Shahnaz Mohammad from Cisco Systems discusses the need for routed optical networking as the future of networks. Current networks are complex with layered architectures, but routed optical networking converges infrastructure into a single mass-scale architecture. This simplifies networks and makes them more resilient, sustainable, observable, programmable, automated and intelligent in handling different traffic classes. Routed optical networking uses high-speed 400G and beyond links with coherent optics and segment routing to simplify scaling while meeting demands like low latency, edge computing and 5G. It removes complexity compared to current multi-layer networks and optimizes costs. The potential benefits of routed optical networking include up to 56% lower operating expenses and 45% lower total cost of ownership
3. MyNOG9
Is pushing the network to the limit
The Forces of the Future
Unpredictable Forces
Climate Disruptions, Global Pandemic,
Economic Shifts Low Latency Demands
Advanced conferencing, Payment Gateways, Future IoT
Decentralization
Edge Computing, Blockchain Computing, Caching
Emerging Bandwidth
Streaming Video, 5G, Augmented Reality, Metaverse
Upgrade Challenges
Growing Complexity
Legacy Burden
Cost of Upgrade
Sustain & Expand Revenue
Customer Experience
Customer Relevance
Service Innovation
Operational Challenges
Increased Point of Failure,
Growing Complexity
Maintaining Security
MyNOG9
4. MyNOG9
Simplified
Mass-Scale Intelligent
• Highly interconnected nodes providing
edge services closer to customers
• High-speed bandwidth of 400G and
beyond
• Resilient to change and disruptions
• Network that can grow with less
complexity
• Sustainable infrastructure with
optimized CAPEX and OPEX
• Observable and easier to manage
• Intelligent handling different classes
of traffic
• Programmable infrastructure and
software-provisioned
• Automated and self-healing
What might be the network of the future
MyNOG9
5. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
Convergence and delayering of the transport infrastructure
Today’s Network
Layered Architecture
Tomorrow’s Network
Mass-Scale Architecture
400G Link Bandwidth or beyond
6. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
Convergence and delayering of the transport infrastructure
Today’s Network
Layered Architecture
• Scaling the Network
• Considerations required for IP and Optical
layers
• Provision of service needs to occur for all
layers
• Operational lifecycle
• Multiple control planes – IP/MPLS, GMPLS,
WSON/SSON
• Maintaining cross-infrastructure visibility and
maintaining SRLG
• Redundant Protection
• IP network availability + optical protection
• Management and Automation
• Complex interfaces to multiple management
plane
Complexity of scaling the multi-layer architecture
7. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
Convergence and delayering of the transport infrastructure
Tomorrow’s Network
Mass-Scale Architecture
• Simplified network life cycle
• Observable as a single layer network
• Single control plane
• Simplifies transport SDN deployment
• Maintainable network scaling
• Bandwidth consideration only on IP platform
• Easier and faster deployment of network
links
• Software intelligence for traffic engineering
• Dynamics and granularity of IP traffic
maximizes capacity utilization
• Network Resiliency
• Uses segment routing Ti-LFA for sub-50ms
convergence
Network Controller
Orchestration Mgmt & Analytics
8. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
Putting it all together
High Scale Routers
with New Generation
Router Processors
Digital Coherent
Optics (DCO)
for 400G and
beyond
Simple DWDM Line
System
Segment Routing
and Transport SDN
New Network
Paradigm
Hop-by-Hop
Optical
Transport
+ + + =
9. MyNOG9
The Evolution of the Coherent Optics
2014 2015 2017
2016
2011 2012 2013
2010
100G MSA
2018 2019 2021
100G CFP 200G/400G CFP2
Modulator
CRX
DRV
DSP
ASIC
E-
mux
400G QSFP-DD
Standard form factor
Significantly lower power
No additional space
10. MyNOG9
400G DCO Standards and Industry Specifications
Client Line
400GE 400ZR
Simplified functionality
Edge optimized FEC (C-FEC)
Up to 120km reach
Client Line
100GE
200GE
400GE
Nx 100GE
(Muxponder Mode)
100G
200G
300G
400G
Simplified functionality +
High performance FEC (oFEC)
High performance pluggable modules
Multi-vendor interoperability
Extended reach
100G
200G
300G
400G
OpenROADM
Client Line
Extended reaches
Flexible Client Mapping +
High Performance FEC (oFEC)
100G
200G
300G
400G
Ethernet
OTN
FlexO
13. MyNOG9
Where Do I Start?
Routed Optical Networking can be deployed in these three different scenarios
Existing DWDM Layer
Greenfield ZR optics over multiple line
systems
14. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
It’s a Journey
Integrate the Transponders
and Automate
400G ZR/ZR+ DCO pluggables enable the
transition to Routed Optical Networking
Router Transponders
Router + 400G ZR/ZR+ DCOs
Unified Planning
Hierarchical
Controller Architecture
Simplify the Network
Fully converged IP/Optical architecture over
an open and simplified DWDM network
with a single control plane
Converged IP and Optical Architecture
Converge Services – Single Layer
Emulates OTN switching capabilities
without dedicated equipment
IP
PL
DWDM DWDM
IP
PL
Private Line services transported on the IP
layer thanks to Private Line Emulation &
Circuit Style Segment Routing
15. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
It’s a Journey
Converge Services – Single Layer
Emulates OTN switching capabilities
without dedicated equipment
IP
PL
DWDM DWDM
IP
PL
Private Line services transported on the IP
layer thanks to Private Line Emulation &
Circuit Style Segment Routing
Integrate the Transponders
and Automate
400G ZR/ZR+ DCO pluggables enable the
transition to Routed Optical Networking
Router Transponders
Router + 400G ZR/ZR+ DCOs
Unified Planning
Hierarchical
Controller Architecture
Simplify the Network
Fully converged IP/Optical architecture over
an open and simplified DWDM network
with a single control plane
Converged IP and Optical Architecture
16. MyNOG9
Routed Optical Networking
It’s a Journey
Integrate the Transponder
and Automate
Converge Services – Single Layer
400G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggables enable
the transition to routed optical networking
Emulates OTN switching capabilities
without dedicated equipment
Router Transponder
to Router + 400G ZR/ZR+ Optic
IP
PL
DWDM DWDM
IP
PL
Unified Planning
Hierarchical
Controller Architecture Private line services are transported by
Private Line Emulation with Circuit Style
Segment Routing
Simplify the Network
Fully converged IP/Optical architecture over
an open and simplified DWDM network
with a single control plane
Converged IP and Optical Architecture
17. MyNOG9
The Potential Benefits of a Routed Optical Network
Up to ~56% OpEx savings, 45% total TCO savings
Source: ACG Research
Converges all services onto a single network layer
Eliminates siloed IP & Optical operational layers
Integrates transponders and “grey” optics
Integrates OTN Services and ROADMs
Space, power and operational savings
Shorter Time-to-Market for services
$- $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Technical Support Services (TSS)
Multilayer Fault Management
Security
Test & Certification
Software upgrades
Network engineering & capacity planning
Moves, Adds, Changes expense
Network Installation expense
Service Assurance labor expense
Orchestation Software Expenses
Fault Management Systems & Software Expense
Total Power (IT, Cooling, Aux) Cost per Kwatt/hr
Facilities (Floorspace, Land, Engineering) Cost per RU
Millions
5 Year Cumulative OPEX Breakdown
Router Bypass Pure IP
18. MyNOG9
Summary: Routed Optical Networking
High density networks can be
optimized by collapsing and
converging infrastructure
Sustainable Growth
Simplified networks simplifies
implementation of transport
SDN, management and
automation
Vertical APIs Abstraction
Supporting decentralization of
services, meeting new demands
and being relevant to new
expectations
Optimize Compute Locations
Topology
Re-Architecture
Operations
Re-Architecture
Network Services
Re-Architecture
“Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication”
Leonardo da Vinci