Home > Tech Gallery > Digital Innovation in Education: Ruijie's Optical Ethernet 3.0 Solution
Time: October 17th, 2024
A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is reshaping the global economic structure. With the internet as a foundational platform, emerging technologies such as generative AI, 5G, IoT, big data, and cloud computing are redefining the scope and content of digital campuses, smart classrooms, and online education. These advancements continually raise new requirements for educational networking solutions, campus network architecture, communication, and capacity. In line with the goal of promoting digital education and building a learning-oriented society, Ruijie Networks has innovatively proposed the Simplified Optical Ethernet 3.0 solution(SOE) , which provides a crucial foundation for educational transformation in universities, effectively facilitating their digital transformation and innovation.
Challenges Faced by Campus Networks
In the construction and maintenance of campus networks, universities often encounter issues such as congestion in office area network racks, messy cabinet cabling, and the mixing of multiple departmental equipment in weak current shafts. Additionally, network devices in dormitory areas may lead to problems like students stealing electricity due to local power sourcing. These issues have heightened safety risks on campuses. Meanwhile, in an era of increasing bandwidth demand, existing copper cables cannot support the high bandwidth of WiFi 6, hindering network speed and slowing down the digital transformation of universities. Over time, the aging of metal lines and increased passive responses in daily operations further reduce user satisfaction among faculty and students. These problems highlight the underlying issues with current campus network infrastructure and common challenges in construction and maintenance. Therefore, universities need cost-effective network solutions for education that are rationally structured, energy-efficient, flexible, easy to manage, and intelligently maintained.
Ethernet vs. PON Protocol Evolution
Looking at the current fundamental network architecture, all-optical networks significantly outperform traditional copper Ethernet. Currently, there are two technical routes for all-optical networks: "Ethernet" and "PON" (as shown in Figure 1). In terms of protocol evolution, PON uses time division multiplexing to transmit data in a shared channel, while Ethernet employs wavelength division multiplexing to allocate independent bands for dedicated transmission, resulting in higher overall transmission efficiency. From a business development perspective, PON is designed for home broadband access, has a single business model, and has slow protocol development. In contrast, Ethernet protocol standards are mature, with rapid technological breakthroughs and clear future development paths.
Figure 1: Comparison of Ethernet and PON Protocols
Rooted in Continuous Innovation in Higher Education
In 2021, Ruijie Networks innovatively proposed the Simplified Optical Ethernet 1.0 solution, breaking traditional perceptions of all-optical networks. In 2022, Ruijie continuously updated the solution, launching the Simplified Optical 2.X solution incorporating coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) technology. As a pioneer in the all-optical Ethernet route, Ruijie continued to innovate, releasing the Simplified Optical Ethernet 3.0 solution in 2023, featuring ultra-aggregated switches, ultra-aggregated line cards, optical splitters, and newly upgraded modular transparent distribution devices. This solution leverages the high transmission performance and capacity of fiber optics while maintaining the Ethernet architecture, reflecting SOE technology trends in 2024 and allowing for unbound devices and zero-threshold maintenance. Additionally, the Simplified Optical 3.0 solution inherits the coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) technology from the 2.X version, reducing wiring costs between the central data center and various buildings, and introducing innovative ultra-aggregation products and SDN technology to create a highly integrated, stable, flexible, and easy-to-maintain all-optical network.
Unique Design of the Simplified Optical Ethernet 3.0 Solution
Utilizing coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) technology, this solution can build a lossless, passive intermediate layer campus network, offering individual rooms a dedicated 10 Gbps access rate. Passive transparent distribution devices replace traditional aggregation switches, combining eight optical signals into one fiber for transmission without requiring power (as shown in Figure 3). As the weak current room is entirely passive, there is no need for management of the intermediate layer, achieving a true physical two-layer architecture. The ultra-aggregated switch innovatively integrates the core-side optical signal unpacking function into one ultra-aggregated optical module, saving substantial fiber resources. Core-side deployment is also streamlined, achieving a genuinely simple architecture.
Figure 2: Principle of coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and CWDM ensures 8 times the bandwidth, without the reconstruction of the cabling work.
Addressing Power Supply Issues in Optical Network Deployment
In the teaching, office, and research areas of universities, local power sourcing is not an issue. However, in dormitory areas, it raises safety concerns and questions about power cost responsibility. Traditional copper cable solutions often use PoE to address these concerns. However, in the era of optical networks, since optical fibers cannot supply power, Ruijie Networks has innovatively introduced a wireless star solution for dormitory scenarios, using hybrid optical cables as the transmission medium. Compared to traditional copper cables, hybrid optical cables are lighter, and optical fiber transmission overcomes distance limitations. The new hybrid optical cables inherit the advantages of PoE and negotiate power supply with access points. This enables the construction of optical networks even in scenarios where local power sourcing is inconvenient. Through the wireless star solution, universities can remotely manage and power any wireless device on campus (as shown in Figure 4). This new wireless network access method offers greater flexibility in deployment and easier management compared to traditional wireless solutions.
Figure 3: Power Supply Diagram for Hybrid Optical Cables
Efficient Management and Operation of All-Optical Networks
Ruijie's Simplified Optical Ethernet solution enables integrated management of both wired and wireless networks. All entry switches can be plug-and-play, allowing devices to be online in three minutes. The star host can remotely manage power supply for optical access points, enabling remote power cycling in case of device freezes. For the entire network's optical links, a single person can use a mobile phone to scan the QR code on the switch body, achieving more intelligent fault localization (as shown in Figure 5). In traditional campus wireless management, the wireless management platform often presents a range of technical metrics, making it difficult to understand the current status, issues, or necessary optimizations for the wireless network.
In terms of wireless operations and maintenance, Ruijie has launched an AI-driven intelligent network optimization platform, demonstrating the benefits of using SOE in business. Utilizing big data and simulation models, it presents users with a digital twin of the wireless network, mirroring the physical network, which is crucial for understanding the benefits of implementing campus networks. With the support of the big data & AI platform, proactive fault prediction can be achieved, enabling intelligent network optimization. Based on a network digital twin map for operations and maintenance, issues such as wireless coverage, interference, roaming, access, and authentication can be visualized, allowing for one-click local adjustments to enhance critical business experiences. Quick fault localization and root cause analysis based on AI algorithms address various wireless challenges.
Just having good wireless devices does not guarantee a good network experience. The dynamic nature of spatial environments requires regular optimization to ensure wireless devices operate at their best, enhancing the student experience with network solutions. Ruijie's WIS platform has evolved from a "device-centric" approach to a "user experience-driven" network twin platform. It provides digital services throughout the entire lifecycle, including planning, construction, management, maintenance, optimization, diagnosis, prediction, and decision-making, facilitating rapid network deployment, high business assurance, fully automated operations, and automated user experiences.
In terms of wireless operations and maintenance, Ruijie has launched an AI-driven intelligent network optimization platform, demonstrating the benefits of using SOE in business. Utilizing big data and simulation models, it presents users with a digital twin of the wireless network, mirroring the physical network, which is crucial for understanding the benefits of implementing campus networks. With the support of the big data & AI platform, proactive fault prediction can be achieved, enabling intelligent network optimization. Based on a network digital twin map for operations and maintenance, issues such as wireless coverage, interference, roaming, access, and authentication can be visualized, allowing for one-click local adjustments to enhance critical business experiences. Quick fault localization and root cause analysis based on AI algorithms address various wireless challenges.
Just having good wireless devices does not guarantee a good network experience. The dynamic nature of spatial environments requires regular optimization to ensure wireless devices operate at their best, enhancing the student experience with network solutions. Ruijie's WIS platform has evolved from a "device-centric" approach to a "user experience-driven" network twin platform. It provides digital services throughout the entire lifecycle, including planning, construction, management, maintenance, optimization, diagnosis, prediction, and decision-making, facilitating rapid network deployment, high business assurance, fully automated operations, and automated user experiences.
Twin Modeling and Network Visualization
Utilizing telemetry-based data collection technology, high-precision data acquisition enables real-time awareness of wireless experience in seconds, capable of supporting over 50,000 devices. The cloud-based big data twin modeling facilitates network visualization, optimization, and model switching, which is a key component of educational networking solutions and providing valuable insights for decision-making by anticipating network changes.
Map-Based Operations and Maintenance
With AP self-localization technology, there’s no need for manual point-by-point settings, establishing an expert maintenance system with automatic fault root cause diagnostics. This approach allows for more flexible, precise, and efficient business assurance, prioritizing critical business support and enabling one-click adjustments in specific areas to improve the wireless network experience.
Key Business Assurance
By using unique mixed recognition technology and business-based priority scheduling schemes, the solution enhances support for critical wireless business applications, ensuring secure network infrastructure for schools. It does not rely on dedicated devices, employing DFI flow recognition technology to identify critical services, thereby prioritizing them and ensuring optimal network experiences for essential applications.
One Network, One Management End
In summary, Ruijie's Simplified Optical Ethernet solution, a case study on successful campus networks, brings three major innovations in network architecture, access methods, and management operations. The all-optical campus network constructed under the Simplified Optical Ethernet 3.0 solution features ample bandwidth and flexible access methods, allowing various university services to operate stably on a single network. The architecture is simple, and the management operations are intelligent and efficient, enabling campus network managers to focus on core business deployment and innovation. This realization of building a single network while managing only one end embodies Ruijie's vision for campus networks in the optical network era, creating uniquely characterized digital campuses.
Continuous Growth and Innovation Leadership
In the current wave of digital economy, digital transformation has become a vital driving force for educational reform and high-quality development in higher education. Ruijie's wired and wireless network devices serve as an essential component of the "high-speed, ubiquitous, and intelligent" network infrastructure, positioning them as a necessary option for enhancing service quality and efficiency. In 2022, Ruijie's switching and wireless solutions achieved the top positions in the education sector.
Looking ahead, Ruijie will continue to provide effective, user-friendly solutions for the high-quality development of higher education, focusing on the construction of digital campuses.
Looking ahead, Ruijie will continue to provide effective, user-friendly solutions for the high-quality development of higher education, focusing on the construction of digital campuses.
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