Why focus on point-to-point first?

As demand for high-capacity, energy-efficient transport grows, IP-over-DWDM (IPoDWDM) is becoming central to modern optical architecture. But realizing its full potential depends on making the right foundational choices. Point-to-point OLS architectures offer a straightforward entry point into IPoDWDM. They simplify deployment, minimize operational complexity and provide an immediate path to disaggregated, router-integrated optics. For operators with simple topologies – like linear interconnects, low-capacity rings and chains or dense mesh networks – point-to-point can deliver faster results with less planning overhead.

That said, even in these scenarios, the choice of OLS matters. The wrong design can lead to higher long-term costs, limited scalability or unnecessary operational burdens.

What makes an OLS suitable for point-to-point IPoDWDM?

In these deployments, routers equipped with coherent pluggable transceivers connect directly over optical links. The OLS must support the required optical connectivity with as little operational effort as possible, provide a long lifetime in line with fiber lease and network design cycles and integrate seamlessly into the router automation environment. Key attributes include:

• Automated deployment, including span loss equalization with no need for optical expertise
• Support for all relevant transceiver speeds and output powers, including emerging formats such as 1.6T and both low- and high-output optics
  
• Full remote access to diagnostics, including IPoDWDM channel and fiber monitoring
• High reliability to ensure long-term network stability
  
• Compact footprint and flexible deployment options

Trade-offs: simplicity vs. scalability

The primary benefit of point-to-point architectures is simplicity. A standardized one-size-fits-all approach removes the need for detailed optical design, complex wavelength assignment or specialized planning tools. Installation and capacity upgrades are plug-and-play, and provisioning can be tightly integrated with the router’s own automation stack, removing the need for a separate optical controller or management system.

But simplicity comes with trade-offs. As traffic grows or topologies evolve, point-to-point designs can become expensive to scale. Every new router link requires additional terminations, transceivers and power. At some point, especially in rings or larger mesh networks – any medium to high-capacity scenario – optical bypass becomes the more efficient path.

So, when is point-to-point the right fit?

The model is ideal in the following scenarios:

• Traffic patterns are stable and well-defined, such as in linear interconnects or dense mesh networks. It also works well for rings, chains, and larger mesh topologies where capacity growth is expected to remain moderate.
• Operational teams are IP-centric and lack in-house expertise to manage optical complexity.
• Operational simplicity is prioritized over potential capex efficiencies that might come from more complex optical architectures.

What to look for in a point-to-point OLS

If you’re deploying IPoDWDM using a point-to-point architecture, you should prioritize low-touch provisioning and automation as well as compatibility with current and next-gen optics (400G, 800G, 1600G). Operational visibility through embedded monitoring is also crucial, as are factors such as amplification and open, standards-based integration with router management systems.

A dedicated, interoperable point-to-point IPoDWDM solution

Our FSP 3000 IP OLS is purpose-built for point-to-point IPoDWDM use cases. It delivers plug-and-play optical connectivity for IP-centric networks with up to 1.6T of capacity (extendable to 16 channels) in a compact 1RU form factor. Variants are available for higher channel counts and extended spans, and all support full automation, fiber monitoring, amplification and open APIs. What’s more, it’s designed for seamless integration into router-based environments.

With support for 100G to 800G pluggables – and built for the emerging 1.6Tbit/s per-wavelength standard – our FSP 3000 IP OLS empowers operators with an easy-to-install platform that ensures long-term flexibility. 

Looking ahead: From point-to-point to ROADM

Point-to-point OLS deployments offer a low-complexity route into IPoDWDM, making them ideal for early-stage rollouts or stable topologies. But as network demands grow and topologies become more dynamic, new requirements emerge. In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore ROADM-based architectures and how their flexibility, colorless configurations and advanced wavelength management can support the next evolution of IPoDWDM networks.

To find out how our IPoDWDM technology helps service network operators looking to simplify and scale while managing the surge in AI-driven data demands, visit adtran.com.