DFN-Verein taps ECI Telecom for X-WiN research network

ECI Telecom says it will supply Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. (DFN-Verein) with the systems provider’s Apollo family of Optimized Multi-Layer Transport (OMLT) platforms to upgrade the X-WiN research network.

X-WiN serves more than 750 universities and research institutes. The network comprises more than 11,000 km of dark fiber and offers connections up to 40 Gbps. DFN-Verein uses the network to supply these institutions with such services as voice over IP, videoconferencing, roaming, and public key infrastructure for digital certification.

With the Apollo OMLTs, X-WiN will reach multi-terabit capabilities. ECI will deploy the Apollo OMLT in all 69 of the network’s locations in a manner designed to minimize service disruption. The fact that academic facilities are usually connected to the X-WiN via two independent links will help ECI achieve this goal.

ECI says it won the award after what it called “a rigorous tender process.” Key criteria included the highest transmission capacity and the flexibility to enable new connections with short lead times, the company adds.

“With the new Apollo OMLT, X-WiN will become a multi-terabit network. Complemented by the highly flexible management of Apollo, X-WiN then is well prepared for the coming data challenges of science and research, such as connecting computing and storage facilities or enabling data-intensive experiments in high-energy physics, biology, or medicine,” said Dr. Stefan Piger of the DFN Association.