As AI drives a growing demand for high-speed connectivity, network operators are increasingly challenged to deliver reliable performance while improving energy efficiency. Learn how Ciena’s Adaptive Network vision provides a strategic solution for building faster, more resilient, and more sustainable networks.

Today, we rely on connectivity for nearly everything – to work, keep in touch with loved ones, entertain us, receive telehealth, order groceries, and the list goes on. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) powering a wide range of applications from virtual assistants to self-driving cars, the need for lightning-fast connections is only going to grow. But what about the environmental impact of this increased demand?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that network and data center energy consumption already account for 1 to 1.5% of global electricity use. And with global electricity demand projected to grow by 4% annually through 2027, driven significantly by AI adoption according to the IEA, hyperscalers and network operators face a clear challenge: managing their energy use to control costs and meet their sustainability goals, all while delivering fast, reliable services to end users. That's where Ciena's Adaptive NetworkTM vision comes in – a self-optimizing, sustainable approach to connectivity.

Programmable infrastructure

Ciena’s Adaptive Network begins with our programmable infrastructure – our optical, routing, and switching technologies – which can help our customers achieve their sustainability goals by building smarter, simpler, and more efficient networks:

  • WaveLogic™ 6 Extreme (WL6e) coherent transceivers deliver speeds up to 1.6 Tb/s while using 54% less power per bit than the previous generation. Plus, it's designed to work with existing infrastructure, minimizing additional network equipment needed and its associated environmental impact.
  • WaveLogic 6 Nano (WL6n) coherent pluggable transceivers double the capacity of the previous generation, achieving 800 Gb/s at 1,000 km distances while minimizing power and physical space requirements. Its modular design allows for flexibility in scaling as bandwidth demands grow, reducing unnecessary equipment.
  • WaveRouter™ doubles power efficiency compared to conventional routing and switching solutions and allows for deployment across non-contiguous racks, optimizing the use of power and cooling resources. Its enhanced air cooling and distributed power system minimizes energy consumption by utilizing only the necessary capacity and power needed. Additionally, the optional use of passive direct attach copper (DAC) cables, which require no power and feature an ultra-slim profile, further conserves resources and reduces material usage.
Analytics and intelligence

Imagine a network that constantly learns and improves itself. That's the power of analytics and AI within the Adaptive Network. Using real-time data from our programmable infrastructure through open APIs, our Blue Planet® Intelligent Automation portfolio and Navigator Network Control Suite™ (Navigator NCS) deliver actionable insights to optimize networks for peak performance and energy efficiency, even preventing potential issues before they happen. Proactive and more accurate troubleshooting means fewer truck rolls to problematic locations and a smaller carbon footprint, while also supporting better service delivery and improved customer experiences.

Software control and automation

Multi-layer software control and automation simplify and optimize network designs and operations. This allows you to scale resources and activate services with increased agility and flexibility, minimizing the need for more hardware and energy use. Ciena’s Navigator NCS and Blue Planet Intelligent Automation enhance these capabilities through analytics-driven automation, enabling customers to build smarter, more efficient, and sustainable networks.

Intelligent Apps within Navigator NCS use AI to optimize performance, prevent downtime, and ensure peak efficiency. Even before a network is built, our PlannerPlus tool acts like a virtual sustainability consultant, calculating energy consumption and potential emissions. This helps design networks that are both high-capacity and environmentally responsible.

Services

Ciena’s teams work closely with our customers to optimize their networks, identify energy and cost savings, and minimize environmental impact. Our Optimization Service monitors network configuration, performance, and capabilities to mitigate vulnerabilities, leverage underutilized resources, and maximize bandwidth – all to enhance efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Similarly, our network transformation capabilities help upgrade networks for sustainability. For example, we can:

  • Identify and power down underutilized equipment, reducing energy consumption.
  • Consolidate network sites and exit unnecessary ones, minimizing real estate footprint and energy use.
  • Migrate services from legacy equipment to a modern network, resulting in significant energy savings.
Ready for a network that's both powerful and sustainable?

Ciena's Adaptive Network vision isn't just about keeping up with the bandwidth demand – it's about building a smarter, greener way to connect everyone.

Learn more about how Ciena’s Adaptive Network vision can help you reach your business and sustainability goals in our latest Sustainability Report.