SINET5: A low-latency and high-bandwidth backbone network for SDN/NFV Era

SINET5 is a new 100-Gbps-based academic backbone network, which started full-scale operations in April 2016. It uses multi-protocol label switching-transport profile (MPLS-TP) systems and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) to create a nationwide network and has more than 50 backbone IP routers to provide a wide range of services, such as several virtual private network (VPN) services. It provides end-to-end data communications up to 100 Gbps throughput, minimized-latency, and software-defined networking (SDN)-friendly functions to researchers in every Japanese prefecture. SINET5 is also a platform for dynamic inter-cloud connections and network functions visualization (NFV) services. This paper brief review of the network architecture, and describes new featured services, SDN-oriented layer-2 on-demand VPN services, and NFV functions. Field test results for SINET5 performance are also reported.