Emerson Launches Container for Telcos

Emerson Network Power (EMR) today unveiled its Containerized Computing Solution, a modular approach designed to help telecom companies deploy wireless and broadband services faster and cheaper. Emerson is positioning the product as a "central office in a box," a slight variation on the recent "data center in a box" container-based solutions introduced by major server vendors such as Sun, Rackable and IBM.

Emerson introduced the Containerized Computing Solution today at the NXTcomm event in Las Vegas. The components included in a container include embedded computing and DC power conversion equipment, precision cooling units, power transfer switches, server racks and enclosures. Emerson Network Power has deployed containerized solutions, but they previously included only infrastructure equipment and not the embedded computing. The containers feature Emerson's ATCA blade servers housed in a Knurr server cabinet, with power and cooling infrastructure from Liebert.

The new products are designed to help wireless companies expand their networks or quickly replace network infrastructure damaged in a disaster such as a tornado or hurricane. The FCC recently began requiring telecom and wireless companies to provide backup power for cell sites and remote telecom facilities. The new measures were prompted by an FCC review of telecom outages in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"Telecommunications providers are racing to meet customer demands in the U.S. and emerging markets abroad, and there isn't always time for bricks and mortar," said Ed Feeney, executive vice president, Emerson. "Emerson Network Power has the unique grid-to-chip capabilities and global reach needed to bring this complex solution to telecom providers and their customers around the world."

"This concept illustrates the ability to supply everything from the power inlet to the network outlet including switchgear, power conversion, cooling, racking, and embedded computing technology based on the AdvancedTCA open standard," said Earle Weaver, group vice president, Emerson. "It's a true grid-to-chip solution, and since it all comes from Emerson Network Power there are no integration worries as with multiple suppliers."

Emerson has launched a new web site with social networking features at EmersonContainer.com. Here's a video from the site featuring components of the Containerized Computing Solution: