Technology demonstration offers first full 100G payload over a single wavelength with OTU4 mapping and enhanced forward error correction

LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 17 -- Ciena Corporation, the network specialist, today announced details of its live 100G demonstration at the SC Conference 2008 (SC08) in Austin, Texas, Nov. 17-20, in booth #849. Unlike previous 100G exhibitions that combine two 40G optical signals or inversely multiplex ten 10G optical signals, Ciena will execute the first true, single wavelength 100G real-time transmission of a 100G OTN signal composed of a TDM multiplex of ten 10GbE signals.

100G Demo:

Delivered over a single wavelength with an actual line rate of 112Gbps, a true 100Gbps payload is OTN framed and enhanced forward error correction is applied. The full C-band tunable transceiver shown in this demo is in a CN 4200 RS FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform and uses dual polarization RZ-DQPSK modulation, allowing for deployment alongside 10G and 40G channels on existing DWDM systems. Live performance parameters are also displayed.

The transceiver's hardware technology employs a flexible architecture that is capable of adapting to any standard 10G client rate utilizing standard XFP optical modules, while the firmware allows for rapid adaptation to emerging OTN standards.

Ciena & High Performance Computing

Ciena has extensive experience in delivering innovative optical and Ethernet switching, multiplexing and transmission platforms -- including CoreDirector Optical Multiservice Switch, CoreSteam Agility Optical Transport System and the CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform family -- to support the high-performance computing needs of government agencies as well as research and education organizations worldwide. Notable collaborations include:

• Qwest: Ciena supplies the technology, equipment and services that drive both Qwest's core optical infrastructure as well as delivers next-generation optical and Ethernet services across the metro to end-customers. Together, Qwest and Ciena have successfully built and managed customer networks from the largest private regional optical networks to point-to-point optical or Ethernet services for business customers.
  
  
• Internet2's Dynamic Circuit Networks (DCN): This robust research network leverages Ciena's CoreDirector platform to allow users to dynamically provision high bandwidth point-to-point circuits of up to 10Gbps, allowing the research and education community to effectively collaborate and pool resources for computation and analysis of large data sets.
  
  
• U.S. Large Hadron Collider Network (USLHCNet): As key components of USLHCNet, Ciena's CoreDirectors enable collaborative research under the leadership of the California Institute of Technology and CERN. Through USLHCNet, Caltech dynamically sets up lightpaths across the network which interconnects the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland with key access points in Amsterdam, New York and Chicago.
  
  
• SCinet: Ciena is again participating in the SCinet initiative to deliver high bandwidth connectivity to the show floor. Ciena's CN 4200 RS is supporting delivery of up to eight 10G wavelengths for use by the SC08 participants for their live demonstrations.

For further information about Ciena's demo at SC08 or to schedule a meeting at the company's booth to see it, contact:

Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
(781) 418-2415
mquerzoli@daviesmurphy.com

About Ciena

Ciena (NASDAQ: CIEN) specializes in the transition to service-driven networks. Ciena provides flexible platforms, intelligent software and professional services to help its customers use their networks to fundamentally change the way they compete. With a growing global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value in communications networks worldwide. The company routinely posts recent news, financial results and other important announcements and information about Ciena at its Web site at www.ciena.com.

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Source: Ciena