AT&T succeeds in 100-gigabit Ethernet test

Wireless and cable provider AT&T earlier this week announced it has completed successful field trials of its 100-gigabit backbone network technology. The provider used the new Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System for its tests along with matching modules on the client side and artificial traffic generators to simulate conditions. The test was performed over a 560-mile stretch between Louisiana and Florida with optical fiber providing the backbone.

The current US industry standard is a 40-Gigabit network, the largest example of which AT&T deployed back in 2008. The new, 100-Gigabit network is expected to become commercially available sometime over the next few years.

AT&T says its current network carries 19 petabytes of traffic during the average business day and that it needs as much speed as possible to address the backhaul of its network, where congestion is increasingly likely. The newfound bandwidth would support AT&T's wireless, wired and enterprise customers' voice and data needs.

By Electronista Staff