Tests demonstrate effectiveness of auto-scaling VNFs that protect against malicious attacks

WATERLOO, Sept. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Sandvine, (TSX:SVC) a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, today announced results of tests that demonstrate how dynamic scaling of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) can be used to protect tier-1 communications service provider (CSP) networks against DDoS attacks and other malicious threats, with dramatically lower costs and higher efficiency. The tests were conducted at the Austin, Texas lab of Dell EMC.

The scale of malicious attacks against communications service providers (CSPs) is increasing rapidly. At their peak, DDoS attacks reach hundreds of gigabits per second (Gbps). Meanwhile, the average size of an attack is still less than 1Gbps. Tier-1 CSPs understand first-hand that legacy network protection solutions, such as those for DDoS attacks, create enormous inefficiencies, as they require proprietary hardware that is scaled for rare peaks and that otherwise sits idle, consuming operational resources for no gains. Even then, a CSP can't ever be sure that the scale will be sufficient when the next attack comes.

The costs associated with such large-scale attack mitigation (or "scrubbing") platforms, including those related to hardware, network resources, IT personnel, and routing infrastructure, are an incredible burden for any network operator, particularly Tier-1 CSPs, given their size. Sandvine's tests show that the answer may lie in VNFs that can automatically scale up only when needed, and to the exact size needed. Resources are paid for only when used and to the extent used.

The results are detailed in Sandvine's Technology Showcase on the topic and demonstrate how Sandvine's DDoS scrubbing and QuickSand Threat Deception features can be auto-scaled as VNFs to protect against attacks. The tests showed new VNFs being automatically instantiated when the scale of an attack surpassed existing protection capacity, to add the necessary level of defense.

"For both CSPs and vendors like Sandvine, NFV and the closely-related notion of Software-Defined Networking likely represent the biggest technological and strategic shift in telecommunications this decade," said Don Bowman, Sandvine's Chief Technology Officer. "Sandvine's tests show how this shift can result in meaningful, real-world benefits: a network that is smarter, more responsive, more efficient and more economical."

The tests were run using a variety of products from leaders in the NFV ecosystem, including:

  • Sandvine's Policy Traffic Switch (PTS) Virtual Series v7.30 and Traffic Steering Engine v1.00
  • Dell EMC DSS 9000
  • Intel ® RSD Pod Manager
  • RIFT.ware by RIFT.io

Sandvine and Intel will discuss the test methodology, results and ramifications on a Light Reading-hosted webinar on September 29, 2017.

ABOUT SANDVINE
Sandvine's network policy control solutions add intelligence to fixed, mobile and converged communications service provider networks, to increase revenue, reduce network costs and improve subscriber quality of experience. Our networking solutions perform end-to-end policy control functions, including traffic classification, policy decision, and enforcement. Deployed as virtualized network functions or on Sandvine's purpose-built hardware, the products provide actionable business insight, and the ability to deploy new consumer and business subscriber services, optimize and secure network traffic, and engage with subscribers.

Sandvine's network policy control solutions are deployed in more than 300 networks in over 100 countries, serving hundreds of millions of data subscribers worldwide. www.sandvine.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release which are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of such laws. Statements related to the scope of deployment of Sandvine's products by a specific customer, the potential revenue opportunity with any particular customer or in any market segment, the benefits of Sandvine's products and services to be realized by customers, Sandvine's market position, future opportunities, product development plans and demand for Sandvine's products and services are forward looking statements, as are any statements relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sandvine to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in internal deployment strategies or plans by specific customers; the growth of broadband internet usage and levels of capital spending on broadband network management systems; the timing of orders and manufacturing lead times; changes in customer order patterns or customer mix; insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; increased competition in the broadband network equipment industry; dependence on the timely development and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; manufacturing and sourcing risks including dependence on key suppliers and key technologies; dependence upon indirect channel sales and resellers; factors such as business and economic conditions and growth trends in the broadband network equipment industry and in various geographic regions; dependence upon key intellectual property and the potential for infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment including the impact of regulation related to the internet and the delivery of internet services and export control regulations. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and Sandvine does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change, except to the extent required by applicable law.

SOURCE Sandvine

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