ADVA's DWDM and ROADM products selected for MOREnet backbone

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 -- The Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) has deployed ADVA Optical Networking's FSP 3000 platform for its statewide next-generation network (NGN) fiber backbone implementation. ADVA says its DWDM and ROADM technologies enable MOREnet, which operates as a separate business unit within the University of Missouri, to significantly increase capacity without a corresponding increase in cost. MOREnet provides Internet connectivity, Internet2 access, videoconferencing, dynamic collaborative applications, and other bandwidth-intensive services to hundreds of thousands of users across 66 colleges and universities, more than 500 K-12 school districts, and more than 100 other member organizations, including public libraries, government agencies, hospitals, and non-profits.

In partnership with the University of Missouri, MOREnet's multiphase NGN implementation encompasses the build-out of more than 1,000 route miles of fiber and the deployment of ADVA Optical Networking equipment. MOREnet's new 10-Gbps network leverages fiber acquired by the University of Missouri and the capability of ADVA's FSP 3000 series equipment.

"The primary reasons we selected ADVA Optical Networking's solution were its cost effectiveness and scalability," says Bill Mitchell, executive director of MOREnet and a leader in an Internet2 initiative to extend Internet connectivity to K-12 schools, community colleges, museums and libraries. "These will prove to be increasingly necessary attributes as we continue to push advanced, high-bandwidth network applications, services, and digital content out across and beyond Missouri's research and education community."

ADVA's DWDM capability expands the traffic-carrying capacity of the University of Missouri's fiber to 80x10-Gbps channels across the roughly 1,060-mile network. This affords MOREnet capacity to support videoconferencing, remote clinical diagnostics, and large-scale research projects. The FSP 3000 transports data, voice, video, and storage applications along the same fiber-optic strand at their native speed and protocol, enabling MOREnet to introduce new high-bandwidth services to its members without the expense or complexity of physically deploying additional fiber.

MOREnet recently turned up a new 10-Gbps network for the University of Missouri's intercampus network. With the completion of the most significant NGN milestone, one major phase remains. In the coming months, MOREnet will turn up a 2-Gbps network for the Missouri Telehealth Network. "Significant effort and planning has gone into this project, and we are pleased with the results thus far," says Hank Niederhelm, director of infrastructure for MOREnet.

MOREnet says it is able to dynamically and cost-effectively connect its members as needed for high-bandwidth collaborative applications using ADVA's ROADM capability. The FSP 3000 platform, including two- and multidegree ROADMs, is deployed at nine sites across MOREnet's network, enabling all-optical, remote switching of wavelengths via software control. This functionality enables MOREnet members to temporarily connect with partners anywhere for short-term distance learning and research without the time and expense of implementing permanent connections.

"MOREnet has deployed a truly state-of-the-art backbone infrastructure that enables the dynamic delivery of high volumes of bandwidth to any location at any time," says Brian Protiva, chief executive officer of ADVA Optical Networking. "Capabilities such as DWDM and ROADM are enabling collaborative applications across the global academic community, and innovation will intensify as the research and education networks reach more and more users. We are excited to be part of MOREnet's growth."


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