Ciena Upgrades its CoreDirector with OTN, FlexiPorts, 1,000 Node Scale

Ciena rolled out a number of key hardware and software enhancements to its flagship CoreDirector FS Multiservice Optical Switch to support the transition from SONET/SDH architectures to next-generation Ethernet/OTN-based networks.


Ciena's CoreDirector, which is deployed in both terrestrial and submarine networks at some of the world's largest operators, was originally designed to automate the core of SONET/SDH networks via intelligent software-based automation and control plane- managed resiliency.


CoreDirector FS retains those same capabilities while consolidating SONET/SDH, OTN and Ethernet functionality in a single, high-capacity multiservice optical switch, thereby giving customers a simplified network architecture approach, reduced operational costs and a flexible option to help migrate their network architectures from SONET/SDH to Ethernet and OTN to alleviate the strain of increased bandwidth demand from high-speed optical private line and packet services.


New hardware modules and software features for the CoreDirector FS enable transparent service delivery with OTN switching, scalability up to 1000 nodes in a single control plane domain, and full C-band tunable, pluggable ULH DWDM interfaces. Ciena is adding its "FlexSelect" Line Modules with programmable ports to the platform and providing tighter integration with its CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform.


Ciena said the introduction of OTN networking on CoreDirector FS extends the service flexibility and wavelength efficiency of CN 4200 beyond the metro, creating a highly-reliable, automated and efficient regional, national or global mesh core. The OTN capabilities in both the CoreDirector FS and CN 4200 provide an end-to-end software-automated optical layer to optimize the router layer. In addition, the platform's multi-protocol fabric and SONET/SDH-to-OTN gateway features enables CoreDirector FS to optimize and cost-reduce metro hub offices by eliminating standalone SONET/SDH, OTN and back-to-back DWDM muxponder equipment. These capabilities are now commercially available.


Key applications including differentiated bandwidth wholesaling, resilient submarine cable landing networks, digital video and content distribution, and MEF-compliant ELINE services, among others.

Carriers employing the CoreDirector include AT&T, BT, Cable & Wireless, Sprint, Tata Communications, Telmex and Verizon Business.
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