Abstract：

This article explores the development of Ruijie's Simplified Optical Ethernet (SOE) Solution, a cutting-edge solution designed to streamline network deployment and enhance the efficiency of optical networks in future campuses. Over the past three years, the SOE Solution has been extensively adopted across various sectors, including education, healthcare, enterprise, and manufacturing, supporting over 100,000 rooms.

Utilizing Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology, the SOE Solution enables the transmission of multiple optical signals through a single fiber, significantly boosting bandwidth utilization and network flexibility. Its deployment in diverse environments showcases its ability to deliver faster, more stable, and intelligent networks, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

From 0 to 100K+: The Innovation Journey of Ruijie SOE Solution

2021: Laying the Foundation for All-Optical Ethernet Networks

In 2021, Ruijie Networks made a pioneering move by introducing its Simplified Optical Ethernet (SOE) Solution 1.0. This innovative approach utilized optical fiber as the transmission medium for data and deployed switches directly inside rooms. This not only simplified cabling but also allowed for the flexible expansion of new services. The result was seamless terminal access through in-room expansion, bringing high-speed optical networks directly into rooms and achieving 1G/10G connectivity for future campuses.

2022: Commercialization of SOE

In 2022, the SOE Solution 2.X achieved a groundbreaking advancement by incorporating Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology into large-scale applications within all-optical campus networks.The integration of CWDM technology with the Ethernet optical architecture resulted in a two-layer network structure. It replaced traditional active building aggregation devices with passive transparent distribution devices, making aggregation nodes completely passive and requiring zero maintenance in Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) rooms.

2023: Modularization of SOE

In 2023, the SOE 3.0 Solution enhanced SOE 2.X by integrating CWDM technology into switches and integrating combiners into newly introduced core switches. This includes introducing fixed or modular CWDM switches that support hyper-converged ports, enhancing network stability and management efficiency.

2024: The Boundless Potential of SOE

The SOE Solution 3.0X unlocks new possibilities for CWDM technology.

Integration with Wi-Fi 7: Utilizing a two-layer backbone network architecture, SOE 3.X supports 2.5G/10G room access. Paired with next-generation Wi-Fi 7 APs for various scenarios, it brings vibrant high-speed wireless connectivity.

Integration with Power Supply: Centralizes power supply for access layer equipment, ensuring clear responsibility division between low-voltage and high-voltage management.

Integration with RG-INC or Embedded Intelligent Operation and Maintenance System (EMB): Provides network administrators with a comprehensive management environment for switching, wireless, routing, and security devices, simplifying network operation and maintenance.

Over the past three years, the SOE Solution has been successfully adopted across multiple industries, including education, healthcare, enterprise, and smart manufacturing. It has been widely implemented in classrooms, offices, dormitories, clinics, hospital wards, and production workshops, with deployment in over 100,000 rooms. This technology has delivered faster, more stable, smarter, and greener optical networks to various sectors.

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What technology is used in the SOE Solution? Why is it used?

The SOE Solution utilizes Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology.

CWDM technology is applied in optical communication, enabling multiple optical signals of varying wavelengths to travel through a single optical fiber, with each wavelength carrying distinct data streams.

At its core, CWDM technology utilizes different wavelengths of light to transmit various data streams, facilitating multiplexing and enhancing the transmission capacity of optical fibers. This technology significantly improves the bandwidth utilization of optical networks, supporting faster data transmission speeds crucial for future campuses.

In sectors such as education, enterprise, and healthcare, CWDM technology offers more stable and quicker network connections, effectively meeting the growing bandwidth demands of the era of big data.

Principles of CWDM Technology

CWDM technology operates using special devices like Multiplexers (MUX) and Demultiplexers (DEMUX). At the transmission end, MUX combines optical signals of various wavelengths into a unified beam of light transmitted through a single optical fiber. At the receiving end, DEMUX separates these wavelengths, restoring them into their original multiple signal streams.

Key Benefits

High Bandwidth Transmission: CWDM technology significantly enhances the data transmission bandwidth of individual optical fibers.

Conservation of Fiber Resources: Compared to single-wavelength systems, CWDM technology reduces the number of optical fibers needed, saving resources and costs.

Enhanced Network Flexibility and Reliability: CWDM systems support the addition of new channels without interrupting service, thereby improving network flexibility and reliability.

Ruijie SOE Solution Deployed in 100,000+ Rooms

Lighting Up Every Corner of the Future Campus Network

Ruijie SOE Solution integrated the all-optical Ethernet with CWDM technology:

At the core side, combiners are integrated into hyper-converged core switches. The hyper-converged CWDM modules enable the transmission of 8 pairs of optical signals with wavelengths spaced 20nm apart over a single fiber to building sides, replacing the need for 8 fibers and effectively saving over 85% of backbone optical cable resources.

At the aggregation layer, building sides utilize passive transparent distribution devices to segregate optical signals of different wavelengths into various rooms, achieving a maintenance-free passive aggregation layer. Simultaneously, the capability to combine and split optical signals of different wavelengths ensures that the backbone fiber between hyper-converged modules and transparent distribution devices can transmit multiple optical signals simultaneously without interference, guaranteeing individual bandwidth without mutual interference and exclusive bandwidth for each room.

At the access layer, benefiting from ongoing architectural, product, and technological innovation, SOE adapts flexibly to meet specific business environment requirements, enabling access to over 100,000 rooms.

Lighting up the Smart Classrooms

To meet the growing network demands of smart learning, passive transparent distribution devices are deployed in building ELV rooms. This layer remains fully passive, reducing backbone optical fiber cable resources and the number of copper cables, ensuring tidy and compliant cable trays, and providing safe power supply.

When classrooms need additional terminals, rewiring from the ELV room is unnecessary. Indoor SOE switches enable local wiring, reducing installation time, ensuring quick deployment of new services, and lowering installation costs.

Lighting up the Dormitories

Dormitories can separate data and power deployment for devices by installing passive transparent distribution devices in the ELV room and having centralized power supply units in the high-voltage electrical room. Data transmission operates passively through the ELV room, while power distribution is managed centrally. This approach significantly reduces operational and maintenance costs, enhancing network stability.

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Lighting up the Office

Various models of wired/wireless devices can be flexibly deployed according to the office's different scenario needs. Large offices can install indoor multi-GE switches, while small offices can deploy integrated wired/wireless wall-plate APs. Multiple installation methods offer flexibility and enhance aesthetic appeal.

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Lighting up the Clinics

Frequent drilling and wiring can disrupt medical operations, affecting both medical service efficiency and the patient experience. Using hubs and unmanaged switches can also lead to network stability issues and maintenance headaches.

The SOE Solution, with in-room remote modules, allows for rapid indoor network expansion and supports loop self-healing and remote management, increasing O&M efficiency by 60%.

Lighting up the Hospital Wards

As smart wards become mainstream, the surge in wired, wireless, and IoT access terminals inside wards demands a more robust indoor network. The SOE Solution enabled by the CDWM technology can uniformly support these connections. Deploying PoE optical switches in rooms facilitates convenient, nearby access for service expansion, preventing resource waste during network upgrades and modifications.

Lighting up the Production Workshop

To meet the flexible production needs of smart manufacturing, the overall solution implements a grid-like deployment of networks and equipment. Using Power over Fiber (PoF switches) and hybrid cables, it provides long-distance data and power supply, offering agile business support while reducing the TCO by 20%.

The industrial-grade, stable, and reliable IP50-rated protection switching equipment meets the demands of high-temperature resistance, dust-proof, and electromagnetic interference prevention in production environments, enhancing service stability by 50%.

Enhance your smart manufacturing capabilities with cutting-edge network solutions. Learn more about how our SOE Solution can transform your production environment. Learn more! >

In three years of innovation, Ruijie SOE solution has successfully deployed from 0 to 100,000 rooms. Looking forward, Ruijie aims to further enhance its network solutions with continued technological and innovative advancements, ensuring greater efficiency, reliability, and intelligence. This expansion will extend SOE Solution's impact across more scenarios, lighting up more campuses, and supporting ongoing digitization and intelligence in various industries with state-of-the-art optical networks.