Comcast and Cisco Announce Successful Live Network Demonstration
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, today announced it has successfully completed a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) technology test over its existing backbone infrastructure between Philadelphia and McLean, VA using the industry's first 100GE router interface developed for the Cisco CRS-1 routing system. This demonstration is another example of Comcast's commitment to technology that supports the rapid growth of new applications and services.
The Cisco CRS-1 100GE interface uses Comcast's existing optical infrastructure to enable transmission of 100GE over DWDM fiber optic networks. Utilizing this type of technology will enable companies, like Comcast, to increase bandwidth per wavelength by a factor of 10 over the initial deployed capability. It also creates efficiencies by simplifying routing and operations through the use of statistically multiplexed 100GE links, in comparison to carrying the same amount of traffic split over more commonly used 10GE links.
"This demonstration is another important step in the future of 100GE networking and we're pleased with Cisco's latest advancements," said John Schanz, Executive Vice President of National Engineering and Technical Operations for Comcast Cable. "Comcast's single converged core IP network already carries more video, voice, and data traffic than any other, and this new achievement will allow us to scale for tomorrow, while continuing to drive capital and operational efficiencies today."
"The Cisco CRS-1 was purpose-built to deal with the exploding growth in IP traffic that has been fueled by video-based services," said Kelly Ahuja, Cisco vice president and general manager of core routing business unit. "By developing a 100GE interface for the Cisco CRS-1 platform, providers like Comcast can take advantage of economies of scale, flexibility and increase the quality of service delivery as they move towards 100G IPoDWDM networks."
The implementation tested by Comcast and Cisco is consistent with the emerging IEEE 802.3ba 100GE standard and validates the use of 100GE and IPoDWDM technologies over Comcast's own production network, which was the first, and is currently the world's largest 40G IPoDWDM network.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services. With 24.7 million cable customers, 14.1 million high-speed Internet customers, and 5.2 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten Comcast SportsNet networks and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.