vCMTS Migration Is Imminent and Doesn't Need to Be Complex

The virtual CMTS business case is compelling for MSOs of any size:

• Bandwidth demand is outpacing what traditional CMTS can deliver. 
• Speed of innovation is dramatically faster in software-based solutions. 
• Virtualization provides denser and faster performance while allowing for greater scalability, redundancy and open architectures.
• vCMTS is a "green" solution that conserves energy.

However, despite the clear advantages of increased capacity, operational efficiency, improved service offerings and a future-minded strategy, many MSOs are hesitant to commit to a migration path, believing vCMTS and its enabling technologies to be unfamiliar, complex, and unproven.

World Wide Technology (WWT) would like to address five common concerns and misconceptions about making the move to vCMTS, reinforcing why MSOs should expedite their migration to a virtualized future.

Misconception #1: "Understanding vCMTS is challenging."

Container-based virtualization might be the future of service delivery, but it's still a little-understood concept for a sizeable number of IT engineers. WWT can help educate people about vCMTS and experience it first-hand in our Advanced Technology Center (ATC). This one-of-a-kind multi-campus research and testing ecosystem is equipped for everything from benchmarking to proof-of-concept demonstrations – including the first and only hands-on vCMTS Lab, something that previously could be observed only at industry events.

Now, anyone who is registered on WWT's platform can explore vCMTS and other technologies 24/7 from anywhere in the world. The lab provides the ability to navigate and measure throughput, power consumption, latency and other variables, and perform management operations to better understand vCMTS capabilities and advantages for their organization. Customers can even use the platform to ask WWT experts questions about the lab or request a formal briefing to learn how vCMTS can fit into their own operation.

Misconception #2: "You're required to have Kubernetes expertise on staff."

Not necessarily: while the platform runs on Kubernetes and it does help to build, deliver, and scale containerized applications, having Kubernetes expertise onsite is only necessary during  the deployment and redeployment stages but is not essential for ongoing operations. And, because it's driven by API, it provides a single pane of glass management console that can be easily controlled in real time, so MSOs need not be concerned with having to understand the backend workings.

In addition, when Kubernetes expertise is required during the brief deployment period, WWT can provide that assistance, if needed. The rest of the time, vCMTS is easily supported by existing DOCSIS engineers.

Misconception #3: "vCMTS deployment is a long and risky process."

Could be – unless you're working with a highly experienced, industry-certified, well-provisioned solution provider with the resources and facilities to fully support your vCMTS deployment.

WWT brings to every project the full capabilities of its North American Integration Center (NAIC), with more than 4 million square feet of space dedicated to warehousing and integration operations, configuring and integrating thousands of projects every week. Customers can collaborate closely with WWT architects and engineers 24/7 via the NAIC's virtual ecosystem, accelerating rollouts, deliveries and deployments with greater confidence.

Misconception #4: "Managing vCMTS operations is complex."

It's natural to be wary of new technologies, especially when they might involve a learning curve: what if something goes wrong before you know how to fix it?

But this shouldn't be a concern with vCMTS, for two reasons: first, it's API-driven with redundancy built into the software, meaning that it can detect problems and repair itself automatically, moving between cloud-based containers. Second and more importantly, WWT begins the migration process by detailing a robust, resilient plan with built-in troubleshooting capabilities to detect and resolve issues without staff intervention, freeing IT staff to focus on other more important tasks.

Misconception #5: "Finding a qualified vCMTS integrator is difficult."

But not impossible – and well worth the effort. When researching candidates who have the requisite skills and experience to ensure a smooth and efficient migration, look for:

• Certification in all critical technologies, experience in license management, and a proven record of successful, at-scale deployments over at least five years.
• An understanding of legacy CMTS environments that will help them integrate existing hardware with the new vCMTS systems.
• Professional knowledge of virtualization in all aspects, from compute to storage, networking, and more.
• Partnership with vCMTS technology leaders like Intel, a close WWT technology ally in developing vCMTS solutions that feature:
  • Platforms based on Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, serving as the foundation for powerful, data-centric solutions.
  • 100Gbe Intel® Ethernet adapters and other high-speed networking technology for vCMTS performance.
  • Specialized Intel® software providing an orchestrated reference architecture for vCMTS deployment – to characterize vCMTS dataplane throughput capability.

In fact, Intel technology lies at the heart of most every data center solution showcased in our ATC.

• Planning for the future of vCMTS to ensure that you're positioned to embrace tomorrow's cable architecture innovations. WWT is continuously focused on emerging technology solutions, matching them to customer needs.

It's a fact: vCMTS migration is not complex with the right partner.

The move to virtualized CMTS is inevitable, and MSOs who harbor concerns or misconceptions should know: their migration path to vCMTS actually can be uncomplicated, easy to understand and instantly beneficial, when they partner with the right solution specialist.

Start now: learn more about the benefits vCMTS offers you – increased performance, more robust offerings, "green" operations and greater manageability – by exploring our ATC lab.