Stepping up to 100G DWDM

The case for 100G DWDM for DCI and

Metro applications

A solution brief from Smartoptics

 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

The case for 100G DWDM for DCI and Metro

applications
Streaming video, content delivery networks, cloud computing and mirroring of data
are just a few of all the applications driving the capacity growth in data centers and
data networks globally. For most corporate data centers, the key concern has been
managing connections within the data center itself, since that is where most of the traffic
stays. In this environment it is relatively simple to establish 100G links using standard
optical transceivers and cable assemblies. But what if the data must be replicated
between data centers more than a few km apart? Up till now there has been no cost-
efficient way of spanning distances up to 80km with 100G DWDM. A technology break-
through was needed to bring 100G DWDM capabilities at reasonable cost to the most
common distances for data center interconnect.

Similarly, for bandwidth providers serving enterprise customers in a metropolitan area

or creating fixed and mobile access networks for consumers there is a distinct lack of
technologies cost-effectively bridging short and medium distances. Telco-grade, ROADM
based solutions are fine for long haul 100G DWDM networks, but are much harder to
justify if distances are below 80 km.

Point-to-point links ROADM networks

IEEE 802.3ba / Cost effective OIF / Coherent OIF / Coherent

Standards

CR4, SR4, LR4 100G DWDM QPSK/16-QAM QPSK/8-QAM

solution needed!
100G 100G/200G DWDM 100G/200G/400G DWDM

Distance 0 2 10 80 600 10 000

(km)

- Data center interconnect

- Metro network aggregation
- Distributed access

Standards and technologies for 100G DWDM

Open line systems for 100G

Within a data center the norm has for a long time been to use open architectures, i.e.
In an open system, enterprises
standardized “white box” switches, rack-mountable 1U servers. etc., to obtain the best
price/performance possible. Connectivity within the data center is then typically catered
and operators have the
for by fiber links driven by 10G and 100G pluggable transceivers mounted directly in the freedom to select connections
switches, routers and servers. that suit their traffic and
demands best.
Until recently, links interconnecting data centers at different sites have been built
with dedicated, monolithic, optical transport systems originating from the telco world.
However, an open architectural approach is now increasingly also applied to data center
interconnect, using embedded WDM, i.e. pluggable optics in standard switches. A new
breed of data center interconnect solutions – based on Open line systems – is emerging,
relying upon standardized hardware with embedded WDM capabilities and with the
option of being steered from the same software defined networking (SDN) controllers as
the rest of the data center equipment.

Open line systems are also of interest to more traditional telecom operators. The
building practices, use of pluggable optics, SDN etc. originating from the enterprise data
DCP-M40e
centers are gradually introduced in operator networks, especially in the access and
metro segments.

WDM WDM
Mux/Demux

Mux/Demux

WDM WDM

Gray Gray WDM WDM Gray Gray

Gray Gray WDM WDM Gray Gray

The open optical networking model

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

In an open system, enterprises and service providers have the freedom to select
connections that suit their traffic and demands best, allowing them to build world-class
networks that are fit for their specific needs. For most, this is a mixture of transponders
and DWDM interfaces embedded directly into their switches and routers. These open
compute systems are a far cry from the monolithic, vertically integrated telco DWDM
systems that require symmetric transponder solutions, extremely large capital and
operating budgets, and highly specialized expertise to manage.

Embedded PAM4 DWDM networking

Cost comparison - 100G DWDM PAM4 vs Coherent 100G
Recent developments in direct detect 100G transceivers, for example Inphis COLORZ (16QAM)

QSFP28 PAM4 DWDM transceivers have radically altered the 100G networking
landscape. Until recently, embedded 100G networking was only available if switch
vendors opted to support CFP/CFP2 transceivers with their equipment, which is seldom
the case or costly. The new transceivers, however, come in the much smaller QFSP28
form factor and employ Pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), a form of signal modulation
where the message information is encoded in the amplitude of a series of signal pulses. 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39

The number of possible pulse amplitudes is theoretically infinite but in digital PAM the Number of wavelengths

number of pulse amplitudes has been reduced to some power of two, i.e. in PAM4 there Coherent 100G PAM4 DWDM

are 4 possible amplitude levels.

QSFP28 PAM4 based

DWDM transceiver

DCP-M40-PAM4 DCP-M40-PAM4

Up to 40 100G channels
per dark fiber, max 80km

To line fiber To DWDM specific PAM4 channels in data switch

The main advantage of the PAM4 modulation is that it can transport twice as much data
using a given amount of bandwidth. But the link used must now have three times better
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) for the same error rate as when transporting one bit per
pulse. We have, in effect, traded off SNR for bandwidth.

Luckily, the 100G PAM4 QSFP28 DWDM challenges can all be resolved by a well-
designed active open line system, while still maintaining the cost, power and space
advantages of embedded and open optical networking

The Smartoptics 100G PAM4 QFSP28 DWDM

transceiver
The Smartoptics 100G PAM4 QFSP28 DWDM transceiver1 utilizes advanced PAM4
signaling and enables up to 4Tbit/s of bandwidth over a single fiber, allowing multiple
data centers located up to 80 km of each other to be interconnected. The transceiver
can be used in data switches with QSFP28 transceiver interfaces. The result is 100G
networking with the smallest footprint, lowest power consumption and lowest capex/
opex. Perfect for web scale data centers and Internet Exchanges looking to keep costs, DWDM PAM4 QSFP28 transceiver
inventory and rack space down

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

The transceiver is fully compatible with QSFP28 MSA (SFF-8665) and leverages a DSP-
based PAM4 solution. It achieves 100G DWDM connectivity by using two lanes inside an
ITU 100 GHz slot and has a standard 100G Ethernet CAUI4 interface with host loopback
capability. In addition, it also supports 40G and FEC. The transceiver has been qualified
for a wide range of switches from well-known vendors.

100G PAM4 QFSP28 transceivers are already widely deployed worldwide, and well-
known users include Microsoft who demonstrated a 4-Tb/s metro-DCI system with
commercial QSFP28 transceivers already in 2017

The DCP-M Open Line System family

As a pioneer in open optical networking systems Smartoptics understands that you
cannot engineer simplicity in to a system that is designed for something completely
different. That is why we have designed the DCP-M open line system featuring
multiplexing of DWDM signals, distance extension, open management protocols and
ability to transport traffic from any combination of DWDM transceivers, transponders and
muxponders.

The DCP-M family in short

• 1U open line system for 100G DWDM
• Optimized for use with PAM4 but also supports NRZ, coherent 100/400G DWDM
channels and connections to external transponders
• Scalable and cost effective system based on modern datacenter specifications and
building practice
• Intelligence and amplification in an 8 or 40 channel DWDM multiplexer
• Completely automated optical setup, minimal optical networking knowledge required
• Modern management architecture based on REST, SNMP and CLI APIs
• Easily integrated into any telemetry and network management system

The DCP-M40-PAM4-ER multi-format 40 channel DWDM open line system

For use in short and medium reach 100G applications with PAM4 modulation, DCP-M
comes in four models. All models have the same basic features, making the operation
and deployment very similar irrespectively of the distances between sites required to be
covered.

DCP-M model Loss budget Dispersion budget

DCP-M40-PAM4-ER 0-14 dB 0-40 km
DCP-M40-PAM4-ER+ 0-14 dB 20-60 km
DCP-M40-PAM4 0-18 dB 0-80 km
DCP-M8-PAM4 0-18dB 0-80 km

Support for 40 channel of any mix of PAM4, NRZ and coherent 100/400G channels
Support for 40 channel or 8 channel PAM4 channels only

1
Based on COLORZ® from Inphi Corporation

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

The DCP-M40-PAM4-ER/ER+ supports 40 channels of PAM4 (COLORZ), NRZ and

coherent channels in any combination over the same line system and for distances up to
60 km. This mixed channel capability is a significant advantage in a typical data center
interconnect environment, where new 100G channels can be added incrementally to
already existing channels having legacy modulation.

A further important feature of the ER/ER+ products is that they are designed to be DCP-M family: A well-
400G-ready, i.e the line system is already prepared for coming transceivers capable of designed active open line
even higher speeds than 100G. Hence, investing in a solution with Smartoptics’ DCP-M
system, maintaining the cost,
makes your infrastructure truly futureproof.
power and space advantages
The DCP-M40-PAM4 and the DCP-M8-PAM4 are open line systems for 40 and 8 of embedded and open
channels respectively, specifically optimized for PAM4 channels only and support optical networking.
distances up to 80 km. These products find their main applications in homogeneous
optical networks where all links are 100G and there is no need to mix PAM4 with other
modulation schemes.

Using DCP-M is like using a passive multiplexer, but unlike a passive multiplexer it
monitors the traffic, amplifies the channels for longer distances and can handle higher
data rate protocols.

DCP-M, Zero Touch Provisioning

DCP-M brings an unprecedented level of plug and play simplicity to DWDM DCI
networking, designed with ease of use in mind. Zero-touch optical configuration
means the system sets itself up without any manual configuration in the GUI or CLI.
Consequently, a minimum level of optical fiber knowledge is required to install the
DCP-M. Power levels are automatically regulated on both sides when each channel
is inserted — no manual setup required and a visual confirmation via LEDs shows that
channel and line are set up correctly.

OCM OCM

Rx Tx
Demux

Mux

EDFA VOA EDFA OCQ

OSC OSC
Automatic line Automatic client
control loop control loop

OCM OCM
Tx Rx
Demux
Mux

OCQ EDFA VOA EDFA

One fiber pair

OSC OSC
Automatic client Automatic line
control loop control loop

The DCP-M control loops enables automated system set-up

DCP-M measures the fiber length once an end to end connection is made and this allows
an automated setting of the tunable dispersion compensation. Pre-configuration of
parameters in production, like node name and IP address if applicable, means that this
is a system that is installed in the field with zero touch. Only the power, Ethernet cables
and optical patch cords between the incoming DWDM signals and the DCP-M need to be
connected.

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

Modern management architecture for today’s DCI

Smartoptics’ Smart Manager software platform is designed to easily handle all of today’s
DCI applications. Smart Manager is a modern REST based architecture built from the
ground up specifically for DCI and is integrated in to all DCP modules.

CLI SNMP REST NetConf

Open API

REST
Smart manager Comand
device handler database

HAL

DEVICE 1 DEVICE 2 DEVICE 3 DEVICEx

Integrated Smart Manager in each DCP module (NetConf under development)

Just as DCP-M is the simplest open line system on the market to operate, the same “The Smartoptics platform
applies to the management platform. Standard north bound interfaces talk directly to
offered us the simplest
each network element via a device handler. These device handlers provide specific
interfaces to monitor and control the individual traffic units. Each DCP module is solution to operate. We
equipped with a common device handler and the same solution can therefore be used deployed the product quickly
everywhere in the network. As it is based on standard REST architecture, there is no and easily. It was literally plug
need for complex conversion or translation routines. Just straight forward communication and play – we were up and
between each DCP element. This approach is also the simplest and most robust
running in minutes.”
approach to DCI networking without compromising on network control and functionality.
— Jan Svarrer Sølvsten, Senior SAN
Command Line Interfaces (CLI) are used to provision the various network elements. Architect, NNIT.
Configuration is minimal and straight forward and additional SNMP and REST interfaces
expand this functionality.

The DCP-108 open transponder for QFSP28

transceivers
In 100G DWDM configurations where it is not feasible to embed the PAM4 QFSP28
transceivers directly in the switch, or when setting up a demarcation point in an
operator’s network, the DCP-108 eight channel open transponder is the ideal solution.
Equipped with PAM4 QSFP28 transceivers, the DCP-108 is the ideal product for
terminating 100G services in a cost-efficient way at the subscriber premises.

Slot 1 Slot 2

The DCP-108 and the DCP-2 chassis

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

Conclusion
Truly innovative organizations need effective, efficient systems that can grow and
change with them. The Smartoptics’ portfolio is built on the principles of open optical
networking. It is designed to keep networking as simple, open, and cost-efficient as
possible. Using the DCP-M open line system and state of the art transceivers — in any
combination — it’s possible to handle all the network tasks that a corporate data center
encounters, as well as support modern telecom operators building aggregation networks
and distributed access architectures.

Using recent advances in modulation technologies it is now possible to extend the

open optical networking paradigm to 100G short and medium reach optical links
without the cost penalty associated with legacy solutions. A pivotal element for the
smooth operation of these links is a high capacity, minimal space and low power active
line system, the DCP-M for PAM4. In combination with the Smartoptics 100G PAM4
QFSP28 DWDM transceivers this line system enables an automated, zero-touch, open
100G optical network, handled in the same way as links for lower speeds and shorter
distances.

NRZ, coherent, PAM4 NRZ, coherent, PAM4

DWDM
DCP-M

DCP-M

0-80km
PAM4 PAM4

DCP-108 DCP-108

SR4, LR4 etc SR4, LR4 etc

The DCP-M Open Line System and the DCP-108 in a sample configuration

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 Solution brief: Stepping up to 100G DWDM

About Smartoptics
Smartoptics provides innovative optical networking solutions and devices for the new era
of open networking. Our customer base includes thousands of enterprises, governments,
cloud providers, Internet exchanges as well as cable and telecom operators.
SO-SB-Stepping up to 100G DWDM_R1.1

We have an open networking approach in everything we do which allows our customers

to break unwanted vendor lock-in, remain flexible and minimize costs. Our solutions are Ryensvingen 7
used in metro and regional network applications that increasingly rely on data center NO-0680 Oslo
services and specifications. Norway
+47 21 41 74 00
Smartoptics is a Scandinavian company founded in 2006. We partner with leading
technology and network solution providers such as Brocade, Cisco, HPE and Dell EMC info@smartopics.com
and have a global reach through more than 100 business partners. smartoptics.com

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