have dramatic effects with small changes.

The biggest advantage is the reduction in network construction costs. The cost of procuring optical transceivers accounts for most of the network construction cost, and Third Party Optics can cut this cost structure. And this can be enjoyed not only in large data centers, but also in smaller networks.

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