An optical cross-connect (OXC) is a device used in telecommunications to manage and route optical signals between different fiber optic cables. It allows for the switching of light paths without converting the signals into electrical form, which helps maintain high data transmission speeds and reduces latency. OXC systems are essential in modern networks, enabling efficient bandwidth management and flexibility in data routing. They can connect multiple input and output fibers, making it easier to adapt to changing network demands. This technology is crucial for large-scale data centers and service providers that rely on fiber optic communication.