Fujitsu Network Communications has enabled Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX), a “GigaPoP” organization founded by Georgetown University, George Washington University, the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech, to create a high-capacity optical network by using Fujitsu’s FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM.
The advanced network will serve the bandwidth needs of MAX’s 38 directly connected participants from higher education, federal agency, corporate and nonprofit institutions. The new network will help facilitate parallel processing between supercomputers and collaboration on projects regarding scientific modeling, data set movements, visualization, as well as analysis for improved problem solving, discovery and policy formation.
The fiber-optic MAX network is powered by three FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM nodes and three-degree wavelength switching at the hub site. A future upgrade, which is planned for first quarter 2008 and will be performed in-service, will add an additional three nodes and feature a five-degree ROADM configuration.
“After an extensive RFP process, we selected the Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM because of its Wavelength Selective Switch, support for eight-degree ROADM, muxponder options, built-in transponder optical switch protection, and migration path to 40gbps on each of its 40 wavelengths,” said Dan Magorian, director of engineering and operations at Mid-Atlantic Crossroads. “Scalable bandwidth for our network is critical, and the FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM delivers the high-capacity and multidegree flexibility we need to create the high-performance network our research and education participants require.”
MAX also is using Fujitsu’s NETSMART 500 craft user interface and NETSMART 1500 Element Management System to turn up network nodes, provision services and monitor the availability of the network. The graphical user interface provides instant visibility to the performance of MAX’s network and simplifies provisioning and troubleshooting.
“Fujitsu consistently impressed us throughout a multiple-vendor evaluation and selection process with their feature-rich, cutting-edge equipment and excellent management system options, as well as with their pre-sale attention to detail and post-sale service and support options,” said Peter O’Neil, executive director of MAX. “These benefits will allow us greater flexibility in fulfilling a range of high performance research and production networking requirements for our participants.”
Fujitsu Network Communications www.fujitsu.com/us/services/telecom/
Mid-Atlantic Crossroads www.maxgigapop.net
