Ruijie Networks: Not only a light chaser, but also a light maker for Ethernet all-optical networks

With the rapid development of information technology and the deepening of digitalization, enterprise campus network construction is facing unprecedented challenges. On the one hand, the growing data traffic and complex application scenarios have put forward higher requirements for network bandwidth, latency, reliability, and flexibility; on the other hand, traditional networks are unable to cope with these demands due to their bloated architecture, difficulty in rapid capacity expansion, and high maintenance costs, making it difficult to effectively support business development. Against this background, especially driven by the dual goals of digital transformation and "carbon neutrality", "optical fiber in and copper out" has gradually become an inevitable trend for network infrastructure upgrades.

In this wave of change, Ruijie Networks is like a leader with a keen eye, and has proactively captured the pulse of this trend as early as 2020. At that time, many companies were still hesitating and waiting, but Ruijie Networks was bold enough to be a pioneer and firmly chose the path of Ethernet all-optical technology, which is full of challenges and opportunities. With its outstanding technical strength and fearless spirit of innovation, it has opened up a brand new world for enterprise campus network construction.

The innovative evolution of minimalist light: the brilliant journey from 1.0 to 3.X

Ruijie Networks is well aware that in order to create an all-optical network solution that is truly suitable for enterprise users, it is necessary to deeply understand the pain points of customers. Therefore, the R&D team went deep into the front-line scenarios of education, medical care, manufacturing and other industries and conducted a lot of field research. They listened to the various troubles that customers encountered during the network upgrade process , such as the difficulty of fiber optic access leading to incomplete network coverage, insufficient network bandwidth limiting the efficient operation of the business, and the difficulty of point expansion unable to meet the growing business expansion needs.

▲The development history of Ruijie Networks' simplified optical network

Ruijie Networks regards it as a source of innovation. In 2021 , Ruijie Networks took the lead in the industry to propose the "Ethernet All-Optical Network" architecture , and launched the industry's first all-optical solution based on Ethernet network - the minimalist Ethernet all-optical solution 1.0, which fired the "first shot" in the development of Ethernet all-optical and marked its official entry into the Ethernet all-optical field . The solution aims to achieve goals such as fiber access to the room, exclusive bandwidth, and flexible expansion, while maintaining the ease of use and compatibility of the Ethernet architecture.

With the continuous advancement of technology and changes in market demand, Ruijie Networks launched the Minimalist Optical 2.X solution in 2022. This solution innovatively introduces color optical wavelength division technology into the campus network, and combines color optical technology with the Ethernet all-optical architecture to achieve a two-layer networking structure, replacing the original building active aggregation with passive transparent aggregation, achieving a completely passive aggregation node and zero maintenance in the weak current room.

In 2023, Ruijie Networks further promoted technological innovation and launched the Simplified Optical 3.0 solution . This solution integrates color optical technology with switches, integrates wavelength division multiplexers into newly launched core-side devices, and launches frame-type/box-type color optical switches that support super-aggregated ports. The core-side devices are highly integrated, greatly improving network stability and management efficiency.

Then, Ruijie Networks upgraded the simplified optical solution to version 3.X again in 2024. The solution supports three architectures: optical modification, optical mixing, and color optical. It has the advantages of easy network expansion, long-distance deployment, and true 10G access to indoor areas. It proactively introduces Ethernet color optical technology that combines CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) and Ethernet all-optical, multiplexing multiple optical signals of different wavelengths in the same optical fiber for transmission, thereby effectively saving optical cable resources.

Looking back at the development history of Ruijie Network's simplified optical network, every upgrade and improvement from version 1.0 to 3.X is like a milestone, witnessing Ruijie Network's technical wisdom and innovative spirit. 1.0 was the first to propose the "Ethernet All-Optical Network" architecture, just like lighting a bright lamp in the dark; 2.X innovatively introduced color optical wavelength division technology, just like adding a touch of brilliant color to the network; 3.0 was the first to integrate wavelength division technology with switches, just like creating a powerful network weapon; 3.X innovative integration of color optical and optical hybrid adapts to all scenarios, just like customizing a suitable network armor for users with different needs. Each stage embodies Ruijie Network's persistent pursuit of technological innovation and deep understanding of customer needs.

Multi-dimensional advantages highlighted: Ruijie's outstanding competitiveness in simplified optical networking

In the fiercely competitive Ethernet all-optical market, compared with other Ethernet all-optical solutions , Ruijie Network's minimalist optical solution has demonstrated significant differentiated advantages in design concept and scenario applicability, network architecture and performance, operation and maintenance management and security, R&D investment and product innovation. These advantages have enabled the minimalist optical solution to stand out in the market competition and won the trust and praise of customers.

In terms of design concept and scenario applicability, Ruijie Network's simplified optical network is designed for the iterative and differentiated needs of campus network services in industries such as education, medical care, and manufacturing. Through a new fiber-in-the-room deployment method and perfect combination with Ethernet technology, it can provide high-bandwidth, low-latency, highly flexible and extremely simple operation and maintenance network carrying capabilities for various complex business scenarios.

In terms of network architecture and performance, Ruijie Networks' simplified optical solution adopts an all-optical interconnection deployment mode, realizes the passivity of the aggregation layer, and makes the network architecture more concise. This solution meets the high requirements of enterprises for network performance in data transmission scenarios. For example , high-definition image data transmission of medical institutions, high-frequency transactions of financial institutions, and big data analysis of Internet companies can ensure fast and stable data transmission.

In terms of operation and maintenance management and security, Ruijie Networks' simplified optical network greatly reduces the difficulty and cost of operation and maintenance through simplified equipment deployment, unified real-time monitoring and rapid troubleshooting . For example, its indoor optical switches are small and plug-and-play. When a network failure occurs, the operation and maintenance personnel can quickly locate and solve the problem, effectively shortening the failure duration and improving the continuity of enterprise business.

In terms of R&D investment and product innovation, Ruijie Networks attaches great importance to R&D investment, which accounts for nearly 20% of operating income and more than half of its employees are R&D personnel, which provides a solid foundation for product innovation. Ruijie Networks maintains an average annual solution evolution rhythm, from the initial minimalist optical 1.0 to the new solution to be released soon, constantly innovating and ensuring compatibility between new and old solutions, meeting the use requirements of various networking scales and differentiated levels in different industry scenarios.

Minimalist IPL Networks Connect Thousands of Industries: Successful Cases Testify to Excellent Quality

Nowadays, Ruijie Ethernet all-optical products can be found in educational institutions, medical institutions, government agencies, financial institutions, energy companies, etc. With excellent product performance, excellent stability, good usability and other qualities, the market share of Ruijie Ethernet all-optical products continues to expand, and application cases are spread across thousands of industries.

Taking Wuwei Cancer Hospital (Wuwei Institute of Medical Sciences) in Gansu Province as an example, in the face of challenges such as difficulty in expanding information points and network operation and maintenance, the hospital chose to adopt Ruijie Network's minimalist optical solution and successfully built a high-speed, stable and reliable network access. By applying color light technology, the hospital has achieved simultaneous transmission of 8 different signals on one optical fiber, and has exclusive access to 10G bandwidth. The loading time of high-definition digital images in ultra-high bandwidth business scenarios such as the hospital's film reading room and treatment planning room has been reduced from 5 minutes to 5 seconds, achieving a speed increase of nearly 60 times. This not only improves the stability and reliability of medical image transmission, but also provides strong support for doctors to provide timely and accurate treatment. There is no need to redeploy network cables from the weak current room when adding terminals. The point expansion can be completed directly indoors , which greatly reduces the working time occupied by the expansion of hospital information points and makes the deployment of smart ward services 5 times faster.

Taking Southwest University as an example, in order to meet the construction needs of smart classrooms across the school, the school adopted Ruijie Network's simplified Ethernet all-optical solution, successfully completed the network transformation of the school's smart classrooms, and built a 10Gbps high-bandwidth, easy-to-expand, and simple-to-operate high-speed optical network. The easy-to-expand and easy-to-operate high-speed optical network system has effectively supported the smooth operation of various high-bandwidth services on campus. Sufficient space has been reserved for the access of more services in the future smart campus, and the maximum utilization and conservation of equipment resources have been achieved.

Looking to the future: Ruijie Networks' optical path

Ruijie Networks has unswervingly chosen Ethernet all-optical technology and made it its main development direction, investing a lot of resources in R&D and promotion. This decision is like a shining North Star, guiding the right direction in the vast starry sky of network technology. Today, Ruijie Ethernet all-optical solutions have been widely used in thousands of projects, winning wide recognition in the market and deep trust from customers.

Looking ahead, Ruijie Networks will explore more new scenarios and fields, and provide scenario-based innovative network solutions for more industry users to improve customer satisfaction and trust. In addition, Ruijie Networks will strengthen cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain to jointly build an Ethernet all-optical ecosystem, achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages, promote the rapid development and widespread application of Ethernet all-optical technology, illuminate the way forward for the digital transformation of thousands of industries, and work together to create a better network future.