Finisar and Ixia Demonstrate 100 Gb/s Ethernet Interoperability

The test setup included a Finisar 100GE LR4 CFP optical transceiver module operating in the Ixia K2 100 Gb/s Ethernet/IP test module. Error-free operation was demonstrated by transmitting IP packets to a second Finisar 100GE LR4 CFP optical module over 25 kilometers of single-mode fiber, vastly exceeding the 10-kilometer distance being standardized for this application by the IEEE.

Initial performance testing of the Finisar 100GE LR4 CFP transceiver in their facility was very promising, stated Glenn Wellbrock, Director of Optical Transport, Network Architecture and Design for Verizon, who witnessed the event. I look forward to testing the module in our laboratories together with system vendors soon.

Finisar's 100GE LR4 CFP optical transceivers are compliant with the CFP Multi-source Agreement (MSA) and support the 100GBASE-LR4 (4x25G) optical interface standardized in the IEEE P802.3ba Draft document. They are part of a family of Finisar CFP transceiver modules that also includes 40G Ethernet and multimode fiber versions. Finisar's entire portfolio of transceiver modules utilize internally developed integrated circuits and internally packaged optics.

Demonstrating interoperability of 100GE CFP modules with leading 100GE test systems is a very positive milestone for the entire industry, said Christian Urricariet, director of product marketing for high-speed optics at Finisar. We are convinced that the LR4 versions of the pluggable CFP transceivers will enable successful 100G Ethernet deployments by our key customers.

Ixia's K2 higher speed Ethernet (HSE) load module is the industry's first and only 100GE IP test solution which is capable of transmitting, receiving and analyzing full line-rate 100 Gb/s Ethernet traffic. It is the latest load module in Ixia's test platform, which includes test chassis and load modules designed for different interface types and speeds. All load modules, including both the 40GE and 100GE models, test the full range of IP networking devices -- from layer 2 through 7.

Ixia's use of the Finisar CFP demonstrates the feasibility of pluggable optics for both 40/100 GE, said Errol Ginsberg, chief innovation officer of Ixia. We believe this extremely successful demonstration conducted by Ixia and Finisar for carriers, such as Verizon, shows that 100 GE technology is quickly moving forward and will soon approach the deployment phase.

For more information about the Finisar 100GE CFP optical modules or the Ixia IP test platforms, please contact the following company representatives: Christian Urricariet (christian.urricariet@finisar.com) and Thananya Baldwin (tbaldwin@ixiacom.com).