Optical network investment
The primary transmission medium in PIONIER network are optical fibre cables in a buried cable ducts or suspended on power lines. In the period from 2001 to December 2011, 5433 kilometres of fibres cables were built, consisting of standard single-mode (G.652) and non-zero dispersion shifted (G.655) fibres. Together with fibres leased from other telco operators 6494,26 kilometres of fibres in PIONIER network are used.
Currently, two independent transmission systems, using separate optical fibres are installed in PIONIER network infrastructure.
The first system offers two 2x10 Gbit/s links which connect all 21 Metropolitan Area Academic Networks.
The second DWDM transmission system enables to use 80 10 Gbit/s optical channels. It has complete coverage of Poland area and connects all MAN nodes including branch lines to state borders. Transmission system offers the following functionalities: directionless, colorless, and connectionless what means that it has the function to change the wavelength and direct the signal in any given line direction only by software configuration without any physical intervention of technical staff.
The PIONIER network is currently utilized for the following purposes:
- Academic Internet network services
- Implementation of dedicated network links between HPCs.
- Development of regional networks (by making possible for MANs to use optical fibres which are used to provide networking services to government and regional administration, schools, hospitals etc.)
The important element of PIONIER network are existing, direct cross-border fibres (CBFs) to other European operators. Using these CBFs it is possible to provide cost effective and quick access to major European Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and connect with National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in Europe.
Currently PIONIER network has cross-border links with:
- Germany in Słubice (DFN network), Gubin and Kołbaskowo,
- Czech Republic in Cieszyn (CESNET network),
- Slovakia in Zwardoń (SANET network),
- Ukraine in Hrebenne (UARNET and URAN networks),
- Belorus in Kuźnica,
- Lithuania in Ogrodniki.
Starting August 2010 it became possible to establish connection between PIONIER network and NREN in Russia (Kaliningrad district). Currently one 10 Gbit/s optical channel is available.
Moreover, DWDM transmission system from Poznań through Słubice to Hamburg (Germany) was deployed and directly connects PIOINER with SURFnet and NORDunet. In Hamburg, PIONIER has at its disposal links to IXP in Amsterdam (AMS-IX) and access point to GLIF (Global Lambda Integrated Facility) resources.
Currently used infrastructure
PIONIER network currently embraces with its coverage 21 academic network MAN (22 Major Units) and provides for scientific and research community in Poland (universities, research institutes, supercomputing centres, libraries etc.) access to global Internet resources and a dedicated Internet connections between research centres in Poland and the centres abroad.
PIONIER connects all 21 academic Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) using own 2 x 10Gbit/s (DWDM technology) links, and on separate fibre pair operates DWDM transmission system which enables to use up to 80 10 Gbit/s optical channels (lambda) between MAN networks and branch networks to state borders as well.
The PIONIER ADVA DWDM system was installed on G.652 and G.655 type fibres, which constitutes the transmission layer for the MPLS network built on the Foundry NetIron XMR 16000/8000 backbone equipment. The primary and backup routers for PIONIER network are located in Poznan (Juniper carrier-grade T320 and MX960).

PIONIER network has also external connections to the European research network - GÉANT and the global Internet. The primary connection to the GÉANT is implemented using 10 Gbit/s Packet over Sonet technology and 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology and directly routed to the GÉANT network node in Poznan. The connection to Global Internet currently has bandwidth of 15 Gbit/s.
The proper operation of PIONIER network is under supervision of 365/7/24 PIONIER Network Operations Center located in Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center and IP-NOC operating in the Computer Center of University of Lodz.