Facebook outlined its plan for Open Packet DWDM for metro and long-haul fiber optic transport networks. The idea is to “enable a clean separation of software and hardware” based on open specifications.
Facebook had already developed a new “white box” transponder and routing platform called Voyager based on Open Packet DWDM, which it will contribute to the Telecom Infra Project.
Facebook said the Voyager open line system will include Yang software data models of each component in the system, and an open northbound software interface (NETCONF, Thrift, etc.) to the control plane software. This allows multiple applications to run on top of the open software layer, enabling software innovations in DWDM system control algorithms and network management systems.
The DWDM transponder hardware includes DSP ASICs and complex optoelectronic components, and thus accounts for much of the cost of the system. The hardware design leverages technologies implemented in Wedge 100, Facebook’s top-of-rack switch, including the same Broadcom Tomahawk switching ASIC. It also uses the DSP ASIC and optics module (AC400) from Acacia Communications for the DWDM line side with their open development environment.
Facebook worked with Lumentum to develop a terminal amplifier specification so that multiple applications can run on top of the open software layer to enable software innovations in DWDM system control algorithms and network management systems.
Some additional notes:
- Equinix has successfully tested the Voyager solution and Lumentum’s open line system over 140km of production fiber. MTN also shared the results of their successful test of Voyager over their production fiber network in South Africa.
Facebook, Acacia Communications, Broadcom, Celestica, Lumentum, and Snaproute are delivering a complete disaggregated hardware and software optical networking platform that is expected to significantly advance the industry. - ADVA Optical Networking is providing commercial support for Voyager, including all of the essential services and software support needed to make it a complete network solution that is ready for deployment.
- Coriant is extending its networking software to enable engineering support for Voyager, providing routing and switching as well as DWDM transmission capabilities. The combination of DWDM and packet switching/routing opens up the potential for more open and more programmable network architectures.
- The first TIP Ecosystem Acceleration Centers, sponsored by SK Telecom and Facebook, will open in Seoul in early 2017. Other TIP Ecosystem Acceleration Centers are being planned to encourage community participation.
The latest companies to join TIP include Bell Canada, du (EITC), NBN, Orange, Telia, Telstra, Accenture, Amdocs, Canonical, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Toyota InfoTechnology Center.
Infinera Validates Optical Line Systems with Lumentum’s White Box
Infinera and Lumentum have validated Infinera’s portfolio of DWDM platforms over Lumentum’s white box optical line system.
The interoperability testing included Infinera’s XTM Series, Cloud Xpress Family and DTN-X Family (including XTC and XT Series) platforms. In addition, the companies successfully conducted interoperability testing of Infinera’s next generation Infinite Capacity Engine pilot hardware.
Specifically, the Infinera platforms interoperated with the Lumentum white box open line system including the 20 port Transport ROADM. The test cases covered point-to-point metro fiber links carrying multiple modulations including QPSK (quadrature phase shift keying), 8QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) and 16QAM with PIC based super-channels over the Lumentum open line system. The test was able to fill the fiber to full capacity at QPSK, 8QAM and 16QAM data rates via 19 super-channels injected into a single rack unit 20 port ROADM. A fully loaded solution achieves up to 24 terabits of fiber capacity using the Infinite Capacity Engine at 16QAM. The testing successfully validated standard optical parameters including optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) for seamless performance over metro distances.
The companies described the interoperability testing as the first multi-vendor driven demonstration of, and commitment to supporting, an open, interoperable and agile approach to the construction of transport networks, including for data center interconnect (DCI) and metro/edge WDM transport.
Infinera and Lumentum also noted that they are collaborating on open packet optical transport in the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), an industry initiative co-founded by Facebook.
“By validating the industry’s first white box open line system interoperability with Lumentum, Infinera has demonstrated our commitment to delivering the innovative and open optical solutions that our customers need,” said Tom Fallon, Infinera CEO. “Infinera’s leadership in technology innovation with large-scale photonic integration is changing telecom networks. This announcement is yet another step in the path to delivering on our vision of enabling an infinite pool of intelligent bandwidth that the next communications infrastructure is built upon.”
“Lumentum’s award-winning optical white boxes are designed for simplicity and scalability, with open interfaces to enable Software Defined Networking (SDN),” said Alan Lowe, Lumentum CEO. “The demonstration of successful interoperability with Infinera validates the open system approach that should deliver the simplicity and service innovation many network operators desire.”
https://www.infinera.com/infinera-validates-intelligent-transport-network-portfolio-over-lumentum-white-box-optical-line-system/
https://www.lumentum.com
