Predictika · Broadband access system quote: shelves, line cards and optics

An AI sales agent's Calix E7-2 access system quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a modular broadband access system: shelves, XG801 and XG1601 line cards, optical modules and uplinks. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public product data and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: AXOS E7-2 access system quotes: shelves, XG801 and XG1601 line cards, optical modules, ONT capacity, uplinks and software release. See everything this validator covers

This validator models quotes for one product line, the Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with XG801 and XG1601 line cards, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Shelves and slots — 1 to 10 shelves of 1RU, 2 line card slots per shelf (up to 20 line cards); every line card needs a slot, and a quote needs at least one line card.
  • Line cards and optics — XG801 (8 XGS-PON/GPON ports) and XG1601 (8 SFP-DD ports); at most 8 optical modules per card; dual-density and multi-PON modules only in XG1601 cards.
  • ONT capacity — up to 1,024 ONTs per XG801 and 2,048 per XG1601; the ONTs needed and the capacity stated in the quote are compared with the quoted cards.
  • Software and uplinks — the XG801 needs AXOS release 21.2 or later; SFP+ uplinks per card (4 on an XG801, 2 on an XG1601) and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks per card; in an uncontrolled cabinet an XG801 allows one optical module and one direct attach cable on its QSFP-DD ports.
  • Approval — optics not bought from Calix go to a person to confirm support and warranty.

Any E7-2 quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Calix does not publish them, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), the LG871 and XG402 line cards, other Calix platforms, ONT models, Calix Cloud and software subscriptions, power and cooling budgets, and regional terms.

The AI sales agentBuilds the access system quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
Click to expand
    
Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Dual-density and multi-PON optics that only one card takesOnly with care
A product rule that links the optics choice to the line card type; it works, but each optics family and card type adds another rule to maintain.		Optics counts and card counts arrive in one request and are checked against each other.
Slots, ports and ONT capacity that depend on how many cards are quotedOnly with care
Slot, port and ONT limits are all multiples of the card counts, so each needs its own calculation and message kept in step.		The totals are computed from the card counts on every call and compared with what the quote needs.
A minimum software release for one cardOnly with care
A rule can compare the release with the minimum, but the release has to be captured as a comparable value and kept up to date.		The release is part of the same request and is compared whenever an XG801 card is quoted.
Installation environment that changes a cabling limitOnly with workarounds
The limit applies to one card type in one environment, so it needs a rule that reads the environment, the card type and the uplink choice together.		Environment, card type and uplink choices are in one request, so the combination is checked whichever order they arrive in.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
Click to expand
    
Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1An E7-2 system is 1 to 10 shelves of 1RU; the quote has 0 shelves.
2The quote has 6 line cards; 0 shelves hold 0 cards (2 slots per 1RU shelf).
3An E7-2 system is 1 to 10 shelves of 1RU; the quote has 11 shelves.
4The quote has no line card; an E7-2 shelf is useful only with at least one XG801 or XG1601 card.
5The quote has 7 line cards; 3 shelves hold 6 cards (2 slots per 1RU shelf).
6The quote has 49 optical modules; the quoted line cards have 48 optics ports (8 per card).
7Dual-density and multi-PON modules work only in XG1601 cards (8 ports each); the quote has 8 of these modules and room for 0.
8Dual-density and multi-PON modules work only in XG1601 cards (8 ports each); the quote has 4 of these modules and room for 0.
9Dual-density and multi-PON modules work only in XG1601 cards (8 ports each); the quote has 33 of these modules and room for 32.
10The quote needs 10,241 ONTs; the quoted line cards support up to 10,240.
11The quote states an ONT capacity of 12,288; the quoted line cards support 10,240.
12The XG801 line card needs Calix AXOS release 21.2 or later; the quote has release 20.4.
13The XG801 line card needs Calix AXOS release 21.2 or later; the quote has release 21.1.
14The quote uses 3 SFP+ uplinks per card; the quoted cards have 2 (XG801 has 4, XG1601 has 2).
15The quote uses 5 SFP+ uplinks per card; the quoted cards have 4 (XG801 has 4, XG1601 has 2).
16The quote uses 3 QSFP-DD uplinks per card; each card has 2.
17In an uncontrolled cabinet the XG801 allows only one optical module and one direct attach cable on its QSFP-DD ports; the quote has 2 optical modules per card.
18The quote includes optics not bought from Calix; the E7-2 system data sheet says only GPON and 10GE modules purchased from Calix are supported, so a person should confirm support and warranty.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
Click to expand
    
The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Metro hub build: A 7-card system on 3 shelves, old software and a stated capacity that is too high

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 3 shelves holding 3 XG801 line cards and 4 XG1601 line cards, with 24 standard, 24 dual-density optical modules, serving 9,000 ONTs, installed in a controlled environment and running AXOS release 20.4. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 12,288. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • More line cards than slots. The quote has 7 line cards; 3 shelves hold 6 cards (2 slots per 1RU shelf).
    • 
      
  • Stated ONT capacity does not match. The quote states an ONT capacity of 12,288; the quoted line cards support 11,264.
    • 
      
  • XG801 needs AXOS 21.2 or later. The XG801 line card needs Calix AXOS release 21.2 or later; the quote has release 20.4.
    • 
    

    
2. Metro hub build: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 4 shelves holding 3 XG801 line cards and 4 XG1601 line cards, with 24 standard, 24 dual-density optical modules, serving 9,000 ONTs, installed in a controlled environment and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 11,264. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 4 shelves, 7 line cards, 48 optical modules, support for up to 11,264 ONTs, 930 W maximum line card power.
    • 
    

    
3. XG801 build: Six XG801 cards with dual-density optics and 5 SFP+ uplinks per card

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 3 shelves holding 6 XG801 line cards, with 30 standard, 8 dual-density optical modules, serving 6,000 ONTs, installed in a controlled environment and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 5 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 6,144. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Dual-density or multi-PON modules need XG1601. Dual-density and multi-PON modules work only in XG1601 cards (8 ports each); the quote has 8 of these modules and room for 0.
    • 
      
  • Too many SFP+ uplinks per card. The quote uses 5 SFP+ uplinks per card; the quoted cards have 4 (XG801 has 4, XG1601 has 2).
    • 
    

    
4. XG801 build: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 3 shelves holding 6 XG801 line cards, with 38 standard optical modules, serving 6,000 ONTs, installed in a controlled environment and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 4 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 6,144. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 3 shelves, 6 line cards, 38 optical modules, support for up to 6,144 ONTs, 780 W maximum line card power.
    • 
    

    
5. Remote cabinet: A cabinet build with 2 QSFP-DD optics per XG801 card and third-party optics

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 2 shelves holding 2 XG801 line cards and 2 XG1601 line cards, with 16 standard, 8 dual-density optical modules from a third-party supplier, serving 5,000 ONTs, installed in an uncontrolled outdoor cabinet and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 6,144. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • XG801 in an uncontrolled cabinet allows one QSFP-DD optic. In an uncontrolled cabinet the XG801 allows only one optical module and one direct attach cable on its QSFP-DD ports; the quote has 2 optical modules per card.
    • 
      
  • Third-party optics to confirm. The quote includes optics not bought from Calix; the E7-2 system data sheet says only GPON and 10GE modules purchased from Calix are supported, so a person should confirm support and warranty.
    • 
    

    
6. Remote cabinet: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 2 shelves holding 2 XG801 line cards and 2 XG1601 line cards, with 16 standard, 8 dual-density optical modules from a third-party supplier, serving 5,000 ONTs, installed in an uncontrolled outdoor cabinet and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 1 optical module per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 6,144. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Third-party optics to confirm. The quote includes optics not bought from Calix; the E7-2 system data sheet says only GPON and 10GE modules purchased from Calix are supported, so a person should confirm support and warranty.
    • 
      
  • System summary. 2 shelves, 4 line cards, 24 optical modules, support for up to 6,144 ONTs, 530 W maximum line card power.
    • 
    

    
7. Remote cabinet: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system with 2 shelves holding 2 XG801 line cards and 2 XG1601 line cards, with 16 standard, 8 dual-density optical modules, serving 5,000 ONTs, installed in an uncontrolled outdoor cabinet and running AXOS release 24.3. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 1 optical module per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The quote states an ONT capacity of 6,144. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 2 shelves, 4 line cards, 24 optical modules, support for up to 6,144 ONTs, 530 W maximum line card power.
    • 
    

  

  

    
Narration transcript
Click to expand
    
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a modular broadband access system: shelves, XG801 and XG1601 line cards, optical modules and uplinks. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public product data and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote a Calix AXOS E7-2 access system. Each card uses 2 SFP+ and 2 QSFP-DD uplinks, with 2 optical modules per card on the QSFP-DD ports. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states an ONT capacity of 12,288.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The quote has 7 line cards; 3 shelves hold 6 cards (2 slots per 1RU shelf). The quote states an ONT capacity of 12,288; the quoted line cards support 11,264. The XG801 line card needs Calix AXOS release 21.2 or later; the quote has release 20.4.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned three blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for slots, ports and ONT capacity that depend on how many cards are quoted, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the shelves to 4, the AXOS release to 24.3 and the Stated ONT capacity to 11,264.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
    12. 
      
  12. All three earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
    13. 
      
  13. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    14.