Interactive demo offers advance look at the application-driven future of enterprise, data center, and service provider networks, highlights Ethernet’s signature interoperability

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Ethernet Alliance, a global consortium dedicated to the continued success and advancement of Ethernet technologies, today announced details of its interactive demo at OFC 2018. Attracting strong support among members, the demo encompasses 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE), 25GbE, 50GbE, 100GbE, and 400GbE technologies and solutions from 17 companies, ranging from interconnect providers, to switches and routers, to test and measurement equipment. Additionally the organization’s presence includes a live 400GbE network connecting between multiple booths on the OFC show floor. The Ethernet Alliance demo can be viewed in booth 2648 on the OFC expo floor, March 13-15, 2018, at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, Calif.

“The next Ethernet era is underway, and this year’s multivendor technology demonstration is one of the many steps the Ethernet Alliance is making in support of interoperable, next-generation technologies, such as PAM4,” said David J. Rodgers, marketing chair, Ethernet Alliance; and senior product marketing manager, Teledyne LeCroy, Inc. “We’re showcasing everything from copper to optical interconnects at rates of 10GbE to 400GbE, as well as a live 400GbE network. This OFC 2018 demonstration illustrates the innovations that can happen when you have the whole of the Ethernet ecosystem fully committed to bringing tomorrow’s networks to life today.”

IEEE Ethernet standards development has continued unabated. With interoperability a key part of Ethernet’s global success, the Ethernet Alliance is committed to its mission of delivering the resources needed to support multivendor interoperability across the Ethernet ecosystem. The group’s yearly OFC demonstration highlights Ethernet’s robust interoperability, with configurations that include network switches and routers; optical transceivers and fiber interconnects; direct attach copper (DAC) cabling and connectors; test and measurement generation and analysis tools; product solutions for 10GbE, 25GbE, and 100GbE applications; and products targeting emerging standards for 50GbE and 400Gbe PAM4.

Building on the success of OFC 2017, the Ethernet Alliance is again featuring a live 400GbE network between the Ethernet Alliance’s booth and various member company booths, including a Flex Ethernet (FlexE) demonstration across the OFC 2018 exhibit floor. Additionally, the Ethernet Alliance and Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) are jointly demonstrating 400GbE FlexE. These exhibits clearly illustrate the application-driven future of enterprise, data center, and service provider networks and the broad commitment to standards based solutions to support the market demands.

In a strong show of support from members representing all facets of the Ethernet ecosystem, the Ethernet Alliance’s OFC 2018 demo incorporates equipment and solutions from 17 different companies: Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH); Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE: ANET); Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO); Commscope Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: COMM); EXFO, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO); Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR); Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS); Juniper Networks; Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ: MLNX); Molex, Inc.; Nexans S.A. (EPA: NEX); Source Photonics, Inc.; Spirent Communications (LSE: SPT.L); TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL); Teledyne LeCroy, Inc. (NYSE: TDY); and Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX).

Also making its return at OFC 2018 is the Ethernet Alliance’s latest Ethernet roadmap. Recently revised for 2018, the industry’s only Ethernet roadmap provides a look at the forward path for the ubiquitous networking technology. The roadmap will be introduced during a social event at its booth, number 2648, on Tuesday, March 13, from 3:00-5:00pm PT. Ethernet Alliance leaders and members will be available to discuss the updated roadmap and printed copies will be offered to all attendees.

“Ethernet is going everywhere, as evidenced by our 2018 roadmap showing a rapidly increasing diversity of applications. From copper traces feeding ASICs and optical modules, to cables typically found in enterprise and hyperscale data centers, to 40 km optical reaches found in metro and wireless backhaul networks, this year’s demo, spanning Ethernet rates from 10GbE to 400GbE, reflects the multitude of roles Ethernet plays in today’s real world networks” said John D’Ambrosia, chairman, Ethernet Alliance; and senior principal engineer, Huawei. “The demo also illustrates the state of readiness of the entire Ethernet ecosystem, as the industry looks to deploy the Next Ethernet Era of solutions. And the Ethernet Alliance is there, leading the industry’s investment in Ethernet’s interoperability, validation, and continued expansion.”

The Ethernet Alliance 2018 roadmap will also be the featured discussion topic in the Ethernet Roadmaps Update session on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 12:45pm PT in Theater II, Hall E. Led by Mr. Rodgers, panelists will explore the variety of Ethernet speeds and the applications driving them. Copies of the roadmap will also be distributed to those attending the session.

Mr. D’Ambrosia is also participating in two panel sessions at OFC 2018:

• Future Demands on the Optical Network – IoT, Connected Cars and More, Tuesday, March 13, 12:00pm PT, Room 4, open to credentialed media members and analysts; and
• 400G Standards, MSAs and Related Technologies: What is on the Horizon?, Wednesday, March 14, 3:45pm PT, Theater III, Hall B2; Mr. D’Ambrosia will be joined by Ethernet Alliance vice president, Mark Nowell of Cisco Systems, Inc.

To follow the latest Ethernet Alliance OFC 2018 news and events, please follow #EAOFC18 and #EthernetRoadmap on Twitter.

To experience the Ethernet Alliance live multi-vendor demo at OFC 2018, please visit booth number 2648 on the expo floor; for live Twitter updates, please follow the #EAOFC18 hashtag. For more information about the Ethernet Alliance, please visit http://www.ethernetalliance.org, follow @EthernetAllianc on Twitter, visit its Facebook page, or join its LinkedIn group.

About the Ethernet Alliance

The Ethernet Alliance is a global consortium that includes system and component vendors, industry experts, and university and government professionals who are committed to the continued success and expansion of Ethernet technology. The Ethernet Alliance takes Ethernet standards to market by supporting activities that span from incubation of new Ethernet technologies to interoperability demonstrations and education.

Additional Quotes:

“For the past nine years Amphenol has been part of the Ethernet Alliance live demo at the OFC exhibition and is once again proud to be involved in this year’s events. The OFC conference and exhibition is one of the nation’s premier optical events. Each year and the Ethernet Alliance booth is great place for designers and end users to get up to date information on the latest in GbE and see the most current products in live and static demos.

Amphenol will be demonstrating our world class 10 and 25GbE SFP+, 40GbE QSFP+ and 100GbE interconnect systems. Amphenol will showcase our passive copper cables and our latest AOC’s (Active Optical Cable assemblies) as well as our SFP+ and QSFP+ cages and connectors. This year we are excited to also be showing our latest 400Gb OSFP and QSFP-DD receptacles, cages and copper cables. We will also have latest 25Gb RCx passive TOR cable system available. In Addition we will be showcasing a new offering of High Density (HD) rack mount optical connectivity panels and trunk cable solutions designed to increase density to improve cable routing and tray congestion.” – Greg McSorley, technical business development manager, Amphenol High-Speed Cables

“Anritsu is excited to partner with fellow Ethernet Alliance members in demonstrating leading-edge interoperability among optical network equipment and interconnect manufacturers from 25Gbps to 400Gbps. As a world-class leader in optical transport and data network testing solutions, Anritsu welcomes its role in the Ethernet Alliance demonstrations at OFC 2018, as it enables us to showcase our test capabilities alongside market leaders in their respective industry segments in a true, real-world application.” – Daniel Gonzalez, business development manager, Anritsu

“Arista Networks is pleased to participate in the Ethernet Alliance OFC2018 demonstration as we anticipate the next wave of cloud-scale networking based on Ethernet. We are showcasing the 7260CX3 system, which combines low latency with interface flexibility allowing a range of connections from 10G to 100G. Ethernet connectivity between a wide set of system companies, test and measurement tools and NICs helps to ensure the delivery of next generation networks." – Christophe Metivier, vice president, manufacturing and platform engineering, Arista Networks

“It’s our job to help connect networks around the world, and we’re pleased to do that here on the show floor at OFC right alongside the Ethernet Alliance. We appreciate this partnership that marries technological expertise and industry smarts.” – Trevor Smith, vice president, CommScope Office of the CTO

“EXFO is pleased to join the Ethernet Alliance interoperability demonstration taking place at OFC 2018. We look forward to demonstrating our FlexE (Flex Ethernet) testing solution available in the FTBx-88400NGE Power Blazer, EXFO’s compact 400G multiservice tester designed for both the lab and the field users. A complete 400G Ethernet client signal is embedded in a 4 x 100G FlexE group, demonstrating the solution’s ability to test FlexE bounding, sub-rating and channelization. Proven interoperability with an industry-leading transceiver vendor and an FPGA design platform reflects EXFO’s commitment to bring solutions that network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), communications service providers (CSPs), data centers and other innovators need to drive and optimize their high speed networks.” – Jean-Marie Vilain, high-speed product manager, EXFO

“As an industry leader, Finisar is proud to participate in two very exciting collaborative demonstrations in the Ethernet Alliance booth at OFC 2018. Together with industry partners Exfo, Keysight, Spirent and Xilinx, the first demonstration showcases Finisar’s 400G CFP8 modules and also Finisar’s suite of extended reach 100G QSFP28 modules based on the 4WDM MSA including ER4f (40km), eLR4 (20km), and eCWDM4 (10km). This demonstration highlights the benefits of FlexE by combining bonded 100GbE streams into unified 400GbE streams. During this demonstration two separate FlexE links will be established between the EA booth, OIF and Xilinx booths. The second demonstration, in conjunction with Xilinx, Molex, and Alibaba consists of Finisar’s SFP-DD Active Optical Cable. SFP-DD is a new high density form factor that supports two 50G PAM4 high speed electrical interfaces.” – Mark Ives, director, product line manager, Finisar

“Following an unprecedented pace of evolution, Ethernet is set for deployment in the next generation of networks, as well as be introduced into a diverse array of new application spaces, such as 5G, whose bandwidth intensive- services will pose a daunting challenge for network operators. Huawei is an ardent supporter of the Ethernet Alliance, and will be a proud participant in the Ethernet Alliance 2018 OFC demonstration. This demonstration signals to the broad industry the readiness of these Ethernet standards and products for deployment.” – Jeffrey Gao, president, router and carrier Ethernet product line, Huawei

“Keysight and Ixia Solutions Group are proud to participate in Ethernet Alliance’s 400GE interoperability demonstrations with QSFP-DD and CFP8 interface technologies at OFC 2018. This year’s demonstrations truly reflect the evolution of the 400GE ecosystem beyond concept to full featured products. Joining with other industry-leading companies showcasing 400GE networking, cables, optics and test tools, we are pleased to demonstrate field proven, high speed networking test products.” – Mark Pierpoint, president, Ixia Solutions Group, Keysight Technologies, Inc.

“As our heritage is rooted in innovating standards across all facets of networking, our partnership with Ethernet Alliance has been, and continues to be, critical to making this innovation a reality through efforts to organize tests and interoperate across different vendor platforms. By doing this, we are ensuring new technologies are ready for wide adoption. At OFC 2018, Juniper Networks will demonstrate its ongoing commitment to open standards by showcasing IEEE 802.3bs-compliant 400GE connectivity with the Ethernet Alliance.

This demonstration will allow visitors to have an up-close look at the strides in Ethernet performance. We are also participating in IP/MPLS protocol stack demonstrations to illustrate how Juniper Networks’ MX portfolio continues to lead in interoperability working alongside other vendor solutions.” – Donyel Jones-Williams, director, service provider marketing, Juniper Networks

“Molex proudly supports the Ethernet Alliance and its mission to advance Ethernet technologies. Building and sustaining the pipeline of interoperable interconnect solutions is absolutely critical to support the development of next generation advances in high-density, high-speed networking solutions.” – Scott Sommers, group product manager, Molex; co-chair, QSFP-DD MSA; chair, SFP-DD MSA

“Nexans Data Center Solutions is pleased to participate with the Ethernet Alliance again this year. The Ethernet protocol has demonstrated its worth many times over due to its flexibility and scalability. Nexans’ “Own the Link” approach allows users to take full advantage of this flexibility and scalability by combining these various standard approaches with various cabling and connectivity options to develop an optimized physical layer connection. At the booth, we will have pluggable transceivers, AOC’s, and DAC’s along with fiber optic cabling – the complete physical layer.” – Eric Lawrence, vice president, Nexans Data Center Solutions NA

“Source Photonics is proud to take part in the high data rate technology demonstration of the Ethernet Alliance at OFC 2018. As an industry leader in small form factor high-speed optical transceivers, we will showcase the 400G LR8 optical transceiver in the QSFP-DD form factor. This engineering achievement will enable the industry to migrate to a higher networking speed in the optical domain.” – Ed Ulrichs, product line manager, high-speed products, Source Photonics

“Bandwidth requirements are increasing to meet the needs of an ever-expanding subscriber base and popular services such as video-on-demand and social media. The emerging 400GbE market will enable connectivity to next-generation switches and routers, high-density cloud data centers, and service provider devices and applications. In this demonstration with the Ethernet Alliance, Spirent will showcase its leadership in testing 400-Gigabit Ethernet. Spirent has the most flexible, highest density, and highest performance 400GbE test modules supporting multiple form factors to ensure network interoperability, performance, and availability.” – Abhitesh Kastuar, general manager, cloud & IP business unit, Spirent Communications

“As a founding principal member of the Ethernet Alliance, TE Connectivity (TE) is proud to participate in the Ethernet Alliance interoperability demonstrations at OFC. The Ethernet Alliance provides an unbiased, industry-based perspective on current and future Ethernet technology. TE is at the forefront of enabling these systems and networks with high-speed interconnects. TE’s high-speed I/O (Input/Output) and backplane connectors, cables, and high efficiency power delivery interconnects provide the vital foundation that the Ethernet ecosystem is built upon. From simplistic connections up to 400 Gbps, TE is excited to display the essential inter-connections that can enable the next generations of Ethernet.” – Nathan Tracy, technologist and manager of industry standards, TE Connectivity

“We’re witnessing new challenges to the Ethernet ecosystem with respect to effective Test and Measurement tools and practices. The ratification and adoption of new specifications for 50 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet interconnects marks a fundamental change in signaling technology.

New storage protocols, like NVMe over Fabrics, enable Ethernet to offer near lossless data transfer and allow for more seamless integration of both local and remote storage appliances.

This year’s interoperability demonstration signals the readiness of market and technology participants to meet the challenges with timely and cost effective solutions. For Test and Measurement, the Teledyne LeCroy SierraNet products fulfill a critical requirement towards achieving rapid and successful deployment of specification and market compliant goods and services.” – David J. Rodgers, senior product marketing manager, Teledyne LeCroy, Inc.

“FlexEthernet (FlexE) is becoming a key requirement of Network operators to deliver the flexibility, reliability, and new services required to support the next generation network evolution in NFV, 5G Slicing, and end-to-end bandwidth allocation. Xilinx is excited to enable the multi-vendor FlexE interoperability demonstration by providing our FlexE solution on the VCU140 platform using a Virtex® Ultrascale™ VU9P device.” – Farhad Shafai, vice president, communications markets, Xilinx

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Interprose Public Relations

Melissa Power, 401-454-1314

[email protected]

Source: Ethernet Alliance

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