Movaz Networks, a global provider of all optical solutions, announced today the world's first in-service deployment of a Multi-Degree RAY-ROADM network. A newly integrated switching core is now established linking multiple networks with the Movaz multi-degree RAY-ROADM platforms. This all optical DWDM transport and mesh reconfigurable network provides extended reach to key government and university sites including the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Mid Atlantic Crossroads (MAX), and the National Lambda Rail. The Movaz Multi-Degree RAY-ROADM network offers three distinct advantages over older generations of ROADM systems. The first is the ability to optionally add single or multi-degree ROADMs when and where such capability is truly needed by the service add/drop requirements. Without having to predict and pre-install for unknown future traffic patterns, stranded equipment is eliminated and initial capital expenditures are minimized. Second is the support for in field upgrades from single to multi-degree on the same shelf platform. This ensures that the equipment deployed today will not have be fork-lifted out in the future to support multi-degree switching. The third and perhaps most important benefit is the lifecycle saving that is achieved with the Movaz RAY-ROADM design in operational simplification and software automation. With the need for a future proof, all-optical network that supports multi-degree mesh reconfigurability, Mid Atlantic Crossroads (MAX) in conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSF) began the multi-phased deployments of the Movaz RAY-ROADM over a year ago. The RAY-ROADM was first configured as a 1x1 ROADM in a mixed ring configuration with Movaz's RAYexpressTM product, deployed either as standalone nodes or as subtending service terminating shelves. With this system, MAX and NSF have been able to support many new time critical e-Science applications, which require the ability to dynamically groom, route, and transport "light path" services in a variety of formats including SONET OC-192, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Channel, Packet IP, as well as native wavelengths. Further enhancing the system is the sophisticated GMPLS control plane embedded in every Movaz ROADM element to ensure any service on the "light path" can be instantaneous set up on an as needed or pre-scheduled basis. "Phase 1 of project, code named "DRAGON" for Dynamic Resource Allocation over GMPLS Optical Networks, was established in 2004, containing the Movaz iWSS Optical Cross Connect and RAYexpressTM. This network successfully demonstrated all-optical per-lambda routing and rapid wavelength," stated Jerry Sobieski, Principal Investigator of the NSF DRAGON project "In July of 2005, Movaz upgraded into this network its multi-degree RAY-ROADMs and we have successfully turned up services, on what we believe to be the first truly all-optical system. We have been very pleased with both the performance and the manageability of the Movaz multi-degree RAY-ROADM network." The Movaz RAY-ROADM platform is a universal shelf, containing fully integrated switching modules, pre/post amplifiers and Optical Performance Monitoring (OPM) cards. The core of the RAY-ROADM multi-degree switching module is based on Movaz's exclusively patented technology, which enabled Movaz to fully integrate 1xN MEMS arrays with electronic drive ASICs in a chip like packaging. This unique assembly brought forth significant advantages in terms of overall system size and economics. As demonstrated in the MAX/NSF network, the RAY-ROADM can be added to any installed RAYexpressTM network to further complement it with dynamically managed add/drop and pass-through capabilities. "The uniqueness of the Movaz RAY-ROADM originates from its highly integrated packaging of optics, ASICs and MEMS in an extremely compact form factor. With this, Movaz is able to eliminate the conventional design of multiple interconnected switching shelves, and truly deliver the economic values of a ROADM network as well as greatly simplified network operations," stated Bijan Khosravi, Chairman and CEO of Movaz Networks. "The multi-degree RAY-ROADM accomplishes a major element of the Movaz vision in delivering a multi-faceted all-optical network with DWDM, optical switching and GMPLS Control Plane." The RAY-ROADM product will be showcased at SuperComputing '05 from November 14th - 17th in Seattle, Washington by Movaz Networks (booth #6303) and MAX (booth #2435).