JISC in the UK is upgrading its Janet Network to world-leading 400Gbit/s connectivity, making it one of the most digitally-advanced national research and education networks globally in terms of scale, automation and network intelligence.
“Our vision is for the UK to be at the forefront of scientific research,” said Jeremy Sharp, network infrastructure director for Jisc. “To make that happen, we must have a highly robust network powered with industry-leading technology that can scale to support bandwidth-intensive applications like genome editing and the Square Kilometre Array.”
Janet, which is already the busiest NREN in Europe by volume of data carried, and is 200,000 times faster than the average home broadband, is now deploying Ciena’s 6500 packet-optical platform powered with WaveLogic Ai coherent optics.
At present, the Janet Network is already operating at 400Gbit/s capacity in places, but using 100Gbit/s technology. The upgrade, which will be in place this summer, will increase the bandwidth of the Janet backbone to as much as 600Gbit/s and will utilize Ciena’s new 400Gbit/s technology.
Working with Ciena, the Janet Network was the first NREN to provide 100GB for users and, as demand has grown, is now the first to provide 400GB. WaveLogic Ai enables us to operate efficiently and accurately engineer the network for optimal capacity to manage massive flows from new data-intensive research activities.”
In the UK, all further and higher education organizations, including universities, colleges and research centers, are connected to the internet through the Janet Network, along with some alternative education providers, other public bodies and science parks.
We are helping to bring a new paradigm for optical networks by making the network more programmable and responsive to changing user demands, while using less hardware,” said Rod Wilson, chief technologist for research networks at Ciena. “WaveLogic Ai focuses on delivering considerable digital advantage, financial savings and efficiencies.”
