TALKING BUSINESS
Another factor restricting agility in
optical networks is that today, these
networks are planned using predicted
worst-case capacity and end-of-life,
full-fill system scenarios. They are built
assuming a static mode of operation
where the capacity rate of each
wavelength is fixed.
If capacity is over estimated, network
providers are left with an inefficient
network, paying for equipment that
is sitting idle. On the flip side, if new
demands arise unexpectedly, they need
to go through new lengthy and costly
planning and deployment cycles.
It is time to challenge these traditional
practices. Why manage optical networks
in a static mode when capacity depends
on available system margin – a fluid
variable over the life of the network?
Using configurable variable bit-rate
coherent optics combined with real-time
link engineering tools, CSPs can safely
exploit excess margin to extract more
value from existing assets. Benefits
include greater capacity without
requiring new hardware deployments, as
well as enhanced network survivability.
The only way today’s optical networks
can handle unpredictable traffic
demands and service level guarantees
is through pre-deployment of hardware.
As a result, network capacity and other
infrastructure is often sitting idle and
not generating revenue.
With a software-defined optical network
equipped with configurable optics, CSPs
can dynamically allocate capacity as
needed to meet business objectives
and changing customer demands using
existing deployed assets.
In the future, networks will be simpler,
with fewer layers and more automated
Ravi Mali of Ciena
multi-vendor, multi-domain service
orchestration. New analytic capabilities
will enable problems to be detected and
addressed before they happen, avoiding
service fluctuations and even outages. can scale to meet today’s significant
bandwidth demands, while being open
and programmable to deliver the exact
service performance required at any
point in time.
Additionally, machine learning will
enable us to understand what the
expected end-of-life wavelength fill
will be for specific paths and increase
capacity rates of deployed coherent
optics so that CSPs can better monetise
their assets. Using this new approach,
unexpected service demands will be
dealt with in minutes without the need
for field visits. It looks at the network and available
margin and upshifts coherent optical
capacity that has already been
deployed where there is enough
margin to do so. This helps reduce the
need for CSPs to ‘overbuild’ networks
which will sit idle in anticipation of
future or peak demand.
With Liquid Spectrum, Ciena has
developed an innovative solution that
helps CSPs take tangible steps towards
making the autonomous network a
reality. It meets CSPs’ needs for a
programmable and software-defined
optical network that is a more strategic
contributor towards greater profitability.
Liquid Spectrum dramatically simplifies
how optical networks are designed, built,
and operated. It enables systems that
“In the connected world of the
future, cars will increasingly drive
themselves. Communications
networks are heading the same way.”
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INTELLIGENTCIO
“Machine
learning will
enable us
to increase
capacity rates
of deployed
coherent optics
so that CSPs can
better monetise
their assets.”
The solution includes Ciena’s highly
instrumented reconfigurable photonic
layer, WaveLogic Ai tuneable coherent
optics, Blue Planet Manage, Control and
Plan (MCP) domain controller, and new
SDN software applications. With Liquid
Spectrum, CSPs will be able to monitor
and mine all available network assets,
instantly respond to new bandwidth
demands and allocate capacity across
any path in real time.
Application programming interfaces
(APIs) and standard interfaces support
CSPs’ requirements for an accessible,
open architecture.
In the connected world of the future,
cars will increasingly drive themselves.
Communications networks are heading
the same way and with Liquid Spectrum,
Ciena is helping to make the self-aware,
intelligent network a reality. n
www.intelligentcio.com