Overcoming Three Key Challenges to Increasing Data Center Performance

The insatiable need for more data, along with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), is creating new demands on data centers. To support the performance requirements of these technologies, data center operators need to move to new solutions to increase the speed of their networks.

Transceiver connection speed drives network speed and requires advanced modulation and coding to increase throughput. Increased data center capacity typically means an increase in the number of deployed transceivers. So, transceiver cost becomes a significant consideration for data center operators. Transitioning to higher speeds to support increasing demand means operators need solutions to three key challenges:

One: Increase Channel Capacity

Data center operations rely on transceiver manufacturers to provide solutions for each subsequent generation of speed class. Developing solutions to increase channel capacity requires advancements in modulation and coding. Today, examples of these advancements are four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) and forward error correction (FEC).

Two: Guarantee Quality & Interoperability

Data center operators need the highest level of confidence that network components and transceivers are interoperable from different vendors. Standards organizations, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), govern electrical and optical transceiver specifications and define test procedures to ensure compliance with standards and interoperability with other vendors.

Three: Reduce Test Time & Cost

Data center operators and transceiver manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to control costs. With the number of standards and receiver types now available, this is no easy task. The complexity of testing continues to increase, but the best to reduce costs is to reduce test time. There are several methods for reducing test time, including simulation and automated compliance testing.

For more information on how Keysight's solutions can help address implementation challenges with increased data center performance, read 400GE Data Center Transceiver Test: Overcoming Three Key Challenges.

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