Optics and Hardware Configuration Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco IOS XR Releases

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Optics and Hardware Configuration Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco IOS XR Releases

QDD OLS configurations

Updated: June 16, 2026

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This topic explains the configurations available on the QDD OLS pluggable, including operational mode, low-threshold power, optical safety remote interlock (OSRI), safety control, and force automatic power reduction (APR), and links to the procedure for each.

You can configure the mode of operation, adjust the low-threshold power, set the optical safety remote interlock (OSRI), enable safety control, and configure force APR setting for the OLS pluggable.

Table 1. Summary of QDD OLS configurations
Configuration Item	Description	Configuration Procedure
Mode of operation, amplifier gain, and amplifier output power	Select operating mode, including amplifier gain/output power	Configure the operational mode, amplifier gain, and amplifier output power
Low-threshold power	Adjust the minimum permissible optical power level	Configure the low-threshold power
Optical safety remote interlock (OSRI)	Set and manage remote safety interlock functions	Configure the optical safety remote interlock (OSRI)
Safety control	Enable or configure safety mechanisms for optical output	Configure safety control mode
Force APR setting	Configure forced automatic power recovery routines	Configure force APR

Configure the operational mode, amplifier gain, and amplifier output power

Set up the operational mode of the OLS pluggable and configure either amplifier gain (gain control mode) or amplifier output power (power control mode) as required for your optical link system.

Use this task to configure an OLS (Optical Line System) pluggable's amplifier settings. Depending on deployment needs, you can enable gain control (to set a specific gain value) or power control (to set an output power value).

Follow these steps to configure the operational mode and amplifier settings for the OLS pluggable:

Before you begin

Check that you have the necessary privileges to use the router CLI.
Determine the controller identifier for the OLS pluggable (for example, 0/0/2/1/0).

Procedure

Configure the amplifier operational mode to manual and set the desired amplifier gain.

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/0
Router(config-Ots)#ampli-control-mode manual
Router(config-Ots)#egress-ampli-gain 150
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Configure the amplifier operational mode to powermode and set the desired amplifier output power.

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/0
Router(config-Ots)#ampli-control-mode powermode
Router(config-Ots)#egress-ampli-power 50
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Use the show controllers ots command to verify the configuration.

This example shows the controller output after setting the amplifier operational mode to manual and configuring the amplifier gain.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/0
 Controller State: Up 
 Transport Admin State: In Service 
 LED State: Yellow 
         Alarm Status:
         -------------
         Detected Alarms: 
                 RX-LOS-P    

         Alarm Statistics:
         -----------------
         RX-LOS-P = 0          
         RX-LOC = 0          
         TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 0          
         INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0          
         INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0          
         INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0          
         INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0          
         EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0          
         EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0          
         EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0          
         EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0          
         HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0          
         HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0          
         SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0          
         SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0          
         Parameter Statistics:
         ---------------------
         Total Tx Power = -50.00 dBm 
         Rx Signal Power = -50.00 dBm 
         Tx Signal Power = -50.00 dBm 
         Egress Ampli Gain = 0.0 dB
         Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF 
         Configured Parameters:
         -------------
         Egress Ampli Gain = 20.0 dB 
         Egress Ampli Power = 8.0 dBm
         Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF 
         Ampli Control mode = Manual 
         Rx Low Threshold = -20.0 dBm 
         Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm 
         Temperature = 14.29 Celsius 
         Voltage = 3.37 V 
         Optical Module Details
         Optics type            : QDD DUAL EDFA
         Name                   : CISCO-ACCELINK
         OUI Number             : 00.00.00
         Part Number            : EDFA-211917-QDD
         Rev Number             : 19
         Serial Number          : ACW2631Z00X
         PID                    : ONS-QDD-OLS=
         Firmware Version       : 1.09
         Date Code(yy/mm/dd)    : 22/06/02
         Fiber Connector Type   : CS

This example shows the controller output after setting the amplifier operational mode to powermode and configuring the amplifier output power.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/0
Thu Jun  1 08:56:37.236 UTC
 Controller State: Up
 Transport Admin State: In Service
 LED State: Green
                 Alarm Status:
                -------------
                Detected Alarms: None
                 Alarm Statistics:
                -----------------
                RX-LOS-P = 4         
                 RX-LOC = 0         
                 TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 1         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 4         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 1          
                 HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0         
                 Parameter Statistics:
                ---------------------
                Total Tx Power = 5.00 dBm
                 Rx Signal Power = -22.29 dBm
                 Tx Signal Power = 4.99 dBm
                 Egress Ampli Gain = 3.2 dB
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                Configured Parameters:
                -------------
                Egress Ampli Gain = 15.0 dB
                 Egress Ampli Power = 5.0 dBm
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Ampli Control mode = Power
                 Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm
                 Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm
                 Temperature = 29.33 Celsius
                 Voltage = 3.34 V
 Optical Module Details
                 Optics type                  : QDD DUAL EDFA
                Name                         : CISCO-II-VI
                OUI Number                   : 00.90.65
                Part Number                  : 60P310001
                Rev Number                   : 01
                Serial Number                : IFB26520001
                PID                          : ONS-QDD-OLS
                VID                          : VES1
                Firmware Version             : 0.10
                Date Code(yy/mm/dd)          : 23/02/22
                Fiber Connector Type         : CS

The OLS pluggable operates in the selected mode with amplifier parameters applied as configured. Running configuration and controller status commands show the updated operational mode and amplifier values.

Configure the low-threshold power

Set the low-threshold power values (RX or TX) for the optical signal received or transmitted by an OLS pluggable.

Use this task when you need to adjust the OLS pluggable’s sensitivity for detecting low optical signal levels. Configuring these thresholds helps ensure reliable operation by triggering warnings or alarms if signal power falls below the set value.

Follow these steps to configure the low-threshold power:

Before you begin

Check that you have the necessary privileges to use the router CLI.
Determine the controller identifier for the OLS pluggable (for example, 0/0/2/1/0).

Procedure

Configure the optical receive (RX) low power threshold on the OLS pluggable.

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/0
Router(config-Ots)#rx-low-threshold -200
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Note

Use the tx-low-threshold command to set the transmit (TX) low power threshold.

Use the show controllers ots command to verify the configuration.

This example shows the controller output after setting the low-threshold power on the OLS pluggable.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/0
Thu Mar 23 21:33:49.862 UTC
Controller State: Up
Transport Admin State: In Service
LED State: Green
                 Alarm Status:
                -------------
                Detected Alarms: None
                Alarm Statistics:
                -----------------
                RX-LOS-P = 4         
                 RX-LOC = 0         
                 TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 1         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0          
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 4         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 1         
                 HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0         
                 Parameter Statistics:
                ---------------------
                Total Tx Power = 16.72 dBm
                 Rx Signal Power = -22.29 dBm
                 Tx Signal Power = 16.53 dBm
                 Egress Ampli Gain = 14.7 dB
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Configured Parameters:
                -------------
                Egress Ampli Gain = 15.0 dB
                 Egress Ampli Power = 4.0 dBm
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Ampli Control mode = Manual
                 Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm
                 Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm
                 Temperature = 27.92 Celsius
                 Voltage = 3.33 V
 Optical Module Details
                Optics type                 : QDD DUAL EDFA
                Name                        : CISCO-II-VI
                OUI Number                  : 00.90.65
                Part Number                 : 60P310001
                Rev Number                  : 01
                Serial Number               : IFB26520001
                PID                         : ONS-QDD-OLS
                VID                         : VES1
                Firmware Version            : 0.10
                Date Code(yy/mm/dd) : 23/02/22
                Fiber Connector Type    : CS

This example shows the controller output after setting the amplifier operational mode to powermode and configuring the amplifier output power.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/0
Thu Jun  1 08:56:37.236 UTC
 Controller State: Up
 Transport Admin State: In Service
 LED State: Green
                Alarm Status:
                -------------
                Detected Alarms: None
                Alarm Statistics:
                -----------------
                RX-LOS-P = 4         
                 RX-LOC = 0         
                 TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 1         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 4         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 1          
                 HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0         
                 Parameter Statistics:
                ---------------------
                Total Tx Power = 5.00 dBm
                 Rx Signal Power = -22.29 dBm
                 Tx Signal Power = 4.99 dBm
                 Egress Ampli Gain = 3.2 dB
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                Configured Parameters:
                -------------
                Egress Ampli Gain = 15.0 dB
                 Egress Ampli Power = 5.0 dBm
                Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Ampli Control mode = Power
                 Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm
                 Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm
                 Temperature = 29.33 Celsius
                 Voltage = 3.34 V
 Optical Module Details
                Optics type                  : QDD DUAL EDFA
                Name                         : CISCO-II-VI
                OUI Number                   : 00.90.65
                Part Number                  : 60P310001
                Rev Number                   : 01
                Serial Number                : IFB26520001
                PID                          : ONS-QDD-OLS
                VID                          : VES1
                Firmware Version             : 0.10
                Date Code(yy/mm/dd)          : 23/02/22
                Fiber Connector Type         : CS

The specified RX and/or TX low-threshold power settings are applied to the OLS pluggable controller. The router will monitor for low signal conditions based on the configured thresholds.

Configure the optical safety remote interlock (OSRI)

Ensure safety and proper maintenance by configuring the Optical Safety Remote Interlock (OSRI) on an OLS pluggable. OSRI enables safe shutdown of the amplifier during maintenance, debugging, or when the OLS pluggable is not in use.

The OSRI configuration limits the output power of the amplifier based on the input power when enabled. This safety mechanism protects both equipment and personnel during specific scenarios. With OSRI enabled, the output power can be a maximum of -15 dBm, based on the input power.

Follow these steps to configure the optical safety remote interlock (OSRI):

Before you begin

Check that you have the necessary privileges to use the router CLI.
Determine the controller identifier for the OLS pluggable (for example, 0/0/2/1/0).
Plan a maintenance window, if necessary, to avoid service disruption.

Procedure

Enable the egress amplifier OSRI.

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/0
Router(config-Ots)#egress-ampli-osri on
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Use the show controllers ots command to verify the configuration.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/0
Thu Jun  1 09:04:10.335 UTC
Controller State: Up
Transport Admin State: In Service
LED State: Green
                Alarm Status:
                -------------
                Detected Alarms: None
                Alarm Statistics:
                -----------------
                RX-LOS-P = 4         
                 RX-LOC = 0         
                 TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 1         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 4         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 1         
                 HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0         
                 Parameter Statistics:
                ---------------------
                Total Tx Power = -50.00 dBm
                 Rx Signal Power = -22.36 dBm
                 Tx Signal Power = -50.00 dBm
                 Egress Ampli Gain = 0.0 dB
                Egress Ampli OSRI = ON
                 Configured Parameters:
                -------------
                Egress Ampli Gain = 15.0 dB
                 Egress Ampli Power = 5.0 dBm
                Egress Ampli OSRI = ON
                 Ampli Control mode = Power
                 Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm
                 Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm
 
                Temperature = 27.90 Celsius
                 Voltage = 3.34 V
 Optical Module Details
                Optics type                     : QDD DUAL EDFA
                Name                            : CISCO-II-VI
                OUI Number                      : 00.90.65
                Part Number                     : 60P310001
                Rev Number                      : 01
                Serial Number                   : IFB26520001
                PID                             : ONS-QDD-OLS
                VID                             : VES1
                Firmware Version                : 0.10
                Date Code(yy/mm/dd)             : 23/02/22
                Fiber Connector Type            : CS

The optical safety remote interlock (OSRI) is enabled on the OLS pluggable. The amplifier output power is now limited for safe handling during maintenance and debugging.

Configure safety control mode

Enable safety control mode on subport 1 of an OLS (Optical Line System) pluggable to automatically manage signal output power and trigger safety alarms under specified conditions.

Safety control mode ensures laser safety. If you set the safety control mode to auto, and a loss of signal (LOS) is detected on the line RX, the system automatically normalizes the line TX signal output power to 8 dBm and activates the ALS (Automatic Laser Shutdown) and APR (Automatic Power Reduction) alarms.

Follow these steps to configure the safety control mode for the OLS pluggable:

Before you begin

Check that you have the necessary privileges to use the router CLI.
Determine the controller identifier for the OLS pluggable (for example, 0/0/2/1/0).
Identify the correct OTS (Optical Transport Section) controller and the relevant subport (must be subport 1).

Procedure

Enable safety control mode on the OLS pluggable (on subport 1):

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/1
Router(config-Ots)#egress-ampli-safety-control-mode auto
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Use the show controllers ots command to verify the configuration.

This example shows the controller output after enabling the safety control mode.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/1
Controller State: Down
Transport Admin State: In Service
LED State: Yellow
                Alarm Status:
                -------------
                Detected Alarms:
                                 RX-LOS-P   
                                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT   
                                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED   
                                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH   
                 Alarm Statistics:
                -----------------
                RX-LOS-P = 12        
                 RX-LOC = 0         
                 TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 1         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0         
                 INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0         
                 INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0         
                 EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 13        
                 EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 13        
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 2         
                 EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 12        
                 HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0         
                 SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0         
                 Parameter Statistics:
                ---------------------
                Total Tx Power = 8.08 dBm
                 Rx Signal Power = -50.00 dBm
                 Tx Signal Power = 5.61 dBm
                 Egress Ampli Gain = 28.9 dB
                Egress Ampli Safety Control mode = auto
                 Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Configured Parameters:
                -------------
                Egress Ampli Gain = 23.0 dB
                 Egress Ampli Power = 3.0 dBm
                Egress Ampli Safety Control mode = auto
                 Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF
                 Ampli Control mode = Manual
                 Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm
                 Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm
                 Temperature = 23.00 Celsius
                 Voltage = 3.36 V
 Optical Module Details
                Optics type                     : QDD DUAL EDFA
                Name                            : CISCO-ACCELINK
                OUI Number                      : 00.00.00
                Part Number                     : EDFA-211917-QDD
                Rev Number                      : 24
                Serial Number                   : ACW2651Z001
                PID                             : ONS-QDD-OLS
                VID                             : VES1
                Firmware Version                : 2.04
                Date Code(yy/mm/dd)             : 22/12/27
                Fiber Connector Type            : CS

Safety control mode is enabled on subport 1 of the selected OLS pluggable. If LOS is detected on the line RX, the system will automatically normalize the TX output power to 8 dBm and trigger the ALS (automatic laser shutdown) and APR (automatic power reduction) safety alarms.

Configure force APR

Before you begin

Check that you have the necessary privileges to use the router CLI.
Determine the controller identifier for the OLS pluggable (for example, 0/0/2/1/0).

Automatic Power Reduction (APR) is an eye-safe output power level of the OLS pluggable when you restart the pluggable (amplifier).

If the OLS pluggable is in the APR state, then the default value for APR power is 8 dBm and APR timer is 9 seconds. When Force APR is configured or enabled, the OLS pluggable continues to remain in the APR state. If force APR is not configured or disabled, then the OLS pluggable remains in the Gain mode or Power mode, based on the ampli-control-modeuser configuration.

Follow these steps to configure force APR:

Procedure

Configure force APR on the OLS pluggable.

Example:

Router#config
Router(config)#controller ots 0/0/2/1/1
Router(config-Ots)#egress-ampli-force-apr on
Router(config-Ots)#commit
Router(config-Ots)#exit
Router(config)#exit

Use the show controllers ots command to verify the configuration.

Example:

Router#show controllers ots 0/0/2/1/1
Mon Jan  1 12:37:17.536 UTC
 Controller State: Up 
 Transport Admin State: In Service 
 LED State: Green 
         Alarm Status:
         -------------
         Detected Alarms: None
         Alarm Statistics:
         -----------------
         RX-LOS-P = 1          
         RX-LOC = 0          
         TX-POWER-FAIL-LOW = 0          
         INGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0          
         INGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0          
         INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 0          
         INGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0          
         EGRESS-AUTO-LASER-SHUT = 0          
         EGRESS-AUTO-POW-RED = 0          
         EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-LOW = 5          
         EGRESS-AMPLI-GAIN-HIGH = 0          
         HIGH-TX-BR-PWR = 0          
         HIGH-RX-BR-PWR = 0          
         SPAN-TOO-SHORT-TX = 0          
         SPAN-TOO-SHORT-RX = 0          
          Parameter Statistics:
         ---------------------
         Total Tx Power = 17.49 dBm 
         Rx Signal Power = -19.91 dBm 
         Tx Signal Power = 17.47 dBm 
         Egress Ampli Gain = 17.0 dB
         Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF 
         Amplifier Control Mode = Manual
         Egress Ampli Force APR = ON 
         Configured Parameters:
         -------------
         Egress Ampli Gain = 20.0 dB 
         Egress Ampli Power = 8.0 dBm
         Egress Ampli OSRI = OFF 
         Egress Ampli Force APR = OFF 
         Ampli Control mode = Manual 
         Egress Ampli Force APR = ON
         Rx Low Threshold = -30.0 dBm 
         Tx Low Threshold = -5.0 dBm 
         Temperature = 33.40 Celsius 
         Voltage = 3.25 V 
         Optical Module Details
          ptics type            : QDD DUAL EDFA
         Name                   : CISCO-II-VI
         OUI Number             : 00.90.65
         Part Number            : 60P310001
         Rev Number             : 01
         Serial Number          : IIF26410004
         PID                    : ONS-QDD-OLS
         VID                    : VES1
         Firmware Version       : 1.00
         Date Code(yy/mm/dd)    : 22/10/10
         Fiber Connector Type   : CS

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