LINTHICUM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ciena^® Corporation (NASDAQ: CIEN), the network specialist, today introduced the CN 5150^™ Service Aggregation Switch, the latest addition to its Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery (CESD) portfolio. The CN 5150 sets a new benchmark for versatile, carrier-grade service delivery with its ability to provide scalable subscriber capacity and deterministic Ethernet behavior while operating in controlled or uncontrolled temperature environments. It offers customers a flexible, cost-efficient network solution to support highly reliable wireless backhaul, Ethernet business service aggregation and delivery, and multi-purpose Carrier Ethernet-based infrastructures.

Ciena is the market leader for fiber-based Ethernet access* and continues to build momentum with customers worldwide by offering intelligent Carrier Ethernet devices and software that address a wide range of application, service, market and access technology requirements. The new CN 5150 broadens network operators’ service capabilities by supporting industry-leading subscriber scalability, extended operating temperatures, higher port density and advanced features including a wide range of resilient, connection-oriented Ethernet services. These advanced capabilities enable service providers, enterprises, utilities and government agencies to accelerate their transition to more flexible and cost-effective pure packet architectures. In particular, the combination of features available on CN 5150 makes it an ideal solution for satisfying unique LTE backhaul requirements, including support for the X2 interface, clock synchronization, scalability and difficult operating environments.

“Ciena has emerged as a thought leader in the carrier Ethernet market and is helping define next-generation access and first-level aggregation platforms that are rich in service OAM and scalability features,” said Stan Hubbard, senior analyst for telecom research firm Heavy Reading. “Network operators increasingly are looking for flexible, compact, high-density platforms like the CN 5150 that can help them control both their capital and operational costs as they extend Ethernet to more access locations in support of next-generation business, mobile backhaul, and residential applications.”

Key features of CN 5150 include:

• Extended temperature ranges – supports -40˚ to +65˚C (-40˚ to 149˚F) operating temperatures giving network operators a high degree of deployment flexibility in controlled and uncontrolled environments such as outside plant deployments, wireless backhaul huts or military applications, enabling operators to extend the reach of their Carrier Ethernet footprint.
• Subscriber scalability – supports up to 256,000 MAC addresses, providing far greater scalability and service availability without having to deploy additional equipment when compared with competitive solutions that typically support only 16,000 addresses.
• Advanced timing/synchronization – supports IEEE 1588v2 Precision Timing Protocol and Synchronous Ethernet, ensuring network operators are equipped to support 4G mobile technologies, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
• Encapsulation flexibility – supports a wide range of encapsulation options including Q-in-Q, PBB-TE and MPLS, providing customers the flexibility of choice for enhanced resiliency and deterministic behavior for all forms of connection-oriented Ethernet.
• High port density – industry-leading port density in a 2 RU form factor with 48 x 1Gbps and up to 4 x 10Gbps Ethernet ports, resulting in an economical solution for first tier aggregation and MTU/MDU requirements.

“Our CESD portfolio continues to be an important growth driver of our business and we remain focused on enhancing its features and capabilities to help our customers lower their costs and expand their addressable markets,” said Philippe Morin, senior vice president, global products group at Ciena. “With the rapid growth of Ethernet services and the continuous demand for more bandwidth at new points in the network, fiber aggregation points are being pushed further and further towards the edge. The addition of CN 5150 to this portfolio means our customers now have a fully manageable, GbE to 10 GbE aggregation platform that can be deployed in any extended temperature location.”

The CN 5150 offers seamless interworking with Ciena’s CN 5410^™ Service Aggregation Switch, CN 5305^™ Service Aggregation Switch, CN 5140^™ Service Aggregation Switch and the entire Service Delivery Switch portfolio, providing customers an end-to-end, highly automated and resilient Carrier Ethernet solution. It is currently in trials with several customers in North America and Europe.

About Ciena

Ciena specializes in practical network transition. We offer leading network infrastructure solutions, intelligent software and a comprehensive services practice to help our customers use their networks to fundamentally change the way they compete. With a global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value in communications networks worldwide. We routinely post recent news, financial results and other important announcements and information about Ciena on our website. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

Note to Investors

Forward-looking statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-Q, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2010. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking 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.

*Heavy Reading, CEAP Quarterly Market Tracker, March 2010

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Ciena Corporation
Katie Gilroy
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