VERNet Tests Ciena’s 40G, 100G Optical Solutions to Upgrade its Network

Ciena Corporation announced that VERNet has successfully completed the trial of its optical networking solutions.

The 40G and 100G networking solutions of Ciena were tested on VERNet’s live DWDM network. The trial was conducted across two individual fiber routes and proved that VERNet is capable of integrating the coherent optical communication solutions into its network without disruption.

The two-week trial of Ciena’s optical transport technology was conducted using VERNet’s existing network, which runs across 1872 km in Victoria. The existing network was based on the Common Photonic Layer and Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 platforms of Ciena. For the trial, wavelengths of 40G and 100G were added to the network’s existing 10G wavelength service.

At present, the Victorian Education and Research Network (VERN) provides over 180 network services to member institutions. These institutions require fast and reliable network connectivity as it is vital for their education and research activities. The trial of Ciena’s 40G and 100G solutions demonstrated the upgrading capability of VERNet to these solutions without any disruption to its current services. The company said that the addition of new optical solutions did not require re-engineering of the current fiber routes, as coherent technology and latest digital signal processing technology were being used. The new wavelength services thus started working instantly.

Roger Tanton, VERNet’s CEO, said that the company’s network must be equipped to meet the high-volume data traffic emanating from the education and research facilities of Victoria. The General Manager and Vice President of Ciena’s Asia Pacific operations, Anthony Mclachlan said the trial authenticates VERNet’s earlier decision to choose the company’s photonic layer as its infrastructure base.