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Cisco Optical Networking

Score8.6 out of 10

32 Reviews and Ratings

What is Cisco Optical Networking?

Cisco Optical Networking is a suite of products supporting data center networking, including the NCS 1000, 2000, 4000, 4200, and the Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (Cisco EPN Manager), as well as Cisco ONS 15000 series platforms and devices.

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Categories & Use Cases

Media

Screenshot of Cisco Network Convergence System 2006
Screenshot of Cisco Network Convergence System 2006
Screenshot of Cisco Network Convergence System 2006

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Screenshot of Cisco Network Convergence System 2006

Who Buys & Uses Cisco Optical Networking

Pros

  • Reliability and stability for critical information delivery
  • High efficiency and speed of operation
  • Consistent performance in extreme temperatures (SFP/SFP+ modules)

Cons

  • High product cost
  • Graphical user interface (GUI) and overall ease of use
  • Software reliability concerns

Cisco Optical Networking

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

In our organization, we Use Cisco Optical Networking to conncet fiber and create links beteew sites

Pros

  • In my opinion, The Cisco Optical Networking links function good

Cons

  • For now have everithing i need

Return on Investment

  • The impact Cisco Optical Networking has on our organization's overall business objectives is that Cisco Optical Networking is a Great help to creat links with good bandwitch and fast

Usability

Other Software Used

Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers (ISR 4000)

Good products for Cisco Optical Networking

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Cisco Optical Networking for long distance link over dwdm platform It permits to connect routers together in order to have a reliable network. We need equipment reliable and with a good quality and simple to use and manage to provide high availability service. It also permits to connect our customers together

Pros

  • Quality
  • Availability
  • Performance

Cons

  • Price
  • Software tools

Return on Investment

  • Performance
  • Reliable

Usability

Other Software Used

Cisco Optical Transceivers 400G/800G - QSFP/OSFP, Cisco IOS XR7

Best of Breed

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

My company sells embedded Cisco routers and switches. We build solutions for customers (primarily the DOD) to use at the edge. Building some of these solutions requires Cisco optics to operate on. The Cisco SFPs and SFP+s perform well in the temperature extremes our kits typically end up in.

Pros

  • They integrate into the Cisco line with no issues.
  • It is reliable.
  • provides assured information delivery.

Cons

  • Cost: Sometimes becomes an issue with Customers. They ask if they can use anything else that is compatible with the Cisco gear.

Return on Investment

  • Customers report easy to use and reliable.

Usability

Works as expected

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Cisco Optical Networking solutions to manage high-capacity data transmission across our organization’s network infrastructure. The product plays a key role in ensuring reliable connectivity between data centers and remote sites, supporting both internal operations and customer-facing services. Our primary use case involves leveraging Cisco’s dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) technology to maximize bandwidth efficiency. This allows us to transmit large volumes of data over existing fiber infrastructure without the need for additional physical cabling. As a result, we’ve improved network scalability while controlling costs. The solution addresses several critical business problems, such as reducing downtime through enhanced redundancy and ensuring low-latency data transfer for performance-sensitive applications. It has also improved our ability to meet growing bandwidth demands without overhauling our core infrastructure.

Pros

  • Convergence of IP and optical networking
  • Port scalability especially using 400G ports
  • Packet optical solution

Cons

  • Bugs on software IOS XR
  • Migration from legacy gears
  • Cost of NCS and new gen is too steep compared to competitors

Most Important Features

  • Evpn superior convergence
  • End-to-end service orchestration
  • Recent QSFP-DD has helped with line card port density

Return on Investment

  • Reduced price/port has helped to increase capacity
  • Cheaper port cost has enhanced more redundancy and lesser downtime
  • Optical Network management has lowered man-power for maintenance

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Ciena Waveserver, Cisco 5000 Series Enterprise Network Compute System (ENCS 5000) and Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS)

Other Software Used

NETSCOUT nGeniusONE, NETSCOUT nGeniusPULSE, NETSCOUT nGenius Packet Flow Switch, NETSCOUT ISNG Platform, Cisco NCS 1000 Optical Systems

Simplicity is the greatest Sophistication

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

In our organization, We have over 4000 equipment that uses Cisco Optical Networking. The SFPs eliminate lightning strikes and give us a sense of security on our network. Some of the equipment that we use are: Cisco switches, routers, and other third party devices. These small factor plug gable (SFPs) are also great because of its great receive levels and accuracy.

Pros

  • Efficiency
  • Accuracy
  • Longevity

Cons

  • Proprietary

Return on Investment

  • Positive impact is its longevity
  • Negative is expensive

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Citrix Secure Private Access