400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling

The Future of High-Performance-Backbones

Cloud computing, Big Data, Internet of Thing, streaming or AI applications – applications which make the development to 400 Gbit/s in the area of data center cabling necessary. The Ethernet roadmap also sets the direction here, but for a long time now there has not been “THE ONE” right way.

The first IEEE 802.3bs standardized transmission method 400GBASE-SR16 is already obsolete – PAM-4 makes it possible. With 400GBASE-SR8 and -SR4/4.2, new standards offer further cabling options. Multimode fiber is also getting competition on short distances. The PSM4 standard makes singlemode fiber presentable.

In order to successfully reach the goal with the many possibilities, the most important task remains to install a future-proof, application-neutral backbone network for further migrations. Base-8 cabling offers a constant in the changing standards. We will be happy to advise you on which cabling concept is right for your application.

Exemplary fiber optic cabling strategy

400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Singlemode

Cabling Solution to FR8 with LC Conectors

The classic LC connector is not only used as an interface for the usual 10Gbit application in the multimode range but is also used in the FR4/FR8 in the singlemode range for transmission at 400Gbit/s.

The signals are modulated and multiplied using CWDM in order to transmit 400GE with LC(dx) as an interface. Cabling with singlemode fibers offers the advantage of a large attenuation budget (3dB), which should not be underestimated.

Preview to 800G

Equally important is the LC in the transmission of 800Gbit/s. In addition to the FR8 standard, new interfaces 2FR4/2LR4 with dual LC provide an opportunity to realize data transfer over 4 fibers, thus simplifying modulation procedures.

Cabling Solution to DR4 with CS Connectors

With transmission speeds of 40 to 400 Gbit/s, even short distances (up to 500 m) can be transmitted via the PSM4 standard and DR4 standard. Four singlemode fibers are used as the transmission medium. In addition to the classic MPO-12 interface, connectors from the VSFF family are also entering the market. In particular, the duplex connector CS has found a suitable application in the 400GBASE-DR4 and scores with a simple port breakout to 2x200G. The cabling with singlemode fibers offers the advantage of a large attenuation budget (3dB), which should not be underestimated.

Preview to 800G

Using the 4 fibers (2 channels) in the singlemode area, the CS also offers the possibility of transmitting 800 Gbit/s. In each case, 4 wavelengths á 100Gbit/s transport the data per fiber over distances of up to 2 km (2FR4) or 10 km (2LR4).

400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Multimode

Cabling Solution to SR8 with MPO Conntectors

Even 400 Gbit/s can be realized without problems with Base-8 cabling, however. If URM trunk cabling is already in use, only the patch cable has to be exchanged for a special fanout cable. This converts the 16 fibers from the MPO connector into two URM NG P8 connectors.

Cabling via MPO is also possible, although there is no compatibility with MPO-12 or MPO-24 at the active port.

cable. This converts the 16 fibers from the MPO connector into two URM NG P8 connectors.

Preview to 800G

For the very short distances up to 50 m the cabling can remain in the MM range to realize a SR-8 transmission with 8×100G.

Cabling Solution to SR4 / SR4.2 with MDC/SN Connectors

In addition to the 400GBASE-SR8, other transmission paths can also be implemented, the Base-8 cabling remains. The standardized 400GBASE-SR4.2 uses the BiDi method and PAM4 modulation, so that Tx and Rx can be transmitted on all 8 fibers at a line speed of 50 Gbps. Here, too, there is a well-known method via the MPO-12.

But new connectors are conquering the market. With MDC and SN there are ferrules-based duplex connectors for a QSFP-DD interface. Provided are 4 connectors for the transmission of 400Gbit/s.

Preview to 800G

Like the MPO-16, the VSFF connectors are also planned as an interface in the MM range. Using 8 VSFF connectors, only very short distances of 50 m can be bridged with an MM-OM4 fiber. The application is very limited with 800G-SR8. Even using the MDC or SN connector, longer distances can only be bridged with singlemode fibers.

400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling

The Future of High-Performance-Backbones

Exemplary fiber optic cabling strategy

400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Singlemode

Cabling Solution to FR8 with LC Conectors

Network Cabinet

Duplex Patch Cord LC-LC

C2E with LC

Trunk Cable LC

Subrack with Trunk Cable Holder

Splice Module LC

Cabling Solution to DR4 with CS Connectors

Optical Distribution Frame (ODF)

Duplex Patch Cord CS - CS

CS Patchbox

Trunk Cable CS

Subrack with Trunk Cable Holder

Patch Module CS

400 Gigabit-Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Multimode

Cabling Solution to SR8 with MPO Conntectors

Network Cabinet

Fanout Cable MTP®-URM NG P8

URM Patchbox

Trunk Cable URM

Subrack with Trunk Cable Holder

Splice Module URM

Cabling Solution to SR4 / SR4.2 with MDC/SN Connectors

Optical Distribution Frame (ODF)

Duplex Patch Cord MDC - MDC

MDC Patchbox

Trunk Cable MDC

Subrack with Trunk Cable Holder

Patch Module MDC

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