New Avago Technologies Optical Modules Bridge Compatibility Gap in Data Centers to Increase Bandwidth

The growth of server virtualization and cloud computing, as well as the trend toward network convergence, has increased demand for faster and more efficient data center networks. As of today, 10G switches consist of 48 10G-channels per line card, constrained by the physical size of the SFP+ form factor. To accommodate the need for more bandwidth, customers can use Avago QSFP+ eSR4 modules to develop top-of-rack, blade and modular switches with up to 44 QSFP+ ports per line card. This provides 176 10G-channels with QSFP+ instead of the 48 SFP+ channels available today. QSFP+ eSR4 modules can be used for both high-density 10G and 40G aggregated Ethernet applications,providing more flexibility to connect to different levels of switches, reducing latency, and increasing port density with lower power consumption per lane.



Avago also today announced production of its QSFP+ iSR4 modules, which enable interoperability to 10G SFP+ links up to 100 meters using OM3 multimode fiber (MMF) and 150 meters using OM4 MMF. The QSFP+ eSR4 version extends this reach to 300 meters with OM3 MMF and 400 meters using OM4 MMF. Avago expects to sample the QSFP+ eSR4 modules by this summer.



“Avago is the leader in data center optical communications because of its long history of collaborating with our customers and partners to develop technology solutions that address design challenges and the need for greater bandwidth,” said Philip Gadd, Vice President and General Manager of the Fiber Optics Product Division at Avago. “Avago introduced the industry’s first 40G Ethernet SR4 module last year, and our new QSFP+ iSR4 and eSR4 modules provide a simpler migration path for data centers to upgrade from 10G to 40G Ethernet and span longer reaches.”



“We have worked closely with Avago to test a wide array of Corning Cable Systems’ fiber optic cables that contained Corning® ClearCurve® OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers with their parallel optic transceivers, givingdesigners the flexibility to develop innovative data center applications,” said Doug Coleman, Manager, Technology and Standards at Corning Cable Systems. “Together we verified that the interoperability of the Avago QSFP+ eSR4 modules meets link distance specifications for both 10 and 40 Gigabit Ethernet applications.”



Legacy 10G Ethernet switches are based on 10GBASE-SR specifications, using form factors such as SFP+, XFP and X2, which are not reliably interoperable with standard QSFP+ module 40GBASE-SR specifications. The Avago QSFP+ iSR4 and eSR4 modules are both interoperable with all of these form factors. Additionally, the modules both incorporate the unparalleled reliability of Avago 850-nm Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology and PIN detector technology, providing an effective 10 Gigabit port count of up to 176 ports within one rack.



Avago will demonstrate the QSFP+ iSR4 and eSR4 modules, along with its broad portfolio of high-speed optical fiber solutions, in Corporate Villagebooth #1357 at the 2012 OFC/NFOEC exposition at the Los Angeles Convention Center from March 6-8. Interested parties can contact their local Avago sales office to arrange an appointment. Mitchell Fields, director of advanced technology solutions for fiber opticsproducts at Avago, will be participating in two panel discussions at the show:

? Market Watch Panel IV on Advanced Integrated Photonics on March 8 from 10:15am-12:15pm

? The workshop entitled “Optics in the Data Center: How Can We Efficiently Move and Control Large Amounts of Data?” on March 5 from 8:00am-11:00am.





Availability

Samples and production quantities are available now through Avago’s direct sales channel and worldwide distribution partners.