Helvetia opts for Ciena systems for data center interconnect

Helvetia Switzerland, a Swiss insurance firm that is part of the Helvetia Group, will build a new data center interconnect (DCI) network between its data center hubs in the country using platforms from Ciena (NYSE: CIEN), the technology provider reveals. Ciena says it will supply its Waveserver and the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform for the deployment.

The fiber-optic network links will support both Ethernet and Fibre Channel traffic. Ciena says use of its integrated WaveLogic Encryption capabilities will ensure this traffic remains secure. The network will support 200-Gbps wavelengths at distances of up to 130 km without recourse to Raman amplification or intermediate amplifier sites, Ciena says. The new infrastructure comes as a result of corporate acquisitions and growing customer demands, Ciena explains.

"As the financial services sector moves to provide more online offerings there is a growing need for highly reliable and continuous connectivity," said Andreas Hagin, lead engineer, IT infrastructure, at Helvetia. "By bolstering our DCI networks with Ciena, Helvetia ensures we can securely deliver the applications and services needed for our employees to be successful at their jobs and our customers to have access to critical information – whenever they need it."

Kapsch CarrierCom, a global system integrator and a Ciena BizConnect partner, will deploy the network as a managed service.

For related articles, visit the Data Center Topic Center.

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