Tropic Networks tracks down the wavelengths

DALLAS--Much like teenagers, wavelengths need to be tracked to prevent problems before they happen. Startup Tropic Networks has developed a way to track wavelengths in metro networks to sniff out faults and power changes ahead of a problem.

“Providers can track each wavelength as it goes [to] each node,” said Robert Lane, vice president of marketing at Tropic.

That capability, which Tropic has named “Wavelength Tracker,” has been integrated into Tropic’s TRX-24000 metro optical transport platform.

“It helps providers drive out cost and simplify the network,” Lane said. Additionally, Lane noted that the migration path for providers from 2.5 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s is an easy one, because it involves no change outs. “They don’t need to do anything at all,” said Lane.

And like most other startups, Tropic has been pushed by service providers to partner up with larger vendors such as Nortel and Fujitsu to secure deals. Tropics’ platform currently is in lab trials and will be generally available this month, according to Lane.