Cisco Optical Automation Solution Workflow, IOS XR Release 26.1.1

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Cisco Optical Automation Solution Workflow, IOS XR Release 26.1.1

NCS 1000 platform architecture overview

Updated: July 1, 2026

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This section explains NCS 1000 platform architecture overview. Use it to understand the purpose, behavior, and dependencies that support the related NCS 1000 platform workflow.

The OAS solution integrates the NCS 1010 Optical Line System (OLS) with NCS 1014 and NCS 1004 transponder shelves to support metro, long-haul, and submarine deployments.

  • Supports advanced coherent optics, including 400G ZR and ZR+ modules and digital coherent optics.

  • Runs Cisco IOS XR operating system (IOS XR) with automation features such as Zero Touch Provisioning and streaming telemetry.

  • Uses integrated optical line cards to simplify field deployments and monitoring.

Platform components

The sample topology in this document uses these platforms to build the Optical Automation Solution network.

  • NCS 1010: 3RU OLS chassis with chassis, breakout patch panel, and 32-channel mux and demux panels.

  • NCS 1014: 2RU transponder chassis for high-performance transport applications.

  • NCS 1004: 2RU transponder chassis for universal transport deployments.

Topology context and analogy

This table describes how OAS and non-OAS deployments differ in architecture, platform roles, and topology placement.

Table 1. Deployment context

Focus

Description

Example topology

An OAS deployment can place NCS 1010 Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and In-Line Amplifier (ILA) nodes at the line system layer and connect NCS 1014 and NCS 1004 shelves at sites that need transponder capacity.

Non-OAS deployment

Deployments that use only transponder shelves without an optical line system do not meet the OAS end-to-end architecture described in this guide.

Transport backbone analogy

Think of the NCS 1010 as the backbone roadway, while the NCS 1014 and NCS 1004 shelves provide the lanes that carry the traffic.

NCS 1010 hardware and software support

Identify the major hardware components and the software stack used by the NCS 1010 Optical Line System.

Main chassis components.

  • Backplane and embedded timing unit (EITU) are fixed in the chassis.

  • Power supply unit (PSU), CPU, fan trays, and optical tray are field replaceable.

Table 2. NCS 1010 hardware inventory

Item

Role

Replaceable

Notes

Backplane

Chassis interconnect

No

Fixed in chassis

EITU

Timing

No

Embedded timing unit

Optical tray

Line system optics

Yes

Customer configurable

PSU and fans

Power and cooling

Yes

Redundant fan trays

Software components and features.

  • IOS XR 7 provides administration and control plane services.

  • OSA and CMA are IOS XR components that enable NCS 1010 functionality.

Table 3. Software stack components

Item

Role

Component type

Notes

IOS XR 7

Control Plane

Operating system

Supports automation features

OSA

Optical Service Agent

IOS XR component

Works between control/management planes and hardware abstraction layers

CMA

Cisco Multiplexer Agent

IOS XR component

Software abstraction layer that manages optical muxponder/transponder hardware

Third-party apps

Platform extensibility

Containers

Supported on the platform
Table 4. IOS XR capabilities

Attribute

Availability

Notes

Zero Touch Provisioning

Supported

Use for automated bring-up

Streaming telemetry

Supported

Use for monitoring
Note

Validate the exact feature set against the IOS XR release notes for your deployment.

NCS 1014 overview

The NCS 1014 chassis delivers a universal transponder solution that supports metro, long-haul, and submarine deployments.

  • Supports transponder and line system cards in a 2RU form factor.

  • Designed for high-performance optical transport applications.

  • Integrates with the OAS end-to-end solution alongside NCS 1010.

Deployment guidance

Use the NCS 1014 where transponder capacity is required.

  • Install the chassis in a rack that meets EIA, ANSI, or ETSI requirements.

  • Follow the power and grounding requirements for the site.

  • Deploy NCS 1014 shelves at aggregation sites that terminate optical channels from the NCS 1010 line system.

  • If a site only requires line system functions, use the NCS 1010 without adding transponder shelves.

  • Think of the NCS 1014 as the translator that converts high-speed optical signals for network transport.

For more details about NCS 1014 deployment guidance, see Hardware Installation Guide for Cisco NCS 1014.

NCS 1004 overview

The NCS 1004 provides high-performance transponder capabilities for metro, long-haul, and submarine applications.

  • Delivers a 2RU chassis optimized for transport use cases.

  • Supports universal transponder functions in the Optical Access System (OAS) architecture.

  • Pairs with NCS 1010 line system nodes in OAS deployments.

Deployment guidance

Use the NCS 1004 where a compact transponder shelf is required.

  • Install the chassis in an EIA, ANSI, or ETSI rack.

  • Follow site power and grounding requirements.

  • Use NCS 1004 shelves at sites that require a smaller footprint while maintaining high-capacity transport.

  • If a site requires only line system functions, use the NCS 1010 without transponder shelves.

  • Think of the NCS 1004 as a compact transponder rack that fits in tighter spaces while still carrying heavy traffic.

For more details about the NCS 1004 deployment guidance, see Hardware Installation Guide for Cisco NCS 1004.