Ciena offers 5168, 5166, and 5164 routers for 5G mobile network support
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) has added three routers to its 5G Network Solutions as well as new capabilities to its Blue Planet Intelligent Automation software portfolio. The company says the new offerings are in line with the company’s goals to support the demands of mobile fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul (xHaul) transport with an open network slicing-capable architecture.
The new routers are designed to enable soft and hard slicing with segment routing and FlexE switching. They will support converged 4G and 5G xHaul over a common wireline infrastructure, says Ciena. They include:
- The 5168 Router, an xHaul network slicing platform that enables cloud RAN architectures with support for CPRI/eCPRI/RoE/ORAN, Adaptive IP, and high-density 10/25GbE to 100/200GbE aggregation
- The 5166 Router, which Ciena describes as “cost-effective,” implements Ciena’s Adaptive IP and is optimized for 10/25GbE to 100/200/400GbE aggregation
- The 5164 Router, another “cost-effective” network slicing router that leverages Ciena’s Adaptive IP and is optimized for 10/25GbE to 100/200GbE aggregation.
Meanwhile, the Blue Planet upgrades target 5G automation with the addition of vendor-agnostic network slicing features and dynamic planning capabilities.
“As 5G deployments kick into high gear, operators are pushing the boundaries of their networks to compete for new customers and stake their claim in the 5G era,” commented Rajesh Ghai, research director, Carrier Network Infrastructure, IDC, via a Ciena press release. “Ciena’s success in delivering optical networks speaks for itself, but its evolution as a provider of 5G-optimized routing platforms opens up new opportunities for operators that are looking to avoid vendor lock-in. These new programmable systems, in combination with Blue Planet’s intelligent software, show promise in delivering the type of lean, automated network 5G requires.”
For related articles, visit the 5G Mobile Topic Center.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.