For decades, networking has been governed by two different clocks: the IP layer moves at the speed of software cycles, while the Optical layer remains anchored to the slow, mechanical gears of physical hardware.
On one side, the IP teams manage routing protocols and forwarding decisions. On the other, the optical teams manage transponders and wavelengths. They use different NMS, different hardware, and often speak different languages. But as coherent optics become the standard, this divided approach isn’t just inefficient—it’s a bottleneck.
Traditional DWDM systems rely on standalone transponder shelves to convert short-reach router signals into long-haul optical signals. This legacy architecture creates three major pain points:
- Massive Footprint & Power: Standalone transponder shelves eat up precious rack units and consume significant power just to perform an “O-E-O” (Optical-Electrical-Optical) conversion.
- Vendor Lock-in: Legacy DWDM is a “closed garden.” If you buy a vendor’s line system, you are often forced into their proprietary transponders and management software.
- Operational Complexity: Managing two separate networks requires two different teams, two different NMS platforms, and a double stock of spare parts.
IP over DWDM (IPoDWDM) eliminates the external transponder layer entirely. By plugging coherent optical transceivers, you remove the need for external transponders as shown in the following diagram.
OcNOS leverages
OcNOS leverages standard CMIS interfaces and OpenConfig optical models to manage coherent pluggables while maintaining full L3 routing control.
This is where IP Infusion’s OcNOS shines.
1. Simplified Management
OcNOS provides the unified software stack needed to manage the entire lifecycle of a coherent pluggable. From a single CLI, you can tune wavelengths, adjust transmit power, and monitor pre-FEC BER (Bit Error Rate) alongside your routing protocols. At the same time, native NETCONF and OpenConfig support ensures that integration with existing NMS platforms has never been easier.
2. An Open Hardware Ecosystem
Unlike traditional vendors, OcNOS gives you the freedom to run a high-performance IPoDWDM stack on white-box switches from partners like Edgecore or UfiSpace, using best-of-breed optics.
3. Unified Topology
By moving DWDM functions into the router, your network collapses into a single, streamlined layer. This isn’t just a technical change; it’s an operational one that simplifies the entire network map.
OcNOS has already demonstrated its capabilities with 400G ZR/ZR+ coherent optics—both in the lab through the TIP MANTRA Project and in live field deployments with operators such as eww ITandTEL and Exatel.
With OcNOS 7.0.0, the coherent portfolio now expands to include 100G ZR in both low- and high-power variants.
Choosing OcNOS for your IPoDWDM rollout isn’t just about following a trend—it’s about measurable ROI:
- True Disaggregation Enables multi-vendor hardware selection and optics flexibility without sacrificing carrier-grade routing features.
- OpEx Reduction: In metro and DCI environments, collapsing external transponders can drastically reduce power and cooling costs by eliminating redundant hardware layers.
- Unified Management: Streamline operations with a single NOS that supports industry-standard APIs such as NETCONF and OpenConfig, enabling model-driven automation.
- Rapid Scaling: Need more capacity? Don’t wait for a new shelf. Deploy 100G/400G services instantly by plugging a new module into an existing OcNOS-powered router.
The future of transport is integrated, open, and automated. By leveraging OcNOS to power your IPoDWDM strategy, you aren’t just saving rack space—you’re building a flexible, vendor-neutral foundation for the next decade of traffic growth.
Marian Polojan is the Senior Product Hardware Manager for IP Infusion.