The Critical Lowdown Podcast Episode 38
Transforming ISP Networks with Coherent’s Optical Solutions
Coherent is at the forefront of optical transport solutions, providing cutting-edge technology to empower ISPs and wireless ISPs with robust connectivity options.
In this episode, we sit down with Chris Johnson, Senior Director of Sales at Coherent, to discuss their innovative optical transport solutions and the significance of vertical integration in the telecommunications industry.
"Coherent’s technology enables ISPs to enhance their network architecture, providing them with the tools to simplify operations while delivering reliable, high-bandwidth connections to their customers."
With a focus on pluggable optics and the Open ZR technology, Coherent is paving the way for more flexible, open networking environments that support the evolving demands of the industry. Their products not only reduce operational costs but also improve network reliability and performance.
Explore how Coherent’s advancements in optical networking are transforming the landscape for ISPs, enabling them to define their networks and optimize carrier connections for superior service delivery.
Subscribe to The Critical Lowdown from EPS Global wherever you get your podcasts:
If you have any questions about or need advice or tech support for your upcoming project, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Transcript of Podcast
Alan: I'm here at WISPAPALOOZA and I'm delighted to be joined by Chris Johnson, who's the Senior Director of Sales with our partner, Coherent. We're going to talk this morning about Coherent's optical transport solutions. So, Chris, you're very welcome, and thanks for taking the time today.
Chris: It's great being here with you, Alan. We really enjoy our multi-decade relationship together, and we've been doing this for a long time.
Alan: We have. I want to start with how Coherent technology fits into the ISP and the wireless ISP ecosystem.
Chris: We make pluggable optics that go across fiber optic cables. We enable our ISP partners through both our client optics and transport optics, as well as transport products used to transport the light - including our ROADMs, MUX-DeMUXs, and interleavers.
Alan: We've seen data centers moving away from single-vendor networks, and we're seeing similar trends in Wi-Fi with the increased adoption of OpenWiFi. Are you seeing the same trend in optical networking?
Chris: Yes, absolutely. Different parts of the network are adopting this trend at varying speeds, particularly in data centers and intra-data center communication links. Carriers are pushing for open connectivity through the transport side, similar to OpenLAN and OpenWiFi.
The 100G ZR will be the first product to enable this transition because it works in legacy QSFP slots while supporting digital coherent optics for 100G links, providing the long distances needed for edge connections. We demonstrated this with our 400G ZR project with EdgeCore in our webinar earlier this year, showing how we've enabled a white-box solution for ZR, ZR+, and the Open ZR protocol that carriers are now adopting.
Alan: With the growing adoption of IP over DWDM (IPoDWDM), how can ISPs and wireless ISPs leverage your Open ZR technology to simplify their architecture?
Chris: It's an excellent way to simplify their architecture. With IP over DWDM, it eliminates the need for muxponder and gray optics typically required for long-distance links. We achieve the necessary higher powers either through the module itself, or for existing modules needing amplification, we provide a pluggable optical line system that fits into a QSFP slot, delivering OLS in a pluggable form factor.
Alan: Okay and that all resides in this one module.
Chris: It's amazing. We can achieve this using our high-power lasers and modules that deliver the required zero dBm. Eliminating the muxponder reduces rack space and power consumption. This improves reliability, reduces costs, and simplifies the entire network architecture.
Alan: One notable aspect of Coherent is your vertical integration, which you clearly take pride in. Why is this important, and how does it differentiate you from your competition?
Chris: It's absolutely critical for us. As a technology leader, developing our own technology internally provides multiple advantages: better market costs, improved performance, and a true second source for our customers. This capability has been essential for developments like our 100G solution, which was only possible because we developed our own DSP, managed the vertical integration, and assembled components in our facility.
Alan: We've discussed 100G and 400G technology. Looking to the future with 800G ZR+, how do you see this supporting ISPs and wireless ISPs, particularly for backhaul applications?
Chris: You're previewing our plans for 400G development. We're focused on reducing both power consumption and costs for backhaul applications. These are critical factors in the backhaul space, and we're specifically addressing them in our next-generation 400G product to enable broader adoption.
Alan: And always getting faster, cheaper.
Alan: Let's discuss our partnership between Coherent and EPS Global. You mentioned our multi-decade relationship - over 20 years of working together. From EPS Global's perspective, this partnership has been outstanding, with numerous mutual successes. How would you characterize the partnership from Coherent's perspective?
Chris: Absolutely. EPS Global does a wonderful job helping us integrate solutions for customers in the aftermarket area. As a manufacturer of pluggable modules, we need this integration support - the modules themselves require expert implementation.
Our modules need to be integrated into larger systems, and this is where EPS Global's value proposition shines. Together, we provide our customers with complete solutions, not just individual modules. We deliver end-to-end solutions to customers, as demonstrated here. This comprehensive approach is why our partnership with EPS Global has been so successful. We're delighted to support EPS Global and showcase our products at this event (WISPAPALOOZA 25).
Alan: We really appreciate it, Chris. It's been a great partnership, and we look forward to many more decades, whether we're around for it or not, but many more decades of partnership. So thanks again.