Routed Optical Networking Continues to Transform the Industry

The introduction of Cisco Routed Optical Networking transformed the optical networking industry, breaking a 20+ year multi-layer network architecture and paving the way to a converged  IP+Optical network architecture. With the introduction of pluggable coherent optics just a few short years ago, we asked, “What benefits might result with a new network architecture?” And, the answer was “significant OpEx and CapEx savings results” with what is now known as Routed Optical Networking. Routed Optical Networking collapses the IP, OTN, and Optical layers with coherent optics plugged directly into router and switch ports. When combined with multilayer visibility, automation, and management, the solution simplifies operations and reduces total cost of ownership (TCO).

This makes the integration of optics and routing more efficient and economical and helps our customers simplify and reduce expenses, while also enabling faster time to market. According to the latest Cignal AI “Active Insight” report,” the market for router-hosted pluggables is already sizeable but will continue to further grow as operational issues are solved and new generations of optics evolve.

Today, Cisco Routed Optical Networking has been deployed by more than 200 customers in 400G metro and data center interconnect (DCI) applications. These customers have benefited from increased capacity, reduced energy consumption and lowered network costs, complexity, and footprint. For example, infrastructure provider Colt Technology Services, has reported a stunning 97% energy savings. Arelion, the provider with the world’s #1 ranked IP backbone, has saved 64% in CapEx and 76% in OpEx by streamlining its architecture.

Routed Optical Networking is gaining traction across industries as well. The Connecticut Education Network (CEN), a regional research and education network, is benefiting from network modernization with Cisco.

“CEN will connect nearly 700 sites at 400G on a Cisco Routed Optical Network, decreasing costs to provide 400G everywhere, and serve as the backbone provider for a statewide shared service platform,” said Ryan Kocsondy, Director, CEN.

Expanded Use Cases for Routed Optical Networks

Key developments in Cisco’s market-leading portfolio of coherent pluggable optics are enabling new use cases for Routed Optical Networking that can be used by Hyperscalers, Service Providers, and Large Enterprises.

• Data Center Interconnect (DCI) – 400ZR coherent optics targeted amplified single span DCI applications, and the new 800ZR coherent optics can double capacity in these links
• Metro – Bright 400G ZR+ enabled metro/regional ROADM-based network applications, and the new interoperable 800G ZR+ optics are designed to bring high performance and capacity to metro and regional DCI upgrades
• Long-Haul – The new 400G Ultra Long-Haul (ULH) coherent optics are ideal for long-haul and ultra long-haul service provider ROADM network applications

Cisco Routed Optical Networking 3.0

The release of Routed Optical Networking 3.0 further enhances the solution to enable new simplified optical deployments with the new ONS-QDD Pluggable Line System and continues to add unmatched open standards-based IP+Optical automation.

The ability to extend the reach and capacity of a single fiber span in the Cisco Routed Optical Networking architecture is the standout value of the QSFP-DD OLS solution, regardless of which interface is being used. The 3.0 release also introduces enhanced versions of the Routed Optical Networking automation components.

Economic Benefits of Routed Optical Networks for DCI, Metro and Long-Haul Applications

With Routed Optical Networking widely deployed and the pluggable coherent optics technology advancements, ACG Research recently conducted a TCO report leveraging these newer technologies for DCI short-haul, metro medium-haul, and long-haul applications. The detailed analysis revealed a TCO savings of up to 48% for DCI, 56% for metro, and 62% for long-haul. It also revealed that the adoption of Routed Optical Networking architecture reduces environmental expenses (power and facilities costs) by up to 83% across all three scenarios¹.

This report further demonstrates the substantial financial and operational advantages of adopting Routed Optical Networking across different network applications. This is something that is well known by Hyperscalers, and we believe will drive the inevitable adoption by other network operators who will want to take advantage of the space, power, and cost benefits. With proven benefits in real-world deployments, it’s now a mature and widely adopted solution that’s able to meet the evolving needs of modern network infrastructures. As always, Cisco is here to help our customers remain agile and adjust quickly to technology changes.

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¹  The Economic Benefits of Routed Optical Networks for DCI, Metro, and Long-Haul Applications, ACG Research, August 2024

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