Here’s our gathering of the week’s news bits around software-defined networking (SDN), network functions virtualization (NFV), and related topics.

… Michael Dell shared his thoughts on SDN and “networking for the masses” in a Network World interview this week. While Dell is “synonymous with home and business PCs, and data center servers,” the company also has an open networking initiative that aims to redefine traditional networking switch models. Michael Dell talks about how networking fits into Dell’s long-term plans, why it acquired switch maker Force 10, and his views on the Opendaylight (ODL) Project. The interview comes on the heels of the announcement on Dell’s partnership with Big Switch Networks.

… Oracle launched Solaris 11.2, which comes with a feature relevant to SDN: an elastic virtual switch (EVS) to manage multiple virtual switches across several physical machines. It also includes an OpenStack distribution and introduces a new type of archive format that allows people to quickly clone or create a complete backup of their environments for provisioning or disaster recovery. Read the full release notes and get beta information here.

… At The Cable Show 2014 this week, RGB Networks showed how cable operators can use SDN and the cloud to deliver targeted ad insertion across multiple screens at once. RGB demonstrated CloudXtream, which combines RGB’s transcoding and packaging software with OpenStack. RGB says the OpenStack framework allows providers to deploy up to hundreds of application instances in a matter of minutes. The company is in discussions with several cable operators and says production deployments could start by the end of this year.

… Also at The Cable Show, Cisco showed how it is using the SDN and virtualization technologies in its Evolved Services Platform (ESP) to automate cable operators’ access architectures. Cisco also highlighted other advancements in its service provider architecture, including new Docsis and optical networking capabilities. Elements of the new architecture are in trials with five MSO customers worldwide.

… Juniper announced it has teamed up with Gainspeed to provide a virtual version of cable's converged cable access platform (CCAP). Juniper says the virtual CCAP combines Gainspeed's cable network technology with Juniper’s MX Series edge routers and EX Series switches to allow cable operators to better automate and scale their edge/access network infrastructure while creating a platform for new cloud-based services.

… The ODL Project got three new members: 6WIND, Avaya, and H3C. Membership has doubled since the project launched 12 months ago.

… Ericsson snamed Rima Qureshi as its chief strategy officer. She will drive the company's merger and acquisitions strategy and activities. Qureshi also will serve as chair of the modems business unit.