Cyan (NYSE:CYNI), a provider of SDN, NFV, and packet-optical solutions for network operators, has introduced its N-Series Open Hyperscale Transport Platform (OHTP), a new family of high-density, high-capacity transport products designed for cloud, content, and data center interconnect (DCI) networks.
Leveraging best-in-breed commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) silicon and photonic components combined with an open, carrier-grade Linux network operating system, the new N-Series family of products are being designed to enable cloud, content, and data center operators to scale their interconnect networks to meet rapidly growing traffic demands more simply and cost-effectively.
The first member of the N-Series family is the N11, an ultra-compact and power-efficient optical platform that is designed to deliver 800 Gbps of total line and client capacity in one rack unit (1RU), or up to 34 Tbps in a seven-foot rack. Designed as a modular shelf, the N11 will offer 100G client port densities, a low-power consumption per 100G, and selectable 200G coherent line interfaces.
In addition, when paired with Cyan’s Z-Series 96-channel ROADM, the N-Series will be able to drive up to 19.2 Tbps on a single fiber. The N11 is focused on transponding and 100G client interfaces to meet cloud and content provider requirements for data center interconnect.
The N11 is expected to be available for customer trials in Q2 and available for sale in early Q3 of 2015.
Data Center Interconnect
“Cloud and content providers are focused on operational efficiency and simplicity and driving the lowest cost per Gbps, as we have seen played out in both the server market and the white box Ethernet switch space,” said Sterling Perrin, senior analyst, Heavy Reading. “With the new N-Series OHTP, Cyan is taking these concepts from the data center and applying them to data center interconnect. Heavy Reading sees the beginnings of a broad industry trend toward purpose-built products for DCI, and, with its combination of an open Linux network operating system and commercial off-the-shelf components, the N-Series is helping to define this new category.”
The Cyan N-Series’ modularity would allow for upgradeability to higher density and capacity, as well as additional transport functionality in the future. Unlike traditional optical transport solutions that are vertically integrated, the modular and COTS-based N-Series architecture would enable the platform to fully leverage advances in best-in-breed optical networking technologies and standards as they emerge to further increase performance and reduce costs.
“Cyan developed the N-Series based on specific conversations with cloud and content providers who are stuck today with closed, proprietary solutions that limit scale,” said Mike Hatfield, president, Cyan. “The N-Series is the first step in unlocking cloud and data center networks so that they can become the hyperscale programmable resources being demanded by our customers.”
Benefits of the N-Series N11 would include:
- Open software architecture – Cyan Linux network operating system and open interfaces to simplify management and eliminate vendor lock-in. This open approach is designed to allow for new application development, rapid innovation, and the ability for “DevOps” teams to roll out custom features using familiar, standard Linux tools.
- Compact, high-capacity transport at the lowest cost per Gbps – “Rack & stack” design would efficiently pack 800 Gbps of total bandwidth capacity (line and client) in 1RU to optimize space and power efficiency and deliver the lowest cost per Gbps.
- Modularity and industry-leading density – Interchangeable modules provide transponding for current high-density 100G networks, with future support for higher density and capacity, as well as additional transport functions.
