DATA SHEET
RLS
6500 Reconfigurable Line System
Delivering scale and programmability for the photonic layer Features and benefits
while maximizing operational efficiencies • Efficiently scales to meet the
highest-capacity network
requirements with an optimized
Ciena’s 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) empowers network ultra-dense design
operators to efficiently address the highest-capacity networking • Reduces footprint by as much
requirements in today’s metro, long-haul, and data center interconnect (DCI) as 70%, compared to traditional
networks. The 6500 RLS is an open and programmable photonic networking chassis-based systems, with its
modular and compact form factor
platform that is simple to deploy and operate, and optimized for space-
• Eases deployment and operations
constrained, multi-vendor environments. with ZTP, network auto-discovery,
and full network visibility for
Compact, modular transport devices have emerged to solve footprint simplified troubleshooting
challenges in networks requiring massive capacity scalability. However, • Provides openness and
footprint and scalability challenges also exist within the photonic layer, programmability with a full suite
driving the need to minimize footprint while scaling for capacity growth. of open APIs and a microservices-
As hyperscale data center networks light thousands of fiber pairs over based software architecture
• Doubles the fiber capacity with
the coming years, line system technologies will not scale with minimal
optimized C&L-band
footprint without the introduction of compact solutions for the photonic
• Intelligent L0 control plane
line. The 6500 RLS was designed to address evolving density and footprint accelerates wavelength turn-up
for the photonic layer while integrating tools and capabilities to simplify and improves service availability
installation, turn-up, and management.
The 6500 RLS provides network operators with choice in how they deploy
their photonic line systems, whether integrated or disaggregated. It is
highly programmable, and its open APIs enable integration into existing
management and back-office systems. The 6500 RLS improves service
velocity through significant operational savings and provides the scale
network operators need to increase their competitive edge and elevate
their end-customers’ experience.
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Ultra-dense design for optimal photonic line system new channels. The 6500 RLS eases line-system
scale and efficiencies deployments with a rich set of instrumentation
The 6500 RLS addresses scalability needs with features to speed up installation, turn-up, and
an ultra-dense design optimized for capacity and troubleshooting. Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
efficiency. With support for both large and small automates commissioning of the 6500 RLS shelf,
sites, it can be deployed into a variety of applications and photonic connection validation ensures users
including simple mux/demux configurations for can easily identify manual fibering errors or dirty
DCI, colorless direct attach, colorless transponder fiber connections. The platform provides full network
direct attach, or fully flexible colorless, directionless, visibility and simplified troubleshooting with channel
contentionless (CDC) photonic architectures. monitoring and an integrated bi-directional optical
The 6500 RLS provides a greater level of scale for time domain reflectometer (OTDR). When fiber cuts
both metro and long-haul applications by supporting occur, the 6500 RLS pinpoints fiber fault locations to
C-band and C&L-band 12-port and 32-port ROADM speed up technician deployment for fiber repairs and
configurations, with up to 768 C&L-band CDC reduce network downtime. Integrated channelized
add/ drop channels for a 16-degree node. amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) fully loads the
system day-one, maintaining constant optimal system
The 6500 RLS supports raman amplification for performance throughout the life of the network
longer, higher-loss spans. It uses flexible-grid channel and allowing for faster turn-up of wavelengths for
spacing to ensure the network is future proof— significantly faster wavelength restoration times
enabling network operators to deploy frequent during fault conditions. The intelligent L0 control plane
technology updates including next-generation, on the 6500 RLS automates network functions to
high-baud coherent modem technologies to achieve simplify operations, accelerate service creation, and
higher line rates, longer-distance transmission, and improve resiliency with photonic-layer restoration.
improved spectral efficiency.
Advanced programmability and openness
The 6500 RLS doubles available fiber capacity The 6500 RLS provides advanced programmability
for fiber-constrained networks with its integrated and openness for the photonic layer through a full
C&L-band architecture. Optimized for both C&L- suite of open APIs, model-driven configuration,
band performance, it provides the photonic layer streaming telemetry, and open, microservices-based
foundation for over 60 Tb/s of capacity on a single software architecture. Its open APIs also enable the
fiber pair without the cumbersome upgrade process, platform to easily integrate into existing operational
uncertainty of L-band performance, and potential tools and back-office systems.
impacts to existing traffic associated with historical
L-band network upgrades. Increasing fiber capacity With the 6500 RLS, network operators can efficiently
with the L-band is just as easy as lighting the C-band, scale their networks to meet the largest bandwidth
giving network operators double the capacity with no requirements with minimal footprint. It provides choice
surprises or impact to existing C-band traffic. in how photonic line systems are deployed, supporting
fully integrated or disaggregated configurations. Its
Simple to deploy and operate ease of deployment, flexible configuration options,
The 6500 RLS provides operational simplicity, and programmable open APIs help network operators
deployment velocity, and integrated instrumentation, speed up service activation and increase their
allowing users to easily turn up the system and add competitive edge.
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Technical information
Physical dimensions • Integrated C&L-band RLA bulk L-band ASE, optical • Single-line Raman
R2 4-slot shelf: (iC&L-band RLA) 32x1 channel monitoring, and amplifier (SRA) C-band
• 2U module: Double-width, OSC for C&L-band ROADM module: RLS single-width,
88 mm (H) x 440 mm (W) x single-height module applications at locations single-height module
580 mm (D) with twin 1x32 iC&L-band optimized for 300 mm and RLS R8-300 single-
3.5 in. (H) x 17.33 in. (W) x flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, footprint width, single-height
22.83 in. (D) bi-directional OTDR, • C-band 32x1 WSS module: module providing raman
integrated channelized Double-width, single- amplification for the
R4 8-slot shelf:
C&L-band ASE, optical height module integrating C-band
• 4U
channel monitoring, and twin 1x32 flexible-grid • SRA C&L-band module:
177 mm (H) x 440 mm (W) x
OSC, providing a single- WSS and C-band ASE for RLS single-width, single-
580 mm (D)
card solution for improved submarine line terminal height module and RLS R8-
6.97 in. (H) x 17.33 in. (W) x
density with C&L-band equipment (SLTE) 300 single-width, double-
22.83 in. (D)
ROADM applications applications height module providing
R8-300 8-slot shelf:
• RLA 12x1 C-band module: • Dual line amplifier (DLA) raman amplification for
• 7.5U
Double-width, single- C-band module: RLS C&L-bands
330 mm (H) x 440 mm (W)
height module integrating double-width, single- • Trunk protection switch
x 281 mm (D)
twin 1x12 flexible-grid height module and RLS (TPS, TPS2): Single-width,
12 in. (H) x 17.3 in. (W) x
WSS, dual-line EDFA, R8-300 single-width, single-height module
11.1 in. (D)
bi-directional OTDR, double-height module for trunk-protection
Weight (chassis only) integrated ASE, optical integrating bidirectional applications
R2 4-slot shelf channel monitoring, C-band EDFA line • Colorless channel
• 8.8 kg (19.4 lb) and OSC for ROADM amplifiers, OSC, and bi- mux/demux (CCMD)
R4 8-slot shelf applications directional OTDR for line- 8x24 C-band module:
• 11.8 kg (26 lb) • RLA 12x1 C&L-band amplification applications Single-width, double-
Photonic modules module: Double-width, • DLA C&L-band module: height module with twin
single-height module RLS double-width, single- contentionless WSS for
• ROADM with line amplifier
integrating twin 1x12 height module and RLS R8- interconnecting C-band
(RLA) 32x1 C-band
flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, 300 double-width, triple- add/drop channels to any
module: Double-width,
bi-directional OTDR, height module integrating of the 8 degrees for CDC-
single-height module
integrated channelized bi-directional C&L-band ROADM applications
integrating twin 1x32
C-band and bulk L-band EDFA line amplifiers, • CCMD 8x24 L-band
flexible-grid wavelength
ASE, optical channel OSC, and bi-directional module: Single-width,
selective switch (WSS),
monitoring, and OSC OTDR for C&L-band line- double-height module
dual-line erbium-doped
for C&L-band ROADM amplification applications with twin contentionless
fiber amplifier (EDFA),
applications • DLA with monitoring (DLM) WSS for interconnecting
bi-directional OTDR,
integrated ASE, optical • LRU 12x1 module: Double- C-band module: Double- L-band add/drop channels
channel monitoring, and width, single-height width, single-height module to any of the 8 degrees for
optical service channel module integrating 1x12 integrating bi-directional CDC-ROADM applications
(OSC) for high port count flexible-grid WSS, EDFA, EDFA line amplifier, OSC, • CCMD 16x24 C-band
ROADM applications channelized L-band bi-directional OTDR, module: Single-width,
ASE, and optical channel and channel-monitoring double-height module
• RLA 32x1 C&L-band
monitoring for C&L-band capabilities with twin contentionless
module: Double-width,
ROADM applications • DLA with equalization WSS for interconnecting
single-height module
integrating twin 1x32 • 300 mm RLA 12x1 C-band (DLE) C-band module: RLS C-band add/drop channels
flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, module: Three-slot wide double-width, single- to any of 16 degrees for
bi-directional OTDR, module integrating twin height module and RLS R8- CDC-ROADM applications
integrated channelized 1x12 flexible-grid WSS, 300 single-width, double- • CCMD 16x24 L-band
C-band and bulk L-band EDFAs, bi-directional height module integrating module: Single-width,
ASE, optical channel OTDR, integrated bi-directional C-band double-height module
monitoring, and OSC ASE, optical channel EDFAs, dynamic gain with twin contentionless
for C&L-band ROADM monitoring, and OSC for equalizer, optical channel WSS for interconnecting
applications ROADM applications at monitoring, and OSC L-band add/drop channels
locations optimized for • Terminal line amplifier with to any of 16 degrees for
• L-band ROADM upgrade
300 mm footprint monitoring (TLM) C-band CDC-ROADM applications
(LRU) 32x1 module:
Double-width, single- • 300 mm RLA 12x1 C&L- module: Single-width, • CCMD 16-channel
height module integrating band module: Three-slot single-height module (CCMD16) C-band
1x32 flexible-grid WSS, wide module integrating integrating bi-directional module: Single-width,
EDFA, channelized L-band twin 1x12 flexible-grid C-band EDFAs, optical single-height module
ASE, and optical channel WSS, EDFAs, bi-directional channel monitoring, for colorless muxing/
monitoring for C&L-band OTDR, integrated and OSC demuxing of up to 16
ROADM applications channelized C-band and C-band wavelengths onto
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a single common port for (CFIM1, CFIM2, CFIM3): Common equipment Security
colorless direct attach CFIM1 interconnects up to • Redundant, field- • TACACS+, SSHv2,
(CDA) applications 4 degrees via multi-fiber replaceable power SFTPv3/SFTPv4, SCP,
• CCMD16 L-band push-on (MPO) cables. supplies TLS, RADIUS, secure
module: Single-width, CFIM2 uses MPO cables • Redundant, field- erase
single-height module to interconnect a group replaceable fan units Management
for colorless muxing/ of 4 degrees to another
• Redundant control and • CLI, Nodal Web UI, SNMP,
demuxing of up to 16 group of 4 degrees
timing module Ciena’s Navigator Network
L-band wavelengths onto or to the add/drop
interconnections between Power options Control Suite (Navigator
a single common port for
RLAs and CCMDs. CFIM3 NCS)
CDA applications • AC or DC power
interconnects RLAs and • API: NETCONF, REST,
• 42-channel mux/demux • Operational AC input
CCMD16s via MPO cables gRPC, WebSocket,
(CMD42): 1RU 112.5 GHz, voltage range: 100 VAC to
for CDA configurations declarative configuration,
C-band channel mux/ 240 VAC
using RLA 32x1 streaming telemetry
demux for add/drop of up • Operational DC input
to 42 channels; optimized • Fiber interconnect module • OpenConfig data models
voltage range: -40 VDC to
to support coherent (FIM) type 4A: 1RU module -75 VDC • Zero-touch provisioning
interfaces with higher baud used to interconnect RLA • Service and photonic layer
32x1 modules and CCMD Environmental
signals, including 95 GBaud interworking (SPLI) with
8x24 modules in C-band characteristics
• 48-channel mux/demux 6500 and Waveserver ®
or C&L-band CDC ROADM • Normal operating
(CMD48): 2RU 100 GHz, family
applications temperature: 5°C to 40°C
C-band channel mux/ • Intelligent L0 control plane
• Shared spectrum monitor (41°F to 104°F)
demux for add/drop of up
to 48 channels (SSM) C-band module: • Normal operating
Single-width, single- humidity: 5% to 85% RH
• 64-channel mux/demux
height module with optical • Operational altitude: -60 m
(CMD64): 2RU 75 GHz,
channel monitoring to 1800 m at 40°C (-197 ft
C-band channel mux/
for use in submarine to 5906 ft) and from
demux for add/drop of up
GeoMesh™ applications 1800 m to 4000 m at 30°C
to 64 channels; including
to enable spectrum (5906 ft to 13123 ft)
support for coherent
sharing for multiple • Earthquake/seismic:
pluggables
customers on a single Zone 4
• Compact fiber
fiber pair
interconnect module
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