Nokia Powers Next-Generation IP Network for Germany’s Leading Research Community

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(IN BRIEF) Nokia has been chosen by Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. (DFN) to upgrade and expand its IP core router network in Germany. This initiative, announced on 26 March 2025, will deliver faster interface speeds of up to 800 Gigabits per second and reduce power consumption by up to 75% using Nokia’s 7750 Service Routers. The upgrade will replace older systems with enhanced connectivity that supports DFN’s extensive network of around 850 research and education locations and a multi-terabit core spanning 65 points. The project, which includes a full suite of professional services and a successful migration of existing applications, is designed to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, energy-efficient communication infrastructure vital for collaborative scientific research. Statements from DFN’s Dr. Stefan Piger and Nokia’s Matthieu Bourguignon emphasize the scalability, robustness, and future-readiness of the new network solution.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 26-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — On 26 March 2025, Nokia has been selected by Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. (DFN), Germany’s premier research and education network, to modernize and expand its IP core router network across the country. This strategic upgrade will dramatically enhance DFN’s connectivity, delivering interface speeds that can reach up to 800 Gigabits per second while reducing power consumption by as much as 75%. By replacing existing equipment with Nokia’s scalable 7750 Service Routers, based on the cutting-edge FP5 routing silicon, DFN is set to upgrade its current 100G interfaces to 400G, with the potential to further increase capacity to 800G as demand grows.

DFN, which provides an extensive range of services to support the dynamic needs of the scientific research community, enables seamless access to crucial resources such as supercomputers and expansive data repositories. This enhanced connectivity is vital for facilitating international collaborations and managing large-scale data transfers for universities, research institutes, and R&D companies across approximately 850 locations in Germany. With a backbone that spans 10,250 km of optical fiber and a multi-terabit core network linking 65 key network points, DFN is recognized as one of the most powerful non-commercial networks in the world.

As part of the upgrade, Nokia replaced equipment from a former vendor at ten strategic sites, ensuring a smooth migration of all existing DFN applications to the new service routers before deployment. “Nokia’s solution offered the performance and scalability we need for our IP core network in Germany, and the results speak for themselves,” said Dr. Stefan Piger, Head of Network and Communication Services at DFN. “We are now fully prepared for 800G connectivity and can scale our services to meet the evolving needs of research and higher education in Germany.”

Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President, Europe, Network Infrastructure at Nokia, added, “As the developer and operator of the communications infrastructure linking universities and research institutes in Germany, DFN plays a vital role in supporting scientific progress. Our collaboration demonstrates the strength of our IP routing technology, providing a robust, agile, and adaptable network that is well-equipped to scale efficiently into the future.”

Multimedia, technical information and related news 
Product Page: FP5 network processor
Product Page: 7750 Service Router
Web Page: Nokia Research and Education Networks

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About Deutsches Forschungsnetz e.V. – DFN
The DFN Association is responsible for the operation and expansion of the German research network and related IT services. DFN operates and develops the communication infrastructure for research institutes in Germany. It connects universities, non-university research institutions and research-related commercial enterprises at around 850 locations throughout Germany.

The science network has a total length of 10,250 km of optical fiber in the backbone and a multi-terabit core network spanning 65 core network locations; it is one of the largest and most powerful non-commercial communication networks in the world.

DFN operates not only nationally but also connects to European and global scientific networks and the general Internet via high-performance exchange points.

https://www.dfn.de/netz/

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SOURCE: Nokia