ESTABLISHING TEST PROCESSES TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL SCALE-ACROSS AND SCALE-OUT NETWORKS By Mitsuhiro Usuba & Shu Zhuang
Subsea networks (figure 1) represent one of the most demanding optical environments. From deep-ocean pressures and rough seabeds to seismic events and human factors such as ship activities, maintaining network performance poses many challenges. Another emerging issue that must
be addressed is capacity due to ever-growing Internet demand. In fact, capacity per system is rising rapidly along with the growing number of systems, with some expected to exceed 320 Tb/s. To address this scenario, hyperscalers, operators and Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) are implementing new deployment techniques. These include scale-across through technolo-
gies such as multicore fiber (MCF) and scale-out via the expansion of links, routes, and systems.
MARKET CONDITIONS REQUIRE NETWORK, TESTING EVOLUTION While technologies used in subsea optical networks have remained consistent, market dynamics require a testing evolution. Two of the most influential
Figure 1: Subsea optical networks create testing challenges, particularly due to scale-out and scale-across implementation.
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SUBBTEL FORUM | Issue 148