Internet2 to upgrade fiber backbone with Ciena’s 800-Gbps WaveLogic 5

Oct. 21, 2019
The upgrade will enable Internet2 to deploy 800-Gbps wavelengths in metro locations and support 400 Gigabit Etherent interconnect over native 400G wavelengths.

U.S. research and education (R&E) network service provider Internet2, will upgrade its network with open line systems and the 800-Gbps capabilities of the WaveLogic 5 Extreme coherent chipset as deployed in the Waveserver platform, says technology supplier Ciena (NYSE: CIEN). The upgrade will enable Internet2 to deploy 800-Gbps wavelengths in metro locations and support 400 Gigabit Etherent interconnect over native 400G wavelengths between Internet2 points-of-presence system-wide.

The flexible grid open line system will enable access for Internet2’s membership to a contiguous coherent optical network that can facilitate wavelength delivery and data transfer throughout the continental United States, asserts Ciena. The OLS also will enable wavelengths launched directly from Internet2’s member networks to be transported to strategic endpoints beyond their regional footprints. The upgrade will see Internet2 reduce the overall space and power footprint of its current optical add/drop locations by as much as two-thirds, Ciena adds.

Internet2 also will leverage Ciena’s Liquid Spectrum analytics software to tune, control, and adjust optical capacity as well as Ciena’s Manage, Control, and Plan domain controller for network management and operations.

“Ciena put forth a great proposal that met Internet2’s objectives to efficiently increase capacity, increase optical reach, and support open line system use cases. Together with superior coherent modems and a proven support system, the openness, flexibility, and greener profile of this network will play a key role in our ability to accelerate discoveries in the research and education community,” commented Howard Pfeffer, president and CEO of Internet2. “We are delighted to have Ciena as a partner in tackling the great research and education challenges of the next decade.”

Non-profit Internet2 serves 320 U.S. universities, 60 government agencies, and 43 regional and state education networks – and through them supports more than 100,000 community anchor institutions, close to 1,000 “InCommon” participants, and 58 corporations working with the R&E community, and 70 national R&E network partners that represent more than 100 countries. The network operator is a longstanding Ciena customer (see, for example, “Ciena, Internet2 partner on new national 100G network”).

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

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