Rapid growth in bandwidth demands has pushed data center operators toward massive upgrades. There was a time when 10G was popular. Later, 40G replaced 10G. Today, 100G is one of the most widely used technologies. However, now that 400G is officially available, IEEE is working on 800G. Many data center operators are already looking to upgrade to 400G, but some are still confused. This upgrade involves specific challenges. Today, we've decided to give our readers some great information about 40G, 100G, or 200G to 400G upgrades.
Upgrading challenges from 40G/100G to 400G
Well, 400G is a newer technology and its backward compatibility with existing internetwork infrastructure is an issue. As we all know, completely different form factors (QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP8, etc.) were developed for 400G. Unfortunately, OSFP doesn't support backward compatibility because it's wider and longer than QSFP.
In terms of backward compatibility, 400G QSFP-DD is a better choice because QSFP-DD ports are designed to support 100G and 40G pluggable transceivers. Fortunately, quick upgrades are still possible due to the vast amount of resources we have available on the market, and today we decided to discuss some of them. Here, it must be known that the CFP8 is not a popular choice due to its particularly large size.
QSFP-DD ports are backward compatible
As mentioned earlier, a 40G QSFP or 100G QSFP module can be plugged into any QSFP-DD port. In this arrangement, no mechanical adapter is required. However, the QSFP-DD port must be properly configured (set the data rate to 40G or 100G as needed) as it will not support 400G in this case.
400g bandwidth
How to use QSFP optical module in OSFP port?
40G or 100G QSFP optical modules cannot be directly inserted into OSFP ports. OSFP ports have certain design features. However, this arrangement is possible with the help of a completely passive mechanical adapter.
This adapter helps users meet the backward compatibility limitations of OSFP. JFOPT offers MSA compliant OSFP to QSFP28 adapters or converters. This converter can be deployed to convert any 400G OSFP port to 100G QSFP28 port. remember! In this case, the OSFP port cannot operate at 400G data rate. It should have been reconfigured to a data rate of 100G. For users looking to upgrade their high-speed network, the OSFP to QSFP28 adapter is the ideal solution.
400G to 40G/100G Direct Attach Breakout Cable
Direct connect breakout cables are available in a variety of configurations. These cables can split 400G bandwidth into multiple 100G or 40G data streams. In this way, a single OSFP or QSFP-DD port can be connected with multiple QSFP28 ports. One end of these cables (for example, connector A) is equipped with an OSFP connector. And the other end (for example, connector B) has multiple QSFP28, SFP56 or QSFP56 connectors. Direct-connect branch cables use copper cables to transmit data. Therefore, these cables are only suitable for short distance applications.
branch cable
Using these cables, 400G bandwidth can be distributed across multiple streams of 100G, 200G or 50G bandwidth. Here, it is important to understand that passive direct connect breakout cables do not contain signal conditioning electronics. Therefore, passive cables are not recommended when you do not support signal conditioning. Where signal conditioning is required, only active direct-connect breakout cables should be used. JFOPT offers a wide range of direct connect branch cables in the following variations.
OSFP Direct Attach Breakout Cable (Passive)
400GBASE-CR8 OSFP to 4 X QSFP28 (400G to 4 x 100G)
400GBASE-CR8 OSFP to 8 x SFP56 (400G to 8 x 50G)
400GBASE-CR8 OSFP to 2 x QSFP56 (400G to 2 x 200G)
QSFP-DD Direct Attach Breakout Cable (Passive)
400GBASE-CR8 QSFP-DD to 4 X QSFP28 (400G to 4 x 100G)
400GBASE-CR8 QSFP-DD to 8 x SFP56 (400G to 8 x 50G)
400GBASE-CR8 QSFP-DD to 2 X QSFP56 (400G to 2 x 200G)
400G to 40G/100G/200G Active Optical Breakout Cable
Unlike direct attach cables, optical fibers are used as the transmission medium in active optical cables. Therefore, in this branching device, there may be a larger link distance. These cables have 400G transceivers on one end. The other end offers multiple 40G or 100G transceivers. Therefore, the 400G active optical branch cable acts as a bridge between 400G and 40G/100G/200G networks.
These cables feature Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) and Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) interfaces. As a result, the user has access to all key parameters including: laser bias current, supply voltage, laser received input power and laser average output power available in real time.
400g active optical branch cable
400G active optical breakout cables with integrated electronics can provide longer transmission distances. However, these cables consume more power than directly connected cables. JFOPT offers a comprehensive range of 400G active optical breakout cables. Below is a brief summary of its product portfolio:
OSFP active optical branch cable
400GBASE-SR8 OSFP to 4 x QSFP28 (400G to 4 x 100G)
400GBASE-SR8 OSFP to 8 x SFP56 (400G to 8 x 50G)
400GBASE-SR8 OSFP to 2 x QSFP56 (400G to 2 x 200G)
QSFP-DD Active Optical Breakout Cable
400GBASE-SR8 QSFP-DD to 4x QSFP28 (400G to 4 x 100G)
400GBASE-SR8 QSFP-DD to 8 x SFP56 (400G to 8 x 50G)
400GBASE-SR8 QSFP-DD to 2 QSFP56 (400G to 2 200G)
Data center operators planning to move to 400G are prone to various challenges. However, we now have many solutions available. The backward compatibility of QSFP-DD and the availability of various breakout cables allow consumers to make a seamless and simpler upgrade. In addition to hot-swappable active optical breakout cables, it can also be used to change network routes online. Keeping up with the gradual upgrade of the Internet to 400G seems inevitable.
