CoAdna's Optical Virtual Switch Takes on New Data Center Role
We all know that data centers have become a whole lot more valuable in recent months, particularly as a mobile workforce turns to cloud-based systems and major operations like big data analysis call on extra power. CoAdna Photonics is taking advantage of this development, meanwhile, to make a few modifications to its Optical Virtual Switch (OVS) system to help drive data center interconnect links.
More specifically, the 1RU OVS systems now allow for reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) systems like broadcasting, drop and continue, wavelength cross connect, and several others. However, the 1RU OVS—based on CoAdna's LightFlow wavelength selective switch (WSS—allows these ROADM functions to be brought out in a smaller, as well as less pricey, package than the standard ROADM system is generally seen. OVS platforms like CoAdna's are commonly put to work in pay-as-you-grow operations, used in four degree mesh networks complete with fiber protection and wavelength options, so such are often prized for flexibility and scalability in the field. The system can thus handle software-defined networking (SDN) systems, along with the standard simple network management protocol (SNMP) and command-line interface (CLI) protocols.
With the OVS systems in place, data centers can take the incoming traffic from muxponders and core switches and reconfigure it for data exchanges with other data centers at several different times. Using SDN systems, the process can end up with better bandwidth use and lowered costs overall, allowing for more distributed traffic flow, which prevents high-volume use from slowing down the network by moving some traffic to lower-volume use times.
CoAdna's CEO and chairman, Dr. Jim Yuan, offered comment “ROADM features have shown great value in reducing both opex and capex for long-haul and metro optical networks. CoAdna's updated OVS brings those values to DCI networks. Simplicity and low cost are two necessary characteristics of equipment for data center applications. Our team incorporates those great features in the OVS making it affordable, easy to use, and all packed in a one rack unit box. We look forward to full commercialization of this product in supporting cost-effective and environment-friendly cloud services that help make people's lives better.”
Data centers represent a major opportunity these days, particularly as more and more traffic goes through these systems. Dealing with high-volume data center traffic often used to mean expensive capacity additions and substantial capital expenditure (CAPEX) spending. With a system like CoAdna's, businesses can use what's already on hand in a better way, producing an ability to handle some amount of extra traffic without having to buy upgrades for the entire system.
It's not a bulletproof solution, of course; at some point upgrades are necessary. It's possible to accommodate small increases in traffic by better using what's on hand, however, and that's what CoAdna looks to accomplish.
Edited by Maurice Nagle
