Here are some of my collection of newest trends and predictions for year 2018. I have not invented those ideas what will happen next year completely myself. I have gone through many articles that have given predictions for year 2018. Then I have picked and mixed here the best part from those articles (sources listed on the end of posting) with some of my own additions to make this posting.This article contains very many quotations from those source articles.
Big Data, mobility and the Internet of Things (IoT) are generating an enormous amount of data, and data center operators must find ways to support higher and higher speeds. Recent data center trends predict bandwidth requirements will continue growing 25 percent to 35 percent per year. Many older data centers were designed to support 1-gigabit or 10-gigabit pathways between servers, routers and switches. Today’s Ethernet roadmap extends from 25- and 40-gigabit up through 100-gigabit, and 400-gigabit and even 1-terabit Ethernet loom within a few years. The biggest sales are forecasted for 25G and 100G ports for next few years. Ethernet switch market has now 100 Gbit/s products in the volumes at the moment, and both 200G and 400G Ethernet versions will be taken to use in 2018.
Broadcom dominates the Ethernet switch chip market today with a 73 to 94 percent share, depending on how market watchers slice the sector valued at nearly a billion dollars. Its closest rival, Cisco Systems, takes most of the rest with systems using its own ASICs. Juniper, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Huawei also make Ethernet switch ASICs for their systems. With seven merchant chips in the pipeline and four in-house ASICs in the works, we will see a record number of unique platforms ship in 2018. Wheeler of the Linley Group expects the competition will drive Ethernet switch costs from about $60/port today to about $36/port by 2020.
Data center giants “are driving their own code and programmable capabilities as close to the server as possible.” The dozen largest data center operators — including the likes of Facebook and Google — build their own switch systems or specify systems built by ODMs. They can drive sales of millions of chips a year but demand maximum bandwidth at minimum cost and power consumption. The Tomahawk-3 is geared for the next-generation of their top-of-rack and aggregation switches, delivering up to 128 100GE or 32 400GE ports, the first merchant chip to support 400GE rates.
China will start making more optical components: Several Western component and subsystems vendors have cited reduced demand from Chinese systems houses such as Huawei and ZTE for revenue declines in 2017. One reason for the slowdown is the fact that these systems houses have begun looking for more local optical technology sources. In addition to doing more development work in-house (particularly in the case of Huawei), the two Chinese systems vendors have begun to work more closely with Chinese companies such as Accelink, Hisense, and HiSilicon as well as Japanese vendors. This can mean that Western firms (particularly in the U.S.) may not see their Chinese orders return to previous levels.
Higher power power over Ethernet: 802.3bt – IEEE Draft Standard for Ethernet Amendment: Physical Layer and Management Parameters for DTE Power via MDI over 4-Pair amendment to IEEE Std 802.3-2015 increases the maximum PD power available by utilizing all four pairs in the specified structured wiring plant. This represents a substantial increase to the capabilities of Ethernet with standardized power – allow delivery of up to 90 watts of power via existing Ethernet cabling. The Ethernet Alliance has announced details of its next plugfest: Dedicated to pre-standard testing of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technologies against Draft 3.2 of the IEEE P802.3bt standard, the event will be held in February 2018. The specification’s ratification is expected in September of 2018.
802.11ax hasn’t been signed off yet, but promises to send WiFi towards 10 Gb/s thanks to its use of both multi-user multiple-input and multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and the new Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). 802.11ax is good at combining lots of different links so that users get more connections, more often, and end up with more bandwidth. Marvell claims it’ll have the first chipsets for new 10G WiFi ready for products in H2 2018. Marvell said the chipsets will ship some time in early 2018 and will appear in products in the second half of the year. Widespread 802.11ax adoption in devices probably won’t happen until 2019.
5G something in it for everyone. 5G is big. 5G New Radio (NR) wireless technology will ultimately impact everyone in the electronics and telecommunications industries. Most estimates say 2020 is when we will ultimately see some real 5G deployments on a scale. In the meantime, companies are firming up their plans for whatever 5G products and services they will offer. Though test and measurement solutions will be key in the commercialization cycle. 5G is set to disrupt test processes. If 5G takes off, the technology will propel the development of new chips in both the infrastructure and the handset. Data centers require specialty semiconductors from power management to high-speed optical fiber front-ends. 5G systems will drive more complexity in RF front-ends .
Networks will become more and more virtual, especially on 5G. 5G networks will build on LTE network architecture with the introduction of cloud RANs (C-RANs) and virtualized RANs. Network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) tools and architectures could enable operators to reduce network costs and simplify deployment. For more details read System architecture milestone of 5G Phase 1 is achieved article.
Automotive Ethernet: Automotive Ethernet will replace the Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus found on many vehicles today and also compete with systems like Maxim’s Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL). The standards include IEEE 802.3bw 100BASE-T1 and IEEE P802.3bp 1000BASE-T1 that adopt the 100-Mb/s and 1-Gb/s Ethernet protocols to run over over a single twisted pair up to 15 meters. Chips, PHYs and switches are now readily available for automotive Ethernet. Automotive switches will support time-sensitive networking (TSN) features like audio video bridging (AVB) ingress policy, rate limiting andalso features 802.1Qav/Qbv queue-shaping support. We will need a Security Blanket for Automotive Ethernet.
Car-to-car communication: The industry and government have defined several versions of vehicular communications. These are vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X). V2V is the direct communications between vehicles within range of one another. V2V link-up is automatic and cars exchange status information messages Basic Safety Message (BSM) 10 times per second (contains data such as GPS location, speed, direction, brake status, and related conditions). There are competing technologies to make this all work. IEEE802.11p ahead of LTE-V2V for safety critical applications. 5G will offer increased capacity and decreased latency for some critical applications such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving vehicles. The big question is whether 5G will disrupt the landscape or fall short of its promises.
TSN (time sensitive networking) will be talked on many application. Success in the IIoT requires that information- and operational-technology networks work in tandem—time-sensitive networking can make it happen. A converged industrial network will address several challenges that currently exist in today’s disparate network architecture, and it is believed that needed convergence is provided by time-sensitive networking (TSN). TSN is a set of IEEE 802 sub-standards that, when implemented, enable deterministic communication over Ethernet networks while keeping the benefits of communication in best effort manner, on that same network. TSN introduces different traffic classes that share the same link. Proper implementation of TSN requires a solution that can provide a low latency and deterministic response at TSN end points and TSN bridges – it is usually implemented with combining a processor and a FPGA or using advanced Ethernet switch chip.
Gartner analyst says on-premises data centers will soon be ‘useless’: Govekar said that as soon as 2019, at least a third of the largest software vendors will have transitioned their products from cloud-first to cloud-only. For this reason Gartner analyst predicts doom for on-premises data centers. If this happens , there will be a lot of work for network operators and cloud service companies to be able to build the infrastructure that can handle all this without problems. I expect that not all on-premises data centers are doomed. There are applications where moving everything to central could does not make sense – for example many IoT applications are moving some of the processing from cloud to edge devices for various reasons (lower latency, reduce needed bandwidth, work also when communications does not work etc..). There is also place for some on-premises data centers on some application (may them be depending on need anything from embedded server to room full of equipment racks). When designing for the IoT, security needs to be addressed from the Cloud down to each and every edge device. Protecting data is both a hardware and a software requirement, as more data is being stored and analyzed in edge devices and gateways.
Network neutrality talks will continue in 2018. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on December 14, 2017 overturned the Title II-based Open Internet Order the previous Democratic-controlled FCC regime put in place in 2015. So what happens next? In the immediate term, nothing. The Restoring Internet Freedom Order won’t go into effect until sometime in the first half of 2018.
IPv6 usage seems to be finally accelerating in 2018. IPv6 has been a “future” since 1998, and an important future since 2007. IPv6 deployments have been increasing and chances are you have already used IPv6 – but haven’t realized it yet. IPv6 deployment is increasing around the world, with over 9 million domain names and 23% of all networks advertising IPv6 connectivity. Network admins will have many concerns about migrating to IPv6 in 2018. China plans to put the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)-based network into large-scale use, to boost the development of the Internet industry. China aims to have 200 million active users of IPv6 by the end of 2018. IPv6 use is increasing, but that does not mean that IPv4 is no way dying. It seems that both of those technologies will co-exist in Internet for a long time.
Sources:
Chinese systems houses engaging with alternative component, subsystem sources: LightCounting
System architecture milestone of 5G Phase 1 is achieved
Five technology trends for 2018
NI Trend Watch 2018 explores trends driving the future faster
ADAS Needs V2X to Meet ITS Goals
Taking Automotive Ethernet for a Test Drive
A Security Blanket for Automotive Ethernet
TSN: Converging Networks for a Better Industrial IoT
Gartner analyst says on-premises data centers will soon be ‘useless’
Gartner analyst predicts doom for on-premises data centers
M2M within the IoT – Pushing Security from the Cloud Down to Every Last Endpoint
Net Neutrality Overturned: Now What?
B’com Shifts Switch to 12.8 Tbits/s
Planning starts now for high-speed data center migration
China to speed up IPv6-based Internet development
Top 5 Concerns of Network Admins About Migrating to IPv6 in 2018
1,081 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
IEEE 802.11 launches standards amendment project for light communications, aka ‘LiFi’
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/07/ieee-802-11-launches-standards-amendment-project-for-light-communications-aka-lifi.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-06&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2195102
In May 2018, IEEE announced the formation of the IEEE 802.11 Light Communications Task Group and its intent to engage with manufacturers, operators and end users in consensus building efforts to develop a global standard for light communications in wireless local area networking. The task group continues to call upon stakeholders to participate in the newly approved standards amendment project IEEE 802.11bb. The IEEE 802.11 is the group responsible for the technical definitions behind Wi-Fi and includes individuals affiliated with a broad ecosystem including chipset providers like Qualcomm, Huawei, Broadcom, Intel and more
IEEE 802.11™ Launches Standards Amendment Project for Light Communications (LiFi)
https://beyondstandards.ieee.org/general-news/ieee-802-11-launches-standards-amendment-project-for-light-communications-lifi/
IEEE 802.11bb™ to define one medium access control (MAC) and several physical layer (PHY) specifications for light-based wireless connectivity for fixed, portable, and moving stations within a local area network
Tomi Engdahl says:
Growing the HFC pipe to 10 Gbps
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/07/growing-the-hfc-pipe-to-10-gbps.html?cmpid=enl_btr_weekly_network_technology_2018-07-10&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
There is renewed excitement in the cable market as RF technologies continue to evolve, creating a path for hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) systems to support 10 Gbps data transmission. Fully realizing this potential, however, means making changes to the way the industry approaches architecture, which in turn requires new technology and techniques. Here are some of the technology challenges and considerations as HFC marches toward the 10 gigabit future.
First released in 1997, DOCSIS has evolved to increase data throughput, bandwidth expansion, and higher modulation and complex capability. The first-released DOCSIS 1.0 supported downstream bandwidth of 550 MHz with a data rate of 40 Mbps, and upstream bandwidth of 45 MHz with a data rate of 10 Mbps.
As demand for higher data rates and complex content management continues, DOCSIS has been amended and new specifications are being defined. The latest version, DOCSIS 3.1 – released in 2013 and revised several times since – is targeted to support 10 Gbps downstream and 1 Gbps upstream (10 Gbps symmetrically in full-duplex application) using 4,096-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation techniques.
From the RF point of view, the catch to achieving 10 Gbps is well-understood: The performance of RF degrades as operating frequency is increased and bandwidth is expanded. How, then, can RF performance such as output power, gain and linearity be improved while maintaining overall power consumption?
To achieve this, a new semiconductor technology, gallium nitride (GaN), was developed and has become the default technology for DOCSIS 3.1 amplifiers. Compared to gallium arsenide (GaAs), the predecessor technology used in HFC, GaN offers higher power density, wider bandwidth, improved efficiency and greater reliability. It can also operate at a higher channel temperature.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Department of Commerce eases ZTE restrictions
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/department-of-commerce-eases-zte-restrictions.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_datacom_2018-07-10&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2165892
The Department of Commerce, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), as loosened the noose it placed around ZTE’s neck by banning the Chinese company’s access to U.S. technology. The BIS issued an order July 2 that allows ZTE to conduct business on a limited scale through August 1, 2018. It does not enable the company to re-engage in full operations.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Multimode and singlemode cabling options for data centers
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-6/features/technology/multimode-and-singlemode-cabling-options-for-data-centers.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-06-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2164352
It might boil down to one word: reach. But along the way there’s a lot to consider.
Several considerations that go into whether to deploy a multimode-fiber-based, short-wavelength optical network or a singlemode-fiber-based, long-wavelength optical network in a data center environment were discussed in an online seminar that took place on April 5. Hosted by Cabling Installation & Maintenance, the seminar was titled “Optical Fiber Advances and Capabilities.” It will be available for viewing on-demand until October 5, 2018.
Presenters Tony Irujo, sales engineer for optical fiber with OFS, and David J. Asta, senior data center applications engineer for Panduit, delivered information about multimode fiber options and singlemode fiber options, respectively. Each presentation covered cabling technologies as well as standards activities and other efforts by industry consortia to develop solutions for high-speed optical networking in data centers.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ensure your multifiber cabling network runs smoothly
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-6/features/data-center/ensure-your-multifiber-cabling-network-runs-smoothly.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-06-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2164352
Keeping MPO-based systems free from contamination is critical to its proper operation.
Tomi Engdahl says:
NECA 301-2016 Standard for Installing and Testing Fiber Optic Cables now available for purchase
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/07/neca-301-2016-standard-for-installing-and-testing-fiber-optic-cables-now-available-for-purchase.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-06-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2164352
Tomi Engdahl says:
Awarded at Interop Tokyo 2018, Ixia’s AresONE-400GE test system handles aggregate Ethernet traffic of 3.2 Tbps
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/06/ixia-interop-400ge.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-06-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2164352
The AresONE-400GE test system from Ixia, a business of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), was named Best of Show at Interop Tokyo held June 13-15, 2018 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.
During the event, Ixia demonstrated the AresONE-400GE system, using second generation alpha LR8 QSFP-DD optics from Source Photonics, running full 400GE line rate against its production-released K400 platform. Its remaining ports featured full line-rate traffic using various lengths of direct attached copper cables from multiple vendors. The new AresONE-400GE platform demonstrated aggregate Ethernet traffic of 3.2 Tbps.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Manufacturing Bits: July 10
https://semiengineering.com/manufacturing-bits-july-10/
Ruthenium interconnects
Imec has developed a process to enable ruthenium (Ru) interconnects in chips at 5nm and beyond.
Ru is one of several candidates to replace traditional copper as the interconnect material in chips. The interconnects, which reside on the top of the transistor, consist of tiny copper wiring schemes that transfer electrical signals from one transistor to another. The interconnects are becoming more compact at each node, causing an unwanted resistance-capacitance (RC) delay in chips.
Photonic contacts
In a separate paper at IITC, Leti and STMicroelectronic have developed CMOS-compatible contacts for silicon photonics.
In silicon photonics, the contacts used to pump the III-V lasers are often composed of an Au/Pt/Ti (gold/platinum/titanium) stack. “As a consequence, these contacts are not compatible with a Si-based environment both in terms of integration and of metal used (Pt, Au),” according to the paper.
Instead of the traditional stack, Leti and STMicroelectronics developed CMOS-compatible contacts on n-InP (indium phosphide) and p-InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) for silicon photonics.
Using the technology, the first lasers fabricated with this new platform are operating at 1310nm with a threshold current around 60mA, a Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR) larger than 45dB and more than 1.5mW optical power in the output silicon waveguide.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Corning offers software-defined LAN system
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/corning-offers-softwaredefined-lan-system.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2178137
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) has brought software-defined networking (SDN) to the LAN with the Optical Network Evolution (ONE) SD-LAN line. As the name implies, the software-defined LAN offering combines software with standardized hardware and separates the LAN control plane from the data plane to make LANs more adaptable, scalable, and intelligent. The same SD-LAN portfolio will work in both active Ethernet and passive optical LAN (POL) architectures.
The SD-LAN offering enables network managers to build what Corning calls “fiber- and power-deep topologies” that can converge typical LAN, WiFi, cellular, audiovisual, security, building automation, and other traffic over the same infrastructure
Tomi Engdahl says:
Overcoming SNDR Measurement Challenges in 100G, 400G Datacom Testing
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2017/04/overcoming-sndr-measurement-challenges-in-100g-400g-datacom-testing.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2178137
Advances in data communications receiver design have led to important changes in transmitter characterization and measurement methods for 100G and 400G standards. Both IEEE and OIF-CEI have introduced the concept of replacing many of the historical methods of compensable intersymbol interference (ISI) jitter analysis with a technique of comparing the actual averaged pulse response determined from the transmitter to an extracted linear model. This technique uses a linear fit pulse peak and where the extracted pulse response is leveraged to perform the signal to noise and distortion ratio (SNDR).
With SNDR, the imperfections of the signal, noise, and distortion are summed and their amplitude (RMS) is compared to the size of the signal. SNDR is less sensitive to ISI caused by factors such as insertion loss and reflections, and ISI can be compensated by equalizers in Tx and Rx. But SNDR includes all other sources of transmitter noise and distortion. A result above 27 dB is a pass in today’s electrical backplane standards (25 Gbps NRZ KR4) and 26 dB for electrical cables (25 Gbps NRZ CR4). For PAM4 this result needs to be even higher. For example, 200GBASE-KR4 requires SNDR ≥ 32.5 dB.
Tomi Engdahl says:
IEEE publishes 802.11ak standard amendment, enabling WiFi transit links in bridged networks
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/07/ieee-publishes-802-11ak-standard-amendment-enabling-wifi-transit-links-in-bridged-networks.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2177987
EEE and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) have announced publication of standards amendment IEEE 802.11ak-2018—Standard for Telecommunications and information exchange between systems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Enhancements For Transit Links Within Bridged Networks.
IEEE 802.11ak provides protocols, procedures, and managed objects that enhance the ability of IEEE 802.11 media to provide internal connections as transit links within IEEE 802.1Q bridged networks, and wireless connectivity for fixed, portable, and moving stations within a local area.
“The publication of IEEE 802.11ak-2018 meets a growing demand to simplify the expansion and functionality of mixed IEEE 802.11 wireless and IEEE 802 networks in the home and within industrial network applications,” said Donald Eastlake, chair of 802.11ak Task Group. “IEEE 802.11ak-2018 also supports more compact data encoding and streamlines deployment of Groupcast with Retries (GCR).”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reviewed: Best enterprise gear for the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/07/reviewed-best-enterprise-gear-for-the-802-11ac-wi-fi-standard.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2177987
Tomi Engdahl says:
Anevia teams with Red Hat on open source support
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/07/anevia-teams-with-red-hat-on-open-source-support.html?cmpid=enl_btr_weekly_network_technology_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
Anevia is collaborating with Red Hat, a provider of open source solutions. Anevia is now part of the Red Hat Technology Partner Program and can integrate Red Hat’s open source technology, with added professional support, within its product ranges. Those include the company’s Genova low-latency live encoders, OTT packaging, cloud DVR and CDN solutions (NEA-LIVE, NEA-DVR and NEA-CDN) and Anevia’s multiscreen TV headend, Flamingo.
Anevia plans to strengthen its system security features via Red Hat Enterprise Linux’ performance monitoring and built-in capabilities such as Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux). Anevia also plans to supply other Red Hat hybrid cloud solutions such as Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat OpenStack Platform, to enable users to run their apps, on the environment and cloud that they choose, including those offered by well-known cloud providers.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Kaiam: We’re ready for the trade war
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/kaiam-were-ready-for-the-trade-war.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2178137
Realizing that opportunity is where you find it, Kaiam says it has stockpiled a “strategic reserve” of optical transceivers to serve U.S. and European data center customers who might find their supplies cut off if a trade war erupts between the U.S. and China. Since the company’s transceivers aren’t made in China, unlike several of its competitors, Kaiam believes it is in position to offer an alternative source of modules should trade tensions between China and the U.S. erode to the point that exports are curtailed.
“In today’s global economy, it’s easy to assume goods will flow seamlessly across borders indefinitely. We sometimes forget that the optical components that power cloud companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and others are virtually all made in China and are thus susceptible to trade tensions,” said Jeremy Dietz, vice president of global sales and marketing at Kaiam.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Agama adds remote PHY monitoring
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/07/agama-adds-remote-phy-monitoring.html?cmpid=enl_btr_weekly_network_technology_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
Agama Technologies is extending its product offering with remote PHY monitoring. The capability will be showcased at IBC in September in Amsterdam.
The remote PHY monitoring capabilities of the Agama Analyzer are intended to give full insight into the DEPI streams, from the CCAP core toward the remote PHY.
“We are proud to introduce the first remote PHY video monitoring solution on the market, with the new DEPI add-on functionality in the Agama Analyzer probe product family.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Next on the horizon for cable: Virtualization
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/07/next-on-the-horizon-for-cable-virtualization.html?cmpid=enl_btr_docsis_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
Already halfway through 2018, we’ve seen many changes to the cable industry landscape. With the increase in traffic, video
traffic in particular (video content now represents 74% of all network traffic), customers are demanding more and more from their network providers. At the same time, the landscape is facing new competitive challenges due to an influx of streaming options, and new federal regulations for Internet and cable services.
The increase in the popularity of streaming services has instigated an industry push for virtualization
Creating new standards in real time
The pressure is on for network providers to deliver the highest quality services, in part because of the industry standards that are being developed in direct response to consumer demands. For example, new standards are being developed by the SCTE/ISBE, which has an open invitation to any organization in the cable telecommunications industry to join its 2018 standards committee.
Vendors on the committee participate in the development of cable industry standards and practices. By allowing cable companies that are experiencing the demands of the industry firsthand to participate in standards development, standards now directly reflect consumer demands. The industry has already adopted a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) and is shifting to a distributed access architecture (DAA).
Also of note is the CableLabs Generic Access Platform (GAP) working group. This group is tasked with defining the interfaces for all future DAA modules, including Remote PHY (R-PHY) and Full Duplex DOCSIS, and could include Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) features. This group’s efforts on coherent technology have helped to address customer demand for higher capacity metro and regional networks, managed services and enterprise applications.
The push to virtualization
One promising solution is coherent packet-optical networking, which will allow cable operators to take advantage of virtualization services and scale their networks to meet the current demand for bandwidth and greater fiber capabilities. Packet-based solutions allow them to leverage their existing CCAP assets and set up virtual CCAPs (vCCAP). This has all contributed to the massive shift to DAA.
DAA is where functional components of a legacy centralized access architecture (CAA) are migrated to different locations of the end-to-end network, as the name implies. Virtualizing DAA functions will help drive more capacity, resolving cable operators’ space and power constraints in the headend and hub and making it easier to push fiber deeper into the edge of the network. However, as cable operators deploy a DAA, they will require a next-generation fiber distribution network. Extending fiber to digital fiber nodes involves removing coaxial RF active devices like amplifiers and power inserters and adding more digital fiber nodes. DAA moves digital signal generation and media processing to the fiber node, enabling much better performance, higher bandwidth, and even more space in the headend/hub locations.
A crystal ball for the cable industry
The future of cable will not be about the ability to go from a 10G network to 100G or even about providing the necessary infrastructure; the most important factor is the ability to scale the network to differing and often unpredictable needs.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DAA seminar planned for Expo
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/06/daa-seminar-planned-for-expo.html?cmpid=enl_btr_docsis_2018-07-19&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
At Cable-Tec Expo 2018 in Atlanta, the SCTE/ISBE will be hosting a seminar on Distributed Access Architectures (DAA) on Monday, Oct. 22.
A follow-up to last year’s Remote PHY seminar, the morning event will address the ability of DAAs and the Headend Rearchitected as a Datacenter (HERD) to drive cost efficiencies, faster time to market and increased customer satisfaction in conjunction with the continued evolution of cable access networks.
“Distributed Access Architectures are dramatically transforming the way services are delivered over cable networks,” said Jeff Finkelstein, executive director of advanced technology for Cox. “As operators seek new ways to meet customers’ need for cleaner, faster bandwidth, the industry is finding an increasing number of ways to move network functionality closer to the consumer and to provide a path for future growth using new physical and MAC layer technologies.”
“Last year’s Remote PHY event required two overflow rooms and still had a standing-room only crowd, so we’re not surprised that seats are moving quickly for DAA,”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Surveying the New Optical Form Factors for 400 Gigabit Ethernet
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2017/12/surveying-the-new-optical-form-factors-for-400-gigabit-ethernet.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_datacom_2018-07-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2174596
argeted for massive aggregation of data across an array of applications, 400 Gigabit Ethernet (400GbE) is on schedule for standardization this year within the IEEE 802.3bs™ Ethernet Working Group. Development of new and faster electrical and optical signaling technologies is simultaneously underway across the ever-expanding Ethernet ecosystem.
Of course, different aspects of the Ethernet ecosystem have different needs in 400GbE I/O form factors. For some, the primary need is density — the goal is to fit as many ports as absolutely possible into a faceplate of 1 rack unit (1RU). For others, the quality of the signal integrity of the given form factor’s electrical connector might be of greater concern. And how critical is backwards compatibility among the list of priorities? What are the technical and cost implications of offering backwards compatibility? Does the form factor provide sufficient packaging volume? What are the reach requirements?
Plus, as we go to higher data rates, we dissipate more power. With the move to 400-Gbps processing, more components, dissipating more power, are being packed more tightly together within the module and 1RU rack space, making it more challenging to cool the equipment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
MSA, standards activity paves way for bidirectional 400 Gigabit Ethernet multimode fiber links
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/msa-standards-activity-paves-way-for-bidirectional-400-gigabit-ethernet-multimode-fiber-links.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_datacom_2018-07-17&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2174596
This week has seen a pair of advances leveraging bidirectional transmission that promise fewer multimode fibers for 400 Gigabit Ethernet applications than the 32 fibers (16 each for transmit and receive) the original 802.3bs specifications demand. On Monday, the 400G Bidirectional (BiDi) Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) Group announced its intention to specify BiDi optical transceivers for 70- to 150-m multimode fiber applications. Yesterday, the IEEE P802.3cm 400 Gb/s over Multimode Fiber Task Force
voted to pursue a similar set of specifications.
Tomi Engdahl says:
ZTE back in business as Commerce technology ban suspended
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/zte-back-in-business-as-commerce-technology-ban-suspended.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_service_providers_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2173729
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Waiting for 5G is the Wrong Metro Network Strategy
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/why-waiting-for-5g-is-the-wrong-metro-network-strategy.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_service_providers_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2173729
Today’s metro networks are rapidly evolving and have carriers in a conundrum. Pressured by exploding mobility, major initiatives to move to the cloud, and skyrocketing consumption of high-bandwidth services on one end and the promise of 5G right around the corner, most are deciding between spending now to meet today’s demand or waiting to put the investment towards 5G when the time is right. Is there a right answer? In short, there is – if implemented intelligently.
Tier 1 service providers are making plenty of noise around the build towards 5G, with AT&T and Verizon aiming to light up 5G in some U.S. markets in 2018. Currently, it appears we’ll see 5G networks arrive for major markets around the world in late 2019 or 2020.
But can we wait until then to upgrade? The demands on the metro network are out of control. Metro infrastructure is tasked with constantly consolidating a massive amount of traffic from mobile, residential, and business services, acting as the critical bridge between the service provider core and end-user access. As a result, when demand for connectivity expands due to bandwidth-hungry services such as video streaming, gaming, cloud-based business services, and virtual and augmented reality, it is the metro network that primarily meets the need.
Tomi Engdahl says:
CableLabs unveils Point to Point Coherent Optics specifications for access networks
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/cablelabs-unveils-point-to-point-coherent-optics-specifications-for-access-networks.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_service_providers_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2173729
CableLabs, which develops and specifies technology for its cable operator members, released a pair of Point to Point Coherent Optics specifications June 29 that aim to enable coherent transmission capabilities for access networks. The specifications describe coherent optical transceivers that will support 100-Gbps coherent transmission based on dual-polarization differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-DQPSK) over at least 40-km unamplified links as well as potential use cases.
The need for coherent-enabled capacity arises as cable operators move to Distributed Access Architectures (DAAs) from their traditional centralized hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) approaches. DAAs see functions removed from the headend and located in remote nodes closer the customer. This architecture change simplifies the headend (and eases power and space requirements there), improves network performance, and offers opportunities for functional virtualization.
Enter coherent transmission – at access network prices. CableLabs and working group members began their specification development under the supposition that point-to-point access network links should require less stringent performance than the long-haul and metro networks where coherent transmission currently finds use. Access links should require less optical output power, reduced transmitter wavelength capability, and lower optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), for example. They also should face reduced penalties from chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion (PMD). As a result, less expensive components, as well as less robust digital signal processors (DSPs) and forward error correction (FEC), should do the trick. Curtis Knittle, vice president of wired technologies at CableLabs, pointed out in an interview that the resulting optical transceivers should require less power and cooling than their longer-reach counterparts as well.
Knittle didn’t have an estimate of how much less expensive the upcoming access-focused transceivers will be. But the specifications within the “P2P Coherent Optics Physical Layer 1.0 Specification (P2PCO-SP-PHYv1.0-I01-180629),” many of which derive from the ITU-T G.709 Optical Transport Network family of recommendations (including OTU4 framing and nominal bit rate), offer some hints.
Coherent in use
Knittle said CableLabs expects to hold coherent transceiver interoperability demonstrations later this year, with the technology moving to field trials by the first quarter of 2019. The transceivers could be used in muxponders, Layer 2 switches, or routers, he said. The system employed likely will depend on the application. The “P2P Coherent Optics Architecture Specification (P2PCO-SP-ARCH-I01-180629)” describes a pair of use cases.
Tomi Engdahl says:
UL verifies GameChanger cable’s 200-meter 1-Gig, PoE Plus capability
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/07/paige-datacom-gamechanger-ul-verification.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2174382
Paige DataCom Solutions recently announced positive results from UL’s independent performance evaluation of Paige’s GameChanger cable. “The UL assessment evaluated the performance of the award-winning GameChanger cable technology, and verifies the claim that it delivers 1-Gbit/sec performance and PoE Plus over 200 meters,” Paige announced. The company added that GameChanger is “designed to significantly exceed the reach of traditional category cable.”
The GameChanger cable “extends the reach for any Ethernet application including high-definition video and PoE Plus to 850 feet without a repeater, making it ideal for replacing CCTV and for use in applications that are beyond the 100-meter reach of a traditional category cable,” the company said. “This cable eliminates IDF [intermediate distribution frame] requirements and the need to install repeaters or transceivers, which are costly and introduce additional points of failure.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
How the trade war and tariffs affect cabling professionals
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/07/belden-dwayne-crawford-trade-war-tariffs-cabling.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2174382
Among the key points in Crawford’s post are:
U.S.-levied tariffs on steel and aluminum have manifested in rising prices of racks and enclosures, which are largely made of these materials.
The steel and aluminum tariffs may also affect you if you work with coaxial cables (which use copper-cladded steel conductors and aluminum for shielding/braiding/armoring)
Tariffs on plastic molded parts can affect wall plates, connectors, and patch cords
Things to Know About the Ongoing Trade Dispute
https://www.belden.com/blog/digital-building/things-to-know-about-the-ongoing-trade-dispute
Communications cables are not the first things that will come to mind when thinking of rising costs of steel and aluminum, but many CATV Coax cables use copper-cladded steel cores, and other copper, fiber and Ethernet cables use aluminum in the shielding, braiding and/or armoring components.
Additional tariffs of up to 25% have be placed on plastic molded parts which affects products such as wall plates, fiber and copper connectivity, and patch cords.
What other headwind is the industry facing?
Not related to tariffs specifically, but also impacting our industry, is inflation. Raw material demand for PVC, as an example, has gone up year-over-year by 7%, driving up prices, as have other elements such as flame retardant materials, paper for packaging and freight.
What should you expect?
At this point in time, you should expect that prices for products containing aluminum, steel and plastics will continue to see price increases to cover these added costs. It remains to be seen how much these tariff disputes will escalate
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cloud service providers drive high-speed Ethernet adoption
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/07/high-speed-ethernet-adoption.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-07-16&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2174382
A recent report on data center Ethernet adapter ports from IHS Markit says cloud service providers are driving the acceleration of high-speed—25G and 100G—Ethernet adapter ports. Sales of 25/100G ports “grew 45 percent in 1Q18, tripling compared to 1Q17, with cloud service provider (CSP) adoption accelerating the industry transition.”
IHS Markit added, “25GE represented a third of adapter ports shipped to CSPs in 1Q18, doubling compared to 1Q17. Telcos follow CSPs in their transition to higher networking speeds and while they are ramping 25GE adapters, they are still using predominantly 10GE adapters, while enterprises continue to opt for 1GE.”
Vladimir Galabov, senior analyst for IHS Markit, said, “We expect higher speeds [25GE+] to be most prevalent at CSPs out to 2022, driven by high traffic and bandwidth needs in large-scale data centers. By 2022 we expect all Ethernet adapters at CSP data centers to be 25GE and above. Tier 1 CSPs are currently opting for 100GE at top-of-rack with 4x25GE breakout cables for server connectivity. Telcos will invest more in higher speeds, including 100GE out to 2022, driven by NFV [network function virtualization] and increased bandwidth requirements from HD video, social media, AR/VR [augmented reality/virtual reality], and expanded IoT use cases. By 2022 more than two-thirds of adapters shipped to telcos will be 25GE and above.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ciena, 4 others join Linux AI project
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/08/ciena-4-others-join-linux-ai-project.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-08-09&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
The LF Deep Learning Foundation, an umbrella organization of the Linux Foundation intended to support open source innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has gained five new members: Ciena, DiDi, Intel, Orange and Red Hat.
The new members join founding members Amdocs, AT&T, B.Yond, Baidu, Huawei, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, Tencent, Univa and ZTE. The LF Deep Learning Foundation is intended to be a vendor-neutral space for harmonization and acceleration of separate technical projects focused on AI, ML and DL technologies.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ethernet Alliance plans Higher Speed Ethernet Plugfest
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/08/ethernet-alliance-plans-higher-speed-ethernet-plugfest.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-08-09&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2201977
The Ethernet Alliance has revealed plans for the Higher Speed Networking Plugfest this month at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) in Durham, NH. The plugfest will offer technology vendors to demonstrate interoperability at transmission rates from 25 to 400 Gbps.
In particular, the event will focus on interfaces designed to meet IEEE 802.3bs 400 Gigabit Ethernet and single-mode fiber 200 Gigabit Ethernet standards as well as the specifications within IEEE P802.3cd. Work on the latter isn’t fully completed
Tomi Engdahl says:
SCTE aims to standardize node interfaces
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2018/08/scte-aims-to-standardize-node-interfaces.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-08-09&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24
The SCTE/ISBE has created a Generic Access Platform (GAP) project within SCTE/ISBE Standards. The project will be conducted within the Interface Practices Subcommittee (IPS) and is intended to expedite product innovation by developing a common framework for interfaces within node housings.
Within the scope of the GAP project, IPS intends to develop standardized physical, thermal, mechanical and electrical interfaces for node housings or families of node housings. The goal is to enable technology partners to devote resources to technology innovation that brings value to cable system operators, instead of expending time and effort on re-developing housings for each new generation of outside plant access equipment.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Explore the Changing World of Broadband Networks
http://www.mwrf.com/systems/explore-changing-world-broadband-networks?NL=MWRF-001&Issue=MWRF-001_20180724_MWRF-001_19&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1_b&utm_rid=CPG05000002750211&utm_campaign=18771&utm_medium=email&elq2=a87891c083d7413b8341323669a25a0b
Broadband services are undergoing a transformation, as local municipalities and utility companies enter the fray to meet broadband demand and network operators exploit new technology options.
Broadband services and higher bandwidth have never been in greater demand. Network deployments are accelerating in cities, as well as rural areas. In addition to residential subscribers, operators are looking to connect everything from businesses and utility networks to small cells for 4G and 5G rollouts.
In the midst of this growth, the variety of connectivity media and network-operator business models varies more than ever before. Networks now incorporate fiber, copper, and wireless technologies, and traditional internet service providers (ISPs), cable companies, utility companies, and municipalities are building or considering broadband networks in an effort to meet growing demand for bandwidth.
In this article, we’ll look at how the broadband landscape is changing, how various types of providers are seeking to meet the ever-growing demand for bandwidth, and how new technologies are enabling network operators to overcome the challenges.
Tomi Engdahl says:
MSA, standards activity paves way for bidirectional 400 Gigabit Ethernet multimode fiber links
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/07/msa-standards-activity-paves-way-for-bidirectional-400-gigabit-ethernet-multimode-fiber-links.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-07-12&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2170241
This week has seen a pair of advances leveraging bidirectional transmission that promise fewer multimode fibers for 400 Gigabit Ethernet applications than the 32 fibers (16 each for transmit and receive) the original 802.3bs specifications demand. On Monday, the 400G Bidirectional (BiDi) Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) Group announced its intention to specify BiDi optical transceivers for 70- to 150-m multimode fiber applications. Yesterday, the IEEE P802.3cm 400 Gb/s over Multimode Fiber Task Force voted to pursue a similar set of specifications.
The MSA plans to pursue creation of QSFP-DD and OSFP optical transceivers that would have a configuration similar to the 4+4 MPO approach found in 40G and 100G SR4, using two bidirectional wavelengths per fiber at 50 Gbps per transmission. Thus, currently installed infrastructure would have a direct pathway to 400-Gbps support. The specifications would cover up to 70 m on OM3, 100 m on OM4, and 150 m on OM5 fibers. The group expects its specification, which it currently calls 400G-BD4.2, should be ready in the third quarter of this year, at least a year ahead of when the P802.3cm Task Force expects to finish its work.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Coherent modulation in next-generation optical networks
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/articles/2018/05/coherent-modulation-in-nextgeneration-optical-networks.html?cmpid=enl_lightwave_lightwave_enabling_technologies_2018-07-12&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2170241
Operators have rapidly adopted coherent transmission since the first deployments of DSP-based coherent technologies to long-haul and submarine networks in the early part of this decade. Coherent technology is now being extended throughout the metro and soon will be deployed in access networks to meet the inexorable demand for bandwidth. Where 10-Gbps wavelengths were deployed in 50-GHz grid WDM systems, 100-Gbps wavelengths implemented with around 32-Gbaud symbol rates have been deployed on the same multiplexers and amplifiers with greater reach and enhanced impairment tolerance, thereby simplifying capacity migration. More recently, second-generation flex-coherent modulation enabling 200-Gbps wavelengths with 16QAM or 8QAM modulation, and now the first 400-Gbps wavelength deployments at higher baud rates, are being deployed.
Investments in DSP technologies with ever higher CMOS integration will shortly enable a new generation of up to 600-Gbps wavelengths with highly configurable baud rates and modulation up to 64QAM with a large degree of modulation control. Beyond this we can expect to see 800-Gbps or even 1.2-Tbps wavelengths in the future, with higher baud rates to enable 400-Gbps quantization of the wavelength capacity.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Airbus Zephyr Solar Powered Plane Sets New Record, Stays Aloft For 26 Days
https://cleantechnica.com/2018/08/11/airbus-zephyr-solar-powered-plane-sets-new-record-stays-aloft-for-26-days/
The plane has a wingspan of 82 feet and weighs a featherlight 165 pounds. It has two propellers powered by electric motors and solar panels on its gossamer wings. Batteries keep the propellers turning when the plane is flying in darkness.
The Zephyr S flies far above weather systems and commercial aircraft at 70,000 feet.
Airbus refers to the Zephyr S as a “pseudo-satellite” — a platform that is not quite an airplane and not quite a satellite. The business model for the Zephyr calls for offering a range of services from reconnaissance missions to maritime surveillance, border patrol activities, and communication services to companies at far lower cost than conventional satellites can offer. Once fully developed, the Zephyr is expected to remain aloft for months at a time.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Merah Putih Features New Tech to Improve Satellite Broadband Service
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/merah-putih-satellite-launch-will-help-usher-in-advanced-communication-satellites
Merah Putih—a name signifying the colors of Indonesia’s flag, red and white—is a communications satellite with new advanced features that will improve data rates in high-density locations without sacrificing the wide coverage satellites excel at providing.
The satellite, which was constructed for state-owned operator Telkom Indonesia
Traditionally, communication satellites have used wide area beams to deliver coverage to the hemisphere they’re over. Schwarz says this drove satellite technology for years, but SSL’s latest satellites will combine this tried-and-true method with a more focused beam called a spot beam.
Despite the new method of coverage, the spectrum bands these satellites will use remain largely unchanged. “Historically, C band has been really important,” says Schwarz, referring to the 4 to 8 gigahertz (GHz) portion of the microwave range that was initially attractive for satellite use. The C band sees the least amount of attenuation through Earth’s atmosphere, making it ideal for long distance signals.
But it’s also in decline. It’s a lower frequency with a lower data-carrying capacity than the increasingly popular Ku band (12 to 18 GHz) and Ka band (26 to 40 GHz).
Tomi Engdahl says:
THE EDGE by Future Electronics Features Microsemi’s Advanced Switchtec PCIe Switches
https://www.eeweb.com/profile/eeweb/news/the-edge-by-future-electronics-features-microsemis-advanced-switchtec-pcie-switches
Microsemi Switchtec PCIe switches are the industry’s highest density, lowest power, high-reliability PCIe Gen3 switches for data center, storage, communications, defense and industrial applications.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cat 5 vs. Cat 6 vs. Cat 7 vs. Cat 8 Ethernet network cable comparison
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/08/cat-ethernet-comparison.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-13&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2201969
“Beware of marketing schemes that tell you to pay extra for over-priced cable you might not even need,” exhorts Sewell Direct, a designer and supplier of network cable and connectivity for the AV solutions market. The company has produced the following video with the intent to educate its customers on how to choose appropriate network cables vis a via an illustrated Cat5 vs Cat6 vs Cat7 vs Cat8 Ethernet media comparison. “Learn what the differences are between each Category of network cable and decide what you really need based on the specs and limitations of each cable,” advises the company.
How to choose network Cable – Cat5 vs Cat6 vs Cat7 vs Cat8 Ethernet Comparison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYl9SAeGdyQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cisco, HPE-Aruba, Extreme shown leading 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant for wired, wireless LAN access infrastructure
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/08/cisco-hpe-aruba-extreme-shown-leading-2018-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-wired-wireless-lan-access-infr.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-13&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2201969
Cisco Named a Leader in the 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant for the Wired and Wireless LAN Access Infrastructure
https://blogs.cisco.com/wireless/cisco-leader-gartner-magic-quadrant-wired-wireless-infrastructure
Tomi Engdahl says:
US lags behind China in race to build out 5G wireless networks: Deloitte
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/08/us-lags-behind-china-in-race-to-build-out-5g-wireless-networks-deloitte.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-13&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2201969
The United States is being outspent by China in the race to build the next generation of wireless communication, known as 5G, and it risks losing out on the potential economic benefits, according to a report by consultants Deloitte published on Tuesday…The first countries to adopt the next generation of wireless communications will experience ‘disproportionate gains,’ as 5G brings an ‘era of untapped economic potential’, the report said. China has outspent the United States by $24 billion since 2015 and has built 3,50,000 new cell phone tower sites, while the US built less than 30,000.
United States lags behind China in the race to build 5G wireless networks: Report
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/united-states-lags-behind-china-in-the-race-to-build-5g-wireless-networks-report-4909811.html
The United States is being outspent by China in the race to build the next generation of wireless communication, known as 5G, and it risks losing out on the potential economic benefits, according to a report by consultants Deloitte published on Tuesday.
China currently has ten times more sites to support 5G communications than the United States. In just three months of 2017, Chinese cell phone tower companies and carriers added more sites than the US had done in the previous three years, the Deloitte Consulting report found.
The first countries to adopt the next generation of wireless communications will experience “disproportionate gains,” as 5G brings an “era of untapped economic potential”, the report said.
China has outspent the United States by $24 billion since 2015 and has built 3,50,000 new cell phone tower sites, while the US built less than 30,000.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Recent sourcing activity for fiber-optic cable assemblies up 88% over historical average: Thomasnet
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/pt/2018/08/recent-sourcing-activity-for-fiber-optic-cable-assemblies-up-88-over-historical-average-thomasnet.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-13&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2201969
The latest “Thomas Index Report” is sponsored by Fibertronics, a leading provider of fiber-optic solutions. This week’s report takes a look at sourcing for Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies by users of the Thomasnet.com platform, whose data shows that over the past 12 weeks, sourcing activity for this category is up 88% over its historical average.
High-Speed Data Networks Propel Fiber Optic Cable Demand
https://news.thomasnet.com/featured/high-speed-data-networks-propel-fiber-optic-cable-demand
Hello again. This week we’re going to take a look at sourcing for Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies by users of the Thomasnet.com platform. Our data shows that over the past 12 weeks, sourcing activity for this category is up 88% over its historical average.
Our firmographic buyer data shows that the top three industries driving this sourcing trend on our platform are software & technology, civil construction, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
According to Zion Market Research, the fiber optics market is expected to be a 3.7 billion dollar market by 2022, as demand grows for high-speed connectivity in areas such as the telecommunications sector and private data networks.
Somewhat ironically, emerging 5G wireless technology – which promises to deliver fiber-like speeds over a wireless connection – will require a tremendous amount of fiber optics cabling in its supporting terrestrial wireline networks.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Data centers are like life
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/print/volume-26/issue-7/departments/editorial/data-centers-are-like-life.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-07&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2196737
We commonly hear that such-and-such an experience is “like life.” Often the phrase is applied to youth sports. But closer to our collective professional sphere, I have observed that in some ways, data centers are like life.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wired LANs: The Oft-Forgotton Connectivity Option
Reliable pulse transformers are the key to more reliable wired LANs.
https://www.designnews.com/electronics-test/wired-lans-oft-forgotton-connectivity-option/168914463959255?ADTRK=UBM&elq_mid=5217&elq_cid=876648
Over the past decade, innovations in technology have helped wireless connections become more prevalent and more reliable, allowing for shared connections across devices and across greater distances. Wireless definitely has its place. However, wired LANs have many benefits that are critical to the design of most networks. They include speed, less electromagnetic interference (EMI), better security, more stability, and greater reliability. With new technological advances, the advantages of wired LANs are exponentially increasing.
We often associate wireless with the Internet of Things (IoT), but it is also powered by wired LANs.
The Key to Reliable Wired LANs
In order for wired LANs to work, pulse transformers send rectangular pulse transmissions. Pulse transformers are just like any other transformer; they contain both primary and secondary windings within a single core. The galvanic separation helps to protect sensitive ICs and networked devices within the network from DC bias. In addition, these cores prevent pulse waveform distortions across a wide frequency range. They also have low losses that transmit pulse waves, having many different frequencies resulting from the Fast Fourier Transform.
Newer LAN pulse transformers, which have been developed over the past several years, use high-performance ferrite materials within the core. In addition to improving performance, this helps the transformers have a longer operational lifespan.
LAN pulse transformers are typically used alongside a common-mode choke to form a pulse transformer module, which limits common mode noise entering or exiting the system. A pulse transformer module is often embedded within the RJ-45 connector to form a connector module. As a result, LAN pulse transformers must be extremely compact to be used in standard RJ-45 connectors
The demand for SMD LAN pulse transformers has increased significantly over the past several years
To improve performance, pulse transformer modules utilize ring cores in both the common-mode choke and the transformer.
These new manufacturing processes have helped to create entirely new types of SMD common-mode filters and LAN pulse transformers. Engineers found that using a coil carrier in SMD common-mode chokes—with a rectangular profile (DR core) that is automatically wound and bonded to an SP ferrite core or plate—would create the functional equivalent of a ring core. In order to accomplish this design, a special Ni-Zn ferrite material is used within these cores to create high magnetic permeability and saturation flux density throughout the temperature ranges that are typically found in LAN environments.
While automating production, this advance in the manufacturing process improves the quality and stability of the core. It also enables pulse transformer modules to be miniaturized and made small enough to be integrated in standard RJ-45 LAN connectors in package size 3232 (as small as 3.2 mm × 3.2 mm × 2.9 mm). Using these techniques and manufacturing processes can reduce most 100BASE-TX pulse transformer modules by as much as 30 percent with a footprint that uses as little as 50 percent of the space as traditional LAN pulse transformers
With these innovative manufacturing processes, pulse transformers may exhibit very low insertion loss of 1.5 dB or below over the range of 0.1 MHz to 100 MHz. And, with the advances in miniaturization, they may not exceed 2.5 dB over the same range
Tomi Engdahl says:
IPv6-Only World On the Horizon
https://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=36&doc_id=1333560
With the release of a new profile, the U.S. government is taking steps toward an IPv6-ready world, and it’s time suppliers make products ready for IPv6-only networks.
Ten years after the initial release, the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced a new revision of the United States Government IPv6 profile. The USGv6 profile ensures government agencies the products they buy are IPv6-capable, and the profile gives them a way to communicate their IT needs to suppliers.
The UNH InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL) is the USGv6 test lab for North America and over the past ten years we have seen hundreds of unique devices come through for testing. The first release of the profile pushed suppliers and manufacturers to make their products IPv6-capable. With the profile updates we are excited to see how it can help further IPv6-only deployments worldwide.
First and most importantly, the new revision includes the latest specifications from the Internet Engineering Task Force to stay current with IPv6 developments. The profile also expands its reach into areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), IPv6 transition mechanisms for IPv6-only networks and support for cloud and IPv6 applications. Government agencies want to ensure when a product is added to their network it will be functional in all IPv6 environments.
Tomi Engdahl says:
New Wi-Fi standard enabled products hit market
https://www.electropages.com/2018/08/wi-fi-standard-enabled-products-hit-market/?utm_campaign=&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=article&utm_content=New+Wi-Fi+standard+enabled+products+hit+market
A new report into the outdoor wireless LAN (WLAN) market predicts substantial growth in the sector over the next five years. The key drivers are expected to be the emerging markets and the increasingly widespread propagation of Internet of Things (IoT) driven technology. The report, available from the Cloud and IoT market research ‘650 Group’, shows a market growth of 35% in 2022 from 2017 levels. It is the release of the new 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard that will underpin much of the growth.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Vehicular communications’ spectrum and protocols: standalone or shared?
https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/brians-brain/4460957/Vehicular-communications–spectrum-and-protocols–standalone-or-shared-
Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is the passing of information from a vehicle to any entity that may affect the vehicle, and vice versa. It is a vehicular communication system that incorporates other more specific types of communication as V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle-to-vehicle), V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), V2D (Vehicle-to-device) and V2G (Vehicle-to-grid). The main motivations for V2X are safety and energy savings. The main obstacles to its adoption are legal issues and the fact that, unless almost all vehicles adopt it, its effectiveness is limited.
Personally, I’d add “privacy” to the main-obstacle list, since V2X-transmitted data can conceivably include information such as where you are, where you’ve been (and when), and how fast and otherwise aggressively you’re driving.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Optista logiikka ja reititystä
https://www.nanobitteja.fi/uutiset.html?137788
Tomi Engdahl says:
The evolution of cellular air conditioning
https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/5g-waves/4460930/The-evolution-of-cellular-air-conditioning
Mobile networks have an interesting cost driver lurking behind the scenes: air-conditioning at remote sites. From the introduction of cellular in the early 1980s through the deployment of 3G service in the 2000s, antennas were mounted on towers or buildings and the signals were transmitted through lossy metal coaxial cables to a small weatherproof cabinet. The cabinet was located near the base of the tower containing power-hungry radio equipment and amplifiers. The equipment consumed a lot of power and generated a lot of heat. The cabinets needed air conditioning to avoid equipment damage, and cooling costs could be more than 20- to 30 percent of the annual cost of operating the tower.
The 3G standard brought many technology advances, some of which alleviated the air conditioning expense. An architectural change was responsible for the largest shift in energy usage and heat production; 3G radio equipment was split into two parts.
Baseband processing (which converts a digital bitstream from the network into a baseband radio signal) was separated from up-conversion and amplification (where the baseband radio signal becomes a higher-power RF radio signal). Up-conversion and amplification components were packaged into a remote radio head (RRH) and mounted on the cell tower near the antenna. The proximity to the antenna meant that far less power was required to overcome cable losses, and thus the amplifiers no longer had to be actively cooled.
Low-loss fiber connectivity to the remote radio head allowed distances of up to 6 miles between the radio head and baseband unit (BBU). This enabled massive consolidation, moving the bulk of baseband processing into a regional office, often dubbed a “baseband hotel” because it housed multiple BBUs. The co-location ushered in a whole host of additional optimizations including lower-latency coordination between cell sites, reduced intra-site interference, more reliable user handoffs, and improved coverage via coordinated multi-point (CoMP) transmissions.
History repeats itself
Many technology transitions are cyclic. Consider the shift from centralized mainframe computing to independent PCs with local file storage. This trend has gone full circle, leading to the recent mass centralization of compute resources in public clouds and many mourning the demise of the PC.
I expect a similar cycle in cellular, as network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN) dramatically change the way networks are built. 5G operators can leapfrog some of the tribulations of this cycle by learning from the last decade of public cloud evolution.
Amazon, Microsoft, and Google centralized massive amounts of compute and networking into mega data centers, but customers quickly found that application response time suffered. Cloud providers adapted with a hybrid architecture that pushes latency-sensitive operations to the edge of the network, while keeping many non-latency sensitive functions in the core.
Evolution of the baseband hotel
In a 5G network, NFV separates software from hardware. Services that once ran on proprietary hardware, like routing, load balancing, firewalls, video caching, and transcoding can be deployed on standard servers, and these workloads can be placed anywhere in the network.
5G also introduces network slicing functionality to maximize the utility of these capabilities. In network slicing, an operator can provision specific sub-interfaces at the air interface level, and map these to specific network function chains. This allows providers to deliver highly differentiated services, similar to the way a local area network can offer quality of service for different traffic flows.
One of the most interesting new deployment models that extends from network slicing is multi-access edge computing. Mobile edge computing (MEC) is an architectural approach where the 5G carrier moves specific services much closer to the edge of the network, similar to the way Amazon provides Lambda processing at the edge of its cloud.
The result is much lower latency, and helps meet requirements for next-gen applications, such as the 15ms motion-to-photon response target needed to minimize user discomfort in augmented reality and virtual reality applications. MEC can also reduce core loading by caching data such as video at the edge.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dialink quick push-pull fiber optic connector
https://www.diausa.com/product/dialink/
The DiaLink connector (patent pending) with its intelligent circular design is setting new standards in fiber-optic cable connections. Its numerous positive characteristics ensure that there are almost no limits to the way in which it can be used – whether its in medical applications, measurement technology or FTTH cabling. The connector allows for simple adaption to a wide range of applications. This is also reflected in our wide range of possible connector configurations. The DiaLink comprises a male and a female connector side. Thanks to the user-friendly design and the push-pull system, the connector can also be used in extremely confined conditions as a device interface or with a high packing density without any problems whatsoever.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hybrid broadband first in Finland
In Hybrid Broadband, both online, fixed and mobile, work simultaneously. Their speeds and capacity are combined into a fast home wifi network. The solid web gives stability and reliability to the Hybrid, and the 4G mobile connection adds a boost to speed.
Connection to Home Hybrid uses a hybrid router that simultaneously uses a solid and mobile attachment. The router is included in the monthly subscription for the service, and Telia provides router security updates for the customer.
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/08/17/langaton-tulee-kiintean-yhteyden-avuksi/
http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/8311-telialta-hybridilaajakaista-ensimmaisena-suomessa
Tomi Engdahl says:
GitHub looses load-balancing open-source code on netops world
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/08/09/github_load_balancing_director/
GLB Director keeps those packets humming even when new servers are added to pools
If you’ve got a big bare-metal data center, or if you’re just BM-curious, head on over to GitHub, where there’s a new load balancer on offer by, um, GitHub.
Like anybody handling a lot of incoming requests, GitHub needs a way to spread web and git traffic around its server warehouses, and in this blog post on Wednesday by Theo Julienne, Microsoft’s code-hosting outfit explained why it decided to write its own load balancer.
https://githubengineering.com/glb-director-open-source-load-balancer/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Leviton’s Cat 8 applications video
https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/08/leviton-cat8-video.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-08-20&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2212288
Leviton’s recent “Cat 8 Applications” video succinctly provides a graphic overview of how Category 8 cabling and connectivity will play a role in next-generation 25/40GBASE-T networks,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?tv=9DU3tbQlstM
Tomi Engdahl says:
Global opticaltransceiver markets
40 Gbe market starts to dropping at 2019
Other speeds like 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 G are growing
100Gbe is growing fastest (expected market to saturate around 2022-2023)
Source: Laser Focus World
https://digital.laserfocusworld.com/laserfocusworld/201808/MobilePagedReplica.action?u1=DA0818&pm=2&folio=24#pg26