100 Gb Ethernet Components and Systems Compliance Verification
Application Notes
The expansion in Ethernet data bandwidth from 10Gb/s through 40G to 100G (moving to 400G and 1 Tb/s in the future) is a direct result in the rapid growth of capacity in modern data centers. Their rapid growth, resulting from acceptance of streaming video media, social networking, and enterprise outsourcing of data storage from internal enterprise servers to the cloud, is expected to continue through at least two decades. Efficient use of increased data storage demands higher capacity “pipes” within the data center network infrastructure, as well as between chips, modules and cards within the servers, switches and routers themselves.
Current Ethernet deployment consists of links operating at 10 Gb/s, with complementary Fibre Channel running at 16G. The very recent release of a series of Standards supporting 100Gb Ethernet and 32G Fibre Channel enables component and system designers to implement next generation designs utilizing serial links at these speeds. Data center architects will specify equipment, copper and optical interconnects based on 100G links shortly.