This paper describes an architectural design and related services of a new Japanese academic backbone network, called SINET5, which will be launched in April 2016. The network will cover all 47 prefectures with 100-Gigabit Ethernet technology and connect each pair of prefectures with a minimized latency. This will enable users to leverage evolving cloud-computing powers as well as draw on a high-performance platform for data-intensive applications. The transmission layer will form a fully meshed, SDN-friendly, and reliable network. The services will evolve to be more dynamic and cloud-oriented in response to user demands. Cyber-security measures for the backbone network and tools for performance acceleration and visualization are also discussed.

The first practical approach to 100-Gigabit Ethernet, i.e., Ethernet with a throughput of 100-Gb/s, is proposed for use in the next generation of LANs for GRID computing and large-capacity data centers. New structures, including a coding architecture, de-skewing method and high-speed packaging techniques, are introduced to the PHY layer to obtain the required data rate. Our form of 100-Gigabit Ethernet uses 10-Gb/s 10-channel CWDM or parallel-optical links. The coding architecture is formed of 64B/66B codes, modified for the CWDM and parallel links. In the de-skewing of the parallel signals, specially designed IDLE characters are used to compensate for skewing of data in the respective signal lanes. Advanced packaging techniques, which suppress the propagation loss and reflection of the 10-Gb/s lanes to obtain high-speed, good integrity and low-noise signaling, are proposed and evaluated. The proposed architectural features make this 100-Gigabit Ethernet concept practical for next-generation LANs.