The Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) Multi Source Agreement (MSA) group has released the OSFP 4.0 Specification in support of an added range of 800G OSFP optical modules. The group also has announced its intention to extend its work to include 1.6-Tbps applications.
The OSFP MSA group notes that their module was capable of accommodating 800G from its inception (see "OSFP MSA targets 400-Gbps optical transceiver module"); however, OSFP 4.0 adds support for dual 400G and octal 100G breakout modules with dual LC, dual Mini-LC, dual MPO, and octal SN/MDC fiber connector options.
“At 800G, the number of use cases involving aggregation or breakouts are increasing,” said Andreas Bechtolsheim, OSFP MSA chair. “Being able to use existing standard fiber connectors for these breakout ports is a key issue since it avoids the optical performance impact and cost of fiber adaptor cables, splitter cables, or patch panels.”
“Cloud operators have deployed tens of millions of LC and MPO fiber connectors with existing optics transceivers,” commented Sameh Boujelbene, senior director at Dell’Oro Group. “A smooth transition from single-port to dual-port 400G optics in the 800G form factor requires backward compatibility with this large installed base of fiber connectors.”
“The ability to do rolling networking upgrades in existing cloud data centers is essential since cloud data centers are always on,” added Alan Weckel, founding technology analyst at the 650 Group. “As the cloud grows in size, the majority of equipment installed goes into existing facilities, a very different dynamic compared to previous upgrade cycles. Being able to install new network switches without replacing millions of installed fiber connectors is one of the most important issues customers are facing as they transition to 800G optics form factor modules.”
Having deemed its work at 800G finished, the OSFP MSA has launched a working group to define 200G/lane electrical specifications to support 1.6T OSFP modules. The group will merge these specifications into a future OSFP 5.0 Specification.
“We have received strong interest from OSFP MSA members to start the 200G/Lane Electrical Signaling Group,” said Brian Kirk, director of engineering, Amphenol Corp. “Based on the work done so far, we are confident that the OSFP module will be able to support 200G electrical signaling speed per lane in a backward-compatible fashion.”
“1600G-OSFP enables next-generation switch designs with up to 57.6T bandwidth per rack unit,” added Nathan Tracy, technologist at TE Connectivity. “It is remarkable that the OSFP can support this level of bandwidth density in a pluggable form factor.”
The OSFP MSA Specifications are available for free download at the OSFP website.
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