A non-profit network provider for these demanding institutes has just revamped its architecture to keep pace with pressing research mandates.
In line with the pressing need to digitally transform, a non-profit network provider in Singapore serving the demanding research and higher education community has upgraded its capabilities.
The network upgrade advances the mission of Singapore Advanced Research and Education Network (SingAREN) to collaborate across Asia and the globe in research areas such as cancer genomics and precision medicine to improve how diseases are treated. Other areas of research include atmospheric modeling to combat climate change.
SingAREN’s previous architecture has been transformed into a mesh network that can more easily recover from fiber failures to provide uninterrupted services for research and education initiatives. Additionally, the new architecture has a smaller footprint, reduced cost-per-bit and lower power consumption.
Said the agency’s president, Lawrence Wong: “It is mission critical that our network provides sufficient bandwidth and seamless connectivity to the research and education community. The (optical technology) equips SingAREN with a network that can withstand connectivity demands as they emerge.”
State of the Art optical networking
Wong was alluding to the manufacturer of the equipment, Ciena, whose packet-optical network platform can deliver reliable high-speed connectivity for data-intensive science and advanced computer network applications.
Powered by coherent optics, the directionless, flexible grid photonic line system will be deployed in SingAREN to support dynamic re-routing of wavelengths as needed, along with a Layer 0 control plane for self-healing capabilities. Overall, throughput speeds are doubled versus previous technology generations, and its programmability offers optimal capacity for any path across the network from 100G to 400G through 50G increments.
SingAREN is also leveraging Ciena’s MCP domain controller to improve network visibility and expedite optical management and operations. According to Dion Leung, Regional Managing Director for Asia, Ciena: “Accessing knowledge is imperative to fostering innovation and discovering scientific solutions to overcome some of the greatest challenges of our society. SingAREN not only enables digital collaboration in Singapore, but also expands its footprint across borders with a flexible network that evolves to meet user demands.”
