Ciena® (NYSE: CIEN) is introducing new capabilities that empower network operators to tune, control and dynamically adjust optical capacity in an on-demand world, where 5G, IoT, content delivery and cloud are rapidly redefining network requirements. By combining fully-instrumented flexible optics and innovative software, Liquid Spectrum can monitor and mine all available network assets so operators can instantly respond to new bandwidth demands and allocate capacity across any path in real time.

Liquid Spectrum is the cumulative value of a series of next-generation optical and software technologies. It includes Ciena’s highly instrumented reconfigurable photonic layer, WaveLogic Ai coherent optics, Blue Planet Manage, Control and Plan (MCP), and new advanced software applications. Consistent with Ciena’s OPn philosophy on networking, Liquid Spectrum utilizes APIs and standard interfaces to support operators’ requirements for an accessible, open architecture.

Key Facts:

  • Operators      recognize that the traditional, static method of building networks is no      longer sufficient to keep pace with today’s web-scale network challenges and      unpredictable bandwidth demands. To address this, Ciena is redefining how      optical networks are built by providing a blueprint for software-defined      optical architectures that are more agile, dynamic and open to meet the      networking requirements of the next decade.
  • Supported by Ciena’s Blue Planet software platform, WaveLogic Ai tunable coherent optics, and a reconfigurable photonic layer, Liquid Spectrum helps operators ensure the ideal amount of bandwidth is used at any given time. Open interfaces for high-performance telemetry are applied at both the software and hardware level, giving operators more choice in their architecture implementation.
  • In its initial introduction, Liquid Spectrum will feature advanced software applications including:
    • Performance Meter helps operators proactively ensure optimal system performance by providing access, for the first time, to real-time, accurate planning data for both the existing hardware and new planned services.
    • Bandwidth Optimizer uses customer-defined service policies and suggests the ideal capacity, hardware configuration and spectral placement for any channel, across any network path.
    • Liquid Restoration increases service availability with flexible adjustment of deployed coherent optical capacity as needed to route affected services across any available path in the network.
    • Wave-Line Synchronizer accelerates service provisioning, reduces manual provisioning steps and eliminates associated human errors across multi-vendor optical deployments.
  • Ciena’s WaveLogic Ai and Blue Planet      MCP – two key elements of Liquid Spectrum – will be available in the      second quarter of 2017. Liquid Spectrum and its initial software      applications are slated for delivery by the end of this year.

Executive Comments:

  • “With Liquid Spectrum, Ciena      brings together optical hardware enhancements with an expanded Blue Planet      portfolio.  The result is a      strategic framework for how network operators can evolve toward more      streamlined operations and start on the path towards autonomous optical      networks.”
    - Heidi Adams, Senior Research Director, Transport Networks, IHS Markit
  • “There was a time when network      operators could easily predict their network traffic demands and capacity      needs at any given time. But we’ve entered a new world with new rules      where networks are more complex and mobile and cloud applications can      disrupt overnight. With Liquid Spectrum, we are sharing our full vision      and blueprint for the way future optical networks should be built to      tackle the challenges of the next 10 years and beyond.”
    - Steve Alexander, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Ciena

Upcoming Events:

  • Webinar: Ciena will discuss Liquid Spectrum and the future of optical networks in a live webinar on March 15 at 8am PDT | 11am EDT | 3pm GMT. Register here.
  • OFC 2017: Ciena will provide a glimpse into optical networks of the future with a Liquid Spectrum demo at next week’s OFC 2017 (booth 2146).

Ciena® (NYSE: CIEN) is introducing new capabilities that empower network operators to tune, control and dynamically adjust optical capacity in an on-demand world, where 5G, IoT, content delivery and cloud are rapidly redefining network requirements. By combining fully-instrumented flexible optics and innovative software, Liquid Spectrum can monitor and mine all available network assets so operators can instantly respond to new bandwidth demands and allocate capacity across any path in real time.

About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a network strategy and technology company. We translate best-in-class technology into value through a high-touch, consultative business model – with a relentless drive to create exceptional experiences measured by outcomes. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

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About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a global leader in networking systems, services, and software. We build the most adaptive networks in the industry, enabling customers to anticipate and meet ever-increasing digital demands. For three-plus decades, Ciena has brought our humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. Prioritizing collaborative relationships with our customers, partners, and communities, we create flexible, open, and sustainable networks that better serve all users—today and into the future. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.