CRIANN enhances network capacity and resilience with Adtran’s optical transport and fiber monitoring solutions

The Centre Régional Informatique et d’Applications Numériques de Normandie (CRIANN) has implemented Adtran’s FSP 3000 optical transport technology and ALM fiber monitoring platform to expand and secure its research and education network, with funding from the Normandy Region. 

The Centre Régional Informatique et d’Applications Numériques de Normandie (CRIANN) is a supercomputing center based in Normandy, France, providing high-performance digital infrastructure and IT services to support the region’s scientific and academic institutions. 

CRIANN facilitates data-intensive research and innovation, offering connectivity and computational resources for projects across various fields, including AI and scientific simulations.

Adtran’s Elite partner, Axians, provided support during installation and continues to maintain the system.

Bruno Durand, GM of Axians communication and cloud Caen, stated:

“At Axians, we believe in forging connections that matter, not just with technology but also through relationships. Our partnership with CRIANN and Adtran is a testament to this philosophy. Together, we’re ensuring CRIANN’s research and education network can adapt, evolve and meet future challenges.

“This deployment is about providing top-tier opportunities for scientists, teachers and students. By merging technical expertise with our commitment to delivering excellence, we’re ensuring that the region stays at the cutting edge of research and innovation.”

This upgrade will enhance connectivity across CRIANN’s network to meet the increasing demands from academic institutions in Normandy. 

Alain Bidaud, CTO of CRIANN, said: “Our fiber network promotes innovation and the advancement of scientific knowledge. We support academic institutions in several ways, including by enabling data-intensive simulations and AI research for which high-speed, secure and ultra-reliable connectivity is fundamental.

“Harnessing Adtran’s optical transport technology, we’ve boosted capacity across our fiber infrastructure while also rendering our services more resilient. The FSP 3000 enables a seamless transition from our existing transport network. What’s more, its modular architecture radically simplifies the upgrade process so we can augment the solution to efficiently and sustainably meet future demand.”

The FSP 3000 OpenFabric 1200 platform provides CRIANN with an open OTN fabric and DWDM capabilities, allowing transport speeds of up to 400Gbit/s per wavelength. The setup supports various OTN and Ethernet client services and is designed to accommodate future network expansions.

CRIANN has also deployed Adtran’s ALM in-service fiber monitoring platform alongside the Mosaic Network Controller and Fiber Director. The integration provides detailed, real-time alerts for any fiber disruptions, enabling CRIANN to monitor and maintain the network efficiently while reducing truck rolls and keeping operational costs lower.

Stuart Broome, General Manager of EMEA Sales at Adtran, commented on the deployment: 

“Built on our FSP 3000 platform, CRIANN’s upgraded fiber infrastructure is ideally suited to meet the growing demands of research and education networks for higher capacity and greater reliability.

“Harnessing our OpenFabric™ 1200 switchponder, the new solution supports Ethernet and OTN services up to 400Gbit/s. This technology simplifies operations and maximizes the potential of CRIANN’s fiber assets. With its new, robust network, CRIANN is empowering Normandy’s academic community to take their research to whole new levels.”