University at Buffalo Accelerates AI DCI Deployment with XKL

HPC and AI-lead research are driving public institutions to upgrade their network infrastructure. To maintain a competitive edge, the IT team at SUNY flagship University at Buffalo explored how to cost-efficiently increase the performance and bandwidth capacity of their network.

The Challenge

UB’s team faced a tight timeline and resource limits due to encroaching grant funding deadlines. With a 2025 June deployment date, UB had a few months to light a freshly acquired AI cluster, Bulls AI, for the school’s newly created Department of AI & Society (AIS).

Fiber constraints between the three campuses introduced DWDM into the conversation. The team needed a different approach to accommodate future expansions without forklifting equipment, though they had no previous experience deploying and maintaining active DWDM systems. They began evaluating vendors who could support this tight lead time, prioritizing a swift turnaround and a vendor that could simplify the steep technical learning curve.

First Time’s the Charm

Since standing up active DWDM hardware was a first for the UB team, XKL worked closely to build an understanding of their criteria and technical priorities while designing the data-center interconnect.

The design and selection process revolved around ease of use and maximizing uptime, which was supported by the built-in management and testing capabilities within the hardware.

Cost, warranty, and timely post-deployment support also factored into the decision. UB looked for a vendor that could promise quality technical support, including same-day response times from within the US, and fast replacement times for parts. This was a major point of emphasis for a public university with plans to run invaluable research data through those channels.

The Solution

The final DCI (data center interconnect) solution made the most of XKL’s built-to-order methodology, and was delivered within UB’s short timeline.

After aligning on the initial requirements, testing, and configuring the solution, the XKL team set up virtual trainings for additional customer support.

This allowed UB’s team to familiarize themselves with monitoring and managing the systems on their own. The final solution supported a mix of 100G and 400G transport, with 6 100G services and integrated OTDR:

• DQM400 – 100G/400G Muxponder with integrated amplifiers, filters, OTDR
• Patch Panel – front-facing fiber management product for improved cabling

The Results

UB’s first foray into active DWDM drove the cost-savings the team was looking for in the long-term, alongside additional flexibility for future growth in their network architecture.

The cost of DWDM systems is minimal as compared to the build-out and annual upkeep required for miles of fiber infrastructure. This creates future opportunities for more economical expansion with no network downtime from forklift upgrades.

The hardware has upgrade capabilities to 12x400G as well as 800G, which covers future needs for additional capacity for additional HPC cluster deployments. With these additional systems in place, the extra capacity available from this new solution will continue to build on campus needs and connectivity as UB adds more clusters for future research.

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About XKL
XKL delivers accessible DWDM solutions that are simple to deploy and easy to manage. Our built-to-order systems are developed with XKL’s customer-centric approach, ensuring reliable core, middle mile, and backhaul networks. Trusted by operators globally, XKL’s license-free model allows network teams of any size to meet the growing demand for optical network performance at layer 1.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Carson
jsa_xkl@jsa.net