Liberty Global taps Benu Networks for IPv6 migration

Liberty Global is tapping virtual network specialist Benu Networks to provide technology to enable it to transition its broadband user base to IPv6.

The international cable operator is using Benu Networks’ IPv6 Dual-Stack DS-Lite solution, based on its Virtual Service Edge platform to move to IPv6 without having a negative impact on existing subscribers’ use of IPv4 internet or applications, according to the company.

Liberty Global and Benu Networks partnered with Arris for strategic architectural design expertise, integration, and deployment of the Benu Networks’ DS-Lite solution by the Arris Global Services team.

The DS-Lite solution provides a standards-based Address Family Transition Router (AFTR) capability in line with the IETF RFC6333 standard deployed on Benu Networks’, x86 Multiservice Edge Gateway (xMEG) platform.

According to the company, a software upgrade will enable the VSE platform running the DS-Lite solution to transition to a virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) solution to deliver managed business network or managed home network services, part of Liberty Global’s GigaWorld initiative announced in November 2016.

According to Benu Networks, the solution provides dual-stack to users without requiring any public IPv4 address to be assigned to the CPE, thus streamlining the deployment and management of IPv4.

The company said that its solution provided a future proof network which does not require new hardware to enable new network functions/services such as a Virtual Services Gateway.

“Liberty Global selected Benu Networks’ DS-Lite solution for its technical, operational, and commercial fit. Even more compelling was the solution’s ability to support the creation of different network service slices on the same platform,” stated Andrew Grotzke, vice-president of core networks, strategy and engineering, Liberty Global. “This capability will empower Liberty Global to easily and rapidly launch additional managed services in the future. The team at Liberty Global is glad to again partner with Benu Networks on enabling a mission critical network service that will assist us with our transition from IPv4 to IPv6.”