Everything You Need To Know About 100G FR Optical Transceiver

With the rapid development of technology, modern communication networks face increasingly complex challenges. 100GBASE-FR is a fiber optic transmission solution based on the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard, capable of delivering high-speed transmission of 100 Gigabits per second over a single-mode optical fiber over a distance of up to 2 kilometers. This solution meets the needs of data centers, cloud service providers, and large-scale enterprises for high-speed data transmission and provides a solid foundation for future network expansion.

What is 100G FR?

100GBASE-FR is a fiber-optic Ethernet technology part of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard. In this context, "100GBASE" refers to a transmission rate of 100 Gigabits per second, while "FR" stands for single-mode fiber optic transmission over distances of up to 2 kilometers. To ensure interoperability between devices, the physical layer of 100GBASE-FR specifies a number of key parameters, such as modulation technique and optical wavelength, to provide stable and efficient communications. 100G FRs use wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which transmits multiple data streams over the same fiber while using different optical signals at other wavelengths. This improves the utilization of fiber resources.

What is a 100G Single Lambda Optical Module?

The 100G Single Lambda is an innovative high-speed optical transmission technology capable of achieving data rates up to 100Gbps over a single wavelength. The design simplifies the optical system by reducing the number and complexity of components required, thereby reducing cost and energy consumption (optical components account for approximately 60% of the overall module cost). In addition, the Single Lambda module supports higher port densities and can connect to 400G switches and routers without sacrificing bandwidth, providing greater capacity and flexibility to the network.

How Does The 100G QSFP28 FR Work?

The 100G FR utilizes four 25Gbps channels to achieve 100Gbps data rates. Each channel transmits data through a separate fiber core, and the signals are reassembled into a continuous 100Gbps data stream at the receiving end. Parallel transmission makes it possible to increase data transmission speeds while accommodating short distances dramatically. This approach is particularly suitable for data centers and city-wide high-speed connectivity.

In practice, 100G FR optical modules are inserted into network equipment ports to realize high-speed data transmission. It is widely used in data centers and short-distance metropolitan networks and is an effective solution for providing large-scale data transmission.

Advantages of 100G FR

100G FR brings a more efficient approach to high-speed network transmission, typically used in data centers, large enterprises, and cloud service providers, and offers numerous advantages, including significant efficiencies in high-speed data transmission of up to 100 Gigabits per second.

This makes it particularly well-suited for handling large data sets, high-definition video streaming, and complex cloud computing tasks. It's also really efficient, with high-speed transmission, meaning you can send more data through fewer connections and devices, which reduces network complexity and management costs.

It also reduces latency, which is excellent for financial transactions and online gaming applications. The QSFP28 FR module uses only 4.3W of power, saving data centers or enterprises money in the long run, and it's got an optimized thermal design.

It's also compatible with equipment from different vendors, so you can be sure it'll work seamlessly with other brands.

Reliability is another plus, with 100G networks having better redundancy and recovery mechanisms. This means you can count on a reliable service and less downtime due to network failure.

As a 100G single lambda module, this module does not need to sacrifice port bandwidth when connecting to 400G switches and routers and is more convenient when upgrading to 400G switches and routers.

Applications for 100GBASE FR

100G Single Lambda modules are at the forefront of 400G/800G data transmission; they are used in many network scenarios to provide superior performance and resiliency. Next, we'll look at the three main application areas for such modules: data centers, service provider networks, and enterprise campus networks.

Data Centers: Driving the Heart of Digital Transformation

100G single lambda optical modules are ideal for data center backbone connectivity. They provide efficient 100Gbps data rates to ensure high-speed, low-latency communications between servers. These modules also support 400G and 800G high-speed ports to meet the growing bandwidth demands between data centers and external networks. Their flexible design allows data centers to easily cope with future network expansion, ensuring a return on investment and good scalability.

Single Lambda In Data Center

Service Provider Networks: Addressing Growing Bandwidth Demands

Single lambda 100G technology allows service providers and network operators to upgrade sites independently. To illustrate, if a network device is equipped with 100G QSFP28 ports, one site can undergo an upgrade to a 400G device. Concurrently, the other sites maintain 100G connectivity to circumvent bandwidth constraints. This solution greatly reduces downtime and lets operators upgrade the network over time as needed.

100G FR to 400G Migration

Enterprise Campus Networks: Optimizing Connectivity and Cost

100G single lambda modules are a cost-effective alternative to traditional quad-wavelength optical modules in enterprise campus networks. They reduce the cost of network deployment and maintenance and provide high-performance, stable, and reliable connectivity that ensures fast data transfer and continuous network stability. Given that enterprise campus networks often face diverse connectivity needs ranging from short to long distances, 100G single lambda modules provide flexible connectivity options that can be adapted to different transmission distances. This tech helps organizations ensure the long-term stability of their networks and prepare for changing business needs. It also ensures that their networks remain highly adaptable for future expansion.

100G FR to 800G Migration

Summary

100GBASE-FR is one of the more advanced 100G single lambda Ethernet transport standards available today, making 100G FR high-speed, low-latency and high-efficiency, and 100Gbps capable of handling most bandwidth-demanding network tasks such as big data processing, streaming media and cloud computing. The high efficiency and low power consumption bring economics and reliability to operators. Clearly, 100GBASE-FR ensures network stability and compatibility in data center interconnections as well as high-performance computing and cloud services. It also makes it easy to establish higher speed network links when expanding to 400G or 800G in the future. Considering the growing demand for bandwidth, 100GBASE-FR will undoubtedly become a key component in building the future network.