SURFnet Builds Advanced Research Network

Nortel Networks, Avici Systems and Telindus have been chosen to deliver next generation optical and IP (Internet Protocol) solutions to SURFnet, a world leading educational and research network organization in The Netherlands as part of the national GigaPort Next Generation Network project. SURFnet connects all universities and academic hospitals and the vast majority of the other institutes for higher education and research throughout the country.

SURFnet will build a hybrid optical and packet switching infrastructure utilizing the latest optical technology from Nortel Networks, including the recently launched Optical Multiservice Edge 6500, as well as a next generation IP infrastructure based on Avici Systems Stackable Switch Routers (SSR).

This solution is ideally suited to meeting SURFnet's dual roles of managing a fast-growing production IP network, and providing innovative hybrid IP-Optical technologies for the high-speed networking requirements of academic and scientific member organizations. Nortel Networks' highly-integrated solution delivers both IP and optical broadband services over an extremely resilient common infrastructure, on top of SURFnet's own dark fibers, suited and efficient for all traffic types. With unprecedented levels of intelligence, the hybrid network will utilize the unique blend of IPv4, IPv6 and optical technology that is best suited for each particular application, thus dynamically allocating the IP and optical bandwidth.

"As SURFnet connects all major educational and research facilities in the Netherlands, it is vital that our network be built on the most advanced and innovative technology available," said Kees Neggers, managing director of SURFnet. "We are confident that with Nortel Networks' true dynamic optical networking solution, Avici Systems highly scalable and reliable routing solution, and the quality of service provided by Telindus, our network will be a showcase for future networks throughout the world. In addition, I look forward to working with these partners on the research on networking and Grids, which is part of the GigaPort project."

"SURFnet serves some of the most demanding Telecom users in the world, and has a strong history of innovation to consistently deliver them the fastest and most advanced networking solutions," said Brian McFadden, president of Optical Networks at Nortel Networks. "Nortel Networks is confident that the hybrid optical and packet switching infrastructure will further enhance SURFnet's ability to deliver world-class services to their connected organizations and push the frontiers of integrated IP-Optical networking."

"This significant win also serves to validate the powerful combination of Avici's core routing together with Nortel Networks' edge and optical solutions portfolio," McFadden said.

In addition to Nortel Networks' Optical Multiservice Edge, SURFnet will implement a wide range of optical solutions from Nortel Networks' extensive optical portfolio. Nortel Networks' latest photonic solutions will provide the common layer connecting the network nodes, which will include next generation multiservice optical switches, Nortel Networks Passport multiservice switches, and Avici Systems SSR routers. SURFnet plans to continue to evolve the network over a seven-year period with the most up-to-date features and products available from Nortel Networks and Avici Systems. Telindus, a pan-European network integration specialist, will provide the installation and on-site maintenance services support throughout the seven-year period.

"A continuous drive to achieve the highest level of knowledge and understanding of the networking profession enables Telindus to deliver unsurpassed levels of quality," said Gaby Lips, corporate vice president of Telindus. "SURFnet's selection of Telindus for installation and on-site repair services further strengthens our success in this market, as the SURFnet network is highly regarded as setting the standard for advanced networking."

"We are very pleased that SURFnet has selected the Avici SSR platform to upgrade and build out their next generation IP network, a network designed to deliver the most advanced applications to the most demanding users," said Chris Gunner, senior vice president of research and development for Avici Systems. "We are excited to be working with Nortel Networks to deliver the most innovative and comprehensive end-to-end networking solutions to customers."

The Avici SSR provides a scalable, highly reliable solution to realize SURFnet's IP network vision. SURFnet required an IP core routing solution that could scale to accommodate anticipated growth, provide the reliability to operate both production and research environments simultaneously, simplify operational management, and deliver high performance end-to-end IP transport for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic, unicast as well as multicast. Avici Systems SSR platform is uniquely capable of supporting these stringent requirements, while also enabling a simplified architecture that reduces costs by requiring fewer devices in the network.

Nortel Networks and Avici Systems continue to lead efforts, in conjunction with SURFnet, to advance IP-Optical integration applications for cost reduction, improved network reliability and performance, and enhanced delivery of feature-rich services and multimedia content. Nortel Networks' leading-edge optical technology and Avici's carrier-class routing technology will enable SURFnet to enjoy all of the security and operational advantages of a highly-advanced production and research network without the cost of duplicating physical equipment. Deployed in more than 1,000 customer networks in 65 countries, Nortel Networks' end-to-end optical network portfolio includes next generation SONET/SDH, optical switching products, photonics (WDM), and Optical Ethernet products. Nortel Networks has deployed more than 250,000 optical network elements globally.

SURFnet operates and innovates the national research network, to which over 150 institutions in higher education and research in the Netherlands are connected. The organization is among the leading research network operators in the world. SURFnet is responsible for the realization of GigaPort Next Generation Network, a project of the Dutch government, trade and industry, educational institutions and research institutes to strengthen the national knowledge infrastructure. Research on optical and IP networking and Grids are a prominent part of the project.

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