QSFP28 DWDM - Scalability Simplicity for DCI
Talking about wave multiplication systems, we must not forget about the connections between large data processing and storage centers.
When we look at these connections a little more closely, we will surely be struck by the fact that the vast majority of them are built on the same routes, in addition to point-to-point architecture.
Should we therefore use the same solutions to build such connections as in Telecommunication connections? In view of the increasing demand for bandwidth between centers, are we doomed to coherent solutions?
So let's start from the beginning. What does DCI mean?
Data Center Interconnect is a technology for connecting two or more data centers over short, medium and long distances using packet-optical communication. Connectivity over long distances and high speeds undoubtedly requires the use of coherent transmission and we have already devoted several articles to this issue (links at the end of the article).
In this paper, we will focus on whether we can find a more economical solution for short and medium distance connections without sacrificing scalability.
During Deploying DCI We need to take into account several key points:
- Distance - is crucial from the point of view of the choice of technology in which we will implement the connections between the data center. It is the distance that will determine whether we use dark fibers, alien wavelenght technology for the connection, or whether we build our own DWDM system. Fortunately, the technology available today allows us to do this in an optimal way, for each of the cases mentioned above.
- capacity - data centers store and process very large amounts of data, which we no longer count in gigabytes, but in tera- or petabytes. To cope with such a load, network equipment must be able to provide reliable, high-capacity connections that can be quickly and flexibly scaled.
- Cost - the vast amounts of data that are transferred between data centers must be transferred as cheaply as possible, especially since network traffic is growing at a rate of about 30% per year. In order for DCs to remain financially viable, costs cannot be scaled at the same rate as bandwidth.
So what solution are we looking for? Let's start with the interface. Today, the vast majority of devices installed or owned by DC are devices equipped with ports QSFP+/QSFP28.
If we were able to offer a transport solution installed directly in these devices, we could forego the use of additional transport equipment and significantly reduce implementation costsas well as the cost of maintaining the network.
QSFP28 DWDM solution uses advanced Pulse Amplitude Modulation providing up to 4 Tbps of bandwidth on a single fiber and connecting data centers up to 120 km away.
The great advantage of this solution is the fact that we install the modules directly in the network devices, and their signal is fed directly to the multiplexers. With this approach, we get a solution not only Economical, but also easily scalable.
What else does our solution require? We already know that QSFP28 DWDM inserts we can install directly in network devices and connect to a multiplexer... and it is this multiplexer that we still need, more precisely, to build an optical link capable of working with the modules in question.
The whole solution will require appropriate multiplexers, optical amplifiers or chromatic dispersion compensators. Most importantly, it is a one-time investment, only during the start-up of the first 100 Gbps transmission. Each subsequent 39 channels of 100 Gbps only require the appropriate inserts from us.
ACG Research experts took a detailed look at the issue of data center interconnection. Their research results show that depending on the bandwidth required as well as the cost of fiber lease, the use of QSFP28 DWDM inserts directly in network devices compared to the use of dedicated transport solutions allows TCO savings of the order of 58-67% in the case of DCs separated by a maximum of 80 km.
At Salumanus, we believe that good networks are economic networks, thanks to which our partners can function efficiently and achieve a high rate of return on investment.
We focus on the selection of solutions to meet the requirements of the rapidly changing world of telecommunications. We help build good ICT networks.