A fully meshed backbone network for data-intensive sciences and SDN services

This paper gives a brief report on a new 100-Gbps academic backbone network, called SINET5, which started full-scale operations in April 2016. SINET5 has more than 50 backbone routers and forms a fully meshed topology by using MPLS-TP systems to provide researchers in every Japanese prefecture with 100-Gbps access, minimized-latency, and SDN-friendly environments. SINET5 gives a multi-layer, dynamically configurable, and performance-tunable platform for a wide range of network applications including inter-cloud services. The multi-layer network design, new functions including SDN and cloud-oriented functions, and field test results on performance and reliability are reported.

I. Introduction

The Science Information Network (SINET) is a Japanese academic backbone network operated by NII for a wide range of research fields, such as high-energy physics, nuclear fusion science, astronomy, geodesy, seismology, and computing science [1]. In response to researchers' requests, SINET has provided a nationwide high-speed connectivity and advanced network services such as multi-layer virtual private networks (VPNs), bandwidth-on-demand services, and directly connected cloud services [2], [3]. With support from the Science Council of Japan and all Japanese Associations of Universities, NII decided to launch a new SINET, called SINET5, in April 2016. SINET5 forms a nationwide backbone network covering all prefectures with 100-Gbps lines, attains high-performance and high-availability, and provide a variety of services by using reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), multi-protocol label switching - transport profile (MPLS-TP) systems, and backbone routers. SINET5 also introduces software-defined networking (SDN), network functions virtualization (NFV), and performance-tunable capabilities.