ACOnet trials ADVA direct-detect metro 100G system

ADVA Optical Networking (FSE: ADV) reports that ACOnet, the Austrian Academic Computer Network, has successfully trialed the ADVA 100G Metro in its research and education infrastructure. The trial was carried out over a distance of 450 km between the University of Salzburg and the University of Vienna.

The purpose of the trial was to explore ways that ACOnet can use direct-detect 100G technology to transport data both domestically and internationally. The trial was also designed to test whether the ADVA 100G Metro system could plug into ACOnet's existing fiber-optic network without any service disruption – something it did with ease, according to ADVA.

ACOnet supports its connected institutions in their involvement in some of the most advanced science projects in Europe. Through the network’s connections to GÉANT, the pan-European research and education network, it is part of an enormous European research community, and the amount of data ACOnet needs to transport for science and research is growing every day.

“Affordable 100-gigabit technology is critical to helping us keep our national backbone up to date,” said Christian Panigl, leader of the ACOnet and Vienna Internet eXchange team, University of Vienna. “The trial with the ADVA 100G Metro has shown just how simple the migration to 100G data throughput can be. With this level of capacity, the opportunities for our researchers are immense.”

ACOnet decided to trial the ADVA 100G Metro system after discussions with the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) and the German Internet Exchange (DE-CIX), both current users of the technology (see “AMS-IX deploys metro 100 Gbps from ADVA Optical Networking” and “DE-CIX Internet exchange taps ADVA Optical Networking 100-Gbps metro platform”). ACOnet went on to rigorously test the ADVA 100G Metro's capabilities, including the ability to transport encrypted data.

Built on 4x28G direct-detect technology, ADVA says its 100G Metro system delivers four key efficiencies: cost, space, power, and spectral (see “ADVA Optical Networking offers cost-reduced 100-Gbps for metro networks”). ADVA says these efficiencies are critical for enterprises, such as ACOnet, that need 100G data transport, but not the costs or footprint of coherent transmission technology.

“National Research and Education Networks like ACOnet are forward-looking organizations. They've already shown this with their pioneering work with GÉANT. We want to help them develop even further,” said Andreas Jelinek, director of sales, Eastern Europe, ADVA Optical Networking. “We want to provide them with the bandwidth capacity that can match their scientific aspirations. We believe, and we've shown, that the ADVA 100G Metro can do exactly this. This technology is the ideal fit for enterprises that need to transport enormous amounts of data but don't need the usual coherent costs. It will be exciting to see what happens next.”

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