Cisco and Comcast test 100Gb Ethernet

Optical infrastructure enables transmission of 100GE over DWDM network..

Comcast has successfully completed a 100 Gigabit Ethernet test over its existing backbone infrastructure between Philadelphia and McLean, using what it claims is the industry's first 100GE router interface.

The Cisco CRS-1 100GE uses Comcast's existing optical infrastructure to enable transmission of 100GE over Dense Wave Division Multiplexing fibre optic networks.

Cisco said that this type of technology will enable companies like Comcast to increase bandwidth per wavelength by a factor of 10 over the initial deployed capability.

It also creates efficiencies by simplifying routing and operations through the use of statistically multiplexed 100GE links, in comparison to carrying the same amount of traffic split over more commonly used 10GE links.

"This demonstration is another important step in the future of 100GE networking," said John Schanz, executive vice president of national engineering and technical operations at Comcast Cable.

Kelly Ahuja, Cisco vice president and general manager of core routing business unit, added: "The Cisco CRS-1 was purpose built to deal with the exploding growth in IP traffic fuelled by video-based services."