By controlling the entire hardware stack, AWS can implement comprehensive security measures that would be challenging with third-party solutions, Rehder stated.
“This initial long-haul deployment represents just the first implementation of the in-house technology across our extensive long-haul network. We have already extended deployment to Europe, with plans to use the AWS DWDM transponder for all new long-haul connections throughout our global infrastructure,” Rehder wrote.
Cloud vendors are some of the largest optical users in the world, though not all develop their own DWDM or other optical systems, according to a variety of papers on the subject. Google develops its own DWDM, for example, but others like Microsoft Azure develop only parts and buy optical gear from third parties. Others such as IBM, Oracle and Alibaba have optical backbones but also utilize third-party equipment.
“We are anticipating that the time has come to interconnect all those new AI data centers being built,” wrote Jimmy Yu, vice president at Dell’Oro Group, in a recent optical report. “We are forecasting data center interconnect to grow at twice the rate of the overall market, driven by increased spending from cloud providers. The direct purchases of equipment for DCI will encompass ZR/ZR+ optics for IPoDWDM, optical line systems for transport, and DWDM systems for high-performance, long-distance terrestrial and subsea transmission.”
