100G parallel optics in core networks

For data centres with parallel optics in the core, Nexans offers several ways to make your network more manageable.

What about speeds beyond 100 Gigabit?

200 Gigabit will probably not be widespread and may be developed only for one hyperscale customer. 200 Gigabit based on SWDM was rejected and will not be developed within IEEE.

However, 400 Gigabit is on the horizon. Today, there are three major types of 400 Gigabit:

SR16: requires 16 pairs of cable, and it's a full IEEE standard. But it’s unlikely this will be the most successful of these standards.
SR8: requires 16 fibre connectors; mainly used for hyperscale data centres.
400G-SR4: requires 8 fibres; fully compatible with the MPT12. Designed for enterprise data centres and is mainly used in MTF.

The future of 400G is still not 100% clear, but there may be a future for multimode even for 400G. Here are the options:

400GBASE-SR16

Using 16 lanes of 25G, requiring 32 fibres
Will require a new connector: MTP-32
Developed for server speeds of 25G
Has been approved by IEEE
May make cable infrastructure too complex and may not be used

400GBASE-SR8:1

Using 8 lanes of 50G, requiring 16 fibres
Requires a semi-new connector: MTP-16
Developed for server speeds of 50G
Early IEEE development work has been started
Will probably only be used in hyperscale data centres

400GBASE-SR4:2 (developed alongside 400GBASE-SR8)

Using 4 lanes of 100G, requiring 8 fibres
Using 2 different wavelengths per lane
Using standard MTP connectors for 8 fibres
Developed for server speeds of 100G
Early IEEE development work has begun

Protect fibre cable from damage and maintain high speed transmission
Protect your fibre with Nexans FIBREROUTE offering. The complete FIBREROUTE range is available in metric and imperial measurements, and will fit most installations in a data centre. FIBREROUTE separates the fibre installation from the copper, as the yellow trunking is only used for fibre.

A software design and planning tool is also available.