05 July 2011

SURFnet deploys 100 Gb/s over 1650 km between Amsterdam and Geneva

SURFnet deployed a high-speed, ultra long-haul 100 Gb/s wavelength on the international fiber connection between Amsterdam and Geneva (CERN). To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest 100 Gb/s connection deployed; so far 100 Gb/s deployments covered less than 1000 km of distance.

With this 100 Gb/s technology, SURFnet and CERN are prepared for a future in which they continue to be an enabler for wide area international research collaboration through the support of high-performance data distribution and data processing. One example of such collaboration is distributing experimental data from the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) at CERN (the Tier-0 location) in Geneva to regional archive and analysis (Tier-1) locations via the LHC OPN (Optical Private Network). The different research partners (Tier-2 and -3 sites, e.g. universities, scientific institutes and scientists), are connected via LHCONE (LHC Open Network Environment), which is a dedicated network between the Tier-1 and Tier-2/3 sites.

The SURFnet link between NetherLight in Amsterdam and CERN in Geneva is an all-optical 100 Gb/s ULH link that extends over 1650 kilometers, with 23 fiber spans comprising a mixture of optical fiber types, i.e. 800 km of TWRS, 835 km of TW+ and 20 km of AllWave. No DCFs (Dispersion Compensating Fibers) were deployed in the link. The VTL fiber link was selected from a number of links between Amsterdam-Geneva using a metric to optimize system OSNR performance. No Raman amplification is employed on the link. The Ciena 6500 Packet-Optical Platform was used in Amsterdam and Geneva using Dual Carrier 100 Gb/s DP-QPSK technology which occupies a single 50GHz channel window, creating high spectral efficiency.

“This deployment clearly shows that SURFnet and its partners are able to continuously push the envelope and enable cost-efficient ultra long-haul transmission for research and education,” said Roeland Nuijts, expert in optical networks in the Network Services department at SURFnet.

This project has been carried out as a part of the GigaPort3 project. More information on the GigaPort3 proejct can be found here (English).

Current network topology of Netherlight, including the new connection:



Click to enlarge