Facebook has created a long-distance networking system called Voyager which can transfer data faster through optical fibre network.
The new data centre network equipment, developed as part of its Telecom Infra Project, is a networking solution for open packet dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks.
Facebook said: “As the amount of global internet bandwidth required continues to grow, there is major emphasis on how to efficiently deploy fiber both within and between urban and rural areas. At Facebook, we believe that a key to efficiency is enabling open and unbundled solutions.”
The social networking giant believes Voyager as the industry’s first white box transponder and routing solution.
Facebook said: “We have been working with partners to successfully test in the market and are excited about the ecosystem that has already come together around Voyager as part of TIP.”
Voyager has been tested by US-based Equinix and MTN over its production fiber network in South Africa.
The data centre network equipment is commercially supported by ADVA Optical Networking, including all of the essential services and software support needed to make it a complete network solution that is ready for deployment.
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To enable engineering support for Voyager, Coriant is extending networking software. It is providing routing and switching as well as DWDM transmission capabilities.
The company has also launched a People and Process project group within TIP to share cultural and process transformation practices that can materially improve operators’ key metrics.
The group member includes Accenture, Agilitrix, Bell Canada, Deloitte, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NBN, SK Telecom, Tata Communications, Telefonica, and Telstra.
In July, Facebook announced OpenCellular with an aim to inspire the industry to build open source and cost-effective wireless access solutions to improve connectivity in remote areas of the world.
Since the announcement, Facebook has been working with operators to test a small number of 2G units.
Facebook engineering and infrastructure global head Jay Parikh said: “As we look toward future solutions, we are open sourcing the OpenCellular files including schematic, layout, CAD files, and software as part of TIP Access: OpenCellular project group to help accelerate creation of an open new ecosystem where new ideas can be tested.”
