CESNET Successfully Tested the 40-gigabit Technology in the CESNET2 Network

The CESNET association has successfully tested the 40-Gbps technology in the CESNET2 network. There has been no network in the Czech Republic so far to test a data transfer at this speed.

The interconnection using a 40-Gbps channel was tested from 10 April to 1 May this year using the DWDM optical transfer network between Prague and Brno. CESNET has tested the high-speed technology both on a direct optical channel Prague–Brno (299 km) and a longer optical channel between Prague and Brno routed via Hradec Králové and Olomouc (462 km). In both cases the data transfer run flawlessly. It was the verification of functionality and error-free performance of the connection that was the main objective of the test. CESNET wanted to ascertain whether it can plan such capacity even for the real operation in future.

During the testing, experts of the CESNET association compared two types of the 40-Gbps interface with different modulations. The first interface pair was 1OC768-ITU/C (ODB modulation, WDMPOS interface, maximum range of approx. 1,000 km) and the second 1OC768-DPSK/C (DPSK+ modulation, WDMPOS interface, maximum range of approx. 2,000 km). The second case included the state-of-the-art interface types for CRS-1 routers developed by Cisco, which are now probably the only two samples available in the world.

The testing could be performed only thanks to cooperation with Cisco, which – in addition to the aforementioned interfaces – also lent the CRS-1/4 router.

The CESNET association plans on deploying the 40-Gbps technology in real operation in the CESNET2 network in the next year. CESNET already took one of the most important steps towards this objective in August of last year, when the CESNET2 backbone network was upgraded with one of the most powerful routers in the world, Cisco CRS-1/16. The new routing system provides for a higher degree of stability and availability of network services, enabling more massive utilization of advanced network technologies and in future also upgrading transfer rates to 40 Gbps and subsequently up to 100 Gbps. The Cisco CRS-1/16 routing system provides research organizations with uninterrupted operation, service flexibility, and extended system lifecycle. The system allows scaling the network capacity to a new level, running next-generation data, and voice and video services on a converged IP network. In addition to the supplier INTERCOM SYSTEMS, the implementation involved experts from the CESNET association and CISCO.

Testing scheme of a 40-Gbps channel between Prague and Brno

The CESNET association was founded by universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The association is currently financed mainly from the resources of the governmental Research and Development Board and funds of the association members. The association performs the research and development of information and communication technologies, building and developing the national gigabit optical network, CESNET2, designed for research and educational purposes. With its research activities and accomplishments, the CESNET association can represent the Czech Republic in the pan-European GÉANT2 network construction project, actively participating in the project implementation.