Nokia deploys modular DCI to scale ESpanix peering platform

Nokia has deployed a modular optical data center interconnect (DCI) solution for ESpanix, the largest neutral internet exchange provider in Spain. The solution connects three data centers in the Madrid metro area, using dual optical links between data centers for redundancy.

With an initial capacity of 4 Terabits Per Second (Tb/sec) between data centers, the solution enables ESpanix to provide more reliable and responsive connectivity to meet its customers’ rapidly increasing internet connectivity needs.

The solution is based on the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Interconnect – Modular (PSI-M), a compact, modular DCI-optimized platform with pay-as-you grow scalability. The 1830 PSI-M uses Nokia’s programmable PSE-3 coherent DSP (digital signal processor) modules to maximize capacity and performance for increasing video and cloud traffic demands. Its redundant design meets stringent network reliability requirements.

ESpanix has deployed the Nokia 1830 PSI-M units to support multiple client-side interfaces at speeds up to 400G to meet growing traffic needs, with each unit supporting dual line-side interfaces and multiple 400G wavelengths to provide high-capacity connectivity between the data centers that host its internet peering platforms. The solution is ready to meet ESpanix’s future bandwidth, capacity and reliability needs, including support for ring topologies to connect additional data centers and provide greater network robustness between its peering platforms.

Cristobal Lopez Cañas, Managing Director of the Association of ESpanix Carrier Networks Providers, said: “Our strategy is to anticipate internet traffic growth and maximize the performance of our network to meet our members’ expectations for reliable and affordable internet exchange services – today and into the future. We selected the Nokia PSI-M solution for its cost-competitive density, high-capacity performance and ease of operations that enables us to quickly scale optical capacity to meet the increasing service demands of our members. Operators and service providers associated with ESpanix rely fully on the ESpanix network nodes distributed across the major data centers in Spain to ensure safe and fast internet peering.”

Manuel Ortiz Fernandez, Senior Vice President of EMEA Webscale business at Nokia, said: “During the pandemic, ESpanix experienced a significant increase in traffic, which tripled in a few months to over 1.2 Tb/sec. With demand for gaming, teleworking, cloud services and online entertainment set to continue, Nokia is pleased to have helped ESpanix rapidly increase its network capacity 10 times to meet the current needs of its customers."