Network providers face an unprecedented number of decisions about how to design their networks to support them well into the future. Although predicting the future is tough, one thing is clear: Users will continue to have big expectations of their networks-and those expectations usually involve getting more bandwidth and content when and where they want it, but not necessarily paying more for it. Many in the industry believe an autonomous network is the answer. But this doesn't seem practical as network providers are unlikely to relinquish all control of their networks. Ciena suggests a more holistic and pragmatic approach: the Adaptive Network.

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