Ciena intros packet switching capability to 6500

BANGALORE, INDIA: Ciena Corporation introduced new packet capabilities for its 6500 packet-optical platform.

New E-Suite packet modules for the 6500, featuring Ciena's service aware packet operating system (SAOS), enable a converged packet-optical solution for network operators as they evolve toward metro networks.

Francois Locoh-Donou, senior vice president, global products group, Ciena, said: "The industry has been talking about converged packet optical for years, but unfortunately for operators past attempts have been more like duct tape than true convergence. By tightly integrating our widely deployed SAOS packet operating system with our 6500, we are equipping operators to deliver customized Ethernet services without compromise. With a purpose-built network infrastructure that is based on a combination of our packet and optical transport capabilities, operators now have a simpler, more cost-effective and more flexible approach to packet service delivery than an all-IP solution."

The new E-Suite modules for its 6500 family integrate packet switching and traffic management alongside OTN transport, leveraging the company's SAOS software, to allow operators to address demand for Ethernet services and connectivity. The new E-Suite for 6500 includes both blade-based packet switching modules for small footprint applications and fabric-based packet switching modules for high-bandwidth mesh connectivity.

The packet capabilities combine with 6500's WaveLogic 3 optics, full range of integrated ROADM solutions and integrated link planning tools. It also combines Ciena's OneControl Unified Management System.

The new packet networking capabilities align with OPn, Ciena's approach for building open, programmable next-generation networks that scale and automatically adapt to quickly deliver new services and bandwidth. Ciena-based packet networks can be deployed in conjunction with the company's V-WAN Network Services Module, a network virtualization solution that automates the allocation of shared network resources among data centres, says a release.