Telecommunications

Jun 13, 2006
Ciena combines whole, sub-wavelength switching in one platform

NEW DELHI -- Ciena Corp., the network specialist, recently announced the addition of Dynamic Wavelength Routing capabilities to its CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform, creating the only solution that uses a hybrid electrical and optical ROADM design to combine whole and sub-wavelength switching in one platform. Through efficient electrical grooming of services onto each wavelength, the CN 4200 ROADM uses up to 78 percent fewer wavelengths and, for the first time, brings the benefits of reconfigurable optical technology to any service rate down to 155Mbps.

Currently, in early customer engagements, Ciena’s CN 4200 multi-degree ROADM is an in-service upgrade to the existing CN 4200 platform through use of a universal line card that routes any wavelength or combination of wavelengths to any port on demand. Combined with the CN 4200’s software-defined FlexiPort technology and Optical Transport Network (OTN) support, the CN 4200 delivers the most flexible ROADM solution for grooming and switching the most amount of traffic on the fewest wavelengths. The platform also cost-effectively scales capacity and degrees of switching based on customer demand and offers service level management across the entire network.

The key element of Ciena’s CN 4200 ROADM solution is a universal ROADM line card, which eliminates the need for color-specific components and spares while still delivering any wavelength to any port at any time in any combination. Modular by design, the CN 4200 ROADM can scale up to eight degrees and uses Ciena’s ON-Center network and services management system with point-and-click capabilities to simplify provisioning and network management.

Steve Alexander, chief technology officer, Ciena, said: "Building on the FlexiPort technology and OTN support on the CN 4200, the addition of ROADM functionality enables customers to build even more efficient networks, reconfigure services on demand, and reduce network complexity, while reducing spend on equipment and wavelengths. The CN 4200 ROADM solution also highlights our focus on delivering product innovations that are timed to market demand as it extends Ciena’s ROADM portfolio to metro networks after we were first to market with the technology in our CoreStream platform for core networks."