Finisar launched multiple new products at OFC 2015, including a variety of optical modules based on the 100G QSFP28 form factor, as well as a 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP28-SR transceiver based on the SFP+ form-factor.
On the 100G front, Finisar showed two 100G modules designed for 100 Gigabit Ethernet applications within the data centre. The portfolio includes a 100GBASE-SR4 module breaking-out to four SFP28-SR modules and what the company claims is the industry's first 100G module based on the CWDM4 multi-source agreement (MSA), which it also says is the first 100GBASE-LR4 module with power dissipation under 3.5W. Demonstrations of these products took place during the OFC exhibition in Finisar's booth #1403 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 24-26.
The new 100G optical modules enable various reaches in the QSFP28 form factor in high port-count 100G systems for data centres. Targeting duplex singlemode fibre applications, the new 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 optical transceiver module was demonstrated on a 10km 100G link, interoperating error-free with a CFP2 LR4 transceiver. By using a new generation of low-power distributed feedback (DFB) laser technology, the module supports a maximum power dissipation of 3.5W, enabling up to 4Tb/s in a 1RU Ethernet switch or router card. It provides a retimed 4x25G electrical interface to the host board, meets IEEE 802.3 standards, and interoperates with existing 100GBASE-LR4 CFP, CFP2 and CFP4 modules.
In addition, Finisar demonstrated what it says is the industry's first QSFP28 CWDM4 module, operating error-free over a singlemode fibre link of 2km. Using Finisar's new, low-power DFB laser technology, the module also supports a maximum power dissipation of 3.5W. The module meets the CWDM4 MSA optical requirements. Both the QSFP28 CWDM4 and LR4 modules will be sampling in the next few weeks.
To support emerging 25G applications, Finisar also showcased a SFP28-SR module, designed to meet the emerging 25GBASE-SR Ethernet standard. Based on the SFP+ form-factor, the module enables error-free transmission of 25Gb/s over 100m of OM4 multimode fibre. The module will enable a new generation of high-density 25 Gigabit Ethernet switches and network interface cards, facilitating server connectivity in data centres, and a conventional and cost-effective upgrade path for enterprises deploying 10 Gigabit Ethernet links today in the ubiquitous SFP+ form factor.
The demonstration showed four SFP28-SR modules interoperating with a 100GBASE-SR4 module in the QSFP28 form factor. The QSFP28 SR4 module is a vertically integrated solution that meets IEEE 802.3 standards and MSA requirements with power dissipation well under 3.5W. The module supports both 100GBASE-SR4 as well as 4x25G breakout applications. Both the QSFP28 SR4 and SFP28-SR modules are sampling now.
"Finisar is excited to introduce several products that will drive the next generation of data centre and enterprise interconnects," said Craig Thompson, director of strategic marketing at Finisar. "With these new products, we see a future ecosystem of high-density 100G QSFP28 and 25G SFP28 based switches that will leverage Finisar's high-volume capabilities, vertical integration and investment in underlying 25Gb/s components."