Infrastructure & Hardware

Anritsu, Fujikura confirm equivalent core crosstalk results

Anritsu Corporation, a Japanese multinational corporation manufacturing test and measurement equipment for telecommunications, in collaboration with Fujikura, a Japanese manufacturer of cables and optical fibres, has measured inter-core crosstalk in weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibres using multiple methods and has confirmed that the results are equivalent. Both companies presented their results at the international OptoElectronics and Communications Conference (OECC 2025) in Sapporo, Japan. With the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud services, the demand for higher transmission capacity in optical submarine cables and data centre interconnects is rapidly increasing. Today’s optical communications rely on single-mode fibre (SMF) and advanced signal optimisation technologies to achieve high data throughput. However, as the transmission capacity per fibre continues to grow, these technologies are approaching their physical and performance limits. Consequently, recent R&D has focused on weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibre with multiple independent cores in a single optical fibre. While this type of fibre significantly increases transmission capacity, inter-core crosstalk – caused by interference resulting from light leakage between each core – degrades the quality of transmission. This varies not only due to the optical fibre design and manufacturing, but also depending on the installation conditions, requiring evaluation of inter-core crosstalk in field conditions. Although various companies and research institutions have proposed different methods for measuring inter-core crosstalk, the measured results from each method have not yet been adequately validated. In the presented comparative evaluation, Anritsu, collaborating with Fujikura, measured inter-core crosstalk using four methods: two using optical power meters, and two using Anritsu's OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) for measuring optical fibre loss and reflection. The evaluated four-core weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibre manufactured by Fujikura features a standard cladding diameter of 125 µm. The measured results from each measurement method were all within ±1.0 dB at 1550 nm. Consequently, any of these four measurement methods can be chosen according to the weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibre application scenario, such as R&D, Manufacturing, and Installation and Maintenance (I&M), with assured consistent correlation regardless of which method is used. Furthermore, these results should assist with future standardisation of weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibre. Anritsu says it will continue to contribute to the practical implementation of next-generation optical communications technology by providing test solutions for weakly-coupled multi-core optical fibres.

Arista expands AI-driven campus and branch networking offerings

Arista Networks, a provider of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) networking systems, has announced several AI-driven enterprise products that deliver an expanded set of switching, Wi-Fi 7 access point, and WAN capabilities. In conjunction, Arista has acquired the VeloCloud SD-WAN portfolio from Broadcom. This combination hopes to bring operational ease through zero touch operations, proactive monitoring, and automated troubleshooting across the broad set of client-to-cloud networking domains. As organisations seek real-world business value from generative and agentic AI, they are adopting centres of data strategy that connect the algorithms and models to key, distributed data stores across the enterprise - from the data centres to the campus, the branches, and remote offices. Reliable networks that are always on, easy to operate, and with built-in security are, therefore, more important than ever. Arista says it continues to embrace this challenge with "an expanding set of hardware and software solutions optimised for various customer needs." VeloCloud offers cloud-delivered SD-WAN solutions with integrated security. It comprises of a range of edge hardware platforms, featuring integrated firewalling and application-optimised SD-WAN, available with a choice of integrated Wi-Fi and/or 5G mobile connectivity. This portfolio intends to provide expanded choice and to enable global WAN services to interconnect data centres and distributed campus offices, whilst adding to Arista's existing CloudEOS routing stack and 7000-series WAN routers. “We have been using Arista and VeloCloud in production environments,” states Alan Davidson, CIO of Broadcom. “The addition of the VeloCloud edge strengthens and scales the enterprise WAN network.” Arista is also introducing the AWE-7220R WAN router with regional connectivity. Together with the previously announced AWE-7230R and AWE-7250R systems, the company suggests customers can build a hub-spine and VeloCloud micro-edge ​​WAN topology. Arista's new campus portfolio features PoE capabilities in a compact form factor switch, along with a wider range of Wi-Fi 7 indoor and outdoor access points for branch deployments, enabling newer IoT applications, such as ESL (Electronic Shelf Label). "We’re thrilled with Arista's access point integration with VusionGroup's Electronic Shelf Labels,” comments Dean Penebacker, IT Director, Pan Pacific Retail Management (PPRM) Hawaii. “This seamless integration with our existing systems means we can manage pricing dynamically and reduce labour costs, all while ensuring accuracy at the shelf edge. It’s the innovative technology we need to stay competitive in today’s retail landscape." Key additions to the switching and wireless portfolio include:• A new, compact, fanless 12-port PoE switch that is also 60W capable in the 710 family of access switches, designed for remote office and branch deployments.• A new, ruggedised outdoor Wi-Fi 7 access point, the O-435, designed for harsh industrial and outdoor environments, featuring a 2x2 tri-radio and a fourth dedicated tri-band multi-function radio.• A new, entry-level 2x2 tri-radio Wi-Fi 7 indoor access point, the C-400, targeted for high-volume service provider-managed (MSP) branch environments, including SMBs, multi-dwelling units, and small remote offices. “Arista Networks’ new, compact, fanless switch platform and entry-level Wi-Fi 7 access point are a perfect fit for our clients with small distributed offices and branches,” claims Neil Dearman, CTO EMEA, High Point Solutions. “As a channel partner, we can address the unique needs of our clients with enterprise-grade technology that’s easy to deploy and manage, all while keeping costs in check. It’s a win-win for us and our customers." Arista CloudVision AGNI (CV AGNI) now supports a fully on-premises deployment model, seeking to enable customers with strict regulatory and data compliance requirements to benefit from scalable AI-driven network access control from large campuses to distributed locations - while the new 1G and 10G virtual ZTX platforms extend Arista MSS identity-based micro-segmentation to remote branches and small campuses. "For years, we searched for a solution to secure our network and district resources without adding complexity, financial strain, or management challenges,” notes Najeeb Qasimi, Director of IT, Oak Grove School District. “Arista CV AGNI allows us to effortlessly implement and maintain policies, while its secure client connectivity ensures every student, teacher, and device - whether on district-provided or personal equipment - remains protected. This powerful, hassle-free tool has revolutionised how we safeguard and operate our network." The availability of the products are currently as follows: • O-435 and C-400 will ship in Q2 2025.• 710XP will ship early Q3 2025.• The AWE-7220R WAN router is shipping now.• On-premises CloudVision AGNI is shipping now.• Arista MSS virtual ZTX appliances are shipping now. For more from Arista Networks, click here.

RETN deploys new fibre route between Milan and Padua

RETN, an independent global network services provider, has announced the launch of a new fibre optic route between Milan and Padua as part of its national expansion strategy, aiming to deliver increasingly high-performance, low-latency connectivity. The new route, spanning 360km and adding to RETN’s 140,000km global network, takes an optimised path and introduces a key improvement: the segment from Milan to Ponte San Pietro (Bergamo) is the shortest connection available on the market, which the company says brings "significant benefits," particularly for latency-sensitive sectors like finance. By leveraging points of presence at Milan’s Caldera Campus and the Padua VSIX, and transiting through the Aruba Data Center in Ponte San Pietro, the route seeks to ensure enhanced performance and network efficiency. As a carrier neutral provider, Aruba supports the route by providing a strategic location for RETN’s network deployment. Designed to serve organisations that consider connectivity a strategic asset, the new route hopes to guarantee ultra-fast response times and high stability. Furthermore, RETN aims to provide companies with greater bandwidth capacity to meet their hyperscaling needs and support increasingly complex digital business models. “This new route reaffirms our ongoing commitment to the Italian market and represents a concrete milestone towards interconnecting with RETN’s Eastern European network, delivering increasingly widespread and integrated connectivity on a Eurasian scale,” comments Milko Ilari, Head of Southern Europe at RETN. “Milan and Padua are two strategic hubs for national data traffic: connecting them through an optimised infrastructure offers Italian businesses a tangible advantage in terms of performance, scalability, and global market access.” For more from RETN, click here.

Elevate strengthens MPO expertise with Senko

Elevate – Future Faster, the data centre brand from Excel Networking Solutions, continues to build momentum in the EMEA data centre market, with its Config Team recently completing advanced training in MPO (multi-fibre push-on) connectivity, delivered by Senko. Senko is an industry-trusted manufacturer of fibre optic connectivity - with solutions at the heart of Elevate’s high-performance MPO portfolio. The recent training covered the full spectrum of MPO best practice - termination, polishing, testing, inspection, and cleaning - reinforcing Elevate’s ability to deliver high standards for mission-critical data centre infrastructure and ensuring that Elevate’s team is equipped with the latest expertise. Andrew Percival, Managing Director of Excel Networking Solutions, comments, “At the core of Elevate is a simple promise: to deliver Future Faster. That means investing in partnerships, in solutions, and in our people. “When our associates are trained to this level, they approach every project with confidence and, in turn, that helps our customers deliver their projects with equal levels of confidence.” This latest investment in people builds on Excel Networking’s decade-long commitment to pre-configuration services, which have seen major expansion over the past 12 months. New facilities at the additional warehouse facility, Environ House, which has a three-times larger footprint than the HQ, include a purpose-built fibre room with dedicated zones for multi-fibre and high-density terminations (MPO, MTP, VSFF), supported by a multi-six-figure investment in state-of-the-art equipment and capacity. Richard Cann, Config Team Manager, adds, “As demand for MPO grows, having this expertise in-house gives Elevate and our customers a real advantage - delivering high-quality, UK-assembled solutions at speed and scale.” Andrew concludes, “Our Powered by Partnerships approach is all about combining best-in-class technology with deep technical knowledge. Senko is a key partner and together with our investment we’re helping the market deploy future-ready connectivity faster.” To discover more about Elevate – Future Faster and their MPO capabilities, visit the Elevate website.

1/3 of UK businesses losing £4m a year due to network failures

Network instability is taking a serious toll on UK businesses, with over a quarter (33%) reporting revenue losses of up to £4 million due to network outages or poor performance. Alarmingly, an additional 18% have experienced losses exceeding £4 million. These findings come from an IDC InfoBrief, entitled Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility, commissioned by telecommunications company Expereo. Following a series of high-profile IT disruptions over the past year, ranging from cybersecurity breaches to connectivity failures, half (50%) of UK businesses have been compelled to re-evaluate their technology infrastructure and 35% of UK tech leaders say it’s caused networking and connectivity to rise higher up the C-suite agenda. Perhaps as a result, networking/connectivity now comes out on top in terms of the technologies UK businesses will prioritise in terms of financial investment over the next 12 months (40%). This is followed by cybersecurity (39%) and AI (35%). Last year, AI took the top spot (42%), followed by cybersecurity (37%) and networking/connectivity (35%). This highlights that AI is no longer the most urgent priority, being beaten by both networking and security. The urgency is well-founded. More than one in four UK organisations (27%) say that inadequate network and connectivity performance is actively threatening their growth plans for the coming year. At the same time, nearly half (49%) report that network limitations are holding back their ability to support large-scale data and AI initiatives. Alarmingly, just 5% of businesses in the UK believe their networks are fully prepared to support AI without any barriers. “To drive a sustainable competitive advantage, connectivity is no longer an IT concern – it’s a strategic business imperative," argues Ben Elms, CEO of Expereo. “This research confirms what many technology leaders are already experiencing firsthand: connectivity is now the backbone of business. As organisations race to adopt new AI solutions, the C-suite must treat network performance with the same urgency as cybersecurity and AI itself - because without it, businesses simply cannot succeed." Having the right talent in place is also critical for building and maintaining the robust network and connectivity infrastructure businesses need to thrive. However, the research suggests this may be easier said than done. Cybersecurity continues to top the list of areas where organisations struggle to find or retain skilled professionals (44%), closely followed by networking (40%). As a result, 40% of UK businesses say they plan to increase their reliance on external partners, such as vendors or managed service providers, to help bridge the networking skills gap. For more from Expereo, click here.

Spirent and Juniper Networks collaborate for first public UET test

Spirent Communications, a provider of test and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks, and Juniper Networks, a multinational corporation developing and marketing networking products, have successfully completed the first live public demonstration of Ultra Ethernet Transport (UET), marking a milestone for the evolving Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) ecosystem. The demonstration took place at Interop25 Tokyo, where Spirent, Juniper, and Spirent’s long-standing partner in Japan, TOYO Corporation, jointly generated and forwarded UET traffic in a live network environment, utilising the Spirent B3 800G Appliance and the Juniper QFX 5240-64OD Switch. The test topology also included RoCEv2 traffic, demonstrating coexistence and interoperability, and earned the companies an Interop ShowNet Special Prize. The Juniper switch with 800G interfaces successfully recognised and forwarded all traffic types, validating its readiness for UET-based deployments. As hyperscalers continue to prioritise open, interoperable solutions for AI/ML back-end networks, Spirent believes the significance of the UEC initiative and its approach to delivering AI and HPC performance is becoming ever more apparent. With the consortium approaching its first official specification release, Spirent and Juniper argue that they are playing a pivotal role in driving progress through real-world validation, helping to strengthen and refine the evolving ecosystem. “We are honoured to have been recognised alongside Spirent with this prestigious award at Interop Tokyo,” says Praful Lalchandani, VP of Products, Data Center Platforms and AI Solutions, Juniper Networks. “This award underscores the strength of our partnership and the innovation we’re driving together in high-performance, AI-driven data centre networking. Juniper’s data centre solution, a cornerstone of Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform, continues to lead with operational simplicity, performance, and open architecture. “Validating performance and interoperability with emerging transport standards like UET is essential for ensuring next-generation infrastructure can meet the evolving demands of AI-driven networking.” “Dramatic growth in AI applications and workloads continues to create challenges for the industry, and this public demonstration illustrates our dedication to helping industry partners to meet these challenges,” comments Masatoshi Nishihara, General Manager, Spirent Japan. “Spirent is committed to supporting emerging standards. By facilitating early adoption and validation of standards with comprehensive testing solutions, Spirent empowers organisations to confidently prepare for the transition to next-generation networking while maintaining performance and reliability in increasingly demanding environments.” For more from Spirent, click here.

Microchip enhances digital signal controller lineup

Evolving security and functional safety demands, coupled with the growing complexity of real-time embedded applications, are driving designers to seek innovative solutions that deliver greater accuracy, improved reliability, and compliance with industry standards. To address these challenges, Microchip Technology, an American semiconductor manufacturer, has added the dsPIC33AK512MPS512 and dsPIC33AK512MC510 digital signal controller (DSC) families to its dsPIC33A DSC product line. The devices enable the implementation of computation-intensive control algorithms for improved energy efficiency in motor control, AI server power supplies, energy storage systems, and complex sensor signal processing with Machine Learning (ML)-based inferencing. “As AI servers and data centres continue to grow, the need for more efficient power conversion is essential. With specialised peripherals and the high-performance core in the dsPIC33AK512MPS family, developers can now achieve significant energy savings and shrink their power supply footprints,” says Joe Thomsen, Corporate Vice President of Microchip’s digital signal controller business unit. “The new dsPIC33A DSC families are packed with advanced features that enable efficient and reliable designs for modern power conversion, motor control, and sensing applications.” The dsPIC33AK512MPS family delivers precise, high-speed control through industry-leading 78ps high-resolution pulse width modulations (PWMs) and low-latency 40Msps ADCs, enabling fast and accurate control loops essential for optimising the performance of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)-based DC-DC converters. Additionally, dsPIC33AK512MPS devices include advanced security features, an integrated touch controller, and a high pin count of up to 128 pins. The dsPIC33AK512MC family is designed to offer low-latency, 40Msps ADCs and 1.25ns PWM resolution, providing a feature- and cost-optimised solution for multi-motor control and complex embedded applications. The dsPIC33A DSC families, with up to 512KB Flash and a rich peripheral set, integrate a double precision floating-point unit to accelerate mathematical computations and leverage a 32-bit architecture for seamless adoption of model-based design code. Their enhanced instruction set and digital signal processing (DSP) capabilities, including single-cycle MAC operations and a 200 MHz core speed, make these devices highly efficient for low-latency, real-time control applications. Supported by MPLAB Machine Learning Development Suite, dsPIC33A devices streamline the ML workflow by automating data preparation, feature extraction, training, validation, and firmware conversion of optimised models. “dsPIC33A DSCs from Microchip provide high performance and reliability for complex automotive electronic control units (ECUs),” claims Norbert Weiss, Managing Director at Lauterbach. “Combined with the support of our latest TRACE32 solutions, we help dsPIC33A DSC customers accelerate their time-to-market using our leading debug and trace tools from the start of the development process.” With a range of hardware safety features, dsPIC33AK512MPS/MC DSCs are compliant with functional safety standards and are developed in accordance with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 26262 and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 processes, making them suitable for safety-critical automotive and industrial applications. To further enhance system-level security, the dsPIC33AK512MPS DSC family includes integrated crypto accelerators and a Flash security module, enabling immutable root of trust, secure boot, secure firmware upgrades, and secure debug capabilities. “The combination of dsPIC33A DSCs and our pre-certified, safety-critical, real-time operating system SAFERTOS, simplifies the development of safety-critical applications," adds Andrew Longhurst, Managing Director of WITTENSTEIN High Integrity Systems (WHIS). “This system-level solution empowers our clients to deliver reliable and efficient solutions that meet automotive and industrial safety standards.” For more from Microchip, click here.

3000km of DWDM deployed in 72 hours in Eastern Europe

GNM, a backbone ISP operating its own, international peer-to-peer distributed Internet Exchange Network, GNM-IX, based on an 18,000+ kilometre Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network, has completed the deployment of nearly 3000km of long-haul DWDM infrastructure across Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia, with installation and commissioning finalised in just 72 hours. The project was delivered entirely by GNM’s in-house engineering team, without the involvement of external contractors. All stages - from planning and logistics to setup and final network configuration - were handled internally, aiming to ensure full control, integration with existing infrastructure, and adherence to tight deployment timelines. "This kind of delivery isn’t a special case for us," says Alex Surkov, Head of Development at GNM. "We’ve built our processes to operate at this pace - with full internal coordination, no outsourcing, and flexible routing options already in place. That’s what allows us to move quickly and deliver stable, production-ready transport in days, not weeks." The new segment, according to the company, strengthens GNM’s DWDM footprint, which spans Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and connects to key interconnection hubs including Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Singapore. It says services are designed to meet the needs of carriers, content providers, and data centre operators, with a focus on scalability, redundancy, and delivery speed.

L2Tek launches Gigalight silicon photonics transceivers

L2Tek, a technical distributor of components for broadcast, professional video, and high-speed data networks, has announced the immediate availability of Gigalight’s silicon photonics (SiPh) transceiver portfolio for customers across the UK and Europe. The new offering includes 100G, 400G, and 800G QSFP modules engineered to meet the bandwidth and density requirements of AI workloads in hyperscale data centres and edge computing. Silicon photonics technology enables the integration of optical and electronic components on a single chip, offering a compact footprint, reduced power consumption, and support for high data rates. Gigalight’s SiPh-based transceivers are designed for short-to-medium reach applications and leverage PAM4 modulation. “Gigalight’s silicon photonics portfolio now available exclusively through L2Tek to UK and European customers, delivers the bandwidth, density, and energy efficiency needed for AI data centres. These transceivers use advanced modulation and chip-level integration to meet the demands of modern interconnects while offering a compelling alternative to traditional solutions,” claims Mark Scott-South, Director, L2Tek. The 100G DR1 transceiver, available in QSFP28 format, supports up to 500 metres over a single 1310nm wavelength. The 400G DR4 model, housed in a QSFP-DD form factor, delivers four 100G lanes over a 500-metre link, making it suitable for high-density leaf-spine and AI cluster deployments. New to the lineup is Gigalight’s 800G DR8 transceiver, based on a new silicon photonics platform and available in OSFP format. It supports eight lanes of 100G PAM4 and is engineered, the company says, for performance across a range of data centre conditions. The transceiver is compliant with IEEE 802.3 standards and would be suited to high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, and data centre interconnects. Compared to traditional transmitter technologies such as distributed modulated lasers (DMLs) and externally modulated lasers (EMLs), silicon photonics could offer cost-effective scalability at volume, while maintaining the bandwidth and integration benefits required by next-generation network infrastructure. While EMLs continue to serve long-haul and regional network requirements, SiPh modules are emerging as a strong alternative for AI/GPU clusters and cloud computing environments. For more from L2Tek, click here.

Reinforce cooling to avoid summer downtime, operators urged

Off the back of unseasonably high spring temperatures, data centre operators are being encouraged to prepare for the summer heat by working with specialist partners to supplement cooling in emergencies, maintenance, and upgrades. The callout comes from temporary power generation and temperature control company Aggreko, which has warned that the combination of rising temperatures and ageing infrastructure could significantly impact uptime on industrial, commercial, and retail sites across the UK. Temperatures exceeding 25°C are now becoming increasingly common throughout the nation, placing older generations of equipment, which aren’t designed to operate in these ranges, at risk of overheating and subsequently failing. The chances of breakdowns are drastically raised if equipment hasn’t been properly maintained, with blocked condenser coils potentially forcing a system to overwork to the point of compressor failure. In the data centre sector, even a brief failure in cooling systems could lead to catastrophic consequences. Without adequate temperature control, overheating can lead to hardware damage, data loss, and service outages, resulting in severe financial penalties. As temperatures this year have already reached over 29°C, Chris Smith, Head of Temperature Control for UK and Ireland at Aggreko, has called upon data centre operators to assess their cooling capacity to ensure that critical operations remain uninterrupted. He says, “If recent temperatures are anything to go by, then this summer is set to bring even more extreme conditions capable of driving equipment to the point of failure. If facilities rely on ageing HVAC systems to keep processes ticking, then the risk of breakdowns during heatwaves only increases. “Working with a specialist in both HVAC and power can be the real difference maker. Doing so provides contractors with the opportunity to leverage specialist expertise and tailored solutions that address immediate cooling needs and safeguard operations against the risks posed by extreme temperatures.” Aggreko claims that with a 'thorough understanding of the challenges of critical temperature applications,' its team of technical experts can help determine the temporary and supplementary cooling, heating, and dehumidification solutions required based on a project, location, and temperature requirements. Its cooling provision spans industrial chillers ranging from 50kW to 1500kW, air conditioners in sizes from 50kW to 200kW, and cooling towers with single units from 2500kW or combined units for multi-megawatt projects. For more from Aggreko, click here.