Transforming network overloads into seamless connectivity

It all began with a simple phrase: “Can you hear me now?” You have muttered it countless times, frustration bubbling beneath the surface, as your video calls crumble into pixelated chaos. The dream of a stable connection often feels like an unattainable nightmare, says Marcin Bala 

The disruptive impact of optical network overloads on our daily operations can be mitigated by two groundbreaking solutions: Wavelength Division Multiplexing and Alien Wavelength technology.

An overloaded optical network can affect businesses in many ways. Sluggish performance, incessant buffering, sudden connection drops, frustratingly high latency, and websites that refuse to respond — these issues spare no one. 

The impact is staggering, a sizable business could haemorrhage £495,000 annually due to network overload, while each employee loses approximately 40 minutes per day grappling with slow internet connections. To put it starkly, that’s 21 wasted days per year. Addressing these signs promptly is crucial to maintaining smooth, efficient, and reliable optical networks.

Network overload can be caused by a variety of different factors. The surge in data traffic, propelled by online activities and the widespread use of data-intensive applications and streaming services, exerts immense pressure on network capacities. 

Similarly, the proliferation of smartphones, IoT and smart gadgets intensifies this demand as these devices vie for limited bandwidth. Emerging technology such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and high definition 4K video adds to the complexity.
“There are 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created each day at our current pace,” explains strategic performance consultant and author Bernard Marr. “But that pace is only accelerating with the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT).”

As these technologies become increasingly mainstream, networks must adapt to handle the data-intensive requirements of these devices, leading to potential overload issues.

Complicating matters further, older conventional optical networks struggle to cope with the demands of contemporary data usage. The fixed bandwidth allocation of traditional optical networks limits the adaptability of the network to fluctuating demands. 

This rigidity cripples the networks’ ability to scale dynamically in response to differing needs. Adding to this conundrum are the fixed wavelength grids inherent in traditional networks. The fixed structures often result in inefficient spectrum utilisation, leaving unused gaps between channels. 

This inefficiency presents a substantial challenge in scalability, forcing traditional networks to undergo extensive expansions to accommodate the demands. Unfortunately, scaling these networks is costly and complex, making it challenging for networks to keep up with the rapid advancement of technology in the modern age.

Anticipating network overload before it strikes is essential for numerous sectors on which the public relies. Fortunately, there are various methods to achieve this. One effective approach involves implementing continuous network monitoring tools. 

These tools can track bandwidth usage, latency, and packet loss. Through regular analysis, abnormal patterns indicative of potential overloads can be identified. Additionally, stress tests can be conducted, simulating heavy loads on the network. By observing the network’s performance under extreme conditions, bottlenecks and weaknesses in the network infrastructure can be identified.

Despite the methods available to identify the potential for network overload, finding solutions to this challenge has remained an elusive goal. The complexity of modern networks, coupled with the increasing demands of digital communication, necessitates innovations and adaptation to effectively combat network overload.

In addressing network overload, innovative technologies have emerged as potential solutions. One such solution is Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). 

This technology enables the transmission of multiple data streams over a single optical fibre using different wavelengths of light. Unlike traditional optical networks with fixed wavelength inefficiencies, WDM significantly increases the data capacity, allowing for parallel data transmission with minimal interference.

Another pioneering technology, Alien Wavelength technology, offers unmatched flexibility in addressing network overload. Delivered as a compact ‘pizzabox’ module that seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructure, Alien Wavelength technology integrates additional data capacity. The current infrastructure faces a significant limitation in accommodating the abundant market capacity within a single wavelength. In contrast, Alien Wavelength empowers systems to effectively manage network overload, leveraging core WDM concepts.

By adding additional external devices to the optical network, wavelengths of various speeds can be generated. This solution provides cost optimisation, enabling businesses to expand their network capabilities without exorbitant costs.

By seamlessly integrating with existing networks, both Alien Wavelength Solution and WDM offer a cost-effective solution for businesses facing network overload. 

WDM provides enhanced bandwidth efficiency by optimising bandwidth usage, ensuring smooth operations and reduced congestion, while Alien Wavelength Solution allows businesses to choose from various vendors that provide different wavelength capabilities. Whether the network uses 400G, 600G or 800G, this solution can adapt to the specific needs of a business, ensuring optimal performance and scalability.

Addressing network overload begins with evaluating the current network capacity, analysing data traffic patterns, and finding potential bottlenecks. Businesses should research and collaborate with vendors specialising in these advanced solutions, prioritising reputation, flexibility, and alignment with specific business needs. The emphasis being on long-term scalability to accommodate future growth.

In the digital connectivity landscape, acknowledging the signs of network overload is paramount. Innovative solutions like WDM and Alien Wavelength technology guide through the complexities of modern data needs. 

Marcin Bala is CEO at telecommunications network specialist Salumanus.