09 September 2011

Deployment of 100Gbps Ethernet Interconnection from Amsterdam to Geneva by AMS-IX, CERN and SURFnet

The ongoing testing of Ultra Long-haul 100 Gbps deployment these past weeks, between Amsterdam and Geneva, has included AMS-IX 100GE platform and the use of commercial Ethernet equipment for the Interconnection of IP networks.

The testing, which began with SURFnet (The National Research and Education Network (NREN) organization in the Netherlands) and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in July 2011, has added the support of the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) for this later commercial testing.

Using 100GEBrocade equipment at both ends and the support of AMS-IX and CERN Network Engineers, SURFnet was able to test the longest 100Gbps connection deployed so far to CERN in Switzerland, a distance over 1650 kilometers.
CERN’s Internet Expert Edoardo Martelli explains “For us the test wanted to prove the interoperability of the 100G technologies among different vendors and the reliability of the transmission over long distance”. He added “The test was very positive and during the trial it was possible to transfer a constant stream of 100Gbps for several hours in several days without any loss. The test is actually on going and will run over the next days, but so far it has been good”

AMS-IX Networking Engineer Martin Pels "The joint trial gives us the opportunity to test the use of long-distance 100GE links for connecting remote customers to the exchange. It also gives us valuable input into the use of 100 Gigabit Ethernet together with DWDM transmission equipment” Martin Pels points out “ This input will become of interest to AMS-IX as we plan towards deployment of 100GE in the core of our network."

SURFnet contributed to the test with the support of technology partner Ciena. Gerben van Malenstein, technical product manager of NetherLight from SURFnet commented, “We are pleased that all these parties took part in this testing, as it is a typical example of the international collaboration on research & innovation that we want to facilitate. This test proves that SURFnet is prepared for international 100GE-interconnectivity”. Gerben van Malenstein added “This demonstrates that bandwidth is not a technological barrier to further expansion of NetherLight, SURFnet’s GLIF Open Lightpath Exchange (GOLE).”   

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