Nokia Updates Data Center Interconnects for AI Demands

Espoo, Finland – Nokia Oyj has introduced technology designed to significantly improve data transfer connections between data centers. These advancements address the growing capacity demands driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud providers, which are exceeding petabit-per-second speeds.

The expansion of data center construction and their geographical spread requires new types of fiber connectivity. As distances between data centers increase beyond 1,000 kilometers, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) optical transport networks become essential. Key requirements for this technology include power efficiency per bit and operational simplicity. Features such as plug-and-play integration, scalability, and rapid service activation are considered crucial.

A core component of Nokia's solution is the optical line system. This includes functionality such as add/drop multiplexers for wavelengths, wavelength selective switches (WSS), booster and pre-amplifiers, and optical channel monitoring. The system also measures fiber quality and identifies faults.

Integrating these components into a single blade design enables higher data transfer rates and reduces the physical footprint within data centers. This streamlining leads to faster deployments and simplified operations. Nokia is utilizing new WSS technology that allows data transfer across both C and L bands simultaneously, optimized to support 800G channels and future higher-speed solutions.

Nokia states that this integrated approach will accelerate the build-out of data center interconnects and enhance network operational efficiency compared to previous modular systems. The new systems offer connectivity of up to 409.6 terabits per second per fiber pair.