NXTcomm: Ciena Formally Announces Software Strategy

After hinting last week on its earnings call that it would pursue a new strategy focused on software-enabling networks, Ciena Corp. provided more detail from NXTcomm as it announced its plans for creating software-enabled, service-driven networks that turn disparate network elements into an intelligent, cohesive on-demand platform.

At the center of its strategy is its FlexSelect architecture, which transforms networks into programmable service delivery engines.

The company believes the hardware-centric, service-specific nature of existing networks is being challenged by the growth in virtualization and software-as-a-service (SaaS) in the enterprise as well as by the explosion in Internet video traffic and mobile broadband devices, the rapid rise in bandwidth consumption and uncertainty of traffic types, volume and growth rate. The new FlexSelect strategy will include attributes such as programmable hardware, a service-aware operating system, and unified service and transport management across its portfolio, in order to address these challenges.

Courtney Munroe, vice president for worldwide Telecom Services at IDC, said that to efficiently handle such diverse traffic, service providers need to transition their networks away from rigid, static models based on annual contracts and powered by service-specific hardware. “Instead, they need the capability to scale quickly, as well as the flexibility to rapidly adjust their architectures for short or long-term plans via service-aware programmability, provisioning, transport and switching — all areas where Ciena has proven technology and market leadership,” she said.

Initially focused on capacity and cost reductions by reinventing optical transport, Ciena’s FlexSelect Architecture is evolving to focus on creating agile, software-enabled networks running across efficient IP/Ethernet and intelligent optical platforms.

“The reality for service providers is that the only certainty in their business right now is the uncertainty of future traffic models, service requirements and bandwidth consumption. To address this challenge, the new business imperative is to turn what many view as a commodity into a differentiated asset that can monetize that uncertainty using software-enabled, service-focused features,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO at Ciena.

Ciena’s service-driven approach of transforming networks into programmable service delivery engines facilitates several key benefits for service providers by allowing them to increase service awareness in access and metro networks; dynamically allocate network capacity to respond to unpredictable demand; optimize wireless and wireline networks for ubiquitous connectivity and seamless service delivery; and distribute integrated service-aware data, control and management plane features across platforms.

Ciena also announced this week at NXTcomm that VTR Global Com S.A. (VTR), a communications service provider in Chile, has deployed the CN 4200 RS FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform throughout its Santiago network. The operator is utilizing the CN 4200’s ROADM functionality in its metro network infrastructure to enhance the delivery of its triple-play offering, which includes sophisticated digital TV, like VoD services, combined with voice and data access for residential customers.