Network News: Juniper Selected by PEER 1

Here’s a roundup of some of some of this week’s headlines from the network industry:

Juniper selected by PEER 1.  Juniper Networks (JNPR) announced that PEER 1 has deployed Juniper's integrated routing, switching and security technology in its U.K. data center. PEER 1 uses the Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches with Virtual Chassis technology as distribution devices beneath the core level handling most of its routing changes. The Juniper solution supported PEER 1's backbone traffic and internal data center traffic, in addition to providing flexibility of 10GB hot-swappable modules which allows PEER 1 to run huge amounts of bandwidth within the data center network and over the backbone. Juniper MX 3D Universal Edge Routers interconnect to PEER 1's FastFiber Network and to the London Internet Exchange (LINX) for high-speed Internet access. "Our rapid growth in the past few years means that we required support from a company such as Juniper Networks, ensuring that we remain on track to deliver the great hosting and great service that PEER 1 has become known for," said Dominic Monkhouse, managing director, EMEA, PEER 1. "Juniper's innovation has enabled us to provide the highest level of secure user services at very low levels of energy consumption; and it supports our 'Green' mission with its high-performance network infrastructure built on reliable, high quality products that are environmentally friendly."

Juniper also announced that its next-generation core routers have been deployed by the China Education and Research Network (CERNET) to establish the country's first 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) backbone network.

Ciena selected for submarine upgrade. Ciena (CIEN) announced that communications service provider SEACOM has selected Ciena Corporation’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform and OneControl Unified Management System for the upgrade of its submarine network across the Southern and Eastern African coastlines. The upgrade includes key countries in SEACOM’s 17,000km undersea network, including India, Egypt, Dijbouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. The solution will allow SEACOM to deliver its capacity in very short timeframes and provide for future demands. The deployment will initially use Ciena’s 40G coherent transport technology, with ultra-long distance 100G wavelengths planned for future upgrades. “Connectivity services in Africa are booming due to the growing needs of business IT users, the rise of ”cloud” based services, and growing requirements for the processing and storing of personal data,” says Claes Segelberg, chief technology officer at SEACOM. "Ciena’s technology will enable us to cost-effectively scale our capacity to address this growing demand for connectivity throughout the continent. The company’s future-proof network design has mitigated the risks associated with the upgrade project, ensuring a seamless transition for SEACOM’s carrier customers and end users."

Ciena also announced that the Utah Education Network (UEN) and the University of Utah have deployed Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, equipped with WaveLogic Coherent Optical Processors, to provide high-speed, high-capacity 100G connectivity between the University and its new downtown Salt Lake City data center, and to UEN member organizations.

Windstream expands Carrier Switched Ethernet.  Windstream (WIN) announced a nationwide expansion of its Carrier Switched Ethernet service. This expansion will allow Windstream to have ubiquitous availability within its entire footprint through existing network interconnects. The increased coverage area will enhance the current service offerings to include major metro areas across the United States such as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver and Phoenix. With the solution, interconnect ports of 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and 10 Gbps are available, and end user loops from 3 Mbps to 1 Gbps are supported. “By expanding our Carrier Switched Ethernet solution, our customers now have a broader ability to reach businesses with dependable Ethernet access,” said Don Perkins, Windstream senior vice president of Business Marketing. “Ethernet expansion represents continued network and product integration, resulting in greater efficiency, consistency, and reliability for many organizations. This growth further positions Windstream as a key service provider in the carrier Ethernet industry.”