Optical networking is becoming smarter. Guesstimates and offline calculations are on their way out; to be replaced by real-time computation and machine learning applied to ‘big data’ generated by the network itself, which can be used to optimise performance in ways that weren’t possible before.
Ciena has introduced Waveserver Ai, bringing even higher capacity to its family of platforms for data centre interconnect (DCI) applications.
The new packet-optical platform exploits the WaveLogic Ai chip that the company unveiled last autumn (see Ciena embeds network monitoring in next-generation coherent chipset).
Ciena’s has enhanced the functionality of its Blue Planet software environment with the addition of Blue Planet Analytics, which generates deep network insights to help network operators make smarter, data-driven business decisions.
Integrating network analytics with orchestration and policy systems, Blue Planet Analytics helps operators to continue on the path to a more autonomous network and is a strategic evolution of Ciena’s Blue Planet software suite, the company says.
CableLabs is spearheading efforts to develop a proposal that uses coherent optics to dramatically boost the capacity of hybrid fibre coaxial networks, reports Andy Extance
Systems vendors are using intelligent software to squeeze more performance from optical networks. Pauline Rigby reports on developments at OFC 2017