Tremendous transformation architecture opportunity for service providers

 There’s a tremendous transformational architecture opportunity for service providers to consider when compared to their present operations. Network Processing Units (NPUs) in routers are now able to scale from 10s to 100s of Terabits, and 400G optics are reduced in size and power, providing an opportunity to design and architect the network in very different ways than before. Scaling router platforms has always been a challenge, leading to the creation of router bypass and ROADMs.

There’s a new paradigm that delivers massively scalable routers and new optics that provide investment protection for years to come given the scalability of the electronics. These latest technologies – in particular the Cisco 8000 router, 400G ZR/ZR+ coherent optics, simpler what is the difference between computer science and computer engineering line systems, telemetry software and automation – all lead to a new network model that’s a game changer for service providers looking to save costs and increase revenue.

That new network is called the Routed Optical Network. The Routed Optical Networking solution works by merging IP and private-line services onto a single Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/ MPLS) network where all switching is done at Layer 3. Routers are connected hop-by-hop over point-to-point Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) links with standardized optics. Flexible management models are enabled through a single network layer for model-driven programmability, providing automated turnup and provisioning. This simplified architecture enables open data models and standard APIs, allowing a provider to focus on automation initiatives for a simpler network topology. A multi-phased approach to adopting this architecture leverages existing infrastructure.