DWDM and OTN Networks for AI Infrastructure
Build and Control the Optical Network Connecting Your AI Infrastructure
AI infrastructure rarely operates in one location. GPU clusters, storage systems, cloud regions and data centers are increasingly distributed across campuses and geographic locations, creating the need for scalable, secure and resilient optical connectivity.
PacketLight enables organizations that own or lease fiber to build high-capacity DWDM and OTN networks for AI infrastructure. Transport 400G and 800G wavelengths, gain end-to-end service visibility with OTN, protect data with Layer-1 encryption on supported platforms, and expand capacity through compact, stackable 1U systems.
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Explore PacketLight's 800G Solutions
AI Growth Requires Network Control
As AI infrastructure expands, bandwidth demand grows just as quickly. Relying on managed connectivity can limit scalability, deployment speed, security and operational control.
PacketLight transforms owned or leased dark fiber into an open DWDM and OTN network, giving operators complete control over capacity, performance and future expansion—without vendor lock-in or unnecessary licensing.
This approach is ideal when:
- AI infrastructure spans multiple locations
- Capacity requirements continue to grow
- Large datasets move between sites
Security and data sovereignty are critical - Managed connectivity is becoming costly
- Full network visibility is required
Who Is This Solution For?
PacketLight supports organizations connecting distributed AI infrastructure.
- GPU Cloud & AI Service Providers - Scale GPU clusters, storage and points of presence as AI workloads grow.
- AI Data Centers & Campuses - Interconnect buildings, compute zones and campuses with dedicated 400G and 800G optical capacity.
- Sovereign AI Infrastructure - Maintain full control over AI data, workloads and network operations within defined geographic boundaries.
- Carriers, Colocation & Fiber Providers - Deliver scalable optical connectivity with service monitoring, protection and encryption options.
- Enterprise AI - Connect private data centers, colocation facilities, cloud environments and storage across hybrid AI deployments.
- Research & HPC - Link supercomputing facilities, research campuses and data repositories with high-capacity optical transport.
High-Capacity Optical Connectivity for AI
PacketLight provides the optical transport layer connecting AI data centers, campuses and cloud locations. It complements Ethernet and InfiniBand networks inside GPU clusters by delivering scalable, high-performance connectivity between sites.
Scale from 400G to 800G
Support 400G and 800G per wavelength and up to 51.2 Tbps per fiber pair using C+L-band DWDM. Add capacity incrementally as AI infrastructure grows.
Low-Overhead Optical Transport
Layer-1 optical transport carries traffic without introducing an additional packet-routing layer, helping minimize transport overhead. End-to-end latency remains dependent on fiber routes and the overall network architecture.
Predictable Performance
Dedicated wavelengths provide deterministic optical-layer performance without packet contention, delivering consistent transport capacity for distributed AI workloads.
Transparent Protocol Transport
Transport RoCE, Ethernet, OTN and Fibre Channel services transparently over dedicated optical wavelengths without modifying the underlying protocols.
Built for Secure, Scalable AI Transport
Protect AI Data in Transit
Secure AI traffic with AES-256 Layer-1 encryption across PacketLight's 400G portfolio and on the PL-8000M at 800G. Encryption operates at line rate with no impact on service bandwidth.
FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validated encryption is available on the PL-4000M and PL-4000T. PacketLight also supports QKD-ready architectures and post-quantum cryptography through partner integrations.
Maintain Service Availability
Support sub-50 ms protection switching in protected network configurations to maintain connectivity during fiber cuts, equipment failures and path disruptions.
End-to-End Network Visibility
OTN provides service demarcation, performance monitoring and fault isolation, giving operators clear visibility into both services and the optical network.
Grow as AI Infrastructure Expands
Compact 1U platforms let you add wavelengths and capacity incrementally without replacing existing equipment or investing in oversized chassis.
Open Optical Networking
PacketLight integrates easily into existing optical networks, allowing organizations to add new capacity while protecting previous infrastructure investments.
Benefits include:
- Multi-vendor interoperability
- Alien wavelength support
- Integration with existing DWDM infrastructure
- Support for Ethernet, RoCE, OTN and Fibre Channel
- Metro, regional and long-haul deployments
- Pay-as-you-grow expansion
- No hidden software licensing
Note: Existing DWDM infrastructure should be evaluated for channel width, optical margin and channel planning before introducing new 800G wavelengths.
Centralized Network Management
LightWatch provides centralized management for PacketLight optical networks, simplifying operations across distributed AI environments.
Key capabilities include:
- End-to-end service provisioning
- Automatic path discovery
- Multi-device configuration
- Centralized alarms and monitoring
- Historical performance reporting
- Configuration backup and recovery
- Integration with third-party management systems
AI Infrastructure Use Cases
- AI Cloud & GPUaaS - Scale GPU clusters, storage and cloud regions with dedicated optical capacity as customer demand grows.
- AI Data Center Interconnect - Connect AI data centers across metro, regional and long-haul networks using open DWDM and OTN infrastructure that scales as new sites come online.
- AI Campus Networks - Interconnect buildings, data halls and compute zones with dedicated optical transport while maintaining visibility and operational control.
- Sovereign AI - Build secure regional AI networks with Layer-1 encryption, open interoperability and complete ownership of the optical infrastructure.
- Enterprise AI - Connect private AI environments, enterprise data centers, storage systems and cloud access points across hybrid AI deployments.
- AI Connectivity as a Service - Enable carriers, fiber providers and colocation operators to deliver high-capacity optical connectivity with monitoring, protection and encryption.
Supporting Data-Intensive AI Applications
PacketLight optical networks are designed for applications that move large volumes of data between locations, including:
- AI model training and inference
- High-performance computing
- Medical imaging
- Financial analytics
- Government and defense AI
- Industrial and edge AI
Wherever AI workloads, models or datasets must move between facilities, PacketLight provides the secure, high-capacity optical foundation to support them.
Build the Optical Foundation for Distributed AI
Whether you are expanding a GPU cloud, connecting an AI campus, building sovereign infrastructure or delivering optical connectivity to AI customers, PacketLight helps you scale and control the network between locations.
Planning a new AI interconnect or expanding an existing one? Share your site locations, route distances, available fiber, capacity targets, service types, protection requirements and encryption needs. PacketLight’s optical network experts can help define the right architecture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an optical network for AI infrastructure?
An optical network for AI infrastructure provides high-capacity connectivity between physically separated GPU clusters, storage systems, data centers, AI campuses and cloud regions. DWDM allows multiple high-speed wavelengths to be carried over the same fiber pair.
Where does DWDM fit in an AI network?
DWDM connects AI infrastructure between buildings, campuses and data centers. It complements the Ethernet or InfiniBand switching fabric used to connect GPUs and servers within an individual cluster.
When should an AI organization consider building its own optical network?
An organization should consider building or controlling its optical network when it operates across multiple locations, has rapidly growing capacity requirements, uses owned or leased fiber, or needs greater control over cost, security, resilience and deployment timing.
Can PacketLight transport RoCE traffic?
Yes. PacketLight transparently transports RoCE and Ethernet traffic over dedicated optical wavelengths between locations. End-to-end lossless operation and congestion management depend on the complete Ethernet network architecture.
Does PacketLight support encrypted 800G transport?
Yes. PacketLight provides AES-256 Layer-1 encryption at 800G on the PL-8000M. AES-256 Layer-1 encryption is also available across PacketLight’s 400G portfolio.
How does PacketLight support low-latency AI connectivity?
PacketLight provides low-overhead Layer-1 transport without introducing an additional packet-routing layer into the optical connection. Actual end-to-end latency depends primarily on fiber distance, route and the overall network and compute architecture.
What does deterministic optical transport mean?
Dedicated optical wavelengths provide fixed capacity without packet contention or routing inside the optical layer. This makes capacity predictable at the transport layer, although end-to-end application performance still depends on the complete network and compute environment.
How much capacity can PacketLight provide over a fiber pair?
PacketLight supports 400G and 800G per wavelength and up to 51.2 Tbps per fiber pair when C+L-band DWDM is deployed.
Does PacketLight provide protection against network failures?
PacketLight optical network devices support sub-50 ms protection switching in protected configurations. Protection and restoration can help maintain service following fiber cuts, path disruptions or equipment failures.
Can PacketLight integrate with an existing optical network?
Yes. PacketLight supports multi-vendor environments, alien wavelengths and integration with compatible existing DWDM infrastructure. Channel width, passband, channel plan and optical margin should be evaluated when adding new 400G or 800G wavelengths.
