TOKYO -- Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), the industry leader in network innovation, has announced that its QFabric data center network fabric architecture is being used to power StarBED3, the advanced IP network simulator run by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Deployment of the Juniper Networks QFX3000-M QFabric System gives StarBED3 an ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth infrastructure to support research and development of next-generation networks, security and services.

Located at the Hokuriku StarBED Technology Center, StarBED3is NICT's third-generation IP network test bed, aimed at emulating large and complex network environments. These environments are critical for researchers to simulate and test new Internet technologies. As one of the world's largest emulation test beds, it comprises more than 1,100 physical servers, together with network switch clusters for controlling experimental nodes and supporting interactive communication over a backbone operating at speeds of up to 200 Gbps.

A key issue in constructing the StarBED3 network infrastructure was how to connect the largest possible number of servers at high speed with low latency while working within physical space and power consumption limitations. Another challenge was the traditional approach of concentrating core switches in a single location, creating high cable densities that significantly compromise operational maintenance procedures. NICT was able to overcome these challenges with QFabric technology.

Juniper Networks Inc.