CESNET, GÉANT deploy 300 Gbps via open line system

Technicians at Czech Republic research and education (R&E) network CESNET have connected high-speed routers within the pan-European GÉANT network with a 300-Gbps wavelength via the Czech Light Open Line System. The connection, across 530 km of the fiber-optic network between Prague and Vienna, took the form of an alien wavelength created with Waveserver Ai data center interconnect platforms from Ciena. (NYSE:CIEN).

The use of an alien wavelength demonstrates how GÉANT and other R&E network operators can share dark fiber while retaining the ability to scale capacity to meet their individual needs. The deployment also improved the reliability of GÉANT's fiber network by increasing network meshing. The additional meshing came via a combination of spectrum sharing of the CESNET network as well as the use of the Waveserver AI systems, say CESNET. The R&E network operator notes that the 300-Gbps wavelength is traversing a fiber cable link originally engineered for 10-Gbps transmission.

"Our network is designed to support the transfer of extremely large data sets and dedicated photonic services among geographically dispersed locations, especially, due to unique concepts used for network development, for example Nothing in Line (NIL). The 300-Gbps wavelength is seamlessly running in parallel with precise time and ultra-stable optical frequency transmissions," said Josef Vojtěch, head of optical networks department of CESNET. "Together with Ciena and GÉANT, we are ensuring Europe's R&E community can reliably connect anywhere, at any time, with any capacity."

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