Finisar demos 120-Gbps CXP to QSFP active breakout cable at SuperComputing 2009/Luxtera and Siemon collaborate on active optical cabling for high-performance data centers

NOVEMBER 17, 2009 -- Finisar is holding the first public demonstration of a 120-Gbps CXP-to-QSFP active breakout cable at the SuperComputing 2009 (SC09) exhibition. The active optical cable contains a single CXP transceiver at one end and three 40-Gbps QSFP transceivers at the other end to provide flexibility in high performance computing and network infrastructure environments.
Finisar asserts that a significant benefit of this multi-connector cable is that it provides high-density switches with connectivity to multiple top-of-rack switches and/or server nodes. Compliant with both CXP and QSFP specifications, this breakout cable provides a hot-pluggable, low power, low-weight, and flexible option for high port-count network topologies, the company says.
During SC09, Finisar will also demonstrate a new QSFP to Laserwire adapter. Laserwire is Finisar’s active cable line, which includes a proprietary connector. The adapter is designed to drive the convergence of multiple connector form factors in data center applications. It will enable system manufacturers to design a single PCB layout for both 10G and 40G applications, the company concludes.

FEBRUARY 1, 2010 -- Luxtera, provider of  Silicon CMOS Photonics, is collaborating with Siemon, a global manufacturer of IT cabling infrastructure systems. Based on Luxtera’s 40Gbp/s single-mode fiber transceivers, Siemon introduces its Moray Active Optical Cabling (AOC) product family.
Siemon’s Moray AOC launch expands Siemon’s portfolio of copper and fiber data center solutions. By collaborating with Luxtera, Siemon enables its customers to work with a single data center solutions provider to achieve high-performance and extended-reach optical interconnect at lower cost than legacy multimode fiber.
Siemon selected Luxtera for its ability to utilize Silicon CMOS Photonics technology and high-performance, low-cost, single-mode fiber. The CMOS Photonics use an integrated opto-electronic chip with a directly attached fiber and a micro-packaged laser.
This “Fiber-to-the-Chip” technology enables Siemon’s Moray active optical cabling to break the cost barriers and distance restrictions associated with existing vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and multi-mode fiber solutions, according to a representative. Unlike traditional optics that use VCSELs and multi-mode fiber for short connections, Luxtera’s Silicon CMOS Photonics-based single chip transceivers support any distance from one meter to 4,000 meters for inter- and intra-building connections while decreasing the number of components in the AOC and improving its reliability.
“By collaborating with Siemon, we can deliver to customers a complete data center infrastructure that includes our high performance, low cost transceiver technology,” says Marek Tlalka, vice president of marketing for Luxtera. “Using silicon photonics transceiver technology along with single-mode fiber transmission media, Siemon is able to offer a cost-effective cable that delivers high-performance connectivity as well as increased reliability and extended distance.”
Siemon’s first AOC offering is four lane QSFP 40G active optical cabling family that supports Ethernet Switch, FiberChannel SAN Storage, InfiniBand Server systems, and other I/O interface links between various blades, boxes, racks, containers, and buildings.