The "PIONIER: Polish Optical Internet - Advanced Applications, Services and Technologies for the Information Society" program has been prepared in 1999. In 2000 the project was accepted by the State Committee for Scientific Research as a continuation of former programs for building the Information Infrastructure for Science in Poland.

Research-deployment objectives of the PIONIER Program are the following:

• development and deployment of a new architecture for the Optical Internet;

• development and deployment of advanced services for the Information Society;

• development and deployment of a new economical model for the Optical Internet.

One of the main priorities of the PIONIER Program is to build a new generation optical network- the PIONIER network. The network topology includes over 6000 km of its own optical fibres and will connect 21 academic metropolitan area networks. The DWDM technology, up to 32 lambdas, is used starting with 10 Gb/s Ethernet.

The mission of the PIONIER Consortium is the construction of Polish Optical Network and the support of the statutory activities of the leading institutions and the development of the Information Society in general, using the network and IT infrastructure.

To realize the mission, the consortium established the rules of the PIONIER research network, defining the ownership of the infrastructure, its exploitation and the cooperation with the private institutions,as well as the international cooperation etc.

PIONIER network is the first National Research and Education Network in Europe which has its own fiber optic cables. Transmission is organized in DWDM system using 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology. Recently, initial research work and tests have been made to implement 100 Gigabit Ethernet technology in PIONIER network.

Important element of PIONIER are direct fiber optic connections to international telecommunication operators. PIONIER network, similarly as other research networks in Western Europe is connected to European Research-Academic and educational network GEANT using 10 Gbit/s links (GEANT network node is located in IBCh PAS-PSNC). Polish network as one of the first in Europe defined and constructed cross border connections (CBDF – Cross Border Dark Fiber) to neighbouring research networks. Currently, fully functional and operational are  connections to German DFN network in Słubice, to CESNET in Cieszyn, SANET Slovak network in Zwardoń, to Ukrainian URAN and UARNET networks in Hrebenne and to BASNET network in Kuźnica Białostocka.   

Using CESNET network, connection to Austrian network ACONET has been activated. Ready and operational are connections to Lithuania in Ogrodniki and to Russia (Kaliningrad District) in Gronowo. Conducted works toward connecting PIONIER network with eastern neighbouring networks have been noticed and respected at the European level. As a result, PIONIER network has been assigned the function of coordinator of Porta Optica project. Main goal of this project was to design research and education networks and cross – border connections in Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova) and countries in the Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). It is worth to notice that  PIONIER network is present, represented by PSNC, in the Internet2 American research network association and active member of TERENA organization (Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association).

Optical network investment

The primary transmission medium in PIONIER network are optical fibre cables in a buried cable ducts or suspended on power lines. In the period from 2001 to December 2011, 5433 kilometres of fibres cables were built, consisting of standard single-mode (G.652) and non-zero dispersion shifted (G.655) fibres. Together with fibres leased from other telco operators 6494,26 kilometres of fibres in PIONIER network are used.

Currently, two independent transmission systems, using separate optical fibres are installed in PIONIER network infrastructure.

The first system offers two 2x10 Gbit/s links which connect all 21 Metropolitan Area Academic Networks.

The second DWDM transmission system enables to use 80 10 Gbit/s optical channels. It has complete coverage of Poland area and connects all MAN nodes including branch lines to state borders. Transmission system offers the following functionalities: directionless, colorless, and connectionless what means that it has the function to change the wavelength and direct the signal in any given line direction only by software configuration without any physical intervention of technical staff.

The PIONIER network is currently utilized for the following purposes:

• Academic Internet network services
• Implementation of dedicated network links between HPCs.
• Development of regional networks (by making possible for MANs to use optical fibres which are used to provide networking services to government and regional administration, schools, hospitals etc.)

The important element of PIONIER network are existing, direct cross-border fibres (CBFs) to other European operators. Using these CBFs it is possible to provide cost effective and quick access to major European Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)  and connect with National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in Europe.

Currently PIONIER network has cross-border links with:

• Germany in  Słubice (DFN network), Gubin and Kołbaskowo,
• Czech Republic in Cieszyn (CESNET network),
• Slovakia in Zwardoń (SANET network),
• Ukraine in Hrebenne (UARNET and URAN networks),
• Belorus in Kuźnica,
• Lithuania in Ogrodniki.

Starting August 2010 it became possible to establish connection between PIONIER network and NREN in Russia (Kaliningrad district). Currently one 10 Gbit/s optical channel is available.

Moreover, DWDM transmission system from Poznań through Słubice to Hamburg (Germany) was deployed and directly connects PIOINER with  SURFnet and NORDunet. In Hamburg, PIONIER has at its disposal links to IXP in Amsterdam (AMS-IX) and access point to GLIF (Global Lambda Integrated Facility) resources.


Currently used infrastructure

PIONIER network currently embraces with its coverage 21 academic network MAN (22 Major Units) and provides for scientific and research community in Poland (universities, research institutes, supercomputing centres, libraries etc.) access to global Internet resources and a dedicated Internet connections between research centres in Poland and the centres abroad.

PIONIER connects all 21 academic Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) using own 2 x 10Gbit/s (DWDM technology) links, and on separate fibre pair operates DWDM transmission system which enables to use up to 80 10 Gbit/s optical channels (lambda) between MAN networks and branch networks to state borders as well.


The PIONIER ADVA DWDM system was installed on G.652 and G.655 type fibres, which constitutes the transmission layer for the MPLS network built on the Foundry NetIron XMR 16000/8000 backbone equipment. The primary and backup routers for PIONIER network are located in Poznan (Juniper carrier-grade T320 and MX960).

PIONIER network has also external connections to the European research network - GÉANT and the global Internet. The primary connection to the GÉANT is implemented using 10 Gbit/s Packet over Sonet technology and 10 Gigabit Ethernet technology and directly routed to the GÉANT network node in Poznan. The connection to Global Internet currently has bandwidth of 15 Gbit/s.

The proper operation of PIONIER network is under supervision of 365/7/24 PIONIER Network Operations Center  located in Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center and  IP-NOC operating in the Computer Center of University of Lodz.