Cisco Routed Optical Networking

Simple, scalable and sustainable

Streamline management, upgrades and services.

Unleash operational simplicity

Transform your network with the solution that helps you design, plan and manage your network.


Simplify your operations

Converge services to a single layer to save up to 46% TCO.  

Improve network efficiency

Streamline and optimise your network by automating network operations.

Grow your revenue

Deliver more services with the same infrastructure to increase profitability and minimise cost.

Take advantage of automation

Simplify management and operations with visibility, insights and action, and to drive closed-loop automation.


Cisco Routed Optical Networking

Deliver improved operational efficiency and simplicity

What is Routed Optical Networking?

Routed Optical Networking, part of the Converged SDN Transport solution, is an architecture that delivers improved operational efficiencies and simplicity. The solution works by merging IP and private line services onto a single layer where all the switching is done at Layer 3. Routers are connected with standardised 400G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable optics.

With a single service layer based upon IP, flexible management tools use telemetry and model driven programmability to streamline lifecycle operations. This simplified architecture integrates open data models and standard APIs, enabling a provider to focus on automation initiatives for a simpler topology.

What is Private Line Emulation?

Private line emulation (PLE) enables private line services to be carried over the same IP network for non-Ethernet type services like SONET/SDH and Fibre Channel. Using PLE maintains the same service-level agreements and service characteristics such as guaranteed bandwidth and persistent bidirectional paths using the innovation in Circuit-Style Segment Routing (CS-SR). It includes Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) extensions for setup and control and circuit emulation for bit transparency.

PLE is fully automated through Crosswork Network Automation, which supplies bandwidth reservation, bidirectional path optimisation, service assurance and orchestration for private line services, and service visibility from the service layer down to the fibre.

Read the solution brief

What is Cisco Crosswork Network Automation?

Crosswork Network Automation manages the simplified network provided by Routed Optical Networking as well as brownfield and multi-layered siloed networks from through a single pane of glass. Its architecture consists of an IP domain controller, optical domain controller and hierarchical controller, aligning to industry standards.

Crosswork is an industry-leading platform that accelerates network planning and design and simplifies that implementation in order to proactively operate and optimise the network.

Cisco Routed Optical Networking: simple, scalable, sustainable

Solutions that help you win, win, win

Our routed optical networking won the Most Innovative Routing and Switching Solution in the LightReading 2022 Leading Lights Awards.

When growth meets sustainability

Increase your size and scale while reducing your footprint and power usage. Our modelling solution shows savings of up to 57% of operational costs.

Streamline, unify and scale

Build a cost-effective and scalable network infrastructure using a solution from a proven leader in networking and security.

Explore product resources

Access a wealth of information to meet your organisation′s needs.

See how it scales for you

Let us model your network

See how we can simplify your network. Let us model your move to a routed optical network now.

Simple, scalable and sustainable

Take your next step toward simplicity, scalability and sustainability. Let us model your network.