PSINet to Revolutionize Internet Traffic with Lucent Technologies' Next-Generation Network

Strategic Insights -

Lucent Technologies has announced that PSINet, a leading Internet Service Provider, will be the first to carry Frame Relay traffic at OC-192 or 10 gigabits per second (Gb/s) speeds over a core optical network. This significant upgrade will enable seamless transport of dramatically increased volumes of data, voice, and video traffic. PSINet's decision to use Lucent's next-generation switch/router, the NX64000, and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical networking system, WaveStar OLS-400G, will provide a high-performance network with scalable infrastructure, services, and reliability.

Key Takeaways:

  • PSINet will be the first to carry Frame Relay traffic at OC-192 or 10 Gb/s speeds over a core optical network, representing a 400% increase over current transmission rates.
  • The Lucent NX64000 switch/router is the industry's first to support the OC-192 standard rate interface of 10 Gb/s and delivers the highest switch capacity per chassis at 6.4 terabits, 100 times the capacity of commercially available switch/routers.
  • PSINet will trial Lucent's next-generation WaveStar OLS-400G DWDM optical networking system, which can transport information over as many as 80 wavelengths of light on a single fiber, each supporting speeds of up to 10 Gb/s.
  • The WaveStar OLS 400G has been generally available since 1998, and the NX64000 will be generally available by the end of December.
  • PSINet plans to install the Lucent network equipment during the first quarter of 2000.
  • The NX64000 supports interfaces from 45 Mb/s (DS3) to 10 Gb/s (OC-192) and features extensively tested software, including full-scale implementations of standards-compliant routing protocols.

Statistics:

  • 400% increase in transmission rates
  • 10 Gb/s speeds (OC-192)
  • 6.4 terabits switch capacity per chassis (NX64000)
  • 100 times the capacity of commercially available switch/routers (NX64000)
  • 80 wavelengths of light on a single fiber (WaveStar OLS-400G)
  • 10 Gb/s per wavelength (WaveStar OLS-400G)
  • $2.2 billion global DWDM equipment market (as reported by KMI Corp.)
  • 29% market share of the global DWDM equipment market held by Lucent (as reported by KMI Corp.)

Sources:

  • PRNewswire: "Lucent Technologies Announces PSINet's Selection of Lucent's Next-Generation Switch/Router"
  • Lucent Technologies: "Lucent NX64000 Switch/Router"
  • Lucent Technologies: "WaveStar OLS 400G DWDM Optical Networking System"
  • KMI Corp.: "Global DWDM Equipment Market"