MSA group drives development of next-gen network technologies

These new optical specifications target the next-gen of networking equipment that is required to address the industry’s ever-growing need for bandwidth.

“Fast growing data centre and cloud computing are demanding more efficient optical transceivers at every stage of high speed transitions,” said Rang-Chen (Ryan) Yu, Vice President of business development, GM of optoelectronic solutions at Oplink, a Molex Company and co-chair of 100G Lambda MSA. “At Molex, we are working with industry leaders to establish 100G Lambda multi-source agreement and accelerate development of single channel 100G technology as a foundation for next-gen 100 and 400G optical connectivity solutions”.   

The new interfaces defined by the 100G Lambda MSA double the speed per wavelength for 100 and 400Gbps applications. To complement the 100Gbps (100GBASE-DR) and 400Gbps (400GBASE-DR4) 500m reach interfaces currently being defined by IEEE P802.3, the 100G Lambda MSA is focused on reaches of 2 and 10km over duplex single-mode fibre. By focusing on 100Gbps per wavelength, the 100G Lambda MSA is providing a technology platform required for next-gen networking equipment.

“Building and sustaining the pipeline of interoperable interconnect solutions is absolutely critical to support advances in transceiver modules, switch technologies and servers,” said Scott Sommers, Group Product Manager at Molex and Co-chair of the QSFP-DD MSA and Chair of the SFP-DD MSA.  “Through strategic collaborations, we can provide the expertise needed within the industry to continue pushing the boundaries of high-speed, high-density networking.”

The 100G Lambda MSA Group founding members include: Alibaba, Arista Networks, Broadcom, Ciena, Cisco, Finisar, Foxconn Interconnect Technology, Inphi, Intel, Juniper Networks, Lumentum, Luxtera, MACOM, MaxLinear, Microsoft, Molex, NeoPhotonics, Nokia, Oclaro, Semtech, Source Photonics, and Sumitomo Electric.