HP will supply commodity, standards-based hardware and software — including Carrier Grade Linux — for use in Motorola network infrastructure products, the companies have announced. HP's deliverables will include Carrier Grade Linux, radio signalling controller software, and 64-bit servers based on Intel Itanium… processors.

Carrier Grade Linux has frequently been cited, along with open hardware standards such as AdvancedTCA, as the future of telecommunications equipment, since commodity hardware and software can lower costs and improve performance when compared with expensive proprietary designs traditionally used in telecommunications equipment.

For its iDEN network infrastructure products, Motorola plans to use HP's cx2600 64-bit rack-mount server, in conjunction with its own middleware and applications software. The cx2600 is essentially a carrier-grade version (NEBS Level 3 Certified) of HP's commercial rx2600 server, originally designed for normal use as an IT departmental server.

HP will also supply the cx2600 for use in Motorola's CDMA radio access network equipment, along with:

• The Linux operating system, “with carrier-grade features in line with OSDL specifications and hardened to meet telecom standards,” according to Motorola
• HP OpenCall Radio Signaling Controller solution, a version of HP's implementation of the Signaling System 7 industry standard that handles call signaling and connection in the core network

Motorola says that using HP's commodity hardware and standards-based software will enable it to serve smaller mobile operators while meeting the needs of mature markets.

Yankee Group executive vice presiden Keith Mallinson said, “HP brings low-cost commercial IT while meeting rigorous specifications of carrier-grade networks. Motorola will focus on expanding capacity and lowering cost per subscriber with this standardized platform.”

HP executive vice president Ann Livermore added, “This new platform embodies the power of the convergence of IT and telecom.”

Motorola also has a formal OEM relationship with Linux supplier MontaVista, which will supply the Carrier Grade Edition operating system in Motorola “Application-Enabling Platforms” announced two months ago.

 
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