Service providers and enterprises understand that variations in fiber conditions can impact 100G upgrades. Fiber conditions can cause loss that falls just outside the typical parameter of 100G ZR4 optics. As a result, network operators require solutions that offer 100G connectivity for both standard and edge cases.
ProLabs' new QSFP28 ZR4+ transceivers offer 100G speeds beyond 80km. Our ZR4+ optic exceeds the standard ZR4 optical budget by providing 100G services in challenging fiber conditions.
QSFP28 ZR4+
MSA and TAA 100GBase-ZR4+ QSFP28 Transceiver (SMF, 1295nm to 1309nm, 80/95km, LC, DOM)
In an effort to create stronger networks that deliver better user experiences, data centers are moving from 100G to 400G technology. Some of the factors pushing 400G deployments are recent advancements in disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and cloud computing.
What is 400G?
400G Ethernet is a promising and developing technology that fills an immediate need in fiber optics as data-hungry application capacity demands surpass present high-speed transport capabilities. All of which have a more compact footprint and relatively low operational costs.
When designed for the most challenging circumstances, 400G offers a high degree of flexibility, customer choice, and a base for the future of cloud networking.
The Transition to 400G
The switch to 400G fundamentally alters the design and construction of data centers and data center interconnect (DCI) networks. The transition to 400G connections is more of a high-stakes game between the client and networking sides.
Currently, QSFP-DD and OSFP optical/pluggable transceivers, two multisource agreements, fight for the top spot as the form-factor of preference among customers in the 400G market, which is undergoing rapid change.
In order to fulfill the constantly increasing need for high-speed storage access and massive amounts of data processing, servers have adopted 25G/50G interfaces, which is another factor driving the transition to 400G data centers.
QSFP-DD vs. OSFP
QSFP-DD is the most popular 400Gbps optical form factor on the client side due to the numerous reach options available. The trend to combine switching and transmission into a single box is one of the two elements impacting the network side. Power and mechanics are the only form factors that remain.
The OSFP, a larger module, provides lots of functional area for DWDM components and a heat dissipation capacity of 15W. When trying to incorporate coherent capabilities into a small form factor, power is vital. This offers OSFP a competitive advantage in the network.
Despite the OSFP's superior performance in terms of power, space, and signal integrity, QSFP28 plugs cannot be used with it. Furthermore, because its technology lacks the 100Gbps version, it cannot offer a smooth transition from legacy modules as it has not been widely embraced on the client side.
However, the QSFP-DD has a lot of market support and is compatible with QSFP28 and QSFP connectors. Its low power dissipation, which is frequently restricted at 12W, is the only drawback. This makes it difficult to manage coherent ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) effectively and keep them cool for lengthy periods of time.
In order to fulfill the constantly increasing demand for high-speed storage access and massive amounts of data processing, servers have adopted 25G/50G interfaces, which is another factor driving the transition to 400G data centers.
Enterprises can prepare for expansions that will result in significant traffic demands thanks to 400G Ethernet. With the deployment of 5G, it would result in a massive increase in bandwidth as 400G enables enterprises to build small cells, which are essential for 5G deployment.
High-performance computing is becoming increasingly common in businesses such as retail, healthcare, oil and gas, and weather forecasting. Real-time data analysis is a major development engine in many firms. As a result, the adoption of 400G Ethernet will be accelerated. Players will benefit from high-performance computers and 400G to improve their financial and operational efficiencies.
Massive or hyperscale data centers, which were utilized to process vast amounts of data, gained significance due to COVID-19. As eCommerce and online sales increased, businesses faced a challenge in investing in infrastructure that can manage rising data processing and storage needs. Companies that have invested in these hyperscale data centers are exploring 400G Ethernet because it allows them to quickly meet sophisticated data processing requirements.
The evolution of 4x100GbE has brought significant energy and footprint reductions.
Opportunities for 400G Ethernet Enterprise Networks
How 400G Ethernet Supports Enterprise Networks in Growing Traffic Demands
1. Rise of 5G Connectivity
Rising traffic and bandwidth needs are pressuring CSPs to quickly implement 5G, both at the client and business end. To accommodate the 5G backhaul, a significant increase in bandwidth is necessary for a successful implementation. Additionally, 400G can give CSPs a higher density for the development of small cells. In order to implement 5G, cloud data centers must be located closer to both users and devices. This simplifies the aspect of edge computing that deals with processing time-sensitive data, which is another innovation in this field.
2. High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Every industrial sub-vertical, including healthcare, retail, oil & gas, and weather forecasting, uses high-performance computing. Each of these industries requires real-time data analysis, which will be a key factor in the 400G market's expansion. The combined power of HPC and 400G will maximize the performance of the infrastructure, resulting in cost and productivity savings.
3. Addressing Internet of Things (IoT) Traffic Demands
This system also has the potential to allow data centers to handle IoT requirements. IoT devices do not produce a lot of data; rather, it is the accumulation of connections that leads to issues. The amount of traffic increases exponentially when these devices cooperate and open up new routes through Ethernet and the internet. The important data centers will find it much simpler to gain an advantage in this race with a fourfold increase in data transfer speed.
4. Greater Density for Hyperscale Data Centers
The number of data centers is significantly growing in order to fulfill the growing demand for data. Every data center that is emerging wants to install 400GbE since they would be able to accommodate very large and sophisticated computing and networking requirements. While at the same time reduce the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint thanks to the 400GbE offer of higher density in fiber, racks, and switches.
Find the right solution for your 400G Ethernet fiber optic hardware requirements. Contact us today.
As data centers expand and deploy at faster rates, they require high performance connections with low power consumption, stable operation, low cost, and timely supply in large quantities.
ProLabs' SFP-DD direct attach cables (DACs) offer increased bandwidth scalability with the port density of a standard SFP footprint.
Deliver high performance & high bandwidth connectivity with SFP-DD DACs:
MSA and TAA 50GBase-CU SFP-DD to SFP-DD Direct Attach Cable (Passive Twinax, 0.5m, 30AWG)
Server rack sizes vary more than most enterprises realize. It might be difficult to choose the right data center rack size for your equipment installation, especially if you don't completely grasp how size differences effect your business. Fortunately, making an informed decision based on a small number of factors is simple. Finding the right data center rack size for your needs will be easier if you consider the following factors: height, width, and depth.
Server Rack Height
Height is frequently used to categorize servers into different categories. The height dimension is also indicated by the standard unit for sizing up a rack server. When buying a server rack, this is one of the most crucial aspects to consider, and the market provides a standard.
Currently, the most widely used server rack standards are 42U and 48U. This is due to the fact that the height is both substantial enough to hold the equipment and scale it over time and manageable enough to easily access, maintain, and manage the equipment.
Server Rack Width
The 19-inch rack is another common server rack dimension that you will hear often. However, it is critical to note that this relates to the mounting width only, not the entire outer width of the server rack. Many server rack exteriors are 24 inches wide or more, which is useful to know when building your server room and evaluating how many racks will fit into the given floor space.
Server Rack Depth
Server rack depth, or the distance between the front and back rails of the rack, completes the trifecta of rack server dimensions. The depths might be anywhere from a few inches to 50 inches or more.
When it comes to server rack depth, it is critical to understand the various rack types. Due to their different depths, 4-post racks and 2-post racks have a distinct difference in construction.
2-post racks are constructed with two vertically upright beams as they are easier to use and better suited for lighter equipment such as routers, switches, and patch panels. 4-post racks are much sturdier and can carry much more weight because they are constructed with four upright beams. They are held up by four posts, which connect to all their rails and shelves, as well as increases your mounting depth requirements.
Choosing the Right Size
Now that we've covered all of the different components that contribute to the size of your server rack, you must consider your overall setup and installation plans.
If you are installing a rack for a home or office with limited equipment, a half-rack or smaller may be the best option. Unless you have very small equipment, a 4-post rack should be used because it is designed to be mounted from both the front and back. If you're planning to install your rack in a server room or data center, it's best to overestimate the amount of space you'll require in case your company grows and your needs change.
Regardless of what size rack you determine is right for you, always make sure to consider your layout and limits first.
The insatiable demand for bandwidth has put data center operators and network engineers under tremendous strain. Data centers and network engineers are looking to upgrade from 100G to 400G Ethernet in order to adapt to 5G, cloud services, IoT, and other next-generation applications and technologies.
ProLabs provides an alternative to OEM OSFP transceivers in order to counter the dominance of vertically integrated OEMs. We now offer 400G coherent ZR in an OSFP form factor with the new OSFP 400G ZR transceivers. The OSFP includes an integrated heatsink, which improves thermal performance and enables modules with up to 15W of power.
Reduce power consumption and assure reliability in demanding high-density environments:
MSA and TAA 400GBase-ZR Coherent OSFP Transceiver (SMF, 1528.77nm to 1567.13nm, 40km, LC, DOM)
Network operators with legacy 100G network elements considering deploying new 100G DWDM PAM4 or 100G QSFP28 ZR4 optical technologies must evaluate if their existing network gear meets the power and software requirements of these technologies. A full network upgrade for low-density deployments and point-solutions may not offer the return on investment required.
ProLabs' new QSFP28 100G OEO system offers a solution to protect existing network equipment investments and provide your network with new capabilities. The 100G QSFP28 OEO is a 1U rack mount system with two 100G channels supported by client-side support for QSFP28 ZR4 and QSFP28 PAM4 technologies.
Protect your existing network investment:
100G QSFP28 Dual OEO Line Card w/management interface
The most fundamental advantage of fiber optics is its importance in remote learning. In the past, accessing all online educational resources required teachers and students to rely on sluggish, unreliable internet connections. As a result, material downloads were slower and films and online conferences were frequently interrupted. This issue has been resolved by fiber optics, which provides faster and more stable transmissions as well as significantly better signal quality. This has a direct impact on the effectiveness of distance learning, which is only possible with fiber optics.
Fiber optics can be used in a variety of applications such as tele-education, media file sharing, media-enhance learning, and more. Because fiber optic connections use light to transmit and receive data, they are faster and more secure than traditional copper lines, which can greatly benefit schools, faculty, and students. The high-speed internet network also allows for the inclusion of additional tools to assist students in comprehending new concepts. Overall, the benefits of fiber optic technology assist students in reaching their full potential.
Fiber Optic Products that Support Educational Purposes
ProLabs recognizes the significance of fiber optic technology in modern digital education, as the following fiber optics below support educational purposes.
The constant growth in traffic caused by cloud applications, artificial intelligence (AI), and video streaming is driving the demand for faster and higher-capacity campus network solutions. They are pushing campus networks to new heights with 25G/100G Ethernet solutions due to their high bandwidth, low power consumption, and high density.
25G/100G Ethernet Solutions
A 25G/100G campus network's typical uplink bandwidth is 25G from the access layer to the distribution layer and 100G from the distribution layer to the core layer. 25G/100G upgrade solutions typically drive campus networks toward greater performance and scalability due to the numerous benefits it offers.
Since 25G SFP28 transceivers were introduced to the market, network operators have sought direct upgrades from 1G and 10G optics to 25G. However, the optical properties of 25G Ethernet over fiber have limited the reach of 25G to 40km, leaving network operators with the choice of seeking costly alternatives for upgrades of up to 80km.
ProLabs' new SFP28 25G ZR transceiver offers a low-cost solution for long-distance connections up to 80km. The SFP28 25G ZR uses proven 1310nm optical technology to ensure optical signal delivery over single-mode fiber up to 80km.
Increase bandwidth & distance while decreasing latency with SFP28 25G ZR:
