NORDUnet upgrades Nordic research and education network via DANTE program with Ciena
The operators of the Nordic research and education network NORDUnet have selected the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) for a upgrade that will see 100G Optical Transport Network (OTN) switching added to the fiber-optic network. The upgrade is part of the Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe (DANTE) framework agreement’s project PRISM.
The NORDUnet optical transmission system offers connections throughout Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Germany, Holland, and the UK. The upgrade will enable the network to respond rapidly to changing end-user needs. The high-speed network enhancement also will improve the support of on-demand services such as the spontaneous transfer of terabyte-class files among research institutes for applications that support medical research, meteorology, and energy research.
“Research and education institutions have exceptionally demanding network needs. With Ciena’s platforms we can deliver the best possible service experience to our end-customers with the flexibility and agility to quickly react to changing network requirements and to support cross-border collaborations,” said Lars Lange Bjørn, manager, network planning and engineering at NORDUnet
Ciena will supply the 6500 packet-optical transport systems, as well as its OneConnect Intelligent Control Plane and OneControl Unified Management System for network automation and management and the capabilities of the Network Transformation Solutions (NTS) consultative program for an operations and maintenance package, as part of an eight-year framework contract with DANTE. DANTE plans, procures, builds, and operates global R&E networks, including the pan-European GÉANT network.
“Securing a framework agreement exemplifies Ciena’s position as a leading provider to the European NREN community. Ciena’s technology combined with its consultative approach, make it a compelling partner to support the demands of R&E services and applications,” said Paul Rouse, procurement manager at DANTE.