Lessons Navigating from Proof of Concept to Production with IP/Optical Convergence: How DT is Evolving their Transport Network with Cisco Routed Optical Networking - CSSENS-2717#

Nils Warnke (Deutsche Telekom), Silke Bauten (Cisco)

• Why: This is the standout end-user talk of the set: an operator's lead architect explaining how IP/optical convergence actually got done — the organizational and qualification friction, not the slideware. DT projects over 85% energy savings from collapsing standalone optical gear into coherent pluggables on routed ports, a number worth pressure-testing in the Q&A.
• What: DT's Horizontal Digital Architecture network evolution: moving from a technology vision to production, covering four readiness areas — hardware qualification of pluggables across Cisco and third-party host platforms, process automation to cut service lead time, cross-domain operations/assurance (alarm correlation), and field/capacity readiness for rollout (from abstract only).
• How: Real deployment narrative: integrating roles and responsibilities across IP and optical teams, and building qualification, automation, and assurance workflows around pluggable-based transport.
• Where applicable: DT-specific production setup, but the lessons (multi-vendor host qualification, org merging of IP and optical teams) generalize to any carrier or large DC operator pursuing convergence. Numbers are projections, not necessarily measured results.