OFC 2023: Cisco, Sipartech, trial 400G Over 1,337km

Technologies and Products

Cisco and neutral European infrastructure carrier, Sipartech, have successfully completed a trial deployment of a 400 Gigabits per second (400G) circuit using the Cisco NCS 5504 network convergence system together with the Cisco 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD high-power Bright optical module over 1,337 km.

Sipartech used a Cisco chassis with the 400G QSFP-DD capable line cards over a third-party line system, with eight ROADMs, a typical ‘alien wave’ deployment for the Cisco Routed Optical Network. The routers were upgraded with the 400G QSFP-DD Bright ZR+ optics at both ends. The speed of the deployment was done within a few hours. This model negates a significant amount of physical hardware components, helping to reduce the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing the equipment.

The long-haul route used for this trial in the production network was from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand to Lyon, and back to Paris over mixed fibre. Sipartech has been deploying its own fibre and optical transmission networks in France and Europe since 2008, interconnecting major data centres to ensure high-quality services. Following the trial’s success Sipartech says it will use Cisco’s Bright 400G ZR+ QSFP-DD high-power module to roll out 400G transponder-free services across its network footprint to connect more international businesses and ensure quality connections.

“The simplicity of the Routed Optical Networking solution demonstrated record Bright ZR+ performance and is another proof point of the significant power and space saving customers can achieve,” said Bill Gartner, SVP/GM, Cisco Optical Systems and Optics.

“With the interoperability of Cisco’s equipment, we can deploy our next generation 400G+ services with speed, simplicity, and flexibility to meet our customers’ needs, while optimising energy expenditure and our carbon footprint as part of our global strategy,” said Julien Santina, Sipartech CEO.

For more information, visit www.cisco.com