DATA SHEET

RLS
6500 Reconfigurable Line System

Delivering scale and programmability for the photonic layer Features and benefits
while maximizing operational efficiencies • Efficiently scales to meet the
highest-capacity network
requirements with an optimized
Ciena’s 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) empowers network ultra-dense design
operators to efficiently address the highest-capacity networking • Reduces footprint by as much
requirements in today’s metro, long-haul, and data center interconnect (DCI) as 70%, compared to traditional
networks. The 6500 RLS is an open and programmable photonic networking chassis-based systems, with its
modular and compact form factor
platform that is simple to deploy and operate, and optimized for space-
• Eases deployment and operations
constrained, multi-vendor environments. with ZTP, network auto-discovery,
and full network visibility for
Compact, modular transport devices have emerged to solve footprint simplified troubleshooting
challenges in networks requiring massive capacity scalability. However, • Provides openness and
footprint and scalability challenges also exist within the photonic layer, programmability with a full suite
driving the need to minimize footprint while scaling for capacity growth. of open APIs and a microservices-
As hyperscale data center networks light thousands of fiber pairs over based software architecture
• Doubles the fiber capacity with
the coming years, line system technologies will not scale with minimal
optimized C&L-band
footprint without the introduction of compact solutions for the photonic
• Intelligent L0 control plane
line. The 6500 RLS was designed to address evolving density and footprint accelerates wavelength turn-up
for the photonic layer while integrating tools and capabilities to simplify and improves service availability
installation, turn-up, and management.

The 6500 RLS provides network operators with choice in how they deploy
their photonic line systems, whether integrated or disaggregated. It is
highly programmable, and its open APIs enable integration into existing
management and back-office systems. The 6500 RLS improves service
velocity through significant operational savings and provides the scale
network operators need to increase their competitive edge and elevate
their end-customers’ experience.

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Ultra-dense design for optimal photonic line system new channels. The 6500 RLS eases line-system
scale and efficiencies deployments with a rich set of instrumentation
The 6500 RLS addresses scalability needs with features to speed up installation, turn-up, and
an ultra-dense design optimized for capacity and troubleshooting. Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
efficiency. With support for both large and small automates commissioning of the 6500 RLS shelf,
sites, it can be deployed into a variety of applications and photonic connection validation ensures users
including simple mux/demux configurations for can easily identify manual fibering errors or dirty
DCI, colorless direct attach, colorless transponder fiber connections. The platform provides full network
direct attach, or fully flexible colorless, directionless, visibility and simplified troubleshooting with channel
contentionless (CDC) photonic architectures. monitoring and an integrated bi-directional optical
The 6500 RLS provides a greater level of scale for time domain reflectometer (OTDR). When fiber cuts
both metro and long-haul applications by supporting occur, the 6500 RLS pinpoints fiber fault locations to
C-band and C&L-band 12-port and 32-port ROADM speed up technician deployment for fiber repairs and
configurations, with up to 768 C&L-band CDC reduce network downtime. Integrated channelized
add/ drop channels for a 16-degree node. amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) fully loads the
system day-one, maintaining constant optimal system
The 6500 RLS supports raman amplification for performance throughout the life of the network
longer, higher-loss spans. It uses flexible-grid channel and allowing for faster turn-up of wavelengths for
spacing to ensure the network is future proof— significantly faster wavelength restoration times
enabling network operators to deploy frequent during fault conditions. The intelligent L0 control plane
technology updates including next-generation, on the 6500 RLS automates network functions to
high-baud coherent modem technologies to achieve simplify operations, accelerate service creation, and
higher line rates, longer-distance transmission, and improve resiliency with photonic-layer restoration.
improved spectral efficiency.
Advanced programmability and openness
The 6500 RLS doubles available fiber capacity The 6500 RLS provides advanced programmability
for fiber-constrained networks with its integrated and openness for the photonic layer through a full
C&L-band architecture. Optimized for both C&L- suite of open APIs, model-driven configuration,
band performance, it provides the photonic layer streaming telemetry, and open, microservices-based
foundation for over 60 Tb/s of capacity on a single software architecture. Its open APIs also enable the
fiber pair without the cumbersome upgrade process, platform to easily integrate into existing operational
uncertainty of L-band performance, and potential tools and back-office systems.
impacts to existing traffic associated with historical
L-band network upgrades. Increasing fiber capacity With the 6500 RLS, network operators can efficiently
with the L-band is just as easy as lighting the C-band, scale their networks to meet the largest bandwidth
giving network operators double the capacity with no requirements with minimal footprint. It provides choice
surprises or impact to existing C-band traffic. in how photonic line systems are deployed, supporting
fully integrated or disaggregated configurations. Its
Simple to deploy and operate ease of deployment, flexible configuration options,
The 6500 RLS provides operational simplicity, and programmable open APIs help network operators
deployment velocity, and integrated instrumentation, speed up service activation and increase their
allowing users to easily turn up the system and add competitive edge.

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Technical information
Physical dimensions • Integrated C&L-band RLA bulk L-band ASE, optical • Terminal line amplifier with
R2 4-slot shelf: (iC&L-band RLA) 32x1 channel monitoring, and monitoring (TLM) C-band
• 2U module: Double-width, OSC for C&L-band ROADM module: single-width,
88 mm (H) x 440 mm (W) x single-height module applications at locations single-height module
580 mm (D) with twin 1x32 iC&L-band optimized for 300 mm integrating bi-directional
3.5 in. (H) x 17.33 in. (W) x flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, footprint C-band EDFAs, optical
22.83 in. (D) bi-directional OTDR, • C-band 32x1 WSS module: channel monitoring, and
integrated channelized Double-width, single- OSC
R4 8-slot shelf:
C&L-band ASE, optical height module integrating • Single-line Raman amplifier
• 4U
channel monitoring, and twin 1x32 flexible-grid (SRA) C-band module: RLS
177 mm (H) x 440 mm (W) x
OSC, providing a single- WSS and C-band ASE for single-width, single-height
580 mm (D)
card solution for improved submarine line terminal module and RLS R8-300
6.97 in. (H) x 17.33 in. (W) x
density with C&L-band equipment (SLTE) single-slot module providing
22.83 in. (D)
ROADM applications applications raman amplification for
R8-300 8-slot shelf:
• RLA 12x1 C-band module: • Dual line amplifier (DLA) the C-band
• 7.5U
Double-width, single- C-band module: RLS • SRA C&L-band module:
330 mm (H) x 440 mm (W)
height module integrating double-width, single- RLS single-width,
x 281 mm (D)
twin 1x12 flexible-grid height module and RLS single-height module
12 in. (H) x 17.3 in. (W) x
WSS, dual-line EDFA, R8-300 two-slot module and RLS R8-300 two-slot
11.1 in. (D)
bi-directional OTDR, integrating bidirectional module providing raman
Weight (chassis only) integrated ASE, optical C-band EDFA line amplification for C&L-
R2 4-slot shelf channel monitoring, amplifiers, OSC, and bi- bands
• 8.8 kg (19.4 lb) and OSC for ROADM directional OTDR for line- • Trunk protection switch
R4 8-slot shelf applications amplification applications (TPS, TPS2): Single-width,
• 11.8 kg (26 lb) • RLA 12x1 C&L-band • DLA C&L-band module: single-height module
Photonic modules module: Double-width, RLS double-width, single- for trunk-protection
single-height module height module and RLS applications
• ROADM with line amplifier
integrating twin 1x12 R8-300 three-slot module • Colorless channel
(RLA) 32x1 C-band
flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, integrating bi-directional mux/demux (CCMD)
module: Double-width,
bi-directional OTDR, C&L-band EDFA line 8x24 C-band module:
single-height module
integrated channelized amplifiers, OSC, and bi- Single-width, double-
integrating twin 1x32
C-band and bulk L-band directional OTDR for C&L- height module with twin
flexible-grid wavelength
ASE, optical channel band line-amplification contentionless WSS for
selective switch (WSS),
monitoring, and OSC applications interconnecting C-band
dual-line erbium-doped
for C&L-band ROADM • DLA with monitoring (DLM) add/drop channels to any
fiber amplifier (EDFA),
applications C-band module: Double- of the 8 degrees for CDC-
bi-directional OTDR,
integrated ASE, optical • LRU 12x1 module: Double- width, single-height module ROADM applications
channel monitoring, and width, single-height integrating bi-directional • CCMD 8x24 L-band
optical service channel module integrating 1x12 EDFA line amplifier, OSC, module: Single-width,
(OSC) for high port count flexible-grid WSS, EDFA, bi-directional OTDR, double-height module with
ROADM applications channelized L-band and channel-monitoring twin contentionless WSS
ASE, and optical channel capabilities for interconnecting L-band
• RLA 32x1 C&L-band
monitoring for C&L-band • DLA with equalization add/drop channels to any
module: Double-width,
ROADM applications (DLE) C-band module: RLS of the 8 degrees for CDC-
single-height module
integrating twin 1x32 • 300 mm RLA 12x1 C-band double-width, single- ROADM applications
flexible-grid WSS, EDFAs, module: Three-slot height module and RLS • CCMD 16x24 C-band
bi-directional OTDR, module integrating twin R8-300 two-slot module module: Single-width,
integrated channelized 1x12 flexible-grid WSS, integrating bi-directional double-height module
C-band and bulk L-band EDFAs, bi-directional C-band EDFAs, dynamic with twin contentionless
ASE, optical channel OTDR, integrated gain equalizer, optical WSS for interconnecting
monitoring, and OSC ASE, optical channel channel monitoring, and C-band add/drop channels
for C&L-band ROADM monitoring, and OSC for OSC to any of 16 degrees for
applications ROADM applications at • DLE C&L-band module: CDC-ROADM applications
locations optimized for RLS double-width, single-
• L-band ROADM upgrade • CCMD 16x24 L-band
300 mm footprint height module and RLS
(LRU) 32x1 module: module: Single-width,
Double-width, single- • 300 mm RLA 12x1 C&L- R8-300 three-slot module double-height module with
height module integrating band module: Three-slot integrating bi-directional twin contentionless WSS
1x32 flexible-grid WSS, module integrating twin C&L-band EDFA line for interconnecting L-band
EDFA, channelized L-band 1x12 flexible-grid WSS, amplifiers, dynamic gain add/drop channels to any
ASE, and optical channel EDFAs, bi-directional equalizer, optical channel of 16 degrees for CDC-
monitoring for C&L-band OTDR, integrated monitoring, and OSC ROADM applications
ROADM applications channelized C-band and

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• CCMD 16-channel • 32-channel mux/demux • Shared spectrum monitor Security
(CCMD16) C-band Type 2 module (CMD32 (SSM) C-band module: • TACACS+, SSHv2,
module: Single-width, Type 2): 1RU 150GHz Single-width, single- SFTPv3/SFTPv4, SCP,
single-height module C-band channel mux/ height module with optical TLS, RADIUS, secure
for colorless muxing/ demux (offset by 75GHz channel monitoring erase
demuxing of up to 16 compared to CMD32) for use in submarine
Management
C-band wavelengths onto for add/drop of up to 32 GeoMesh™ applications
a single common port for channels; optimized for use to enable spectrum • CLI, Nodal Web UI, SNMP,
colorless direct attach with 400ZR signals sharing for multiple Ciena’s Navigator Network
(CDA) applications customers on a single Control Suite (Navigator
• 48-channel mux/demux
fiber pair NCS)
• CCMD16 L-band (CMD48): 2RU 100 GHz,
module: Single-width, C-band channel mux/ • API: NETCONF, REST,
Common equipment
single-height module demux for add/drop of up gRPC, WebSocket,
• Redundant, field- declarative configuration,
for colorless muxing/ to 48 channels replaceable power
demuxing of up to 16 streaming telemetry
• 64-channel mux/demux supplies
L-band wavelengths onto (CMD64): 2RU 75 GHz, • OpenConfig data models
• Redundant, field-
a single common port for C-band channel mux/ • Zero-touch provisioning
replaceable fan units
CDA applications demux for add/drop of up • Service and photonic layer
• Redundant control and
• 300 mm CCMD16 C-band to 64 channels; including interworking (SPLI) with
timing module
module: Single-slot module support for coherent 6500 and Waveserver ®
for colorless muxing/ pluggables family
Power options
demuxing of up to 16 • Compact fiber • Intelligent L0 control plane
C-band wavelengths onto • AC or DC power
interconnect module
a single common port (CFIM1, CFIM2, CFIM3): • Operational AC input
for CDA applications at CFIM1 interconnects up to voltage range: 100 VAC to
locations optimized for 300 4 degrees via multi-fiber 240 VAC
mm footprint push-on (MPO) cables. • Operational DC input
• 24-channel mux/demux CFIM2 uses MPO cables voltage range: -40 VDC to
(CMD24): 1RU 200 GHz, to interconnect a group -75 VDC
C-band channel mux/ of 4 degrees to another Environmental
demux for add/drop of up group of 4 degrees characteristics
to 24 channels; optimized or to the add/drop
• Normal operating
to support higher baud interconnections between
temperature: 5°C to 40°C
coherent interfaces, RLAs and CCMDs. CFIM3
(41°F to 104°F)
including WaveLogic 6 interconnects RLAs and
Extreme CCMD16s via MPO cables • Normal operating
for CDA configurations humidity: 5% to 85% RH
• 32-channel mux/demux
(CMD32): 1RU 150 GHz, using RLA 32x1 • Operational altitude: -60 m
C-band channel mux/ • Fiber interconnect module to 1800 m at 40°C (-197 ft
demux for add/drop of up (FIM) type 4A: 1RU module to 5906 ft) and from
to 32 channels; optimized used to interconnect RLA 1800 m to 4000 m at 30°C
for use with 800ZR (150 32x1 modules and CCMD (5906 ft to 13123 ft)
GHz) or 400ZR (75 GHz, 8x24 modules in C-band • Earthquake/seismic:
when deployed with or C&L-band CDC ROADM Zone 4
CMD32 Type 2) applications

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