Home > Tech Gallery > SOE Lights Up Higher Education Networks
Time: August 15th, 2024
Abstract: Next-generation technologies like AI, 5G, and IoT are transforming Higher Education Networks, driving the development of digital campuses and smart teaching methods. This article examines the deployment of Simplified Optical Ethernet (SOE) in over 100,000 rooms, highlighting its role in enhancing smart teaching and digital campus infrastructure.
Case studies from Southwest University and Nanjing Tech University demonstrate SOE's benefits, including simplified management and seamless integration of network services, positioning it as a key solution for digital transformation in education.
The rise of next-generation technologies such as generative AI, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and cloud computing is transforming Higher Education Networks, fostering the development of digital campuses, smart teaching methods, and online learning. These advancements are reshaping the scope and content of educational technologies, creating new demands on campus network infrastructure, communication systems, and capacity. In response, there is a growing shift towards all-optical networks for digital campus development. This trend aligns with recent national initiatives promoting high-quality development through large-scale updates to digital, intelligent, and eco-friendly equipment, accelerating digital transformation.
Unlike traditional network cables that face limitations in distance, performance, weight, and cost, optical fibers offer unparalleled advantages for supporting multiple services.
They provide high transmission speeds, low latency, long durability, and strong resistance to interference. Furthermore, with the affordability and availability of silica, the shift from copper cable to optical fiber on campus networks is becoming increasingly compelling.
Digital Campus: Choosing Between SOE and PON on Higher Education Networks
In the realm of all-optical network architecture for Higher Education Networks, two primary technologies are prominent: "
SOE" and "
PON." SOE stands for Simplified Optical Ethernet, while PON stands for Passive Optical Network. When evaluating protocol maturity and service support, the "Optical + Ethernet" approach emerges as a more suitable choice for digital campus development.
Ethernet
protocols are well-established, with rapid technological advancements and a clear trajectory for future development. In contrast, PON relies on separate protocols, necessitating additional training for O&M personnel.
For smart teaching applications, Ethernet 800G technology has reached a level of maturity that makes it ideal for bandwidth-hungry applications such as online teaching. Ethernet's versatility also supports a range of scenarios, including intelligent computing networks, data centers, and IP-based audio and video communications, offering robust multi-service compatibility.
In response to these needs, Ruijie Networks has launched
a streamlined Ethernet + Optical network solution. This solution incorporates the
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology to build a high-performance, low-maintenance, user-friendly, and multi-network-capable all-optical campus network.
The CWDM technology boosts transmission efficiency on a single fiber using wavelength division multiplexing. Unlike the time-division multiplexing "
single-plank bridge" of PON, CWDM technology transforms the fiber connection into a
high-capacity bi-directional highway, expanding the number of channels within limited resources. This innovation enables campuses to reduce backbone fiber usage and achieve
1:1 bandwidth to individual rooms, better supporting high-performance teaching requirements.
How SOE Empowers Higher Education Networks and Enhances Smart Teaching?
The SOE 3.x solution offers a passive aggregation architecture that supports easy network expansion, long-distance deployment, and true 10G connectivity to individual rooms. This makes it highly
adaptable to various scenarios within Higher Education Institutions, fostering the development of robust higher education networks and smart teaching environments.
Smart Teaching Scenarios on a Higher Education Network: In educational buildings, outdated ELV risers and aggregation points often suffer from a clutter of devices and cables, making maintenance and management challenging. Issues such as power supply and heat dissipation issues for these devices can also disrupt smart teaching activities. The SOE solution addresses these problems with a centralized deployment approach: core equipment is concentrated in a central data center, while
ELV rooms no longer house active devices, achieving a maintenance-free environment. Optical fibers connect directly to switches and wireless devices within rooms, providing
1:1 bandwidth to each room.
This setup supports high-bandwidth teaching activities and allows for easy expansion by running additional cables directly within the rooms. Maintenance personnel only need to manage equipment at the central data center and in the classrooms, significantly enhancing maintenance efficiency within a Higher Education Network when used in conjunction with platforms like INC.
Office Scenarios: Traditional solutions often face challenges when personnel changes or information point expansions occur. Using hubs or unmanaged switches for network extension can result in random device placement and potential network loops. PON solutions, which deploy ONU devices within offices, can also complicate the setup of sharing and printing services due to their inherent Layer 2 isolation.
In contrast, the
SOE solution offers a versatile range of wired and wireless devices that can be deployed according to the office's specific needs. Large offices can benefit from desktop switches installed in each room, while smaller offices can use integrated wired/wireless wall-plate APs. This approach not only enhances the office's appearance but also simplifies network expansion and ensures seamless sharing and printing capabilities.
Dormitory Scenarios: Dormitory buildings are usually single structures with closely packed rooms and numerous ELV rooms. Network equipment from various sources, such as operators and network centers, is often mixed together in these spaces, which also accommodate building automation devices and fire safety network devices from departments like logistics, security, and fire safety. The complexity of powering network devices in dormitories demands careful planning, as local power supply would require pre-designed strong current systems and considerations for electrical safety and management within the dorm rooms.
The SOE solution adopts a centralized power supply approach. This setup enables the
separate deployment of data and power: data travels through the ELV rooms, facilitating a fully passive network, while power is managed through the high voltage room. This arrangement significantly simplifies O&M and enhances network stability within the Higher Education Network.
Elevate your higher education network with cutting-edge solutions. Explore how our SOE Solution can revolutionize your campus to enhance smart learning and dormitory networks.
Learn more! >
Lighting Up the Future Campus with Optical Networks - From 0 to 100K+ Rooms
Southwest University
High-Performance, Low-Maintenance Higher Education Network for Smart Teaching
Southwest University has implemented the high-performance, low-maintenance SOE Solution to enhance smart teaching efficiency within its Higher Education Network. Utilizing the CWDM technology, the network offers
1:1 bandwidth from core to access, delivering
10 Gbps connectivity to smart classrooms and effectively accommodating high-bandwidth applications.
The university’s teaching network is centrally managed by the Academic Affairs Office, which lacks a dedicated O&M team. The SOE solution replaces traditional aggregation switches with passive transparent distribution device in the ELV rooms,
eliminating maintenance requirements in these areas. Coupled with SDN, this approach provides intelligent, end-to-end network management, greatly simplifying maintenance and administrative tasks in support of smart teaching.
Nanjing Tech University
Building a Digital Campus Foundation with Optical & Ethernet Integration
Nanjing Tech University has implemented an Ethernet all-optical network solution powered by CWDM technology, laying a solid digital campus foundation for its Higher Education Network. This upgrade spans 29 buildings and over 2,000 rooms, featuring a 100G backbone network, 80G SOE data transmission to the buildings, and 10G optical equipment in each room, ensuring top-tier campus connectivity.
The SOE infrastructure
unifies over 20 specialized networks, including IoT, wired and wireless, and 5G, into a single, cohesive network. This integration
facilitates seamless data flow, supports the convergence of various services, and fosters a user-friendly environment where students and faculty can engage in learning anytime and anywhere.
Interested in a detailed case study? Check out how SOE was developed to address specific scenario challenges at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
Learn more >
SOE is
not only transforming higher education but also making an impact in
primary education, healthcare, and
enterprises. With the
achievement of connecting 100,000 rooms, SOE has demonstrated its potential. Looking ahead, we are confident that SOE will expand to more campuses and applications,
driving digital transformation across various industries.
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