Solution Brief
Smartoptics and Brocade
100G distance extension and
open-line DWDM
Simple and cost-effective 100G DWDM
transmission solutions, for connecting
Brocade 100G switches over dark fiber.
A solution brief from Smartoptics
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Smartoptics 100G distance extension solutions based
on the DCP-101 transponder and the M-Series intelligent
multiplexer have been validated with Brocades 100G
switches. The certified open-line networking solutions
overcome the distance limitations of standard transceivers
and enable long-distance fiber connectivity. The result
is simple and cost-effective 100G transmission solutions
for connecting Brocade switches over dark fiber.
Harnessing the power of open-line networking
Traditionally, telco system vendors have set the rules and requirements for
data center design and functionality. Today, the assumptions that all data
centers need to be vertically integrated, symmetrical, and share the same
networking need are holding organizations back.
Brocade and Smartoptics share the philosophy of the Open Compute Project
community (www.opencompute.org) and the view that open systems, rather
than vertically integrated solutions, give organizations the freedom to select
the connections and architectures that suit their traffic and demands best.
Together, Smartoptics and Brocade offer simple and cost-effective 100G
transmission solutions that enable Brocade Ethernet switches to be connected
over dark fiber. Cost-effective open-line networking solutions for all types of
data center connectivity.
Addressing the challenge of long-distance 100G
connectivity
This Solution Brief focuses on the challenge of connecting 100G Ethernet
switches over longer distances. While standard transceivers, such as QSFP28
or even CFP2/CFP4, typically offer the perfect fit for data handling and transfer
within the data centers or over shorter distances, problems arise when 100G
traffic needs to be transported over long distances. Similar challenges emerge
when more than one single channel is required or when multiple traffic types
need to be connected over the same dark fiber link.
All these challenges can be overcome with simple distance extension
solutions for single-channel connectivity or multi-channel DWDM applications
from Smartoptics. The Smartoptics open-line connectivity solutions based on
the DCP-101 100G transponder and the M-Series intelligent multiplexer have
been verified with Brocades 100G switch families, offering solutions for simple,
cost-effective 100G data center connectivity over dark fiber.
The challenges of transporting
100G traffic over longer
distances can be overcome
with simple distance extension
solutions for single channel
connectivity or multi-channel
DWDM from Smartoptics.
2.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Open-line DWDM networking solutions
Smartoptics DCP-101 for 100G inter-data center connectivity
The Smartoptics DCP product family offers a modular plug-and-play platform
of DWDM transponders and muxponders tailored for open-line DWDM
networking.
The DCP-101 100G transponder offers all the features required for multiprotocol traffic transfer over a dark fiber network without the need for
extensive buildup of knowledge or costs. The low-powered 1U modules can
be distributed throughout the data center and placed close to where they are
needed. DCP-101 is equipped with a QSFP28 client port. The line uplink is a
coherent CFP providing an interface for metro and long-distance networking
applications.
DCP-101: ½ width 1U 100G transponder that converts QSFP28 SR4/LR4 to a CFP
signal for distance extension and DWDM networking
M-Series - the world’s first distance extending DWDM multiplexer
M-Series is the world’s first distance extending DWDM multiplexer. Designed
specifically for open-line networking, it works with any combination of
transponders, muxponders and embedded DWDM transceivers. The M-Series
1U platform easily handles all of today’s data protocols and allows for up to
80 simultaneous DWDM channels to be connected to the same dark fiber at
100Gbps per channel.
The M-Series multiplexer comes with integrated channel monitoring,
amplification and signal conditioning. The optical channel monitor (OCM)
monitors the channels and ensures the traffic is present and at the
correct levels. An optical surveillance channel (OSC) creates a dedicated
communication channel between network nodes enabling topology discovery
and fiber analysis. Pre- and booster EDFA amplifiers allow the switches to be
connected over greater distances, up to 1000 kilometers or more.
M-Series: A distance extender multiplexer that handles all of today’s data
protocol, up to 100Gbps
3.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Three scenarios for long-distance 100G
connectivity
Three scenarios for long-distance 100G connectivity between Brocade 100G
switches have been verified:
1. Distance extension solutions using the DCP-101
2. Multiple-channel connectivity between switches using the DCP-101
with passive mux/demuxes
3. Long-distance connectivity between switches using the DCP-101 and
M-Series
In all scenarios, the Smartoptics DCP-101 transponder is used to convert
the SR4/LR4 signal from the switch to a DWDM signal for long-distance
networking. This is done by connecting the QSFP28 client transceiver to the
output of the Brocade switch and then to the client input port on the DCP-101.
QSFP28
Client input
DCP-101
For a single channel point-to-point connection, the coherent CFP output line
signal from the DCP-101 is connected directly to the dark fiber. If more channels
are required, the signal can instead be connected over a DWDM multiplexer,
allowing for up to 80 channels to be simultaneously transported over the dark
fiber, over longer distances.
CFP
Line output
DCP-101 100G transponder converts QSFP28 SR4/LR4 to a CFP signal for
distance extension and DWDM networking
Supported client optics:
Coherent CFP uplink:
• SR4 MM, 100m
• LR4 SM, 10km
• CWDM SM, 2km
•
•
•
•
•
50GHz tunable DWDM wavelengths
Metro and long haul support
Disp. tolerance ± 40000ps/nm
Link budget 19dB (with FEC)
OSNR min = 14dB
4.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Scenario 1: 100G distance extension solutions
Simple distance extension
solutions with Smartoptics
DCP-101
18dB (60-80km)
100G Brocade switch
QSFP28
DCP-101
CFP
CFP
DCP-101
100G Brocade switch
QSFP28
In the first scenario, the switches were tested with Smartoptics DCP-101
transponders for simple distance extension solutions. The 100G output signals
from the Brocade switches are converted to DWDM signals that can be
transmitted over longer distances using the DCP-101. The solution removes the
distance limitations associated with QSFP28 transceivers by using a coherent
DWDM CFP transceiver to connect the output signal of the DCP-101 to the line
fiber and carry the signal over longer distances.
Coherent CFP connects to the line fiber. QSFP28s used to connect switch to
DCP-101. CFP used to connect DCP-101s over dark fiber.
Scenario 2: 100G multi-channel DWDM networking
The second scenario uses Smartoptics DCP-101 transponders with passive
DWDM mux/demuxes (multiplexers/demultiplexers) for providing simple multichannel distance extension solutions.
The mux/demux used is a simple 1U device taking multiple input signals and
combining – multiplexing – them together onto a single, common line output.
This allows for up to 80 independent traffic channels to be transported over
one single dark fiber offering a simple and highly cost-efficient way to connect
Brocade switches over longer distances.
100G 100G Brocade switch
DCP-101
DCP-101
Up to 80 Ch
14dB (40-60km)
Multiplexer
Multiplexer
Up to 80 Ch
DCP-101
DCP-101
100G Brocade switch
Two DCP-101 modules can fit into a 1U DCP chassis allowing up to 200G per
unit. Multiple DCP-101s can be connected through a single multiplexer.
Up to 80 100G Brocade channels can connect to the same dark fiber through a
1U multiplexer
5.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Scenario 3: 100G long-distance open-line DWDM
networking
The Brocade 100G switches were tested with Smartoptics DCP-101
transponders and the M-Series intelligent DWDM multiplexers. By taking
full advantage of the M-Series distance extension, signal monitoring and
amplification capabilities, distance extension solutions with up to 80
simultaneous DWDM channels can be created.
DCM*
DCM*
NMB
23dB (80-100km)
33dB (150-160km)
NMB
DCP-101
OCM
EDFA*
M-Series
OCM
EDFA*
DCP-101
OSC
VOA
Up to 80 Ch
OSC
VOA
M-Series
Up to 80 Ch
DCP-101
DCP-101
100G Brocade switch
An optical surveillance channel (OSC) builds a dedicated communication
channel between network nodes enabling topology discovery and fiber
analysis. The optical channel monitor (OCM) monitors the channels and
ensures the traffic is present and at the correct levels. Pre- and booster EDFA
amplifiers allows the switches to be connected over even greater distances, up
to 1 000 kilometers.
100G Brocade switch
Long distance multi-channel
DWDM networking with
Smartoptics DCP-101 and
M-Series
Up to 80 DWDM channels connected over the same fibre pair for long distance
connectivity.
Why 100G Ethernet connectivity is gaining ground
from 40G
Ethernet transmission nowadays is made of steps of 100G. The same applies
to DWDM. Transporting signals over long distances or a multi-channel DWDM
network is made much easier when using 100G.
The main reason for this is the lack of solid options for long distance 40G
connectivity with DWDM. This would typically be handled by combining 40G
signals to be transmitted on a fiber, with the help of a 100G muxponder. Still,
the utilization of wavelength capacity is improved by running one signal per
100G wavelength rather than two 40G per 100G.
Another key consideration is that 100G QSFP28 transceivers have the same
physical form factor as 40G QSFP+ transceivers. This means that capacities
can be increased 2.5 times with the same size equipment when moving from
40G to 100G connectivity.
Future migration from 100G to 200G and above will require no additional
forklifting of the transmission systems. In this way, a data center strategy
based on 100G connectivity, rather than 40G, is a more future-proof, both from
an investment and a network-build perspective.
6.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
About Brocade
Brocade offers agile, high performance, data center networking
and automation solutions to enable digital transformation. They
easily integrate with an ecosystem of hardware, open source
community software, analytical tools, and cloud orchestration
platforms to address current needs and build a platform for
innovation. The data center VDX switches and the Brocade
family of SLX switches and routers deliver flexible IP fabrics and
Brocade VCS fabrics with key simplicity and scalable features
that meet the demands of todays virtualized and cloud multivendor environments. With real time network visibility, and
DevOps-style automation, the Brocade networking solutions
handily address the massive and growing scale, analytics, and
agility needs of the digital business world. Brocade offers open,
flexible platforms that gives service providers and enterprises the
power to deliver high-performance services on demand.
7.
Smartoptics and Brocade 100G distance extension and open-line DWDM
Smartoptics offers optical transmission solutions making networks more
powerful. Expanding bandwidth without the upfront investment or hassle of
traditional WDM. Our products allow corporate data centers, governments,
hosting solution providers and ISPs to build simple, straightforward and cost
effective solutions to fulfill their ongoing and future network capacity needs.
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Smartoptics is an international provider with
thousands of installations all around the world. Our award-winning approach
has helped companies from every industry sector stay ahead of expanding
network demands.
Ryensvingen 7
NO-0680 Oslo
Norway
+47 21 41 74 00
[email protected]
smartoptics.com
8.
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About Smartoptics