Virgin Media Business taps Ciena packet transport gear to support data center interconnect

Virgin Media Business has selected the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) as the foundation of a new fiber cable link that will provide data center interconnect services to Redstation, a UK data center operator and cloud service provider. The systems house made the announcement September 12.

Redstation plans to use the fiber-optic network to deliver hosted IT and cloud services from its two Hampshire-based data centers by the end of this year. The link, capable of support 100-Gbps wavelengths, can be used to provide such services as server virtualization, distributed storage and data backup, cloud computing, and support of big data, Ciena says.

Virgin Media Business, meanwhile, can also use the 6500 packet-optical transport system to extend 100G managed wavelength services from its network core to end customers like Redstation. The system’s ROADM functionality will enable Virgin to add and route new wavelengths to meet Redstation’s requirements, Ciena adds. Virgin also will use Ciena’s management platforms, including the OneControl Unified Management System, to support such capabilities as well as keep an eye on the network’s performance.

“Today’s businesses are becoming more reliant on cloud computing, mobile broadband and networks that support faster and more reliable data transfer between sites,” says Jason King, head of business partners at Virgin Media Business. “With Ciena’s technology, we are able to offer high capacity services that enable Redstation to support its customers growing demand for more bandwidth.”

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.