​DANTE wins Best Technology Innovation Award for GÉANT network

 

Cambridge, UK | 05 March 2013

Innovative project awarded accolade in the Computer Weekly European User Awards for Networking

 

DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe) has been awarded ‘Best Technology Innovation’ for the research and education network GÉANT, in the 2013 Computer Weekly Awards.

The GÉANT network, built and operated by DANTE on behalf of Europe’s National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), has long been relied upon by some of the world’s largest scientific institutions.  Together with Europe's NRENs, GÉANT connects 40 million researchers and students in over 8,000 institutions across 40 countries.

DANTE’s winning entry, submitted by Infinera, was selected by a panel of independent judges evaluating case studies for innovation excellence in network design, implementation and use of application to improve user business.

Best Technology Innovation

The GÉANT project was recognised for its far-sighted approach to handling the sky-rocketing growth in data generated by European science and innovation, the so-called “data deluge”.  Employing world class solutions using Infinera’s new DTN-X platform to meet the ever-expanding requirements for higher speed transmission to support the data deluge, GÉANT is able to provide highly resilient terabit networking above and beyond current requirements.  The implications of this robust high bandwidth connectivity go far beyond anything the research community could have imagined a few years ago.  With the capacity to handle continued growth in data volumes, GÉANT is continuing to transform the way researchers collaborate, supporting research projects that deliver real societal benefit in a variety of research disciplines such as climate change, fuel and food sources and security, medicine and healthcare. 

Computer Weekly judges said: “Being able to deal with the vast volumes of data involved in real (or near real) time requires solid technology and different approaches. This project does a great job of dealing with tomorrow’s problems.”

Michael Enrico, Chief Technology Officer, DANTE said: “It is crucial that the GÉANT network has the bandwidth to support the growing data needs of our users. Our current upgrade to 500Gbps (gigabits per second) involves refreshing 50,000km of cabling and replacing all existing equipment with the latest transmission and switching technology. No mean feat. It is fantastic that our endeavours have been acknowledged by the Computer Weekly European Awards and we are always pleased when the potential impact of R&E networks on global science and innovation is recognised."​

 

The winning project

DANTE needed a solution that would enable GÉANT to continue to support the ever-growing data needs of experiments and applications that are crucial to research.

The winning solution

After a rigorous bidding process, DANTE selected the new Infinera DTN-X platform. Many of the GÉANT network’s users require large amounts of bandwidth very quickly, and a key factor in DANTE’s selection of the DTN-X was bandwidth virtualisation for integrated optical transport network (OTN) switching and Generalised Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS).  GÉANT is now able to rapidly deploy large amounts of optical bandwidth. This enables the company to rapidly deploy large amounts of optical bandwidth. The roll-out will be fully complete by May 2013.

​“We’re proud to be associated with such a world-class network that enables its users to innovate quickly and deliver real tangible benefits. DANTE and Europe’s NRENs have shown great foresight in selecting the DTN-X, as our subsequent surge to the number one market position has proven.  We look forward to continuing this strong relationship.” Chris Champion, Vice President EMEA, Infinera

 

For the Computer Weekly Awards article, see Computer Weekly

 

About GÉANT GÉANT is the high speed European communication network dedicated to research and education. In combination with its NREN partners, GÉANT creates a secure, high-speed research infrastructure that serves 40 million users in over 8,000 institutions across 40 European countries. Building on the success of its predecessors, GÉANT has been created around the needs of users, providing flexible, end-to-end services that transform the way that researchers collaborate. GÉANT is at the heart of global research networking through wide ranging connections with other world regions, underpinning vital projects that bridge the digital divide and benefit society as a whole. The network and associated services comprise the GÉANT project (GN3plus), a collaborative effort comprising 40 project partners: 37 European NRENs, DANTE, TERENA and NORDUnet (representing the 5 Nordic countries), and 30 Open Call project partners. GÉANT is operated by DANTE on behalf of Europe's NRENs.

  

About DANTE DANTE is a non-profit organisation, coordinator of large-scale projects co-funded by the European Commission, and working in partnership with European National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) to plan, build and operate advanced networks for research and education. Established in 1993, DANTE has been fundamental to the success of pan-European research and education networking. DANTE has built and operates GÉANT, which provides the data communications infrastructure essential to the success of many research projects in Europe. DANTE is involved in worldwide initiatives to interconnect countries in the other regions to one another and to GÉANT. DANTE currently manages projects focussed on the Mediterranean, Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia regions through the EUMEDCONNECT, TEIN, ORIENTplus, AfricaConnect and CAREN projects respectively. For more information, visit www.dante.net