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Traffic at data centers of telecommunications carriers, including hyperscale data centers such as GAFAM, is expected to continue to increase. Accordingly, optical transceivers are becoming faster. In this situation, many telecommunications carriers are considering network configurations using 100G and 400G optical transceivers.
This article introduces 100G and 400G optical transceiver products while providing examples of network configurations.
An example of a 400G network configuration
This time, we will introduce an optical transceiver that supports connections with a transmission distance of 500 m, using as an example a network configuration released by Microsoft in 2013.
ToR – Server
First, we will explain the connection between the ToR (Top of Rack) and the server. The maximum transmission distance between the ToR and the server is 3m or less, and the cabling is within the rack.
An example of this connection would be the use of a DAC.
DAC
DAC stands for Direct Attached Cable. A DAC is a product that has optical transceiver-shaped interfaces such as "QSFP28" or "QSFP-DD" on both ends, and is assembled with copper cables on both ends. Therefore, a DAC does not perform optical-electrical conversion. This gives it the following features:
merit:
・Relatively inexpensive
・Low latency
- There are no incorrect wiring of Tx (transmitting side)/Rx (receiving side)
Cons:
Limited monitoring capabilities
Difficult to handle
DACs do not have photoelectric conversion devices, so they have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and low latency. Also, because the cable is assembled, there is no need to worry about incorrect Tx/Rx wiring.
On the other hand, because the monitoring functions for transmitting power, receiving power, etc. are limited, it can be difficult to identify the cause of a problem. Also, copper wire cables are thicker and heavier than optical fiber cables, so they can be difficult to handle.
Server – Leaf
Next, we will explain the connection between the server and the leaf. The maximum transmission distance between the server and the leaf is 20m or less, and the cabling is between the racks.
AOC, 100GBASE-SR4 and 400GBASE-SR8 optical transceivers are used for this connection.
First of all, AOC stands for Active Optical Cable. AOC is a product that assembles optical transceivers on both ends with optical fiber. The features of AOC are as follows:
merit:
Easy inventory management
・There is no risk of foreign matter getting inside the optical transceiver
- No Tx/Rx wiring errors
Cons:
・Replacement is necessary even if only one optical transceiver is broken
Since AOC cables are assembled, there is no need to manage the inventory of optical fibers and optical transceivers separately. This has the advantage of making inventory management easier. There is also no risk of dirt or foreign matter on the optical connector end surface getting into the optical transceiver.
On the other hand, because AOC is an assembled cable, even if only the optical transceiver at one end fails, the healthy optical fiber and the optical transceiver at the other end must also be replaced.
Next, we will explain 100GBASE-SR4 and 400GBASE-SR8 optical transceivers.
100GBASE-SR4 Optical Transceiver
100GBASE-SR4 is an optical transmission standard with a transmission speed of 100Gbps and a maximum transmission distance of 100m. The "4" in SR4 indicates that the optical signal has four lanes (more information here). The optical connector used in 100GBASE-SR4 optical transceivers is MPO12. Below is the end face of an MPO12, and you can see that there are actually four lanes on the transmitting side and four lanes on the receiving side.
400GBASE-SR8 Optical Transceiver
400GBASE-SR8 is an optical transmission standard with a transmission speed of 400Gbps and a maximum transmission distance of 100m. The "8" in SR8 indicates that the optical signal has 8 lanes (more information here). The optical connector used in 400GBASE-SR8 optical transceivers is MPO16. Below is the end face of an MPO16, and you can see that there are actually 8 lanes on the transmitting side and 8 lanes on the receiving side.
By using the above 100GBASE-SR4 and 400GBASE-SR8 optical transceivers, communications with a maximum transmission distance of less than 100m are possible.
Leaf – Spine
Next, we will explain the connection between the leaf and spine. The maximum transmission distance between the leaf and spine is 500m or less, and the cabling is between racks, just like between the server and the leaf.
This connection uses 100GBASE-DR1 and 400GBASE-DR4 optical transceivers.
100GBASE-DR1 Optical Transceiver
100GBASE-DR1 is an optical transmission standard with a transmission speed of 100Gbps and a maximum transmission distance of 500m. The "1" in DR1 indicates that the optical signal has one lane. The optical connector used in 100GBASE-DR1 optical transceivers is an LC connector.
400GBASE-DR4 Optical Transceiver
400GBASE-DR4 is an optical transmission standard with a transmission speed of 400Gbps and a maximum transmission distance of 500m. The "4" in DR4 indicates that the optical signal has four lanes. In addition to the aforementioned MPO12, the optical connector used in 400GBASE-DR4 optical transceivers also includes the SN connector.
In addition, 400GBASE-DR4 optical transceivers and 100GBASE-DR1 optical transceivers can be used in combination to form a breakout connection. High density through breakout not only saves space, but also has the advantage of reducing power consumption.
Product Line
|
product |
Coherent model number |
Optical transmission standard and transmission speed |
Optical Connector |
Fiber Optics |
Maximum Transmission Distance |
|
DAC |
FDBC425QE1Cxx |
100G |
- |
- |
5m |
|
DAC |
FDBC850QE1Cxx |
400G |
- |
- |
3m |
|
AOC |
FCBx425QE2Cxx |
100G |
- |
- |
100m |
|
AOC |
FCBx850QE2Cxx |
400G |
- |
- |
100m |
|
optical transceiver |
FTLC9558REPM |
100GBASE-SR4 |
MPO12 |
MMF |
100m |
|
optical transceiver |
FTCD8613E2PCM |
400GBASE-SR8 |
MPO16 APC |
MMF |
100m |
|
optical transceiver |
FTLC4353RHPL |
100GBASE-DR1 |
LC |
SMF |
500m |
|
optical transceiver |
FTCD4523E3PCx |
400GBASE-DR4 |
MPO12 |
SMF |
500m |
Summary
In this article, we introduced optical transceiver products for connections of 500m or less as an example of network configuration. In the next article, we will introduce connections with transmission distances of 500m or more.
