Ciena expands packet-optical transport line

Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq: CIEN) has further implemented its IP/optical convergence strategy through a combination of broader implementation of Optical Transport Network (OTN) switching and coherent-enabled high-speed transport capabilities across its platforms as well as the introduction of a new unified management system designed to enable centralized control of systems from the network edge to the core.

The feature set expansion consists largely of harmonizing the capabilities of Ciena’s 4200 Series, 5400 Series, and 6500 Series, effectively unifying its offerings for edge, metro/regional, and core network applications. For example, Ciena has added OTN switching features to the 6500 Series and 5410 Reconfigurable Switching System. It also has developed a two-slot version of the 6500 that is generally available now, according to Ciena’s Dave Parks.

The company also added 40-Gbps and 100-Gbps transport capabilities based on its WaveLogic processors across the three platforms; the coherent transport features should be available on the 5400 within the first half of 2012, according to Parks. Parks says that Ciena foresees demand for 40-Gbps coherent capabilities – and that coherent-enabled transmission has already emerged as the clear preference versus alternative approaches such as DPSK and DQPSK for all but the most low-cost 40-Gbps interconnect applications.

Ciena also will extend its GMPLS-based optical control plane capabilities to the 6500 Series by the end of this year, Parks adds.

The company will tie management of the 4200, 6500 and 5400 systems together through the new OneControl Unified Management System. The Layer 0 to Layer 2 system is designed to provide visibility and control of wavelength, OTN, and packet services across the network. OneControl will streamline network deployment, speed service delivery, and improve service assurance while seamlessly integrating with back-office systems, Ciena asserts.

Ciena expects to make initial OneControl capabilities available in the third quarter of this year. Parks says that the company has already received orders for the network management system from Tier 1 customers.

August 17, 2011

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