SURFnet, a global leader in advanced network research, has completed a 100G trial on its live 10G international broadband network connection between Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Hamburg, Germany, using Nortel optical technology and network integration services provided by Telindus. The results of this trial help demonstrate that SURFnet's existing network is capable of cost-effectively transporting even larger amounts of network traffic as bandwidth demand increases.

The SURFnet6 network supports researchers working on broadband intensive applications, such as radio astronomy, high-energy physics and medical research, and provides cross border bandwidth connectivity for other international research networks.

The live network trial successfully tested two 40G and one 100G optical wavelengths over SURFnet's DWDM network connecting Amsterdam and Hamburg across a fiber donated by the Internet Educational Equal Access Foundation (IEEAF). The connection covered a distance of 1244km of fiber without using electrical regeneration equipment. Scientists working on distributed supercomputer research also used the trial network to interact with their DAS-3 (Distributed ASCI Supercomputer) grid to assess the live performance of the network connection.

"This successful trial is another result of our ongoing partnership with Nortel and Telindus," said Erik-Jan Bos, managing director, SURFnet. "It proves that the latest developments in optical technology, which Nortel is capable of transforming into real-world solutions, can easily be integrated into our state-of-the art research network."

The ability to run 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps connections in parallel on SURFnet's current network provides them with the flexibility to meet growing bandwidth without incurring the cost of major equipment upgrades throughout the network.

"Upgrading to faster 40G and 100G networking technologies opens up a world of new possibilities for future generations of researchers," said Philippe Morin, president, Metro Ethernet Networks, Nortel. "The trial shows how SURFnet can provide enhanced network resources and how researchers from all over the world can make creative and constructive use of them."

As network integrator, Nortel partner Telindus successfully tested the 100G link over a seven-day period from May 20 to May 27, 2009. "The results of these tests exceeded the strenuous requirements of SURFnet," said Tom Engels, practice leader, Optical, Telindus. "The addition and configuration of the Nortel 100G card on the existing 40G platform was seamless. From this live trial, Telindus has gained significant operational experience with the latest optical technologies for maintaining the SURFnet 6 network. We can use this knowledge to better support SURFnet in the future."

The SURFnet network provides bandwidth scalability and connectivity flexibility that enables innovative service in the field of security, authentication and authorization, group communication and video. To date, researchers have used the network for applications that require sustained multi-gigabit lossless traffic flows that cannot effectively be routed due to stringent performance requirements. Recent published examples of projects enabled by SURFnet6 include a distributed supercomputer, DAS-3 and work on digital cinema where 4K DigitalCinema replaces the film reel in a cinema.

The SURFnet 10G/40G network is built on the Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 and runs over the Nortel Common Photonic Layer line system, key products that enable the migration to a more agile, adaptive, all optical network. Nortel has been leading in 40G shipments for the past three quarters, achieving 41.5% share in Q1 2009, based on the Dell'Oro Group.