Forskningsnettet

The project is over.

In the beginning of 2004 Forskningsnettet was the coordinator of a series of tests involving the usage of GRID technology and 10 Gbps Ethernet in cooperation with a several Danish universities and external partners.

The tests
The tests were carried out on the following:

• test of a GRID software for future distribution of data from the LCH ring at CERN.
• test on calculation models for investigation of LHC data from CERN.
• test of 10 Gbps Ethernet technology on long distances (>250 km), without regeneration of signal.

Results
The tests showed that it is now possible to run ordinary Ethernet, end to end, over distances of up to 525 km - at 10 gigabit per second!

The new results have therefore generated quite some interest in network circles as the group shows us that much expensive equipment can be saved, simply by optimizing transmission of a long haul optical Ethernet. With optical amplification only, and the use of special dispersion compensating fibers (lowers the signal distortion) it was possible to comply fully with the 10 GbE standard over 525 km without regenerating the signal.

Project participants
From Denmark
Nordic Data Grid Facility
NorduGrid
Danish Technical University (DTU): COM Center
University of Southern Denmark (SDU): IMADA
University of Copenhagen (KU): Datalogical Institute and Niels Bohr Institute.
University of Aalborg (AUC)
UNI•C/Forskningsnettet
Global Connect
CERN

International particpants
NorduNet
SweGrid
Uninett
Umeå, High Performance Computing to the North
Supercomputer Centre, Linkoping University
Centre For Subatomic Research, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Canada

Press release
Press release about 10GE-test over 525 km