Expanded Smartoptics-LightRiver collaboration a key enabler for open optical networking

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Oslo, Norway – February 14, 2022 – Smartoptics, a leading provider of optical networking solutions, announced today that its open line systems portfolio is now supported in netFLEX®, LightRiver’s optical domain orchestration and control solution. This enables Smartoptics products to be managed with components from other vendors in a single network management system. Smartoptics network infrastructure and netFLEX will also be packaged together and resold by both companies. This expanded collaboration will create synergies and serve as a key enabler for open optical networking.

LightRiver designs, engineers, lab validates, commissions, and automates networks using components from best-of-breed technology suppliers. Smartoptics is one of these suppliers whose products’ ease of use and multivendor compatibility have made the company a popular choice in high-profile networks sold by LightRiver in the US. These include Tier 1 network operators, large-scale content delivery networks (CDNs), and Fortune 500 market leaders in gaming and social networking.

“In our extensive lab validations, we’ve found that Smartoptics open line systems provide a market-leading plug-and-play experience – in terms of both the physical connection to the network and integration into our end-to-end visibility and management within netFLEX,” says Mike Jonas, President of Global Customer Operations for LightRiver. "They’re also readily interoperable with components from different manufacturers. This combination allows  us to jointly deliver open optical networking solutions that can be managed at scale across many unique use cases to include 5G/Edge, DCI, and the latest of IP-over-DWDM with 400G ZR/ZR+.”

Smartoptics and LightRiver both have a strong focus and leading position in open optical networking. The complementary nature of the companies’ offerings caters well to large-scale networks, such as those of service providers.

“We are in a growth phase with new products like our DCP-404 Muxponder and DCP-R family of ROADMs appealing to higher tier service provider metro networks. Pairing our zero-touch open line systems with LightRiver’s Alien Aware Networking™ and end-to-end management in netFLEX creates a joint offering well aligned with high-tier service provider needs. This provides the visibility, control and automation they demand, serving as an enabler for using our products in open, disaggregated networks. Given our shared open networking values, LightRiver is a natural partner for us and we look forward to making the most of our expanded collaboration,” says Kent Lidström, CTO Smartoptics.

For further information please contact:
Kent Lidström
CTO
Smartoptics
Telephone: +47 214 174 00
Email: kent.lidstrom@smartoptics.com

About Smartoptics
Smartoptics provides innovative optical networking solutions and devices for the new era of open networking. Our customer base includes thousands of enterprises, governments, cloud providers, Internet exchanges as well as cable and telecom operators. We have an open networking approach in everything we do which allows our customers to break unwanted vendor lock-in, remain flexible and minimize costs. Our solutions are used in metro and regional network applications that increasingly rely on data center services and specifications. Smartoptics is a Scandinavian company founded in 2006. We partner with leading technology and network solution providers such as Brocade, Cisco and Dell EMC and have a global reach through more than 100 business partners.

For additional information about Smartoptics, please visit https://www.smartoptics.com

About LightRiver
LightRiver is the premier provider of next generation, multi-vendor, Factory Built Networks® and netFLEX® vendor neutral, Optical Domain Control Software solutions. LightRiver is an expert in Packet Optical, DWDM/ROADM, MPLS and Carrier Ethernet systems and designs, engineers, commissions, automates and supports next generation, software controlled, transport networks for mission-critical clients that require the highest capacity, reliability, resiliency and manageability that today’s optical communications technology can deliver. LightRiver delivers unique value with turnkey hardware and software solutions, carrier-grade quality and unparalleled customer care in multi-technology networking.

For additional information about LightRiver, please visit www.lightriver.com

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