Internet2 and Cisco Push Coherent Optics Farther, Redefining Long-Haul Flexibility and Network Capacity on Demand

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Breakthrough Trial Demonstrates 400 Gbps Link Spanning Over 3,000 km Without Transponders or Regeneration

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet2 and Cisco recently demonstrated a breakthrough in coherent optics technologies, achieving a 400 Gbps link over 3,000 km on the Internet2 national research and education (R&E) network. The field trial — conducted between Albany, New York, and Indianapolis, Indiana — required no modular transponders or signal regeneration, setting a new benchmark for router-to-router direct long-haul routed optical networking.

This collaboration showcases industry advancements that improve efficiency and flexibility for high-performance networks using coherent pluggable modules. The results offer real-world benefits for the R&E community, enabling high-capacity, point-to-point connectivity on demand while reducing complexity, power, and equipment requirements.

Coherent Optics on the Internet2 Network

Internet2 began the strategic effort to deploy coherent pluggable optics in 2023 to expand its network capacity, efficiency, and scalability. Use cases included reclaiming metro network capacity, interconnecting with state and regional R&E networks, augmenting medium-haul capacity, and implementing new points of presence.

With coherent optics directly installed on network routers across its U.S. footprint, Internet2 has enabled 400 Gbps on both metro capacity and spans of up to 600 km. Currently, 24 of the Internet2 400 Gbps backbone links use Cisco coherent optics, with additional links coming online each quarter. This means over 20% of Internet2's 400 Gbps backbones now use coherent pluggable technology. The latest field trial with Cisco builds on that progress.

"Just a short time ago, we could only achieve 3,000 km distances using traditional module-based transponders, and the links were limited to 100 Gbps," said Chris Wilkinson, senior director of network infrastructure and operations at Internet2. "Now, in collaboration with Cisco, Internet2 has demonstrated 400 Gbps at those same distances using coherent optics," Wilkinson added. "This represents a remarkable improvement in achievable transmission distance, allowing us to provide highly efficient, targeted bandwidth to support emerging needs in the research and education community."

Collaborative Field Trial for Long-Haul Capacity

The field trial used Cisco's newly developed QSFP-DD-based 400 Gbps Ultra Long Haul coherent optic, which uses less than 24 watts of power and can be plugged into existing 400G QSFP-DD based platforms. The system's key transmission components are part of Internet2's operational network infrastructure, including Cisco 8201 routers powered by Cisco Silicon One with a third-party line system. Based on a physical infrastructure consisting primarily of SMF-28 Ultra fiber, it uses a simple but highly optimized EDFA-amplified architecture to compensate for signal loss.

"This breakthrough trial with Internet2 marks a game changer in long-haul networking," said Bill Gartner, senior vice president and general manager, Optical Systems and Optics at Cisco. "Cisco's next generation 400G ULH coherent optics redefine capacity and flexibility, delivering unmatched performance and efficiency across vast distances."

Because the field trial took place on Internet2's live operational network, the results strongly indicate real-world performance.

Looking Ahead to the Next Evolution of the Internet2 Network

When Internet2 launched the latest version of its network, a key objective was to build a greener, more sustainable infrastructure without compromising speed, capabilities, or capacity. Industry advancements in optical and routing technologies enabled Internet2 to right-size its colocation space and cut power consumption by 68%. As demand for 100 and 400 Gbps connectivity continues to rise, sustaining those efficiency gains remains a priority and a challenge.

Interoperability is also essential for Internet2's multi-vendor platform, ensuring seamless integration across the R&E network ecosystem. This flexibility, resilience, and scalability support evolving community needs for research, scholarship, and education.

Now, Internet2 is preparing for the next evolution of its network. With a focus on routing optimization and integrity, network transparency and automation, and expanded support for national and global research, this initiative contributes to a strong foundation of capacity-optimized optical and packet infrastructure — paving the way for the future of R&E networking.

About Internet2

Internet2^® is a nonprofit, member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation's leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 serves 337 U.S. universities, 58 government agencies, 46 regional and state education networks and through them supports more than 80,000 community anchor institutions, over 1,000 InCommon participants, 60 leading corporations working with our community, and 70 national research and education network operators that represent more than 100 countries.

Internet2 delivers a diverse portfolio of technology solutions that leverages, integrates, and amplifies the strengths of its members and helps support their educational, research, and community service missions. Internet2's core infrastructure components include the nation's largest and fastest research and education network that was built to deliver advanced, customized services that are accessed and secured by the community-developed trust and identity framework. For more information: https://internet2.edu.

SOURCE Internet2