Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) and Credo have partnered to create a means to enable data center operators to leverage PAM4-based 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) capable test ports on the Ixia AresONE test system to link with and test 100GbE network equipment using NRZ via Credo’s HiWire Active Electrical Cable (AEC) technology. The technology pairing enables the necessary speed-shifting of the signaling rates and forward error correction (FEC) conversion.
The companies note that the introduction of PAM4-based 400GbE technology into data center networks will likely create a hybrid environment where technicians must evaluate signal transmission based on both PAM4 and NRZ. The collaboration between the two companies enables the use of the Ixia AresONE to provide test capabilities for both signaling formats. Users can test four ports of 100GbE NRZ from a single port of 400GbE QSFP-DD PAM4 in a 4x100GbE speed mode.
“Data center operators are faced with a complex environment and need to leverage their existing investments for the future,” said Ram Periakaruppan, vice president, product development, Keysight’s Network Applications & Security group. “The Ixia AresONE 400GbE test system supports Credo’s interconnect technology in high-density 100GbE test beds, enabling data center operators to accelerate validation of 100GbE NRZ devices and network infrastructure while leveraging 400GE-capable PAM4 ports to support demand in the future.”
Keysight and Credo are members of the HiWire Consortium, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of AECs in such applications.
“Keysight’s Ixia AresONE 400GbE test solution with 4x100GbE per port fan-out has the scale and performance to meet the verification needs of multi-terabit distributed disaggregated chassis networks,” said Jeff Twombly, vice president of business development at Credo. “It is great to see them leverage our HiWire AEC interconnect solution to deliver this industry-leading and innovative data center solution.”
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