The Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) has selected Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers for its new Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) upgrade.
Cisco said that these improvements will enhance capacity to support increasing global collaboration, distance learning, distributed computing, data mining, and other advanced applications.
The ORION project involves upgrades to the network’s architecture and physical connection points and will introduce new features including enhanced support for IPv6 in preparation for the impending exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), quality of service and enhanced traffic engineering.
The company said that by deploying the Cisco ASR 9000, ORION can consolidate several networks onto one IP network, thereby lowering operating and maintenance costs.
As a platform for Carrier Ethernet and IP/MPLS networks, the Cisco ASR 9000 delivers a per-slot capacity of up to 400 gigabits per second and the ability to scale up to 6.4 terabits per second while maintaining a reduced carbon footprint.
The 100GE-capable Cisco ASR 9000 is part of a multiple phase upgrade to ORION’s entire network infrastructure, spanning more than 5,800 kilometers (3,600 miles) and scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2011.
Content from our partners
ORION president and CEO Darin Graham said 100G is a significant technology milestone for ORION, particularly given the explosive growth they are seeing in their network usage.
"The network is essential to the day-to-day activities of our leading research and education institutions, engaged in world-leading research, innovation and scientific discovery," Graham said.
