Fujitsu takes OTN switching to the edge

Fujitsu and Fujitsu Network Communications (FNC) have planted their flags in the Optical Transport Network (OTN) market with the FLASHWAVE CDS Micro Packet Optical Networking Platform. The FLASHWAVE CDS 6.1 offers OTN switching for metro edge applications. The 2RU platform offers 80G of non-blocking ODU0/1/2 switching, which Fujitsu asserts is the highest density available.

The OTN switching functionality enables the FLASHWAVE CDS 6.1 to fulfill the role of not only a muxponder, but also address protection switching, hairpinning, and distributed switching applications. Pluggable optics, including an 88-channel full-band tunable XFP, enables the system to accommodate a wide variety of interfaces and traffic types and obviates the need to use transponders when the unit is collocated with a ROADM.

The two-slot system accepts Ethernet edge switch, OTN switch, and SONET cards. According to Steve Smith, distinguished product planner at Fujitsu Network Communications, Fujitsu developed the OTN functionality in-house. This enabled the company to incorporate additional features, such as the ability to act as a gateway network element for downstream FNC-supplied SONET devices. The system also was designed to be flexible enough for easy upgrades via firmware updates.

“Developing our OTN technology in-house means the FLASHWAVE CDS 6.1 provides performance and reliability that, while adhering to industry standards, provides additional added value compared to ‘off the shelf‘ components,” explained Rod Naphan, senior vice president of product and strategic planning at Fujitsu Network Communications, via the press release announcing the product. “This is particularly important when dealing with services that cross multiple technologies, e.g., Ethernet/SONET/OTN. Fujitsu has a longstanding tradition of optical integration and OTN is the latest proof point.”

Smith said the platform will support ring, mesh, and point-to-point fiber-optic network topologies. It could find use in OSP cabinets (the unit is environmentally hardened), within points of presence where carriers exchange traffic, and other applications, he added.

The FLASHWAVE CDS 6.1 will become generally available on February 22, Smith. The system is already in lab trials with potential customers.

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