Nokia raises its data centre networking game with a new switching platform

The new Nokia Service Router Linux Network Operating System and Fabric Service Platform are designed to help with data centre scalability.

Nokia seems to be targeting internet giants with all this data centre networking goodness and says it was developed with their collaboration. The signature early customer for this kit is Apple, from whom Nokia managed to coerce a canned quote that comes over as forced and grudging.

“We regularly upgrade our data centre equipment with technology to increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption,” said Adam Bechtel, Networking Lead at Apple. “Using Nokia’s new system will enable better networking and routing capabilities in our Viborg, Denmark facility.”

Steady on Adam, no need to get carried away mate. BT Group Chief Architect Neil McRae managed to put a bit more effort into his canned quote. “Nokia’s new data centre fabric solution promises to provide full programmability with deep telemetry, along with a modern operational toolkit to drive the extreme automation and scaling of our telco cloud, which is critical to drive future 5G services.”

That wasn’t so difficult, was it? Nokia, of course, laid on paragraphs of superlatives in the rest of the press release, using marketing faves such as ‘redefines’ and ‘generational step’ as well as loads of technical details. To be honest, we’ve got no idea how this tech measures up to whatever else is out there, so we’ll leave you with a couple of vids from Nokia so you can hear their pitch and decide for yourself.