How to modernize your DWDM network?

Increased network user activity and growing demand for high-bandwidth services such as HD video, 4K video, and live broadcasts are having a significant impact on the intensity of fiber usage and the quality of network management.

Meeting new customer needs is the task that Internet network operators face. Each wants to provide users with the best possible experience, and thus, keep the quality of service provided on their network as high as possible.

However, how does one accomplish this?

The answer can be found in the following case study: how an ISP upgraded its DWDM network and provided a better quality of service to the customers.

Problem: Fiber exhaustion

This was the challenge faced by one of our clients – an ISP that already had DWDM technology implemented in his network.

He had 14 10G channels, but due to the emergence of new needs, such as improving the ability to support more access services and expanding the capacity of the existing network infrastructure, it became necessary to upgrade the network. It was to cover two locations: from point A to point B, 60 km apart.

The client wanted the new equipment to be fully compatible with those already deployed. In addition, he wanted to maintain continuity of service and improve management of the entire network. How did we manage to meet his needs?

The solution: deploying DWDM

The answer is simple: by deploying new DWDM equipment.

Existing customer channels (14 x 10G) over a 60-kilometer route, were converted into two 2x100G channels. This optimization allowed the ISP to add new services for various applications with significantly increased data transmission (200G).

We used appropriate optical modules that balanced the power of the optical connection and ensured stable transmission performance. With the new DWDM equipment, the network was unified, and its management became simpler. In addition, these measures have enabled further development of the network in the future.

So, what was the purpose of deploying DWDM?

• Increasing network capacity
• Reducing the risk of traffic congestion to a minimum
• Enabling the launch of more services
• Unifying and simplifying network management
• Modernizing the network

Actions: what steps did we take?

 The deployment of new equipment at the customer required the following steps:

1. Gathering data on the Client’s infrastructure to prepare a technical offer accordingly.
2. Preparing several variants of the offer for the Client to visualize the cost of a system that meets its current and future needs.
3. Creating a set of good practices and guidelines to facilitate the implementation and maintenance of the system.
4. Technical support for the customer during the cooperation – after-sales service.
5. Verification of the correct operation of the system.

The effects? Take a look for yourself!

• Increased throughput from n*10G to n*100G and the possibility of hybrid transmission of 10G and 100G channels, with appropriate rules for combining channels with OOK and coherent modulation
• Release of 12 channels, which allows free expansion, further development of the network and transmission, as well as comfortable operation and faster execution of further requests

  And this is how the network looked like with DWDM: