March 25, 2004 Ottawa, Ontario -- Nortel Networks, Avici Systems, and Telindus have been chosen to deliver next-generation optical and Internet Protocol (IP) solutions to SURFnet, a leading educational and research network organization in the Netherlands as part of the national GigaPort Next Generation Network project. SURFnet connects all universities and academic hospitals and the vast majority of the other institutes for higher education and research throughout the Netherlands.
SURFnet will build a hybrid optical and packet switching infrastructure utilizing optical technology from Nortel Networks, including the recently launched Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, as well as a next-generation IP infrastructure based on Avici Systems Stackable Switch Routers (SSR). This solution is ideally suited to meet SURFnet's dual roles of managing a fast-growing production IP network and providing hybrid IP-Optical technologies for the high-speed networking requirements of academic and scientific member organizations.
Nortel Networks' highly integrated solution delivers both IP and optical broadband services over a resilient common infrastructure, on top of SURFnet's own dark fibers. With unprecedented levels of intelligence, the hybrid network will utilize the unique blend of IPv4, IPv6 and optical technology that is best suited for each particular application, thus dynamically allocating the IP and optical bandwidth, say SURFnet representatives.
"As SURFnet connects all major educational and research facilities in the Netherlands, it is vital that our network be built on the most advanced and innovative technology available," contends Kees Neggers, managing director, SURFnet. "We are confident that with Nortel Networks true dynamic optical networking solution, Avici Systems highly scalable and reliable routing solution, and the quality of service provided by Telindus, our network will be a showcase for future networks throughout the world."
In addition to Nortel's Optical Multiservice Edge, SURFnet will implement a range of optical solutions from the vendor's optical portfolio. Nortel's latest photonic solutions will provide the common layer connecting the network nodes, which will include next-generation multiservice optical switches, Nortel Networks Passport multiservice switches, and Avici Systems SSR routers. SURFnet plans to continue to evolve the network over a seven-year period with the most up-to-date features and products available from Nortel and Avici Systems. Telindus, a pan-European network integration specialist, will provide the installation and on-site maintenance services support throughout the seven-year period.
The Avici SSR provides a scalable, reliable solution to realize SURFnet's IP network vision, say Avici representatives. SURFnet required an IP core routing solution that could scale to accommodate anticipated growth, provide the reliability to operate both production and research environments simultaneously, simplify operational management, and deliver high performance end-to-end IP transport for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic, unicast as well as multicast. Avici Systems' SSR platform is capable of supporting these stringent requirements, while also enabling a simplified architecture that reduces costs by requiring fewer devices in the network.