NTT and IP Infusion have collaborated to introduce the IOWN Network Solution (400G), which combines NTT’s innovative technologies with those of IP Infusion, a US-based software company. The solution is designed to deliver high-speed, high-capacity communication while minimising power consumption.
NTT and ACCESS have been deepening their collaboration in the development and commercialisation of network operating systems, supported by a capital and business alliance to advance the IOWN initiative globally. Today, nine companies—NTT, NTT Advanced Technology (NTT-AT), ACCESS, IP Infusion, Broadcom, Edgecore Networks, UfiSpace, Fujitsu Optical Components (FOC), and NEC—are announcing their readiness to provide 400Gbps high-speed data centre connectivity through their combined expertise and technologies. NTT-AT and IP Infusion will be responsible for selling this solution.
The IOWN Network Solution (400G) will enable data centre operators and telecom carriers to build simpler and more cost-effective inter-data centre networks, leveraging 400G ZR/ZR+ for long-distance, high-speed transmission. It promises to reduce network construction and operation costs by 50%, along with a 40% reduction in power consumption and rack space usage.
Background
As data centres experience an exponential rise in power consumption due to the increased use of generative AI and machine learning, the demand for low-cost, high-speed connections between data centres is growing. This is essential for distributing the data processing load and reducing power usage. Current network devices, which integrate hardware and software, offer limited flexibility, particularly with optical transceivers. The need for disaggregation of software and hardware, as well as more flexible transceiver options, has become increasingly apparent.
IOWN network solution overview
This solution offers a switch/router capable of 400Gbps long-distance transmission. Its design separates software from hardware, comprising a network operating system (OS), white box switches/routers, and 400G ZR/ZR+ optical transceivers. Customers can choose from a range of validated, open-standard optical transceivers to suit their needs.
Key features:
- The solution includes optical transceivers from FOC and NEC, equipped with NTT Innovative Devices Corporation’s Photonics-Electronics Convergence technology, ensuring low-power, stable transmission, and compliance with open standards
- A flexible switch/router system is created by combining a network OS with white box hardware, allowing customers to select the optimal combination of switches/routers and optical transceivers to meet their specific requirements
- By integrating transponder functions into switches/routers, the solution reduces procurement and maintenance costs, power usage, rack space, and installation time
- The network OS, developed through the collaboration between NTT, ACCESS, and IP Infusion, offers advanced functions to enhance network maintenance and operational quality
NTT, NTT-AT, ACCESS, IP Infusion, and their partners will continue to work together to meet the growing demand for high-speed, high-capacity data centre connections, while also reducing power consumption. The solution is also designed to support advancements in related networks, offering high-capacity, low-latency, and low-power communication between data centres and other locations through the IOWN Advanced Pluggable Network (APN).
“The presence of various global partners is essential to the promotion of IOWN. We are pleased that a new IOWN solution combining the technologies of NTT’s IOWN and each company will be offered to the world,” said Takehiko Kawazoe, Senior Executive Vice President, NTT. “The NTT Group will continue to work with global partners to release IOWN products as soon as possible and contribute to advance the customer networks. By implementing IOWN, which is a next-generation communication platform with high capacity, low latency, and low-power consumption, we will contribute to realize a well-being society.”
“ACCESS has grown by developing products and services that leverage innovative new telecom technologies, such as mobile Internet and IP-TV, to deliver new experiences in our daily lives. As generative AI technology rapidly advances, the high-speed, low-power communication technology realised by IOWN can overcome the challenges faced by modern data centres. IOWN will provide a new business opportunity for ACCESS by making widespread AI experiences available to everyone. We are extremely proud to be able to expand this solution globally alongside our wonderful partners,” concluded Kiyo Oishi, President and CEO, ACCESS.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
