Cisco Routed Optical Networking Solution Guide, Release 4.0

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Automation starter solution and full solution

Updated: May 5, 2026

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Overview

This section compares the automation starter solution with the full Routed Optical Networking automation solution. It explains supported functions, adapter requirements, and when each deployment model is appropriate.

Automation starter solution

The automation starter solution is a simplified automation stack to manage ZR and ZR+ optics in Cisco routers. This solution accelerates the adoption of Routed Optical Networking by simplifying the installation and deployment processes.

The primary difference between the starter and full solutions is that the starter solution lacks CNC. In the starter solution, the Crosswork Hierarchical Controller communicates with Cisco routers using the IOS XR (only in R3.0) and NSO adapters, and communicates with optical networks using the appropriate optical controller adapter.

Both the starter and full solutions use the same NSO RON-ML function pack. The function pack version is 3.0

From Release 4.0, IOS XR adapter is not supported in the starter solution. Crosswork Network Controller EMS provides minimal installation to support full IP network inventory, basic topology, and PM data delivered through its integrated Crosswork Data Gateway.

From Release 4.0, IOS XR adapter is not supported in the full solution. Crosswork Network Controller provides the necessary inventory and state information to Crosswork Hierarchical Controller through NB API.

Automation starter solution versus full solution

This diagram displays the components that are involved in the automation starter solution and full solution.

Figure 1. Automation starter solution versus full solution in release 4.0
Automation starter solution versus full solution in release 4.0

Features and adapters in automation starter solution and full solution

This table lists the features supported in both the automation starter solution and the full solution.

Table 1. Features in automation starter solution and full solution

Feature

Automation starter solution

Full solution

Wavelength provisioning

Yes

Yes

Optical circuit assurance and troubleshooting

Yes

Yes

Multilayer visualization and History view

Yes

Yes

Management and verification of optical to IP connections

Yes

Yes

SR and SRv6 control plane SDN automation

No

Yes

IP element management and IP SDN path optimization

No

Yes

IP service assurance and service orchestration

No

Yes

PLE automation including SR-CS bandwidth reservation, provisioning, and assurance

No

Yes

This table lists the adapters required for both the automation starter solution and the full solution.

Table 2. Required adapters in automation starter solution and full solution

Type of solution

Required adapters

Use

Full solution

  • CNC adapter

  • (Only in R3.0) IOS-XR adapter

  • NSO adapter and RON-ML function pack

  • Optical adapters

  • CONC adapter

  • Inventory, physical and IGP topology, segment routing, and service discovery

  • PM collection

  • RON inventory and topology

  • RON link provisioning

  • Optical Line System

  • Cisco Optical Network Controller

Starter solution

  • (Only in R3.0) IOS-XR adapter

  • NSO adapter and RON-ML function pack

  • Optical adapters

  • CONC adapter

  • RON inventory and topology

  • RON link provisioning

  • Optical Line System

  • Cisco Optical Network Controller

How communication works in automation starter solution

Summary

The components of Routed Optical Networking perform operations to communicate in the automation starter solution.

Workflow

This diagram displays the communication workflow between the Routed Optical Networking components in the automation starter solution.

Figure 2. Communication workflow in automation starter solution in release 4.0
Communication workflow in automation starter solution in release 4.0

These stages describe how Routed Optical Networking components communicate in the automation starter solution in Release 4.0.

  1. Crosswork Hierarchical Controller communicates with the Crosswork Network Controller to collect hardware inventory, optics inventory and state, topology and PM data using integrated Crosswork Data Gateway.

  2. Crosswork Network Controller makes provisioning requests but can use the internal NSO that is part of Crosswork Hierarchical Controller to provision end devices.

  3. NSO communicates with the router for router configuration management, DCO, and IP link provisioning.

  4. Crosswork Hierarchical Controller discovers optical equipment, topology, services, and provisions optical services using TAPI and PM data using CONC RPC.

  5. CONC communicates with SVO and Cisco Optical Site Manager for end-to-end optical device management.