Enterprise Network Infrastructure: Design, Performance & Security

LINX, JPIX launch London-to-Tokyo network route

Internet exchange operators the London Internet Exchange (LINX) and Japan Internet Xing (JPIX) have launched direct network routes between London and Tokyo, giving European networks access to JPIX’s interconnection platform and local peering opportunities in Japan. The partnership began in 2018, initially allowing networks in Tokyo to access content in London through LINX. Under the new service, LINX members can now connect directly to JPIX Tokyo through the LINX LON1 peering platform. JPIX says it will manage the connection and ordering process through a carrier partner, removing the need for customers to arrange separate local connectivity. Mike Hellers, Product Development Manager at LINX, comments, “It’s great to see this partnership flourish. We have a handful of networks now peering in London from Tokyo with quite high bandwidths. We are pleased to now be able to work with JPIX to provide the reverse route from London to Tokyo.” European networks gain Tokyo peering access The new route is intended to support demand for Japanese digital content from European networks, including content associated with anime, manga, and gaming. An introductory service for LINX members provides 1Gbps connectivity to JPIX for £400 per month, including transport bandwidth between LINX LON1 and JPIX Tokyo. Other bandwidth options up to 5Gbps are also available. Tetsuya Hamada, Senior Executive Expert at JPIX, says, “This new route is a wider project we are working on to increase the awareness of local peering in Japan for networks in Europe.” Tokyo is a major interconnection location, with more than 20 international subsea cable systems connecting Japan with North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The service expansion forms part of LINX IX Connect, a programme covering its collaborative work and network routes with other internet exchange points (IXPs), including JPIX, Namex in Rome, and NYIIX in New York. For more from LINX, click here.

AI infrastructure: Planning for long-term growth

This article from Antonio Castano, Global Market Development Director at AFL, highlights how a combination of technologies, architecture, and deployment models is driving the next generation of physical infrastructure. In today’s landscape, several infrastructure approaches are becoming increasingly relevant: • Neoclouds provide specialised compute capacity • Brownfield deployments accelerate AI implementation within existing facilities • DCI extends AI infrastructure across multiple facilities • CPO brings optical interfaces closer to compute and networking components • VSFF supports higher-density optical connectivity Each approach addresses a different requirement. However, the consistent, underlying planning challenge remains that AI deployments can change significantly between hardware generations, whilst optical cabling, pathways, and connectivity infrastructure typically remain in service for much longer periods. This means physical infrastructure needs sufficient capacity and flexibility to accommodate technologies that may not yet be widely deployed. Designing around a single AI architecture can limit future options, particularly where increasing fibre density, distributed connectivity, or new optical interfaces require changes to the physical layer. The long-term objective is to establish an infrastructure foundation that can support successive generations of AI systems without requiring extensive physical redesign. AI is not scaling through a single infrastructure model. As neoclouds, brownfield deployments, DCI, CPO, and VSFF connectivity reshape the data centre landscape, the physical layer must be designed as a flexible foundation that can adapt across multiple generations of AI architectures. Approaches to the infrastructure of tomorrow Neoclouds provide dedicated access to accelerated computing, allowing organisations to scale AI capacity without building equivalent facilities. This model can shorten deployment timelines whilst increasing demand for high-density power, cooling, networking, and optical connectivity. For infrastructure planners, the key consideration is ensuring supporting physical infrastructure can accommodate rapid changes in compute requirements. Brownfield deployments can accelerate AI capacity by reusing existing power, cooling, pathways, and facility space. However, infrastructure designed for conventional workloads may not accommodate the fibre density required by modern AI systems. For example, an NVIDIA NVL72 rack can require up to 1,152 fibre connections. Retrofitting requires careful planning for capacity and future upgrades. Data centre interconnect (DCI) allows AI environments to operate across multiple buildings, campuses, or locations. This approach can provide greater flexibility when capacity, power, or resilience requirements exceed what one facility can support. However, longer connections introduce additional considerations around latency, optical performance, power, and network architecture that must be addressed during infrastructure planning. Co-packaged optics (CPO) places optical interfaces closer to compute and networking components, reducing electrical transmission distances within systems. The architecture can support higher bandwidth while changing how fibre connectivity is presented around equipment. Physical infrastructure, therefore, needs sufficient flexibility in cable routing, fibre management, and connectivity capacity to accommodate evolving optical architectures. Very small form factor (VSFF) connectivity enables more optical connections within limited rack and panel space. Higher connection density becomes increasingly important as AI systems require greater numbers of fibres for high-speed networking. The benefit depends on adequate pathway capacity, patching space, and cable management, making VSFF part of a wider physical infrastructure strategy. Long-term AI growth: Building flexible foundations AI infrastructure will continue to combine different deployment models, facilities, optical technologies, and connectivity architectures. Because physical infrastructure remains in service longer than compute and networking hardware, capacity and flexibility are critical. A modular optical foundation allows operators to accommodate future AI requirements whilst protecting existing infrastructure investments. With AI infrastructure demands scaling fast, bringing new considerations that challenge traditional data centre design, AFL’s ‘AI Infrastructure’ whitepaper series, including Architecting AI at Scale and Building AI Training Clusters at 16K Accelerators, examines these requirements in greater detail. For a deeper dive, read AFL’s blog, What Does Sustained AI Growth Mean for Data Center Fiber Infrastructure? For more from AFL, click here.

euNetworks sets new sustainability loan targets

euNetworks, a European bandwidth infrastructure company, has introduced two environmental performance targets through its Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL), linking sustainability measures to the design and development of new network infrastructure. The revised framework introduces Network Development Impact by Design Plans for major network projects, alongside a target for continuous improvement in the company’s GRESB infrastructure benchmark score. euNetworks first established its €760 million (£650 million) SLL in 2021 to support the expansion of its fibre network across Europe. The facility was then refinanced and expanded to €1.26 billion (£1 billion) in 2024. The Impact by Design Plans will now apply to major projects requiring significant new network construction. These projects account for a large proportion of euNetworks’ annual capital investment and approximately two thirds of its current greenhouse gas emissions. The plans will assess lower-carbon materials, construction techniques, and supplier options during the design stage, before project specifications are finalised. The approach is intended to incorporate environmental considerations into commercial and engineering decisions alongside cost, delivery times, and customer requirements. New targets added to €1.26bn loan The GRESB target will measure continuous improvement against an infrastructure-focused benchmark covering governance, environmental management, and operational performance. Marisa Trisolino, CEO of euNetworks, says, “Our new SLL targets mark an important step in euNetworks’ commitment to growing our business sustainably, focusing our efforts on the areas where we can deliver the greatest impact. “The introduction of our NetDev Impact by Design Plans represents a significant evolution in how we approach major network development projects, embedding sustainability considerations from the very beginning of the design and planning process.” The targets complement euNetworks’ existing sustainability commitments, including its validated Science Based Targets, net zero by 2040 commitment, supplier engagement programme, and carbon measurement tools. For more from euNetworks, click here.

Lightpath expands managed bandwidth into Atlanta

Lightpath, a New York-based fibre network and connectivity provider, has entered the Greater Atlanta market, offering managed bandwidth services over its fibre network to data centre and enterprise customers. The company operates 12,100 route miles (19,473 kilometres) of fibre networks across 10 US metropolitan markets and is now providing Wavelength and IP Transit services in Atlanta at speeds from 10Gbps to 800Gbps per wavelength. Aggregate system capacity can scale into multi-terabit configurations, supporting applications including AI workloads, cloud interconnection, and large-scale data transfers. Atlanta has become a growing data centre market, with enterprises and hyperscalers requiring high-capacity optical transport for connectivity between data centres, cloud platforms, and other infrastructure. Lightpath operates a long-haul network hub in Atlanta connected to New York, Philadelphia, Ashburn, Chicago, Dallas, and Miami. Its Atlanta network provides connectivity to 30 data centre campuses using underground fibre infrastructure. Atlanta connects to Lightpath's national network Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath, says, “Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing data centre markets in the country, and demand for high-capacity managed bandwidth continues to accelerate. “Entering this market connects this growing ecosystem to our national backbone, giving customers a direct path to the intensive capacity that AI and cloud workloads require.” Tim Haverkate, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightpath, adds, “Our customers need optical transport that scales with their workloads. By pairing our long-haul backbone with high-capacity managed Wavelength and IP Transit services, we give Atlanta-area customers a single, trusted path to the bandwidth their businesses demand.” For more from Lightpath, click here.

Enlightra advances AI interconnects with Yokogawa

Enlightra, a Swiss photonics company, is using optical spectrum analysers from Yokogawa, a Japanese manufacturer of industrial measurement, control, and automation systems, to develop multi-channel laser sources for optical interconnects in next-generation AI data centres. The company is developing compact laser sources based on optical frequency comb technology. Its microcomb platform generates multiple precisely spaced optical wavelengths from a single laser, providing an alternative to using separate lasers for each optical communication channel. The systems are designed to generate between eight and 32 comb lines, with channel spacing ranging from 100 to 800GHz and power per line exceeding 7dBm across O-band datacom and C-band telecom wavelengths. Enlightra needs to measure the number of channels, line spacing, power per line, channel-to-channel power variation, and optical noise floor during development. The company characterises thousands of photonic chips during development, making measurement speed and repeatability important. It uses Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers to capture high-resolution measurements across a broad wavelength range. The analysers provide a resolution of 0.02nm and a close-in dynamic range of more than 70dB, allowing engineers to distinguish individual comb lines and measure the noise floor between channels. The measurements are used to assess line spacing, power levels, spectral flatness, and optical signal-to-noise ratio across O-band and C-band systems. Optical measurements for development Fast sweep performance allows Enlightra to maintain measurement throughput when characterising large numbers of photonic chips. The instruments also provide broad wavelength coverage for development and validation work. Measurement quality is also important when Enlightra demonstrates its technology to potential customers at exhibitions and other live demonstrations. The company says portable field instruments previously used for demonstrations did not always reproduce the resolution and low-noise performance available in its laboratory. Limited resolution could affect the displayed shape and peak power of individual comb lines, while making the noise floor more difficult to distinguish. Using Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers allows Enlightra to reproduce the measurement quality of its laboratory equipment during demonstrations. Hanae Zegmout, Lead Photonic Designer at Enlightra, says, “In the frequency comb space, Yokogawa is the gold standard. Choosing its spectrum analysers ensures that our data is immediately trusted and recognised. “Our experience with the two Yokogawa systems in our lab shows that these analysers are robust, hold their calibration well, and offer a seamless user experience.” The instruments are used across Enlightra's research and development work, as well as demonstrations of its comb-laser technology for optical interconnects. To read the full case study, you can click here. Yokogawa is also due to exhibit its optical test and measurement equipment alongside frequency-comb laser technology at ECOC 2026 in Málaga, Spain, from 21–23 September 2026.

Cabling Group named Panduit's European Platinum Partner

The Cabling Group has been awarded Platinum Partner status by Panduit, a manufacturer of electrical and network infrastructure hardware, making it the company's only current Platinum Partner in Europe. Panduit's Platinum Partner designation is its highest level of channel recognition and is awarded to organisations based on technical expertise, customer service, and their relationship with the company. The Cabling Group is a UK specialist in network infrastructure and connectivity. The partnership brings together Panduit's infrastructure portfolio and The Cabling Group's technical expertise and customer relationships. Jens Holzhammer (pictured above), Managing Director EMEA at Panduit, comments, "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering long-term value to customers. "By combining Panduit's industry-leading infrastructure solutions with The Cabling Group's technical expertise and market reach, we are well positioned to accelerate growth across the network infrastructure business. We are very proud to have them as a Platinum Partner." Graham Smith, Managing Director of The Cabling Group, adds, "We're delighted to have been awarded Panduit Platinum Partner status. This is a fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work, technical expertise, and commitment of our team. "Achieving Platinum status strengthens our partnership with Panduit and enhances our ability to continue delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions for our customers." Partnership expands network infrastructure focus Michael Kemmerling, Business Director Central Europe North at Panduit, notes, "Customers today are looking for trusted partners that can help simplify complexity while supporting scalability, reliability, and performance. "The Cabling Group brings deep expertise and a strong reputation in the market, and we are proud to strengthen our collaboration through this Platinum Partner designation." The companies say the partnership will support customers investing in network infrastructure, with a focus on scalability, reliability, and performance across the UK and wider European market. For more from Panduit, click here.

FTTH Council Europe becomes Fibre Council Europe

The FTTH Council Europe, an industry association promoting fibre connectivity across Europe, has rebranded as Fibre Council Europe, marking an expansion of its remit to represent the wider fibre infrastructure ecosystem across Europe. The organisation says the new name reflects its broader focus beyond fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), encompassing fixed connectivity, the fibre infrastructure supporting data centres, mobile networks, and the digital services used by businesses, public institutions, and consumers. The rebrand includes a new visual identity and the tagline: "Powering Europe's digital future". Stefano Fogli, President of Fibre Council Europe, says, "Our new name recognises what our members have known for years: fibre is the essential infrastructure of the present and the future-proof foundation of what comes next, with the potential to evolve to ever-higher speeds. "As Fibre Council Europe, we will continue to bring together the entire fibre community to accelerate deployment, drive take-up, and ensure Europe's digital competitiveness. Our mission expands, and our name now matches its full scope." Conference renamed as organisation broadens remit The Council's annual conference has also been renamed Fibre Horizons. The event, which the organisation describes as Europe's largest gathering of the fibre community, will take place on 17–18 March in Milan, Italy, bringing together operators, vendors, investors, and policymakers. According to the Council, its governance, membership, and core activities will remain unchanged, while its work will expand into areas including data centres and the transition from hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) networks to FTTH. Vincent Garnier, Director General of Fibre Council Europe, comments, "This is an evolution, not a departure. Everything our members and partners value about the Council - our advocacy, our research, our community - carries forward under the new name and the expanded scope. What changes is that our identity now reflects the breadth of the fibre ecosystem we represent." The organisation says the transition to the new branding will be phased in over the coming weeks, with its previous branding, email addresses, and web addresses remaining in use during the changeover period. For more from Fibre Council Europe, click here.

DE-CIX, MASS-IX expand US Northeast interconnection

Internet exchange (IX) operators DE-CIX and MASS-IX have partnered to provide direct interconnection between New England and New York, enabling networks connected to MASS-IX to access DE-CIX New York through a single-hop connection. The agreement makes MASS-IX an IX Turnkey Connectivity Partner, allowing customers to connect with networks in New York without purchasing separate transport services or remote cross-connects. According to the companies, the partnership is intended to improve latency for networks in the US Northeast whilst also providing access to DE-CIX's wider interconnection ecosystem across North America and internationally. The first network to use the new service is TOWARDEX, which is already exchanging traffic with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. Partnership extends regional connectivity MASS-IX connects more than 70 networks across 12 data centres in the Boston metropolitan area, with close to 3Tbps of connected capacity and peak traffic exceeding 300Gbps. By linking directly to DE-CIX New York, MASS-IX customers gain access to one of the largest interconnection ecosystems in the region, including networks not currently available within New England. Ed d'Agostino, Vice President at DE-CIX North America, comments, "DE-CIX is proud to be partnering MASS-IX, bringing together two neutral and high-performance internet exchanges for the betterment of both parties. "New York represents the lowest-latency location for New England networks to reach non-local networks, and this interconnection makes this possible and easy to implement. "The community in Massachusetts and all of New England will be able to improve performance and latency to content by peering with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. This is an excellent example of how DE-CIX works with neutral IXs to improve the internet in the US and help others better serve their markets." James Jun, Director at MASS-IX, adds, "MASS-IX was founded on a mission to improve performance and reduce the cost of network interconnections throughout Massachusetts. By partnering with DE-CIX, we are providing a new additional turnkey avenue for peering and internet interconnections for ISPs and internet networks throughout New England. "We're excited to partner with DE-CIX to bring leading, world-class peering capabilities and interconnection ecosystems to Massachusetts." DE-CIX New York currently connects more than 260 networks across over 40 data centres and forms part of the company's wider interconnection platform spanning North America, Europe, and South America. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Leviton expands UK fibre production capacity

Leviton Network Solutions, a manufacturer of cabling, fibre, and connectivity products for data centres and enterprise networks, has expanded production of its high-fibre-count cable assemblies at its UK manufacturing facility, increasing capacity to support data centre deployments and growing demand for optical infrastructure. The company says more than 100 configuration options are now available through its SJX fibre trunk range, part of the STRATA and OPT-X Global Fiber Systems portfolio. Production at its UK Data Center Factory complements existing manufacturing capacity in the USA. According to Leviton, the expansion is intended to improve supply resilience and reduce lead times for data centre projects, particularly those supporting AI, hyperscale, and cloud environments. Eddie McGinley, Senior Director of Product Management at Leviton, says, "Our enhanced fibre production arrives at a critical time. Operators are under immense pressure to scale optical infrastructure quickly, with the added weight of navigating global supply challenges. This means they need partners they can trust and who will deliver against their commitments." UK investment increases manufacturing capacity The production expansion forms part of wider investment in Leviton's UK facility and includes upgrades to cable, cassette, and fibre assembly manufacturing. The company says the investment includes production of more than 100 OPT-X SJX cable and trunk configurations in both the UK and USA, new UK production of OPT-X HDX fibre cassettes, and the completion of an expansion of its UK Data Center Factory. Leviton adds that manufacturing in both regions provides customers with additional sourcing options, improved supply continuity, and support for projects requiring dual-rated LSZH CPR B2ca/Riser cable constructions. The expanded portfolio also supports Base-8, Base-12, and Base-16 configurations, alongside loose-tube fibre designs intended for high-density network architectures used in AI clusters, cloud deployments, and colocation data centres. Eddie continues, "By expanding manufacturing in our UK facility and strengthening multi-region production, we're giving customers the speed and assurance they need to keep projects on track and meet aggressive build schedules." The new configuration options are available immediately through Leviton's global sales channels and distribution partners.

Arista Networks adds AI security to SD-WAN platform

Arista Networks, a provider of cloud and AI networking systems, has introduced Edge Threat Management (ETM) for its VeloCloud SD-WAN platform, adding integrated zero-trust security capabilities for enterprise branch networks. The software is designed to combine SD-WAN connectivity and security within a single platform, reducing the need for separate firewall appliances at branch locations. According to Arista, ETM provides firewalling, threat prevention, zone-based segmentation, Geo-IP filtering, DNS filtering, and AI-assisted policy management through the VeloCloud Orchestrator. The platform also incorporates Arista AVA, which provides AI-assisted features including policy explanation and traffic simulation to help administrators understand and manage security policies. Integrated security for branch networks The new software is intended to provide a unified approach to branch security by combining network management and security policy enforcement within a common operating system and management interface. Till Bockenheimer from German MSP T&A SYSTEME, says, "The new ETM functionality allows us to offer requested security services on top of the existing SD-WAN infrastructure managed within the same GUI. This eliminates the need to deploy a separate firewall box managed from a separate GUI, especially for small branches." Edward Fox, Chief Technology Officer at MetTel, states, "The network edge must evolve to be smarter and more autonomous as our clients expand their AI-driven operations from reactive troubleshooting to predictive management." John McCool, Senior Vice President at Arista Networks, comments, "The new zero-trust integrated security with ETM, developed organically by Arista, showcases the power of the combined Arista and VeloCloud teams on the anniversary of the VeloCloud acquisition. Customers can now simplify and unify the branch, extending enterprise-grade zero trust security to the branch office WAN edge." Arista says ETM will be available for all current VeloCloud hardware and virtual edge platforms, with general availability scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. For more from Arista, click here.