WEBINAR

Transforming the metro network and the evolution of the "Digital Service Provider"

Join experts at EXFO and Ekinops in this webinar that will review the evolving metro-centric requirements and the technologies emerging to meet them.

March 25, 2025

5:00 PM UTC

Sponsored by

March 25, 2025

1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 10:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM GMT

Duration: 1 hour

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Summary

Service providers are moving beyond 100 Gbps in the metro network, driven by 5G, cloud computing, and AI advancements. At the same time, the shift toward bringing more functions closer to the edge is reshaping the metro network landscape. This webinar will examine evolving metro-centric requirements, along with the emerging technologies designed to address them—highlighting the growing adoption of coherent optical technology.

In this session, we will consider how service providers are changing their models and re-architecting their networks to address this shift and how new ‘digital service provider’ networks will be built. It will also explore how coherent optics and advanced testing techniques support the transition from legacy OTN systems to Open Line Systems (OLS) using 400ZR / ZR+ for new links while maintaining existing OTN infrastructure for lower rate traffic. We will discuss the role of 400ZR / ZR+ and updated testing methodologies for validating these links, ensuring signal integrity, performance, and interoperability within the OLS environment. Key topics include the evolution from central office-based architectures to data center focused networks, deploying and testing high-speed 400ZR / ZR+ interfaces, troubleshooting common issues, and adapting testing strategies for modern optical transport. Attendees will gain insights into effectively testing and optimizing new OLS links increasing baud rates in a multi-vendor network environment.

The webinar will cover:

Building scalable, high-capacity transport networks
The migration to new ‘digital service provider’ architectures
The evolution of transceivers to coherent technology
Implementing coherent technologies, flexible line systems, and network management tools
Addressing impairments and challenges in high-speed transport network deployments
Turn-up testing processes for new links
Troubleshooting DWDM network issues

Speakers

Harald Bock

Chief Product Officer

Ekinops

Harald Bock recently joined Ekinops as Chief Product Officer. During more than 25 years in the optical networking industry, Harald has held various roles in product management, CTO office, systems design, R&D, and sales. Previously, Harald worked for Infinera, Coriant, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Siemens as well as Marconi and Ericsson after earning a PHD at the Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany.

Francois Marcotte

Subject Matter Expert

EXFO

François Marcotte is a Senior Member of Technical Staff and Subject Matter Expert at EXFO. With over 30 years of experience in the telecom industry, he began his career as a repair technician for DMS-100 systems. Over the years, François has acquired expert knowledge in Ethernet, IP, and high-speed transport technologies. He continuously serves as a technical advisor to system operators and enterprises for testing and troubleshooting high-speed systems. François plays a key role in product definition and guidance at EXFO for Ethernet and optical transport solutions. He regularly contributes as a speaker at various seminars and webinars. François graduated in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnique Montréal.

Moderator

Sean Buckley

Editor in Chief

Lightwave +BTR

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