Genuity to deploy Ciena optical switch

Genuity will deploy Ciena’s MultiWave CoreDirector optical switching system in its nationwide network, becoming the first announced company to do so. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to a Ciena spokesman, Genuity is not the only company to work with the CoreDirector. “We have approximately 14 customers—service providers and carriers—that are either trialing equipment or have sent us revenue for a product that has shipped. We’ve taken in revenue from 3 unannounced customers,” he said.

More important than revenues for Ciena, however, is the milestone this contract represents for the company, said the spokesman. “This is the first announcement of our core optical switch for deployment [rather than testing]. It’s a symbolic first step because very few companies have deployed optical core switches into networks.”

According to the spokesman, Genuity should deploy the switch in 14 cities in 2001. The CoreDirector, the company claims, can allow Genuity to offer services such as STS-1 to OC-192, virtual dedicated wavelengths and fractional gigabit Ethernet.

“We believe CoreDirector holds advantages over other switches in terms of functionality, density and granularity, which are critical in creating a true service-oriented network,” said a statement from Steven Blumenthal, senior vice president of engineering and technology at Genuity.