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40/100G in Data Communications Networks

By Lisa Huff, Discerning Analytics


We have been talking about 40G for more than 10 years now in telecommunications networks, but just for about three years for datacom ones. The first components were shown at OFC/NFOEC 2009, but we have yet to see them used in “real-world” networks. This is starting to change. Many early adopters such as Google, Facebook and the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AIX) are now deploying switches and routers that have 40 and 100G ports.

As I mentioned in my last blog, the accelerated adoption of 10G in the data center is fueling the growth of 40/100G. Figure 1 shows the expected revenue for transceivers, active optical cables (AOCs) and direct-attach copper cables (DACs) used in 40G and 100G equipment in the data center over the next five years.

Figure 2: Total Revenue from Transceivers and DACs Used in 40/100G Datacom Networks (Source: Discerning Analytics)

Clearly, 40G components are expected to be quickly adopted in data center networks and vendors of these products will be showcasing them again this year at OFC/NFOEC. A few are summarized below:

While some of these products have been available for more than two years, the equipment they are used in is just now starting to appear in live networks. Some of the equipment manufacturers that are expected to show these systems at OFC/NFOEC include ADVA Optical Networking (Booth 2150), Alcatel-Lucent (Booth 738), Brocade, Cisco Systems (Booth 2259) and Juniper Networks (Booth 1925). And, it is likely that the Ethernet Alliance (Booth 724) will be showcasing an interoperability demonstration showing live traffic utilizing some of this equipment.

  • Amphenol (Booth 1949): It offers both copper and optical products for 10G, 40G and 100G Ethernet as well as Fibre Channel and InfiniBand.
  • Avago Technologies (Booth 1357): With Finisar, considered the top optical transceiver manufacturer in the industry. Offers 40/100G optical modules and AOCs.
  • ColorChip (Booth 1236): Leverages its optical engines to deliver 40G products. The first to release a 40GBASE-LR4 10km solution in a QSFP+ package.
  • FCI (Booth 2139): While it is considered by many as a second or third source to the top transceiver manufactures, it does offer both copper and optical products for all data rates.
  • Finisar (Booth 1703): Has long been viewed as one of the premier optical transceiver suppliers to both telecom and datacom equipment manufacturers. Offers a full breadth of 40/100G devices.
  • JDSU (Booth 1403): Released its initial offering for 40/100G in 2011. Seems to be more focused on longer-reach applications.
  • Molex (Booth 2211): Has a full complement of copper offerings, but only AOCs for 40/100G.
  • Opnext (Booth 1425): Is seen by most to be the long-reach leader and is focused on that market. Was instrumental in the development of the CFP form factor and is expected to drive the movement to CFP2 and CFP4.
  • Reflect Photonics (Booth 2631): Uses its optical engines to focus on short-reach 40/100G solutions. The only supplier so far to produce 100GBASE-SR solution in a CFP module.

Posted: 13 February 2012 by Lisa Huff, Discerning Analytics | with 0 comments

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The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition (OFC)  or its sponsors.