Infinera, Nissho Labs demo SDN packet-optical convergence on DTN-X

Having unveiled its new strategy for the DTN-X platform (see “Infinera refocuses vision around DTN-X”), Infinera Corp. (NASDAQ: INFN) is keen to show what it can do. The vendor has joined forces with Nissho Electronics, a systems integrator in Japan, to demonstrate converged packet-optical transport and Transport Software-Defined Network (SDN) technologies on the DTN-X platform. The demonstration took place at Nissho Labs’ NETFrontier Center in Tokyo.

Key aspects of the packet-optical convergence demonstration on the Infinera DTN-X include Ethernet packet aggregation, VLAN switching, and transport of MPLS pseudowires with signaling over 500G superchannel-based OTN ODUflex transport. This demonstration showcased the value of converging DWDM, OTN, and packet switching on the same platform, Infinera claims.

The demonstration of Transport SDN featured a prototype Open Transport Switch running on the Infinera DTN-X and working in conjunction with an external SDN controller and various network applications. The SDN controller provisioned bandwidth services on demand across a network composed of DTN-X nodes using the OpenFlow protocol. The demonstration also exploited service-ready superchannel capacity, flexible Bandwidth Virtualization, and a standards-based control plane to provide an optimal platform to deliver Transport SDN functionality with the DTN-X.

“Infinera’s goal is to converge Ethernet and MPLS technology into the transport layer on the DTN-X to increase the efficiency of core networks for our customers with an Intelligent Transport Network," said Dave Welch, Infinera co-founder, executive vice president and CTO. "This demonstration is an important step to prove that Ethernet, MPLS, Transport SDN and the Open Transport Switch technologies can be seamlessly integrated within this architecture.”

"Nissho strongly believes that the Infinera DTN-X is well suited for the Japanese telecom market needs," said Toshiaki Kibe, director and managing executive officer, general manager marketing division and general manager engineering division at Nissho. "The DTN-X has proven itself with several of our customers as a world class packet-optical transport network platform, and is now demonstrating its capability as a future proof platform by showcasing the benefits of seamless packet integration and Transport SDN."

"Integrated packet technology in a converged MPLS/OTN/DWDM platform combined with Transport SDN are key capabilities to increase automation and network efficiency while ensuring rapid end-to-end service provisioning for future multi-terabit networks," said David Krozier, principal analyst, network infrastructure at Ovum. "This demonstration highlights that the Infinera DTN-X is definitely well positioned to help operators meet those challenges."

This is the second reported demonstration of Transport SDN Infinera has conducted. The company earlier announced a trial of its Open Transport Switch with ESnet (see “Infinera, ESnet demo Transport SDN via Open Transport Switch”). This is also the second demonstration collaboration between Infinera and Nissho in the past nine months (see "Infinera, Nissho show 8-Tbps transmission over dispersion-shifted fiber").

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