Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards are the coherent line cards that turn client traffic into DWDM wavelengths on the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform. So when a network needs more capacity or a spare for a failed slot, buyers search for these circuit packs by part number.
So that you order the right part, this guide decodes the WaveLogic generations, card roles and reach tiers in each NTK code. It also lists every coherent part number that Silverback supplies, new or used and tested before it ships.
What Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards do
Every coherent circuit pack has two sides, a client side as well as a line side. The client side takes in Ethernet or OTN signals through pluggable ports such as SFP+, QSFP28 or QSFP-DD. Meanwhile, the line side sends that traffic out on a coherent C-band wavelength.
WaveLogic is Ciena's name for the coherent modem on the line side, so the generation in the product name matters. In fact, it tells you a lot about capacity, age and which cards can replace each other.
Why the part numbers start with NTK
The 6500 began life as the Nortel OME 6500 before Ciena took it over. Ciena bought Nortel's optical networking and Carrier Ethernet business in a deal that closed in 2010. As a result, the Nortel NTK codes became Ciena part numbers, and the 6500 kept its numbering.
So an older NTK538 card and a newer NTK540 card belong to the same platform, even though they do different jobs.
Ciena WaveLogic generations on the 6500
Four coherent generations show up in the parts we supply, so it pays to know which one your network runs today.
- WL3 and WL3e: WaveLogic 3 and WaveLogic 3 Extreme, found on 100G OTR cards as well as eDC100G OCLD cards.
- WL3n: WaveLogic 3 Nano, found on 100G MOTR cards with 10 SFP+ ports as well as single-port OTR cards.
- WLAi: WaveLogic Ai, found on MOTR, FOTR and dual OTR cards with clients such as QSFP28, SFP28 and QSFP-DD.
- WL5e: WaveLogic 5 Extreme, found on 6-port MOTR cards, so you can program the line from 200G to 800G.
Ciena launched WaveLogic 5 in 2019 with support for up to 800G per wavelength. Still, many networks run WL3n and WLAi cards today, so spares for those generations stay in demand.
MOTR, OTR and OCLD roles on Ciena 6500 cards
The role code tells you how the card handles client traffic, so check it as closely as the generation. For example, a MOTR muxponder combines several client signals onto one coherent line. The NTK538BK, for instance, carries 10 SFP+ clients on a 100G WL3n wavelength. Similarly, the NTK540BC packs 1 QSFP-DD and 5 QSFP28 clients onto one WL5e line.
An OTR transponder instead maps one client to one line. The NTK538EK has a single QSFP28 client port, while the NTK538UJ uses an LR4 multirate client. In addition, the NTK538GA puts two WLAi transponders and 2 QSFP-DD client ports on one card.
The NTK538FR is a flexible OTN transponder, or FOTR, with 34 client ports: 4 QSFP28, 16 SFP28 and 14 SFP+. So it suits sites that mix many service rates on one card.
Finally, the eDC100G OCLD cards, such as the NTK539UC and NTK539UH, handle the line side. Each one carries 1x OTU4 on a C-band wavelength. The UC is the Regional version, while the UH is the Premium version.
Reach tiers in Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards
Many codes differ only by reach tier, so read the suffix closely. For example, the NTK538BJ, BK, BL and BM share the same 10x SFP+ MOTR design. However, they cover Extended, Enhanced, Standard and Basic C-band reach.
Similarly, the NTK538UJ is the Premium WL3e OTR, while the NTK538UL is the Standard version. Likewise, the WL5e MOTR comes as the NTK540BC Enhanced, NTK540BD Premium and NTK540BE Submarine. The NTK538UN is also a submarine variant, with WL3 optics.
How to choose Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards
Before you order, start with the label on the card you want to replace or match. Then confirm these four points:
- The WaveLogic generation, since a WL3n card and a WLAi card are different parts.
- The role, whether MOTR, OTR, FOTR or OCLD.
- The reach tier, such as Basic, Standard, Enhanced or Premium.
- The client ports, whether SFP+, SFP28, QSFP28 or QSFP-DD.
Also plan the optics at the same time, because a MOTR with 10 SFP+ ports needs 10 matching transceivers. So see our guide to Ciena pluggable optics for the 160-series codes.
Common ordering mistakes
The most common error is ordering by product name instead of the full NTK code. For instance, the NTK538DR and NTK538DZ share the same WLAi MOTR description with 4 QSFP28 ports. Because of that, quote the exact code from your inventory rather than a close match.
Also, don't forget the client cards around the coherent line. When you also need OTN Flex or packet interface cards, see our 6500 client and OTN card guide.
Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards we supply
The table below lists every coherent part number in this family, so you can match codes quickly. Each part number links to its inventory page, where you can ask for new or used condition.
| Part number | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NTK538BJ | 100G MOTR, WL3n, Extended C-band | 10x SFP+ clients |
| NTK538BK | 100G MOTR, WL3n, Enhanced C-band | 10x SFP+ clients |
| NTK538BL | 100G MOTR, WL3n, Standard C-band | 10x SFP+ clients |
| NTK538BM | 100G MOTR, WL3n, Basic C-band | 10x SFP+ clients |
| NTK538DR | WaveLogic Ai MOTR | 4x QSFP28 clients |
| NTK538DZ | WaveLogic Ai MOTR | 4x QSFP28 clients, order by exact code |
| NTK538FR | WaveLogic Ai FOTR | 34 ports: 4x QSFP28, 16x SFP28, 14x SFP+ |
| NTK538GA | Dual WaveLogic Ai OTR | 2x QSFP-DD clients |
| NTK538EK | 100G OTR, WL3n, Enhanced C-band | 1x QSFP28 client |
| NTK538EM | 100G OTR, WL3n, Basic C-band | 1x QSFP28 client |
| NTK538UJ | 100G OTR, WL3e, Premium C-band | LR4 multirate client |
| NTK538UL | 100G OTR, WL3e, Standard C-band | LR4 multirate client |
| NTK538UN | 100G OTR, WL3, Submarine C-band | LR4 multirate client |
| NTK539UC | eDC100G WL3 OCLD, Regional | 1x OTU4 line |
| NTK539UH | eDC100G WL3 OCLD, Premium | 1x OTU4 line |
| NTK540BC | WaveLogic 5e MOTR, Enhanced | 1x QSFP-DD, 5x QSFP28, up to 800G line |
| NTK540BD | WaveLogic 5e MOTR, Premium | 1x QSFP-DD, 5x QSFP28, 200G to 800G line |
| NTK540BE | WaveLogic 5e MOTR, Submarine | 1x QSFP-DD, 5x QSFP28, 200G to 800G line |
New vs used Ciena 6500 line cards
Used Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards make sense when you need to match an installed base or keep a spare. In addition, they keep WL3n and WLAi links running without a full upgrade. Since Silverback tests every card before it ships, you get a working part.
Meanwhile, new cards suit fresh builds and long service plans. So ask for both conditions on the same quote and compare them.
Lifecycle, buyback and why Silverback
When you move from WL3n to WL5e, the old cards still hold value. Silverback buys back retired Ciena gear and also offers certified data destruction for any storage in the same project. As a result, an upgrade can help pay for itself.
Silverback supplies new and used Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards, tested before they ship. You can also browse our full inventory or read our Ciena hardware overview for the wider range. Ciena also posts its platform news at ciena.com.
Send us the part number and get pricing and lead time within one business day. Then request a quote for one spare or a full shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a MOTR and an OTR on the Ciena 6500?
A MOTR combines several client signals onto one coherent wavelength, while an OTR maps one client to one line. For example, the NTK538BK is a MOTR with 10 SFP+ ports, and the NTK538EK is an OTR with one QSFP28 port.
Which 6500 cards support 800G on one wavelength?
The WaveLogic 5 Extreme MOTR cards, such as the NTK540BC, NTK540BD and NTK540BE, support up to 800G on one wavelength.
Why do Ciena 6500 part numbers start with NTK?
The 6500 began as the Nortel OME 6500. Ciena bought Nortel's optical networking business in a deal that closed in 2010, so the NTK codes carried over.
Are the NTK538DR and NTK538DZ the same card?
Both are WaveLogic Ai MOTR cards with 4 QSFP28 client ports. So order the exact code your network already runs instead of swapping one for the other.
Does Silverback buy back used Ciena cards?
Yes. Silverback buys back retired Ciena gear and can also quote it alongside your replacement parts.
Get a quote for Ciena 6500 WaveLogic cards
Send a list of NTK538, NTK539 or NTK540 part numbers, and tell us whether you want new or used condition. We reply with pricing and lead time within one business day.
Call (888) 391-5211 or send your part list online today.
