NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) has released enhancements to its Enterprise Cloud solution which is now available in Japan, and will be rolled out in the UK, Singapore, US, Australia, Hong Kong and Germany this year. The platform now offers functionality for both traditional and cloud- native communication and communications technology (ICT), as well as network connectivity, colocation service and third-party cloud.
The OpenStack-based micro service architecture of Enterprise Cloud enables NTT Com to incorporate technology advancements coming from both open source communities and its technology partners. New and enhanced capabilities include:
Hosted Private Cloud for Traditional ICT
Enterprise Cloud's hosted private cloud now consists of dedicated bare-metal servers with the automation, pay-as-you-go functionality and options of a multi-hypervisor environment, including VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V. It also provides a flexible internal network, which facilitates the re-use of on-premises network architecture in the cloud.
Companies can realize cloud-enabled traditional ICT by migrating to the hosted private cloud any on-premises systems that require a dedicated environment for reasons of performance, security or licensing.
Multi-tenant Cloud for Cloud-Native ICT
The Enterprise Cloud now features an enterprise-class multi-tenant cloud based on the OpenStack architecture, which therefore gives companies an industry-standard open API to control the Enterprise Cloud in an automated manner. In addition, by incorporating Cloud Foundry (an open source Platform-as-a-Service - PaaS - software) the Enterprise Cloud provides PaaS for agile application development and operational efficiency. The open architecture meanwhile relieves concerns about vendor lock-in and accelerates customers' digital business strategies.
Seamless Hybrid Cloud Environment
The enhanced Enterprise Cloud's multi-tenant cloud and hosted private cloud are connected at Layer 2 with SDN, which gives companies the ability to configure the network components (virtual server, bare-metal server, firewall, load balancer) running on a complex on-premises environment in the same network segment.
Free Connection between Cloud Platforms
The enhanced Enterprise Cloud platform is connected with a 10Gbps best-effort closed network, which is free of charge. In addition, connectivity between Enterprise Cloud platforms and data centers is provided at competitive prices globally, utilizing NTT Com's infrastructure as a telecom carrier.
These network capabilities enable enterprises to optimize their ICT systems, for instance by sharing CAD data with regional suppliers or collecting sensor data, as the data transfer and system collaboration on cloud platforms and data centers are easy to use, and either free of charge or low cost.
Cloud Management Platform (CMP) for Full Visibility and IT Governance
NTT Com is launching CMP for the efficient management and unified control of both Enterprise Cloud and third-party providers' clouds, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. CMP also enables customer management and operation of hybrid clouds and meets the IT governance, cost control, security management and automated ICT operational requirements needed to successfully execute a cloud-first digital transformation strategy companywide.
NTT Com also announced plans to offer further enhanced capabilities such as SDx-enabled unification of cloud, data centers and global network assets. Future new functions NTT Com plans to launch include SAP HANA, virtual private PaaS and enhanced cloud management capabilities.