LightRiver, Smartoptics pair for software-controlled open line systems

Oct. 20, 2020
The partnership will see LightRiver’s netFLEX Optical Domain Controller paired with Smartoptics’ DCP family of open line systems.

Optical network integration services and technology provider LightRiver says it has partnered with Smartoptics to accelerate the trend toward open, disaggregated networks. The partnership will see LightRiver’s netFLEX Optical Domain Controller paired with Smartoptics’ DCP family of open line systems (see, for example, “Smartoptics unveils 100G DWDM PAM4 option for data center interconnect, metro networks").

The companies see the tie up as a benefit for data center interconnect and cloud networking applications based on plug-and-play optics and flexible, software-based control. In fact, LightRiver says the collaboration has already born fruit for content delivery network, online gaming and game creation system customers.

"With an open architecture, the functionality of optical transport systems can be disaggregated, using embedded transceivers, open line systems and optical domain control. This results in a much better price and performance for customers," stated Per Burman, chief marketing officer of Smartoptics. "We are extremely pleased to partner with LightRiver, thus being able to provide customers with our DCP-M family of truly open line systems, managed by netFLEX, which can help break vendor lock-in. We understand that even with the significant advantages that disaggregated networks provide, there are also challenges, such as controlling the optical domain end-to-end. netFLEX addresses this challenge and gives customers control over their optical network."

"Plug-and-play is only effective if your software-driven controls enable life-cycle network and service automation of the disparate, interconnected network elements," added Dean Campbell, CTO at LightRiver. "As network disaggregation continues to grow in importance for network operators of all sizes, LightRiver has expanded the product portfolio around engineering and design, Factory Built Networks, equipment sourcing, and network automation to accommodate a growing base of disaggregation use cases. Our Network Disaggregation Development Labs now reflect a vast plug-and-play ecosystem of products with Smartoptics as one of the core solutions and netFLEX orchestrating and managing all of the unique combinations."

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About the Author

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.

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