Internet2 and Cisco drive long-distance coherent optics
Internet2 and Cisco have demonstrated a breakthrough in coherent optics technologies, achieving a 400 Gbps link over 3,000 km on the Internet2 national research and education (R&E) network.
The field trial between Albany, New York, and Indianapolis, Indiana, required no modular transponders or signal regeneration, setting a new benchmark for router-to-router direct long-haul routed optical networking based on pluggable coherent optics modules.
This collaboration highlights industry advancements that enhance efficiency and flexibility for high-performance networks utilizing coherent pluggable modules. The outcomes provide tangible benefits by facilitating high-capacity, on-demand point-to-point connectivity while minimizing complexity, power consumption, and equipment needs.
With coherent optics directly installed on network routers across its U.S. footprint, Internet2 has enabled 400 Gbps on both metro capacity and spans of up to 600 km. Currently, 24 of the Internet2 400 Gbps backbone links use Cisco coherent optics, with additional links coming online each quarter. This means over 20% of its 400 Gbps backbones now use coherent pluggable technology. The latest field trial with Cisco builds on that progress.
“Just a short time ago, we could only achieve 3,000 km distances using traditional module-based transponders, and the links were limited to 100 Gbps,” said Chris Wilkinson, senior director of network infrastructure and operations at Internet2. “Now, in collaboration with Cisco, Internet2 has demonstrated 400 Gbps at those same distances using coherent optics,” Wilkinson added. “This represents a remarkable improvement in achievable transmission distance, allowing us to provide highly efficient, targeted bandwidth to support emerging needs in the research and education community.”
The field trial used Cisco’s newly developed QSFP-DD-based 400 Gbps Ultra Long Haul coherent optic, which uses less than 24 W of power and can be plugged into existing 400G QSFP-DD-based platforms. The system’s key transmission components are part of Internet2’s operational network infrastructure, including Cisco 8201 routers powered by Cisco Silicon One with a third-party line system. Based on a physical infrastructure consisting primarily of SMF-28 Ultra fibre, it uses a simple but highly optimised EDFA-amplified architecture to compensate for signal loss.
“This breakthrough trial with Internet2 marks a game changer in long-haul networking,” said Bill Gartner, senior vice president and general manager of optical Systems and Optics at Cisco. “Cisco’s next generation 400G ULH coherent optics redefine capacity and flexibility, delivering unmatched performance and efficiency across vast distances.”
The results strongly indicate real-world performance since the field trial took place on Internet2’s live operational network.
www.cisco.com
https://internet2.edu
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