NTT DATA and MUFG Bank have achieved a significant milestone in advancing technology aimed at preventing future IT outages. They successfully conducted a test involving the live migration of banking systems between data centers situated up to 100 kilometers apart, all while ensuring less than one second of downtime.
Utilizing the IOWN All-Photonics Network, this trial showcased synchronous database replication capabilities over distances reaching 2,500 kilometers. The initial phase involved migrating a virtualized simulation of a financial system across multiple data centers within a 70-kilometer radius. During this assessment, critical parameters, including data transfer times and system downtime, were meticulously measured, confirming the effectiveness of the IOWN APN, which maintained service interruptions to under one second.
Traditionally, banks necessitate planned maintenance windows for such migrations, often resulting in service slowdowns or disruptions and potentially leading to compensation claims. MUFG envisions that this innovative technology could facilitate nearly seamless system transfers with minimal downtime, even during peak operational hours.
The second phase focused on evaluating database synchronization performance via a long-distance optical communication network, simulating scenarios between 250 and 2,500 kilometers. This assessment primarily targeted database synchronization and revealed significant reductions in synchronization delays and inconsistencies.
Tom Winstanley, CTO and head of new ventures at NTT DATA UK&I, commented, “The financial sector is experiencing profound changes in its services and infrastructure, driven by an increasing global demand for innovative financial solutions that align with societal progress. Our collaboration with MUFG and the implementation of IOWN’s technology enable these transformative advancements.”
It’s noteworthy that MUFG has recently experienced a series of IT outages in December and January, with critical system breakdowns linked to a suspected Denial-of-Service attack. Furthermore, in December 2024, the bank faced a fine of over $1.75 million due to inadequacies in its information management and monitoring systems.