ESnet chooses Infinera for ESnet6 scientific network build
Infinera (NASDAQ: INFN) says it received a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) to build the optical layer for its latest science network, ESnet6. The open fiber network, now up and running, interconnects the DOE’s national laboratory system and experimental facilities with research and commercial networks worldwide.
“ESnet6 represents a transformational change in the capacity, resiliency, and flexibility and brings tangible benefits to the DOE’s science mission,” said Kate Mace, ESnet6 project director. “Open optical networking technology plays a key role in ESnet’s ability to meet the ongoing challenges of data traffic growth while supporting the high-speed and real-time collaboration capabilities that are critical to our nation’s science programs.”
Infinera says the ESnet6 effort saw it deploy new equipment, perform testing, and turn up services over 15,000 miles of fiber infrastructure during the current pandemic. The company delivered elements of its GX Series Compact Modular Platform and FlexILS Open Optical Line System lines. Infinera says ESnet sees science data traffic requirements doubling every 20 months. The fiber network currently is set to deliver 400 Gigabit Ethernet services via 600G coherent transmission capabilities but will have the ability to support 800G coherent wavelengths when Infinera begins shipping line cards with its ICE6 coherent engine (see "Infinera adds ICE6 to Groove (GX) Series"). The systems also support C+L band operation to increase the number of wavelengths per fiber.
“ESnet was pleased to see Infinera’s team make such fast work of this large installation task during a pandemic. This high-speed connectivity provides the foundation to meet our mission of accelerating scientific discovery,” said Inder Monga, executive director of ESnet and division director of Scientific Networking at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “ESnet enables tens of thousands of scientists to access data portals, transfer vast research data streams, and tap into remote scientific instruments and sources — all in real time.”
ESnet and Infinera have worked together for at least 10 years, particularly on technology demonstrations (see, for example, "ESnet selects Infinera for network testbed" and "Infinera, ESnet demo Transport SDN via Open Transport Switch").
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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.
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