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2.56 Tb/s Transmission Record

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bring-it-on-and-other-movies-at-the-same-time dept.

RalfM writes "2.56 terabits of data per second in new transmission record by Bell Labs, Lucent's research arm." So this thing could transmit my entire mp3 collection in under a half second.

4 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Re:what a fat pipe by Peyna · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Not for one person, but for a million people, I could think of a lot of reasons for one.

    --
    What?
  2. How practical exactly..... by happyslinky · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While I have to admit 2.56 Tb/s is darn impressive the article doesnt mention if this can be applied to currently existing fiber optic networks. After having invested millions in new fiber and equipment for my area I seriously doubt my provider (twc) would be willing to just jump up and make large (read as: expensive) modifications. Especially if our network is "just good enough". Advances like this are interesting but how long will it take to "filter down" to us consumers?

    1. Re:How practical exactly..... by swb · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Most of these speed records are about as applicable to everyday communications problems as the Thrust SSC's land speed record is to the problems of everyday ground transportaton.

      Eventually the technological advances will influence everyday communications technology, but for now they're a gee-whiz thing that's of little direct value.

  3. Re:what a fat pipe by BoneFlower · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Clustering. Currently the bottleneck in clusters is network connections, simply put most computers you will cluster are faster than 100Mbps and 1Gbps networks. THe faster you move the data between systems, the faster your cluster- High end supercomputers do this, maximizing transmission speed between the individual porcessors as much or more than the CPU speed.

    Lets say you take 4 Quad PIV 1Ghz systems, build two Beowulf clusters. The one with Tb/sec networking between the systems will be faster, noticeably, than the one with Gb/s networking.

    This will also push things like Gb/s networking from its heights down to the average person. I don't see the average person having a Tb/s network anytime soon, but Gb/s networking will probably be more common within a couple of years. That will probably be the biggest benefit of this advance, the people that absolutely need the fastest networks go to Tb/s, and those that only WANT a fast network now get Gb/s