Fujitsu Still Rock Solid on Optical Technology

Implications: 1.      Fujitsu’s 7500 ROADM continues to sell very well. 2.      Those service providers that have maxed out on the FLASHWAVE 4500 capacity-wise can move to the 9500. 3.      Some engineers see the 9500 as being like an optical cross-connect.  

Analysis:  When Cerent (now part of Cisco Systems) came out with its low-cost SONET box, it took Fujitsu a while to respond and beat the newcomer pricewise. 

Also, when the FLASHWAVE 4500 was introduced, its backplanes were already beefed up for future applications, which had not even been developed yet.  

The advantage of the 9500 is that it has a 480-gig backplane today (next year, it will be up to 960-gig).  It offers much higher density on its -192s and -48s.  The 9500 also comes with a layer 2, Ethernet switch already in the box.  

Interestingly, some engineers view the 9500 as an enhanced optical switch.  In fact, they see it as being like Ciena’s CoreDirector.  

Fujitsu has developed a reputation at the service providers that for any product, which becomes GA, it works right at the outset without any hiccups.