“We have already tested our boxes to work at 40gig and we are testing them for 100gig,” Rathore said. “A lot of the component technology isn’t there yet, but we’ve already done some of our own internal demonstrations to be able to prove the technology works. Once the components are available, that’s our migration plan is to mix and match 10, 40 and 100gig onto the same fiber as needed.”

     He said the move to 100gbps will be a similar approach to the 40gbps shelf, but will include new technology and incorporate polarization, multiplexing and modulation techniques, such as differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK). “Essentially we are trying to mix and match a lot of higher-end modulation schemes to try to cram more bits onto the fiber and still keep it looking as close to 10gig as possible,” he said.

     He said, there may be some other techniques employed, including being able to do 2x50gGB or 4x25GB as well as 1x100GB to ensure compatibility with legacy fiber.

     Rathore predicts availability of pre-standard 100gbps systems by the end of 2008.

     Addressing the current needs, the FlexSelect 40G Shelf features eight slots that support hot-swappable and wavelength-provisionable line cards with client interfaces, including serial 40gbps for SONET/SDH and OTN, as well as 10gbps-multiplexed interfaces for SONET/SDH/OTN/Ethernet.

     Ciena supports 4x10GB multiplexing on one channel. “We are not putting them on different wavelengths although we can if the network needs it. Most of our customers don’t like it,” Rathore said. “You still are running out of fiber and burning up all the wavelengths. You haven’t improved the spectral density of your system. That’s what [service providers] want to do. They want to carry more bits on the same fiber system. And if you start multiplexing 4x10, it doesn’t really help them there.”