The 3803-MTL DCOM ONU is a chassis-based optical network unit (ONU) that helps hyperscalers, neoscalers, and enterprises simplify and scale out-of-band (OOB) management. As part of Ciena’s data center OOB management (DCOM) solution, it enables a modern fiber-based approach to designing, operating, and expanding data center management infrastructure.
The 3803-MTL uses XGS-PON to carry management traffic. When used with a console server and canopy chassis, it supports zero-RU deployment for more efficient OOB management. Managed through the ITU-T ONU Management and Control Interface (OMCI), the ONU is centrally administered by the controller, eliminating the need to manage it as an independent network element and simplifying provisioning, monitoring, software updates, and security patching.
In data centers, the 3803-MTL works with console servers to help maintain secure remote access to hosted network elements. By supporting physically separate OOB connectivity, the ONU module can be deployed on its own to provide up to four Ethernet management interfaces or paired with the console module over USB-C to add four RS-232 serial interfaces. This flexible architecture enables secure and reliable device access with Ethernet or serial management ports—even during congestion, failures, or security events on the in-band network.
As AI-driven data centers grow, the 3803-MTL reduces reliance on legacy OOB switches, cabling, and rack space, helping lower costs, improve efficiency, and support more sustainable operations.
Features and benefits
- XGS-PON ONU and console server in a canopy chassis deliver cost, complexity, and space efficiency
- ITU-T G.9807.1–compliant XGS-PON port provides 10 Gb/s (max) symmetrical upstream and downstream rates
- Unified OMCI management removes the need for individual device lifecycle management
- Canopy chassis design allows units to be placed on top of a rack, consuming zero RU space
ONU
- 1 x XGS-PON
- 4 x 10M/100M/1GbE RJ-45
- 1 x USB-C 2.0 host to connect data and power to console server
Console server
- Hot pluggable in canopy chassis
- 4 x RJ-45 RS-232 ports, each supporting up to 115.2 Kb/s
- 1 x USB-C 2.0 to connect with and receive power (< 2 W) from ONU module
Canopy chassis
- 11 slots: 10 x ONU or ONU + console server combination and one x fiber splitter
- Optical, Ethernet, USB connections from the front and power from the rear
- Integrated cable manager
Product overview
3803-MTL in a modern PON infrastructure
As data centers scale, legacy OOB designs increase CAPEX, power and cooling demands, and turn-up complexity. The 3803-MTL extends OOB management across a passive optical infrastructure while reducing point-to-point cabling and rack-level switching.
Within DCOM, the 3803-MTL operates over an XGS-PON optical distribution link (ODL) based on ITU-T G.9807.1, supporting symmetrical 10G point-to-multi-point connectivity with no active devices between the OLT and ONUs. The PON infrastructure can support up to 128 3803-MTL ONUs over 5 km using single-fiber bidirectional transmission and redundant passive splitters.
OMCI
OMCI enables the OLT to remotely provision, configure, monitor, and manage ONUs such as the 3803-MTL. It supports virtual LAN (VLAN) and quality of service (QoS) configuration, fault reporting, performance monitoring, and software updates. For DCOM, OMCI simplifies lifecycle management and helps ensure consistent operations across PON-based OOB infrastructure.
Sustainability
The 3803-MTL supports more sustainable data center operations by reducing the space, cabling, power, and cooling required for traditional OOB management networks. With Ciena’s DCOM console server and canopy chassis, it consolidates management traffic above the rack in zero traditional rack units. A fully loaded canopy chassis can replace a 1 RU aggregation switch and 1 RU serial console server in each rack, reducing the number of switches, cabinets, and cables while lowering power consumption across large deployments. Combined with the fanless ONU and console server design, this configuration improves airflow efficiency, reduces heat generation, and lowers operating costs.
Applications
The compact 3803-MTL enables scalable OOB management over a fiber-based PON architecture optimized for Open Compute Project Open Rack version 3 (ORv3). Installed in the canopy chassis with console servers and an optional fiber splitter, it supports zero-RU deployment above the ORv3 rack in space that is typically unused. The result is a simpler, more scalable data center architecture that accelerates service deployment, improves operational efficiency, and provides a future-ready foundation for growth, including for the following use cases:
- Hyperscaler data centers: Scale OOB management across large cloud environments while preserving rack space and improving power and airflow efficiency with ORv3 canopy chassis deployments
- Neoscaler data centers: Support high-density AI, cloud, edge, and colocation environments with a flexible optical OOB architecture that can aggregate many ONUs over a single fiber with an XGS-PON OLT transceiver
- Enterprise data centers: Modernize distributed OOB management with a secure, efficient, and scalable optical architecture that reduces dependence on rack-mounted aggregation switches and legacy copper cabling
Technical specifications
Ports and interfaces
| ONU | Console server | Canopy chassis |
|---|---|---|
| Hot pluggable | Hot pluggable | 11 slots |
| 48 VDC | 4 x RJ-45 RS-232 ports, each supporting 115.2 Kb/s | 10 universal for ONU or ONU + console |
| 4-pin Molex in rear (V+, V-, ground) | 1 x USB-C 2.0 to ONU | 1 slot for fiber splitter |
| 4 x 10/100/1,000 Mb/s RJ-45 bridge mode | Power LED in front | Power fed from rear |
| 1 x ITU-T G9807.1–compliant XGS-PON, SC/APC connector, single-mode fiber (SMF) | 3-pin Phoenix connector (V+, V-, ground) | |
| 1 x USB-C 2.0 host | Toolless, self-locking spring cage plug for input cable | |
| Supplies power to console server | Power to ONUs by passive backplane enclosure | |
| Fanless | Power to console port over USB from front panel | |
| Front LEDs | Integrated cable manager in front | |
| ESD jack |
Transmitter optical characteristics
| Parameter | Symbol | Min | Typ | Max | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser type | - | CW cooled directly modulated laser (DML) DFB | - | - | ||
| Maximum reach | - | <= 5 | km | Vcc, Tc | ||
| Nominal line rate | BWTX | - | 9.95328 | - | Gb/s | Vcc, Tc, XGS mode |
| Operating wavelength | λc | 1575 | 1577 | 1580 | nm | Vcc, Tc |
| Spectral width | Δλc | - | - | 1 | nm | |
| Average launch power | Po | 3.0 | - | 6.0 | dBm | |
| Transmitter tolerance to reflected optical power | Tt | -15 | - | - | dB | |
| Side mode suppression ratio | SMSR | 30 | - | - | dB | |
Receiver optical characteristics
| Parameter | Symbol | Min | Typ | Max | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver type | - | Burst mode avalanche pin diode (APD) / transimpedance amplifier (TIA) | - | - | ||
| Nominal line rate | BWRX | 9.95328 | Gb/s | VCC, TC, XGS mode | ||
| Operating wavelength | λc | 1260 | 1270 | 1280 | nm | VCC, TC |
| Damage threshold | PD | -5 | - | - | dBm | |
| Overhead level | PSEN | - | - | -28 | dBm | VCC, TC (9.95328 to 10.3125 Gb/s, λc = 1270 nm, non-return-to-zero (NRZ), extinction ratio (ER) = 6 dB, bit error rate (BER) < 10-3, pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) 231-1) |
| Consecutive identical digit immunity | CID | 72 | - | - | bits | VCC, TC |
| Receiver reflectance | Rλc | - | - | -12 | dB | @1260 to 1280 nm |
Regulatory compliance
| Parameter | Standard | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Agency marks | CE (Europe) UKCA (UK) NRTL (North America) RCM (Australia and New Zealand) VCCI (Japan) | Compatible with standards |
| Emissions and immunity | CISPR 32 Class A CISPR 35 EN 55032 Class A AS/NZS CISPR 32 Class A EN 55035 ETSI EN 300 386 FCC Part 15B Class A ICES-003 Class A VCCI CISPR 32 Class A | Compatible with standards |
| Environmental | RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and 2015/863 WEEE 2012/19/EU | Compatible with standards |
| Laser eye safety | FDA 21 CFR Subpart J EN 50689 IEC 60825-1 EN 60825-1 | Compatible with Class 1 laser products |
| Electrical safety | CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1 IEC 62368-1 EN 62368-1 AS/NZS 62368-1 | Compatible with standards |
Physical dimensions
| Product | H x W x D (mm) |
Weight (g / lb.) |
Power consumption (W) typical / maximum |
Operating temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONU | 96 x 26 x 279 | 632 / 1.39 | 7 / 8.5 | 0°C to +40°C; 5% to 85% RH, noncondensing |
| Console server | 96 x 26 x 116 | 250 / 0.55 | 1 / 1.5 | |
| Canopy chassis | 289 x 106 x 372 | 2960 / 6.52 | N/A |
Software features
Ethernet
- IEEE 802.3
- IEEE 802.3u
- IEEE 802.ab
- IEEE 802.1D MAC bridges
- IEEE 802.1Q VLANs including 802.1p priority
- IEEE 802.1ad provider bridging (Q-in-Q) VLAN
- VLAN classification and manipulation
- Push/pop/swap VLAN
Management
- OMCI for XGS-PON
Ordering information
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| 170-3803-910-MTL | 3803-910-MTL ONU, (1) XGS-PON SC/APC CONN, (4) 10M-1000M RJ-45, (1) USB-C, +48VDC, METAL HOUSING |
| 170-0473-910 | CONSOLE SERVER, (1) USB-C, (4) 115.2K RS-232 RJ-45, USB POWERED, METAL HOUSING |
| 170-0480-910 | DCOM 10-SLOT CANOPY CHASSIS, 48VDC POWERED |
| 170-0484-901 | (1) BLANK SLOT COVER FOR 0480 CANOPY CHASSIS |
| 170-0479-910 | 48VDC 120W 240VAC ADAPTER, TINNED LEADS, UNTERMINATED, IEC C14 INPUT, NO POWER CORD |
| 170-0486-910 | BRACKET TO MOUNT THE 170-0479-910 POWER ADAPTER ONTO THE 170-0480-910 CHASSIS |
| 170-0574-900 | CABLE, USB 2.0 TYPE-C TO TYPE-C, 26.5MM |
| 170-0574-901 | CABLE, USB 2.0 TYPE-C TO TYPE-C, 130MM |
| 170-0575-900 | PLC MODULE SPLITTER, 2X8, SC/APC, 90.4X42.7X105MM, INTEGRATED LATCH/ALIGNMENT PIN |
| 170-0575-901 | PLC MODULE SPLITTER, 2X1X2/2X4, SC/APC, 90.4X42.7X105MM, INTEGRATED LATCH/ALIGNMENT PIN |