Cyan updates Z-Series packet-optical systems, Blue Planet SDN platform

Optical transport systems and software-defined networking (SDN) platform vendor Cyan (NYSE: CYNI) has unveiled upgrades to both ends of its product portfolio. The hardware and software enhancements strengthen the company’s play in Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) Carrier Ethernet 2.0 environments as well as in 100-Gbps metro applications.

On the hardware end, Cyan has announced three new metro-focused modules for its Z-Series packet-optical transport platforms. All three are compatible with the three members of the Z-Series family and will be generally available by the end of this quarter. They include:

1. The LME-10G10 is a 10-port 10G-to-100G muxponder module. The module will support packet, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH, and Optical Transport Network (OTN) formats. The module is designed to accept CFP optical transceivers. Cyan Director of Product Management Abel Tong told Lightwave he expects these devices will be coherent, as is the company’s current 100G transponder. However, he said that Cyan is open to whatever formats make sense for customers.
2. The PSW-100G is a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) packet switching module for line-rate 100GbE Carrier Ethernet 2.0 switching and transport.
3. The WSS-F2 and WSS-F4 ROADM modules offer flexibility and 96-channel capacity in two degrees and four degrees, respectively.
   

Tong asserted the new modules enable the Z-Series platforms to offer true convergence among Layers 1-3 in a single shelf for efficient aggregation and packet-optical transport.

Simultaneously with the hardware additions, Cyan has unveiled upgrades to its Blue Planet SDN platform. They include:

• “A-to-Z” provisioning of MEF services in multi-vendor networks.
• a “cut-in” and “cut-out” feature that enables non-disruptive activation of third-party devices on live networks
  new element adaptors for provisioning Accedian (MetroNID GT, GT-S, LT-S) and RAD (ETX-204A) devices. Both companies are members of Cyan’s Blue Orbit SDN ecosystem (see “Cyan targets Blue Orbit multivendor ecosystem at SDN”).
• Cyan’s first open application programming interface (API) for Blue Planet. The new API is the first in a series that Cyan says will enable customers and third-party partners to program and write into the northbound interface of Blue Planet to integrate with OSSs and other internal systems. This initial API focuses on MEF CE 2.0; it enables customers to automate the provisioning of MEF E-Line, E-LAN, and E-Access services across multi-vendor networks.
  

Taken together, the new hardware and software features enable significant density, flexibility, scale, and control for multi-vendor metro networks while reducing reliance on router ports, Tong concluded.

For more information on packet-optical transport systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.