CIENA introduced the next phase of its network strategy — the LightWorks Services initiative — aimed at helping carriers improve margins for existing private line and ATM, Frame Relay and DSL services, while introducing new services, especially Ethernet and SAN connectivity. LightWorks Services has three aspects. First, CIENA will extend its distributed control plane across all of its products from the network core to the edge. Second, CIENA is adding new service delivery platforms to its portfolio. Third, CIENA is adding new data-focused technologies and features to its existing portfolio of products. Specifics of the initiative include:
- the integration of Ethernet, ATM/Frame Relay, Fibre Channel, ESCON, and FICON protocols in the ONLINE Edge, ONLINE Metro, MetroDirector K2, CoreStream and CoreDirector products
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the integration of Layer 2 functionality along with features such as generic framing procedure (GFP), link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS) and virtual concatenation (VCAT) across product lines
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the addition of the WaveSmith Networks Distributed Node DN 2100, DN 4100, DN 7100 and DN 8100 multiservice edge switching products into the LightWorks family
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the integration of acquired and partner products into CIENA’s network management system; this already includes the management integration of WaveSmith and Equipe Communications’ switches
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the implementation of distributed intelligence across the entire LightWorks product portfolio
CIENA estimates that by providing better integration between data services and the underlying optical transport infrastructure it can help carriers improve margins for private line services by 4%, improve margins for FR/ATM by 8% and improve DSL margins by 6%http://www.ciena.com
- In April, CIENA announced plans to acquire WaveSmith Networks for its multiservice switches. The WaveSmith platform is designed for central office switching and applications such as DSL aggregation.
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CIENA also sells and supports Equipe Communications’ Equipe 3200 ATM/MPLS multiservice core switch into targeted Tier One service provider accounts.