On any network, whether it’s wireline or wireless, bandwidth consumption continues to rise at an unprecedented rate. Moreover, traffic patterns have become so erratic that traditional transport methods are not able to adapt. To tactically address this new reality, Ciena is completely transforming coherent routing by introducing WaveRouter, a new platform architecture that is built on an open purpose-built router equipped with intelligent operating system software with performance data streaming, integrated with coherent pluggables, and augmented with optimized photonic line systems, for flexibility and programmability. Read more from Stephane Teral, in this paper, on how a purpose-built router equipped with coherent pluggables, optimized photonic line systems and a coordinated multi-layer controller achieves IP/optical convergence.