In one of the largest interoperability demonstrations at OFC/NFOEC 2012, the Ethernet Alliance (Booth 724) is showcasing cost-effective, high-speed connectivity to the cloud via interoperable 10-, 40-, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) optical connections. Because Ethernet equipment suppliers and service providers are the largest consumers of optics, the Ethernet Alliance demonstration focuses on how the Ethernet ecosystem uses optics and how businesses are implementing 10-, 40-, and 100GbE optics in their networks.

The Ethernet Alliance and 10 member companies are demonstrating a variety of high-speed Ethernet technologies illustrating how 10GbE servers are driving the need for 40GbE and 100GbE uplinks within the data center environment and to cloud service providers. The demonstration creates a simulated cloud computing environment between two "data centers." One data center is connecting a 100GbE lambda across an Optical Transport Network (OTN), while the second data center is connecting via four 10GbE links.

"When deploying cloud environments, end-users face a range of link rates from GbE to 100GbE when they apply Ethernet at the server, aggregation, core, and metropolitan layer," said Scott Kipp, president, Ethernet Alliance. "The Ethernet Alliance multi-vendor interoperability demonstration highlights various Ethernet optical and copper solutions that can be used, and highlights advancements in technology for deployment today. One such example of an advancement in optical technology to be demonstrated is 25 gigabit per second directly modulated lasers (DML), which are key for the next generation of 100GBASE-LR4 module implementations. This new generation of optics is lowering the cost barriers for deploying 100GbE networks."

The Ethernet Alliance member companies participating in the interoperability demonstration include Amphenol Corporation APH -0.44% , Brocade BRCD +0.26% , Cisco Systems CSCO -0.90% , Dell Force 10 DELL -0.88% , Finisar FNSR -2.41% , Ixia XXIA -1.56% , JDS Uniphase Corporation JDSU -2.43% , Spirent Communications UK:SPT +0.14% , TE Connectivity TEL +1.30% and Volex UK:VLX +4.38% .