Ciena designs and sells optical networking equipment and software, primarily enabling network operators to move data across fiber optic networks at high speeds. The core technology is Ciena's proprietary WaveLogic coherent modem, which powers its product portfolio: optical transport systems for long-haul and metro networks, Reconfigurable Line Systems (RLS) for managing photonic infrastructure, and coherent pluggable transceivers for data center interconnect. Ciena sells to cloud providers (hyperscalers building AI and data center infrastructure), service providers (wireline carriers and submarine cable operators), and other customers including governments and research networks. The business model combines upfront hardware sales with recurring capacity additions — when a customer deploys a line system, they later add wavelengths and transponders at higher margins, creating a razor-and-blade dynamic. Software and services add recurring, higher-margin revenue streams. Ciena's growth strategy focuses on capturing AI-driven network buildouts, expanding its presence in and around data centers through RLS deployments and pluggable transceivers for AI backbone infrastructure, and benefiting from service provider network reinvestment. Ciena also acquired Nubis Communications to expand into intra-data center connectivity. Ciena organizes its business into four segments: Networking Platforms (the largest), Platform Software and Services, Blue Planet Automation Software, and Global Services.