Case Study: Diamond Light Source achieves high-performance, scalable and resilient data processing with Extreme Networks BlackDiamond X8

Extreme Networks Delivers High-Performance Processing Power for UK Synchrotron’s Scientific Experiments

Diamond Light Source, the UK synchrotron serving over 3,000 researchers across 25 beamlines and generating terabytes of data per day, needed a higher-performance, highly scalable and resilient network that would also fit a constrained rack footprint. To meet these requirements it selected Extreme Networks and the BlackDiamond X8 (ExtremeSwitching: X8) platform to deliver additional on‑site processing power and lower total cost of ownership.

Extreme Networks, working with systems integrator Proximity Communications, deployed dual BlackDiamond X8 chassis (installed June 2014) to provide local data processing, automatic failover between two communications rooms, and a compact one‑third rack footprint. The solution delivers 20 Gbps per beamline today—scalable to 40 and 100 Gbps—improving throughput for terabytes of experimental data, increasing resilience and operational efficiency while reducing overall TCO for Diamond Light Source.

Diamond Light Source

Richard Learn

Senior Network and Systems Administrator