Smarter scalable data center management
The challenge
AI, cloud expansion, and increasing compute density are driving rapid data center growth. Legacy out-of-band (OOB) networks rely on complex, distributed Ethernet/IP infrastructure that is difficult to manage and scale. Point-to-point copper cabling and dedicated OOB equipment consume valuable rack space while increasing power, cooling, and operational overhead.
Our approach
Ciena’s data center out-of-band management (DCOM) replaces complex legacy OOB networks with a simplified, fiber-based PON architecture. It combines routing, PON technology, centralized control, and integrated Ethernet and console functionality to eliminate unnecessary infrastructure, simplify provisioning and operations, and enable efficient scaling across diverse data center environments.
The benefits
DCOM simplifies OOB network deployment and operations while enabling efficient growth at scale. By eliminating separate OOB switches, routing layers, and console servers, it reduces infrastructure, cabling, rack space, power, and cooling requirements—lowering total cost of ownership (TCO) while simplifying provisioning, monitoring, and management.
Our DCOM solution and services
Router
Simplify OOB management with the 8112 Coherent Aggregation Router, integrating the DCOM controller and XGS-PON OLT.
OLT
Extend PON-based OOB management to Ciena and third-party routers with the hot-pluggable XGS-PON DCOM OLT.
ONU
Combine Ethernet and serial console connectivity through XGS-PON DCOM ONU technology for scalable OOB management.
Services
Accelerate DCOM deployment with services spanning factory staging, installation, and turn-up.
What’s new with DCOM
blog
The next evolution of Ciena’s DCOM: OOB management for diverse data center needs
Ciena's proven DCOM solution is already helping hyperscalers simplify out-of-band (OO...
ReadData sheet
DCOM OLT Transceiver
Discover how the DCOM OLT Transceiver enables scalable, fiber-based out-of-band manag...
DownloadData sheet
3803 MTL DCOM ONU
Discover how fiber-based PON infrastructure simplifies out-of-band management across ...
Downloadblog
Out-of-band, in focus: Tackling complexity, space, and scale in the AI-era data center
Mark Bieberich explains how Ciena’s data center out-of-band management (DCOM) solutio...
ReadDCOM media hub
Rethink OOB management for the AI-era data center. Hear from Ciena experts as they introduce DCOM, explore how XGS-PON simplifies and scales OOB connectivity, and demonstrate how built-in resiliency keeps critical management connections running through network failures.
Related insights
PODCAST
Episode 87: How Meta Reimagined OOB Management in the Data Center
Mike “MJ” Joseph joins Ciena’s Mark Bieberich to discuss Meta’s groundbreaking innovation in data center out-of-band (OOB) network management design and operations.
VIDEO
PON in the Datacenter: Hyperscale for Management and Console
This talk explores the rationale behind adopting PON, includes a brief overview of its fundamentals, and dives into Meta's implementation.