Ciena Brings AI Networking Expertise to OFC 2026

Key Terms

coherent optics technical

Coherent optics is a technology that uses precise control of light signals to transmit large amounts of data quickly and reliably over long distances. It works like a highly accurate communication system, allowing information to be sent with minimal errors. For investors, it matters because advancements in coherent optics can lead to faster internet connections and better data networks, supporting the growth of digital services and technology industries.

co-packaged optical (CPO) technical

Co-packaged optical (CPO) is a design approach that places the light-based data transmitters and receivers directly next to a switch or router chip inside the same physical package, rather than keeping them in separate modules. For investors, CPO can lower power use, increase data capacity and reduce costs—like replacing a long garden hose and separate pump with a compact pump-nozzle combo—potentially improving margins, customer performance and the competitiveness of networking equipment makers.

pluggable transceiver technical

A pluggable transceiver is a small, hot-swappable module that converts electrical signals from networking equipment into optical or wireless signals for transmission, and vice versa. Think of it like a removable light bulb for a network port that lets companies change connection types or upgrade bandwidth without replacing the whole device. Investors watch sales and adoption because demand reflects network upgrades, capacity growth, and supply-chain or pricing trends that affect revenue and margins for hardware and component makers.

data center interconnect technical

A data center interconnect is the network of high-capacity links that connects separate data centers so they can share files, run services together, and back each other up. Think of it as a set of highways between warehouses — it affects how fast and reliably users get services, how easily companies scale or move workloads, and how costly or risky a provider’s operations are, so it can materially influence revenue, expenses and customer trust.

AIOps technical

AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) uses machine learning and data analysis to monitor, detect, and resolve problems in an organization’s technology systems automatically. It matters to investors because it can cut downtime and operating costs, speed up fixes, and make digital products more reliable—similar to an autopilot that notices and corrects issues before they disrupt service, which can protect revenue and reduce operational risk.

aes-256-gcm technical

AES-256-GCM is a strong method for scrambling digital data so only authorized parties can read it, combined with a built-in check that detects if the data has been tampered with. Think of it as a high-grade safe with a tamper-evident seal for files and communications; for investors, its use reduces the risk of data breaches, helps meet regulatory and contractual security expectations, and protects company value and trust.

quantum key distribution (qkd) medical

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of securely sharing encryption keys using the principles of quantum physics, ensuring that any eavesdropping attempt would be detectable. For investors, it represents a breakthrough in safeguarding sensitive information, potentially making digital communications and financial transactions much more secure against future hacking threats. This technology could lead to more trustworthy data protection in an increasingly digital world.

common management interface specification (cmis) technical

An open technical standard that defines a single, consistent way for software to find, read, write and manage documents and records across different content-storage systems. Think of it as a universal remote for a company’s document libraries: when systems speak the same language they plug together faster, cut integration and switching costs, reduce vendor lock‑in, and can make software investments more scalable and easier to value for investors.

Demos and speaking sessions highlight how Ciena solutions improve network performance, scalability, and readiness for AI workloads

HANOVER, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- At OFC 2026, taking place March 15-19 in Los Angeles, Ciena’s (NYSE: CIEN) booth (#1927) will feature innovations that redefine what’s possible in modern networking across data center networks, quantum-safe communications, network automation, and AI operations (AIOps). Through technology demonstrations and speaking sessions, OFC attendees will learn how Ciena helps operators elevate network performance through cutting-edge innovations, including 1.6T coherent optics and hyper-rail photonics. Ciena will also highlight how the company is creating scalable data center architectures for scale up, scale out, and scale across—using next-gen optical and electrical interconnects.

Demonstrations

• Optical:
  • Programmable Photonics – Highlighting 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) configurations that power scale across applications and extend network capability to the metro/edge. Featuring RLS C&L-band protected point-to-point configuration for scalable, ultra-reliable transport and RLS Hyper-Rail configurations that dramatically improve density, power, and space to support extreme capacity growth for the next phase of AI connectivity.
  • Waveserver Innovations – Featuring the Waveserver platform, protecting critical data at scale with the industry’s first WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) 1.6T quantum-safe encryption solution. The platform also delivers simple, scalable transport connectivity with flexible aggregation capabilities, support for WaveLogic 6 Nano (WL6n) 800G coherent pluggables, and integrated photonics for wavelength add/drop and amplification.
  • Waveserver E-Series – Showcasing the compact, energy-efficient Waveserver E-Series (E10, E200, and E400) platforms that extend services to the edge using flexible configurations, which are ideal for aggregating multi-rate services across metro locations.
  • Full Spectrum Transponders (FST) – Demonstrating two design concepts for FST which evolve networks from wavelength to full-fiber deployments to support massive AI-driven capacity demands.
• Innovations in and around the data center:
  • Coherent pluggable transceiver innovations – Enabling expanded 800G pluggable connectivity with WaveLogic 6 Nano (WL6n) 800G PKT-MAX at 135GBaud, and showcasing ultra-high bandwidth building blocks enabling future 1600ZR/1600ZR+ solutions.
  • Scale Up and Scale Out Interconnect – Highlighting fully optimized Nitro 2004 copper cable extender for massive-volume scale-up networks; Vesta co-packaged optical (CPO) solutions delivering low power, high density, and flexibility; and next-generation integrated liquid cooling solutions for the 3.2T+ generation of transceivers.
• Routing & Switching:
  • Data Center Out-of-Band Management (DCOM) – Featuring ORv3 (Canopy) and ORv2 (1RU) chassis which provide secure, dedicated management access for AI data centers, ensuring operational control, resilience, and uptime independent of the production network.
  • IP Optical Convergence – Highlighting WaveRouter WL6e 1.6T sleds and advanced performance monitoring with Navigator and Service-Aware Operating System (SAOS), putting coherent optics in full view.
  • Access-to-Edge Infrastructure – Featuring intelligent, distributed networking with an interactive tour of the 5131 Coherent Access Platform utilizing 100ZR coherent pluggables.
• Network Management:
  • Navigator Network Control Suite – Featuring AIOps network troubleshooting through Navigator’s AI Assistant. Also showing Network Digital Twin, which validates the performance of potential optical routes to build confidence in operational changes and Automated Deployment Optimizer, which automates commissioning, calibration, and optimization to accelerate optical deployments for both submarine and terrestrial networks.
• OIF (booth #2017):
  • Supporting OIF’s 800ZR, OpenROADM 800G, 400ZR, OpenZR+, and Multi-Span Optics and Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) interoperability demos with Ciena’s 8192 coherent router, WL6n C- and L-band 800G and WaveLogic 5 Nano (WL5n) 400G coherent pluggable transceivers, RLS C&L-band photonic line system, and Navigator NCS. Ciena is also participating in the Common Electrical I/O demos, showing live 448Gb/s PAM4 and PAM6 multivendor interoperable transmission, helping drive industry direction toward optimal rate adoption for 448G SerDes.
• Quantum Secure Communications (Village Meeting Room #5355):
  • Showcasing how network operators can ensure in-flight data confidentiality in the quantum era with quantum-secured 1.6Tb/s optical channels powered by Waveserver’s AES-256-GCM wire-speed encryption solution with Quantum Computing Inc. time-frequency entanglement-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and previewing protection enabled by Quantum Identity Authentication (QIA) systems.

Speaking Sessions

Monday, March 16

• 4:30 p.m. – Peter Winzer, Vice President, Systems Architecture, will present during the “Scale-Up Data Center Networks” session at the Optica Executive Forum at OFC 2026.

Tuesday, March 17

• 12:30 p.m. – Robert Keys, Vice President, Systems Architecture, will participate in the “Market Status and Enabling Technologies of 1.6 Tb/s and Beyond” Market Watch panel in Expo Theater I.
  
• 4:00 p.m. – Karen Liu, Senior Advisor, Product Line Management, will participate in the “Future photonics for AI - From PICS to pods to factories” Market Watch panel in Expo Theater 1.

Wednesday, March 18

• 2:00 p.m. – Reza Rokui, SDN Application Architect, will present during the “From Automation to Autonomy: AI Multi-Agents Dynamic Workflow Powering Next-Gen IP/Optical Operations” symposium in Room 515A.

Thursday, March 19

• 10:45 a.m. – Bilal Riaz, Senior Director, Interconnects Product Line Management, will present during the “Designing for Density: Direct-to-Plug Liquid Cooling for Next-Generation Pluggable Optics” Technology Showcase session in Expo Theater III.

Ciena’s subject matter experts will take part in multiple speaking sessions and panel discussions during the conference. See full agenda here. For more information about Ciena’s participation at OFC or to schedule a meeting visit: https://www.ciena.com/events/ofc or contact pr@ciena.com.

OIF Demonstrates Industry-Wide Interoperability at Scale at OFC 2026, Advancing Energy Efficiency, Performance and Capacity for AI-Era Data Center Networks

OIF returns to OFC 2026 with a live, multi-vendor Interoperability Demonstration featuring 40 member companies showcasing how OIF-driven interoperable networking solutions enable scalable, energy-efficient networks for AI-era data center environments. The Demo highlights interoperability across 400ZR, 800ZR, Multi-Span Coherent Optics, Multi-Core Fiber (MCF) and IP/Optical Controllers; Common Electrical I/O (CEI) CEI-448G and CEI-224G; Co-Packaging; Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) and Energy Efficient Interfaces (EEI). Visit OIF at booth #2017. Learn more: https://www.oiforum.com/meetings-events/oif-ofc-2026/

About Ciena

Ciena is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to support exponential growth in bandwidth demand. By harnessing the power of our networking systems, interconnects, automation software, and services, Ciena revolutionizes data transmission and network management. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, we empower our customers, partners, and communities to thrive in the AI era. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn and X, or visit the Ciena Insights webpage and Ciena website.

Note to Ciena Investors

You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, because of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Press Contact:

Elena Fuhrmann

Ciena Corporation

+1 (410) 694-5761

pr@ciena.com

Investor Contact:

Gregg Lampf

Ciena Corporation

+1 (410) 694-5700

ir@ciena.com

Source: Ciena Corporation