MDREN continues to make significant progress on Phase 1 of its Optical Core Upgrade initiative, a major investment that will enhance network capacity, resiliency, and long-term service delivery for Maryland’s research and education community.
Phase 1 will deploy next-generation Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment across MDREN’s existing fiber infrastructure, extending from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) through Ashburn, Virginia and westward to Frostburg State University. The project also leverages fiber acquired through MDREN’s partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), creating a new route from Frostburg through Hagerstown to UMBC.
To streamline implementation, Phase 1 has been organized into three sections:
- Section A: Deployment of new DWDM infrastructure from Ashburn, VA to Frostburg State University and the MDOT site in Lavale, MD.
- Section B: Activation of MDOT fiber from Lavale, MD to UMBC.
- Section C: Replacement of the legacy DWDM platform between UMCP and Ashburn, VA.
The upgrade strategy is designed to minimize operational risk and avoid service disruptions. Sections A and B will be deployed in parallel with existing network connections, allowing new infrastructure to be tested and validated without impacting production services. Section C, which replaces existing equipment, will not proceed until the alternate path established through Sections A and B is fully operational, ensuring continuous network availability throughout the project.
Once completed, Phase 1 will establish a 400 Gbps optical backbone spanning UMCP, Ashburn, Frostburg, Hagerstown, and UMBC. This enhanced architecture will significantly increase backbone capacity while providing full path redundancy to the Ashburn node, strengthening the resiliency and reliability of MDREN’s statewide network.
While industry-wide supply chain challenges continue to affect equipment availability, MDREN has received all required equipment for Section A and expects installation activities to begin shortly. Remaining equipment for Sections B and C is still being delivered, but current projections indicate it will arrive in advance of deployment requirements.
The Optical Core Upgrade represents a key milestone in MDREN’s ongoing commitment to delivering a high-performance, resilient, and future-ready network infrastructure for its member institutions and partners across Maryland.
🟢 Section A (Ashburn to Lavale): Equipment received; installation beginning soon
🟡 Section B (Lavale to UMBC): Awaiting final equipment deliveries
🟡 Section C (UMCP to Ashburn): Planned after alternate path validation
🟢 Target Outcome: 400 Gbps resilient optical backbone with fully redundant Ashburn connectivity