Traditionally, virtual private networks (VPNs) were always deployed on Layer 2 or Layer 3 networks, but Department of Energy scientists running the ESnet network have found a way to create optical VPNs (OVPNs).
This service was conceived in its next-gen network testbed that ESnet is using to develop networking technologies to support scientific research areas such as climate change through a $62 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant.
To power up the OVPN service program, ESnet has turned to Infinera's GMPLS-power IQ network operating system. ESnet plans to offer OVPNs to scientific university and college researchers as well as government research institutes. These OVPNs will allow users to manage their own VPN over the shared Infinera network infrastructure. Users will also be able to dynamically provision circuits in an on demand fashion.
For more:
- see the Infinera release here
- Lawrence Berkeley Labs has this information