Verizon Media uses Inphi COLORZ II for 400ZR trial

Sept. 24, 2020

Inphi says it has collaborated with Verizon Media to demonstrate the upgrade of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) QSFP28 optics to a 400ZR QSFP-DD in a production open line system.

Stephen Hardy

Inphi Corp. (NYSE: IPHI) says it has collaborated with Verizon Media to demonstrate the upgrade of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) QSFP28 optics to a 400ZR QSFP-DD in a production open line system. The QSFP28 was a COLORZ optical transceiver from Inphi, while the QSFP-DD was the succeeding COLORZ II. Inphi and Verizon added the 400ZR module into an Arista 400G switch, sending the 400-Gbps transmission down a 100-GHz DWDM channel without affecting any of the existing 100GbE wavelengths.

The high-speed optics are important to Verizon Media as the CDN operator connects super PoPs with low-latency, high-capacity DWDM links. Verizon Media has begun to base its networks on the disaggregated optics, switching, and optical line systems.

“To ensure our CDN remains ready for the web of tomorrow, we must constantly stay at the leading edge of technology to drive scalability of our network, while building the most price competitive and efficient infrastructure possible,” explains Nitin Batta, principal infrastructure architect, Verizon Media. “The solutions and roadmap offered by COLORZ products will allow us to rapidly, easily, and cost-effectively add terabits of capacity in response to customer demands.”

The trial also demonstrated the upgrade of a channel transmitting PAM4-based wavelengths to one based on coherent transmission. The COLORZ was the first 100GbE pluggable PAM4-based transceiver for IP over DWDM applications (see “Production ramps for Inphi ColorZ pluggable optical transceiver for DCI”). COLORZ II follows the precepts of the OIF coherent 400ZR Implementation Agreement (see "Inphi sampling COLORZ II QSFP-DD optical transceiver for 400ZR data center interconnect").

“As data center network traffic continues to grow exponentially, it is critical for infrastructure suppliers to continue providing innovative scalable solutions,” said Tomas Maj, senior director, marketing, optical interconnect at Inphi. “COLORZ products continue to open new possibilities for DCI total cost of ownership reductions, while providing a seamless upgrade path to 400G.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.