Representing the next generation of connectivity, 400G has arrived to Washington State. As large data centers shift to faster, more scalable infrastructures, high-capacity connectivity is necessary for an ever-expanding number of users, devices, and applications. Recognizing that need, NoaNet is currently working on deploying a 400 Gbps (400G) ring right here in Washington State. The MPLS ring is estimated to be complete and operational by October 2022.
Quadrupling the data transfer speed of 100G capabilities, 400G serves the massive bandwidth demands being placed on network infrastructure providers. Through our open-access network, carriers, ISPs, and WISPs will have access to ultra-high-capacity networks to support open systems, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cloud storage. These applications are all driving exponential traffic growth, and things are only getting busier. 400G provides the power, efficiency, and density required for 5G and emerging applications, covering everything from virtual reality to high-quality video streaming.
Our statewide 400G MPLS ring establishes high-capacity express routes between key NoaNet nodes. This allows NoaNet to flexibly offer higher capacity internet circuits from Seattle and Spokane to Central Washington (Wenatchee & Tri-Cities). This 400G ring also allows NoaNet to expand 100G capabilities out to more rural locations, which also helps diversify and protect 10G circuits.
NoaNet’s deployment plan consists of three phases: Phase 1, the core 400G ring, and phases 2 & 3, which extended 100G links out from the 400G nodes to the lower-demand nodes.
The ring’s 400G “express route” increases the quality of the NoaNet internet connectivity by moving away from a core that has historically been dependent on link aggregation. Moving highly dynamic internet traffic from link-aggregated links will improve the customer experience by decreasing end-to-end latency.
Implementing a 400G ring also made financial sense, because rather than making costly incremental upgrades (to 100G), NoaNet is now poised to respond ahead of customer demand. NoaNet can act quickly and competitively when opportunities arise, ready to serve with the highest possible capacity solution available.
Nationally, core networks will need to upgrade to 400 Gbps or faster to accommodate this data firehose need of ultra-quick connections, converged networks, and richer applications. Washington State will be ready.
Key Benefits
- Provides route-protected 10G services
o Reduction in truck rolls during fiber cuts (operational savings)
o Better overall customer experience (automatic re-routes)
- Provides high-capacity internet circuits
- Express routes decrease latency
- Moves from link aggregation in the core will reduce latency even further
- Avoids link congestion when one route fails, and traffic re-routes
- Enables less complex traffic engineering techniques
- Enables quick provisioning of upgrades to 10G (Cell towers, Schools, etc.)
- Increases service level offerings matched only by the highest-quality providers in the nation!
Network operators face increasing bandwidth demands now, and capacity needs to be reliable and cost-efficient. With this 400G ring being completed this year in Washington State, we’re ready for whatever comes next!
Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) is a not-for-profit wholesale telecommunications mutual corporation serving Washington State since 2000. As a mission-driven organization, NoaNet focuses on bringing world-class telecommunications technology to hard-to-reach communities which lack access to high-speed, affordable broadband services.