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).
WaveLogic Ai is the industry’s first coherent modem that can tune capacity from single-carrier 100G to 400G in 50G increments, according to Helen Xenos, director of portfolio marketing at Ciena.
Exploiting WaveLogic Ai coherent technology, the platform delivers up to 2.4Tb/s of capacity in a single rack unit of space, which equates to 50–100 per cent more density compared to other compact DCI platforms, the company claims.
Using a single, compact Waveserver Ai platform, operators can deliver single-wavelength 400G for short-haul and 200G for long-haul DCI, doubling the capacity potential of today’s networks. The programmable coherent chipset can tune from 100G to 400G to maximise capacity for any distance – from metro, regional to long haul.
Additionally, with ultra-low power per bit, operators can reduce overall energy consumption and see a positive impact on the bottom line.
By pairing this high-performance optical engine with a familiar server-like operational model, the Waveserver Ai platform delivers more capacity with minimal footprint and greater power efficiency -in a format that meets the requirements of web-scale providers and data centre operators, Ciena says.
By bringing web-scale attributes to DCI applications, Ciena’s Waveserver Ai platform offers a simplified lifecycle – from planning and ordering to provisioning and maintenance – and a server-like deployment model. With a full set of open APIs and management interfaces, the platform is easily integrated into existing or new DCI networks as well as existing operational processes.
Commenting on the announcement, Don Frey, principal analyst, intelligent networks, Ovum, said: “Internet content providers and data centre operators demand open and programmable networks, the ability to provide ultra-high capacity metro and ultra-long reach subsea applications, as well as the ability to minimise power and space requirements. Ciena’s Waveserver Ai is the hammer that hits this nail on the head. By incorporating the latest generation of its WaveLogic coherent DSP technology, this new platform will be the industry benchmark in high performance data centre interconnect.”
Waveserver Ai will be generally available in the second quarter of 2017.