Ghani et al. (2000) presented an in-depth look at the area of IP-optical integration. Specifically, that survey studied key architecture and protocols issues and outlined likely trends and developments. However, since then much has transpired, especially in light of the telecom market slowdown, and invariably these dynamics have significantly affected the pace of technology innovation and adoption. This article presents a critical retrospective of our earlier vision in an effort to align it with today's realities and derive important directions for the future.