With the popularization of cloud computing, big data and Internet of Things technologies, many data centers are gradually upgrading their networks to 40 100G to achieve high-speed transmission.
At present, the core technology of 40Gbe is quite mature, and it is relatively easy to upgrade from 10G to 40G. However, for fast-growing enterprises and data centers that require higher bandwidth and expanded networks, a network of 100G and above is more ideal.
In the process of carrying out the 40 100GbE upgrade, we divided its key parts into three main areas: the transmission medium, the media-related interfaces, and the optical module. We'll move on to the details of these below.
When upgrading a 40G or 100G network, it is critical to choose a transport medium that supports the required transmission speed and distance. 40G Ethernet supports the following three transmission media:
Copper cables for short-distance transmission;
Four short-distance multimode fiber patch cords;
Single-mode fiber optic patch cords suitable for long-distance transmission.
It's important to note that while copper** is lower, it only supports shorter distances of 40G. For 100G networks, fiber is typically used, but copper cables may be used for direct connections within the same server rack.
At 40G 100G rate, single-mode fiber can support transmission distances of up to 10 kilometers, while short-distance multimode fibers are generally used, such as OM3, OM4 and OM5, where the maximum transmission distance of OM3 is 100 meters, and the maximum transmission distance of OM4 and OM5 is 150 meters.
Media-dependent interfaces are Ethernet ports used to connect network devices such as switches and hubs without the need for empty mode or crossover cables. Typically, a suitable MPO adapter can be used as an MDI for multimode fiber optic cables. The advantage of using MPO connectors is that one ceramic ferrule can support up to 24 fibers. In a 40Gbe transmission, when we use a 12-pin MPO connector, we only use 4 fibers at both ends, and the middle 4 cores are empty.
For 100GbE transmission, we generally use a 24-core MPO connector, using only 10 fibers to the top and bottom, with 4 cores left empty in the middle. In addition to the MPO connector, the LC connector is also an option. The latter has one fiber inside each ferrule, but supports broadband multimode fiber technology with transmission speeds of up to 400GbE.
As fiber density increases, field terminations and splintering become more cumbersome. By choosing custom cable lengths and pre-terminated MPO and LC components, we can save time and effort.
Photoelectric conversion is the key to ensuring efficient transmission between different optical and network signals when upgrading optical networks. Optical transceivers are responsible for this task and play an important role in 40G 100G transmission.
Currently, the most commonly used types of optical modules in the market include CFP, QSFP, and CXP. Among them, QSFP is widely used in 40G applications, while CFP supports 40 and 100Gbe. For high-density 100GbE deployments, CXP is an ideal choice that works well with multimode fiber for short-distance transmission.
When selecting the right optical module, be sure to confirm its compatibility with the switch. There are some third-party optical transceivers on the market that are compatible with mainstream high-end switches, and choosing these products may save you a lot of money. However, in order to guarantee quality and avoid interoperability issues in the future, it is recommended that you only purchase transceivers from reputable manufacturers.
Enabling a seamless upgrade to higher Ethernet speeds minimizes service disruption and requires little to no replacement of existing connectivity components and fiber cabling. These are commonly used for switch-to-switch, switch-to-server, and SAN connections.
Some of the components required during the upgrade process include optical modules, breakout patch cords, adapters, and backbone patch cords. The 40 and 100GbE upgrades use almost the same components except for the MPO connectors. Pre-terminated cables are often preferred because it avoids rework and testing and minimizes costs during installation while allowing for easy replacement or addition of new connections in the future.
When choosing 12-core and 24-core backbone jumpers, you need to pay attention to network density and congestion. High-density connections often require more active devices, but space may be limited. 24-core cabling works best because it can support more connections without increasing the number of ports. It also reduces the amount of fiber required compared to a 12-core model, resulting in lighter load, easier management, and lower cooling costs.
As the demand for high-speed connectivity increases, large enterprises and data centers are upgrading from traditional 1G 10G networks to faster 40GbE and 100GbE networks. With technological advancements and business growth needs, it's only a matter of time before you upgrade your enterprise network.
The key to a successful 40G 100G network upgrade is to understand the required components and work with the right IT professionals. A good place to start is to choose the right transmission standard based on current and future data and network needs. You can then select the appropriate transmission medium, media-related interfaces, and transceivers, which will be handled by your IT technicians.