DE-CIX has strategically advanced the Deutsche Glasfaser Group's connectivity by being the inaugural customer to leverage an 800 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) port at Europe's largest Internet Exchange: DE-CIX Frankfurt. This unprecedented milestone signifies not just a technological leap for the interconnection ecosystem but marks a historic moment for the global interconnection industry as DE-CIX becomes the first Internet Exchange (IX) operator globally to connect with 800GE technology.
The touchstone of this system lies in Nokia's ground-breaking 800G-ZR+ single-lambda optics, facilitating 800 gigabits per second on one wavelength, integrated into advanced 800GE IP routers. The optics herald a step forward: enhanced data performance, efficiency, and energy conservation.
In the realm of data transfer, the 800G-ZR+ optics optimize data flow by collating all traffic over a singular wavelength. Previously, data traversed multiple wavelengths where amalgamation was essential post-transmission. This enhancement simplifies the process, sparing hardware, space, cabling, and lowers operational costs due to reduced cross connects. The standardized optical modules, easily integrable into routers, signify simplified operations and future scalability for networks.
Dr. Thomas King, CTO at DE-CIX, expressed enthusiasm in supplying Deutsche Glasfaser with this pioneering technology, highlighting the role of Nokia’s 800GE routers. The fully automated software configuration for routers, optics, and port provisioning epitomizes efficiency, as noted by Tim Kleefass, VP Interconnection Platform at DE-CIX. This automation embodies an efficient and scalable ‘Interconnection as a Service’ platform within the global ecosystem.
Well-regarded as one of Germany's premier fibre optic providers, Deutsche Glasfaser propels a national expansion for fibre to the home (FTTH) connections. Through the 800 GE port at DE-CIX Frankfurt, Pascal Koster, COO at Deutsche Glasfaser, underscores setting a pioneering standard for their network infrastructure’s sustainability while exceeding 1.6 Terabits/second at Europe’s largest IX.
This decade-long alliance with Nokia fosters innovations in routing and optical transmission solutions, with both companies collectively setting new performance benchmarks. Matthieu Bourguignon of Nokia Networks Infrastructure conveys how the collaboration enables deploying optical advances in a highly advanced interconnection atmosphere, impacting global data exchange dynamics.
From streaming and video conferencing to gaming, the bandwidth demand escalates, intensifying data transfer volumes globally. Data traffic at DE-CIX IXs attained a record in 2024, breaking 68 exabytes, marking an increase by 15% from 2023 – outweighing 2020’s statistics. Notably, DE-CIX Frankfurt documented a significant data flow increase, underscoring its critical role in the global network.
