Cisco ONS-SC-2G-46.9=: High-Density 2GHz Wavelength Service Module for Metro Optical Networks

Product Overview and Functional Role

The ​​Cisco ONS-SC-2G-46.9=​​ is a ​​2 GHz channel spacing​​ wavelength service module designed for Cisco’s ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform (MSTP). It enables telecom operators to optimize fiber capacity in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks by allocating wavelengths with ultra-narrow spacing, making it ideal for metro/core applications requiring scalable bandwidth up to 96 channels per fiber pair.

Technical Specifications and Design Architecture

​​Optical Performance Metrics​​

• ​​Channel Spacing​​: 2 GHz (0.016 nm at 1550 nm), compliant with ITU-T G.694.1 ​​Flex Grid​​ standards.
• ​​Wavelength Range​​: C-band (1529.16 nm to 1567.14 nm) with ​​Tunable Laser​​ precision (±0.05 nm).
• ​​Transceiver Type​​: Integrated coherent DSP supporting ​​100G DP-QPSK​​ and ​​200G DP-16QAM​​ modulation.

​​Hardware Attributes​​

• ​​Power Consumption​​: 75W max with dynamic scaling based on traffic load.
• ​​Form Factor​​: Single-slot module for ONS 15454 chassis (SC-1 shelf).
• ​​Thermal Tolerance​​: Operates at -5°C to 55°C without performance degradation.

Key Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

​​1. Metro Network Capacity Expansion​​

• ​​Sub-Wavelength Grooming​​: Aggregate low-rate client signals (1G/10G) into 100G/200G super-channels.
• ​​Colorless/Directionless ROADM​​: Simplify wavelength routing without manual patch-panel adjustments.

​​2. 5G XHaul Transport​​

• ​​Fronthaul (eCPRI)​​: Deliver <100μs latency for C-RAN (Cloud Radio Access Network) architectures.
• ​​Midhaul/Backhaul​​: Transport aggregated 25G/50G streams from cell sites to core networks.

​​3. Enterprise DCI (Data Center Interconnect)​​

• ​​Encrypted Dark Fiber Links​​: Deploy MACsec over DWDM for secure campus-to-campus connectivity.
• ​​Disaster Recovery​​: Maintain <50ms failover between mirrored data centers using optical protection switching.

Compatibility and Supported Platforms

​​Cisco Hardware Integration​​

• ​​ONS 15454 MSTP​​: Requires SC-1 shelf and TCC3/TCC2P control cards.
• ​​Cisco NCS 2000 Series​​: Interoperates via ​​CPAK-100G-LR4​​ transponders for long-haul extensions.

​​Software Dependencies​​

• ​​Cisco Transport Controller 12.0​​: For GUI-based wavelength provisioning and performance monitoring.
• ​​Cisco Prime Optical 11.0​​: End-to-end fault management and SLA reporting.

Addressing Critical Deployment Questions

​​Q: How does the 2GHz spacing compare to traditional 50GHz/100GHz grids?​​

The ​​flex grid​​ architecture allows ​​non-integer channel allocation​​, enabling operators to:

• ​​Reclaim Stranded Spectrum​​: Utilize guard bands between legacy 50GHz channels.
• ​​Support Mixed Baud Rates​​: Co-host 100G (QPSK) and 400G (16QAM) services on adjacent frequencies.

​​Q: What are the maintenance requirements for this module?​​

• ​​Laser Lifespan​​: 15+ years under typical operating conditions (Cisco accelerated aging tests).
• ​​Field-Replaceable​​: Hot-swappable without disrupting adjacent wavelengths.
• ​​Firmware Updates​​: Delivered via Cisco’s Software Download Center with backward compatibility.

Performance Benchmarks and Efficiency Gains

• ​​Spectral Efficiency​​: 4.5 bits/s/Hz with DP-16QAM, enabling 18Tbps per fiber pair.
• ​​OSNR Tolerance​​: 14 dB for 100G @ 2GHz spacing (BER <1E-15).
• ​​Latency​​: <3μs per node, critical for financial trading and real-time analytics.

Security and Compliance Features

• ​​FIPS 140-2 Encryption​​: Optional MACsec module (ONS-SC-MACSEC=) for Layer 2 encryption.
• ​​TL1/SNMPv3​​: Secure management interfaces with role-based access control (RBAC).

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis

• ​​CapEx Savings​​: 60% lower per-channel cost vs. 50GHz-spaced solutions (Cisco TCO Calculator).
• ​​OpEx Reduction​​: Automated provisioning cuts manual errors by 90%, per operator case studies.

For purchasing details, visit the [“ONS-SC-2G-46.9=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

Operational Insights from Field Deployments

In a recent metro network upgrade for a European Tier-1 carrier, the ONS-SC-2G-46.9= enabled a ​​40% increase in fiber capacity​​ without laying new cables. However, its tunable laser calibration requires precise temperature control—deployments in uncontrolled environments (e.g., street cabinets) necessitated supplemental cooling units. For enterprises, the module’s ability to transport ​​SAN (Storage Area Network)​​ protocols like Fibre Channel over DWDM has proven invaluable in hybrid cloud migrations, reducing dependency on dark fiber leases. While the 2GHz grid offers unparalleled flexibility, network planners must rigorously audit existing spectrum usage to avoid overlaps with legacy 10G/40G channels. The ROI becomes evident within 12–18 months for high-traffic routes, but smaller networks may find the initial investment prohibitive without a clear growth roadmap.