The Telecom Infra Project (TIP) Open Optical & Packet Transport (OOPT) project group is pleased to announce the completion of the IP over DWDM Proof of Concept (PoC) activity conducted under the guidance of the MANTRA subgroup. This PoC was built to evaluate the integration of ZR/ZR+ optics in an open disaggregated IP router through the standard OIF Common Management Interface or CMIS and the open management of the ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable using the router’s management interface relying on OpenConfig-based NETCONF/gNMI open interface.
This PoC was successful in verifying the integration and efficiency of IP over DWDM (IPoDWDM) architecture in modern telecom networks. Leading telecommunications operating companies joined, monitored and guided this PoC, to explore IPoDWDM technology’s potential and benefits, including Vodafone, Telefónica, MTN, Orange, Telia Company, NTT Communications, and Deutsche Telekom.
This PoC executed in two phases in IPInfusion lab premises, evaluated a disaggregated routing solution based on UfiSpace routing platform, IP Infusion’s OcNOS routing software, and 400G ZR/ZR+ optics from Ciena and NEC.
The first phase focused on testing and evaluating the CMIS 5.0 interoperability between OcNOS on UfiSpace hardware along with Ciena and NEC colored optics. Demonstration and validations were done using the IP Infusion’s router Command Line Interface (CLI).
In the second phase, the OpenConfig-based NETCONF/gNMI interface was evaluated to demonstrate the target use cases defined by the TIP MANTRA subgroup covering a comprehensive set of the management features recommended to manage and control the ZR/ZR+ optics from a centralized controller perspective, including Streaming Telemetry capabilities of the routing software to stream the data of ZR/ZR+ optics.
Both phases were completed successfully obtaining valuable insights about the maturity of these standard-based open interfaces and demonstrating their potential readiness to be deployed in telecom networks.
This PoC extends beyond technical validation, establishing a foundation for seamless integration and standardization. The project emphasizes the importance of network infrastructure interoperability, showcasing the current state of the art in implementing existing standards and identifying gaps that must be addressed to achieve true interoperability.
Please refer to the recently published TIP MANTRA PoC results readout Whitepaper, to get more details about results and conclusions of this proof of concept.
Supporting Quotes
“IP Infusion is proud to have played a key role in this project, hosting the PoC in our lab and demonstrating our commitment to disaggregated networking solutions. This achievement highlights OcNOS’s ability to integrate open standards like CMIS, OpenConfig, and Streaming Telemetry into field-ready solutions while supporting diverse Open Compute hardware and now Open Optics for the IPoDWDM architecture. We extend our gratitude to TIP, UfiSpace, NEC, and Ciena for their collaboration and look forward to advancing networking innovation together.” Said Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO of IP Infusion
“At UfiSpace, we are proud to be part of this successful Proof of Concept, which showcases the potential of IPoDWDM architecture in open and disaggregated networks. This collaboration highlights UfiSpace’s commitment to advancing open networking solutions and driving innovation through integration with ZR/ZR+ optics and standards-based solutions.” Said Ray Chang, R&D Director, UfiSpace
“Ciena has been at the forefront of IP over DWDM systems for several years. By extending this capability into open and disaggregated routers, we are helping to instill confidence in operators looking to deploy multi-vendor solutions, accelerating the move towards more agile and flexible networks. Ciena’s contribution to this PoC demonstrates our ongoing commitment to advancing optical innovations that provide the foundation for more efficient, scalable infrastructures.” Said Joe Shapiro, Vice President, Product Line Management at Ciena.
“NEC is honored to have contributed to the activities of TIP MANRA through NEC’s coherent optical transceivers. NEC will continue to promote the development of optical transceiver technology that balances increased network capacity with reduced power consumption.” Said Akio Goto, General Manager, Fiber Optic Devices Department, NEC Corporation
“The Telecom Infra Project is very proud to announce the successful competition of this project conducted by the TIP community within the MANTRA subgroup. This PoC is a significant milestone towards the definition of the requirements for an open and disaggregation solution for IP over DWDM and it is a remarkable success of the Open Optical & Packet Transport project group at TIP.” Said Arturo Mayoral López de Lerma, Technical Program Manager, Telecom Infra Project.
About the TIP Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT) project group:
The Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT) project group, part of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP), focuses on developing open and disaggregated solutions for optical and packet transport networks. By fostering collaboration among operators, vendors, and integrators, OOPT aims to redefine how transport networks are designed, built, and managed.
The group develops specifications, conducts proof-of-concept trials, and drives interoperability in technologies like optical transport systems, disaggregated routers, and IPoDWDM. Through these initiatives, OOPT accelerates innovation, reduces deployment costs, and ensures a robust ecosystem for scalable and efficient network infrastructures.
This work directly supports the telecom industry’s shift toward open and flexible architectures, enabling seamless integration of multi-vendor solutions and addressing the increasing demand for bandwidth in the 5G era and beyond.
To become a member, please visit: https://telecominfraproject.com/apply-for-membership/