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At OFC/NFOEC in Anaheim in March 2013, Juniper Networks, Kotura, Applied Micro and Broadcom presented four different pieces of the 100G optical-transport picture: a packet-transport router, a QSFP optical engine, an OTN processor and a transmitter PHY. Their announcements shared a 100G theme, but the products did different jobs and were not like-for-like alternatives.
The specifications below are those reported in John Rath’s March 21, 2013 DataCenterKnowledge article. They are historical vendor claims or demonstration details, not independent test results or current product specifications.
What did the 2013 announcements have in common?
Each announcement addressed moving or processing high-capacity traffic in optical transport networks, but at a different layer. A router handles packet transport; an optical engine packages optical transmission components; an OTN processor performs optical transport network processing; and a transmitter PHY provides a physical-layer transmit function. Comparing their headline rates without that distinction would be misleading.
The source reports no common test, shared use case, pricing, or current availability for these products. The figures are best read as a snapshot of what the vendors announced or demonstrated at the conference in 2013.
#1 Best Overall
- 100G Ethernet Module: 100G Gigabit Singlemode optical transceiver compatible for Cisco QSFP-100G-LR4-S, Palo Alto Networks PAN-100G-QSFP28-LR4 and other fiber switches, routers, NIC, server or other fiber optic equipment with 100G QSFP28 ports.
- 100G QSFP28 Single-Mode Transceivers: 100Gb/s data rate, LC duplex connector, 4 LWDM Lanes: 4 LWDM lanes: 1295nm, 1300nm, 1305nm,1309nm, up to 10km, working temperature: 0℃ ~ +70℃, Tx Power(dBm): -4.3 ~ +4.5, Rx Sens.(dBm): ＜ -10.6.
- Easy to Use: Plug and play, hot-pluggable. DDM allows you to monitor the critical information, to find out some potential problems. Widely used in fiber switches, routers, NIC, server or other fiber optic equipment with 100Gb QSFP28 ports.
- High Quality: Certified and tested on Cisco QSFP-100G ports for superior performance, quality, and reliability, every module had been individually tested on switches before shipping, customers can rest assured to buy.
- After-sales Service: 30-day free return, 3-year warranty, lifetime technology support. We offer many compatible options, if your brands are not listed here, please feel free to contact us.
How the four products differed
| Vendor and product | Role reported | Stated rate or capacity | Form factor, interface, power or reach reported | Target or application reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper Networks PTX3000 and PTX-family interface card | Packet transport router and packet-transport interface card | PTX3000 stated to scale to 24 Tbps; card described with two line-rate 100G ports | PTX3000 depth design: 10.6 inches. Card described as enabling interconnection over distances exceeding 2,000 km. Power and card form factor details: not stated in the 2013 DataCenterKnowledge report. | Core packet transport and interconnection |
| Kotura QSFP optical engine | Optical engine demonstrated in a QSFP package | 100 Gb/s, described as 4×25 | 3.5 watts; Kotura said it used standard single-mode duplex fiber and avoided parallel fibers. | Optical connectivity; the report does not specify a particular network segment |
| Applied Micro (AMCC) TPO215 | Standalone OTN processor | Ten 10G channels, for total capacity of 100G | Standalone processor; power, package and reach: not stated in the 2013 DataCenterKnowledge report. | Applications including OTN cross-connect and packet-optical transport systems |
| Broadcom BCM84128 | Transmitter PHY | 128 Gbps aggregate rate | 2 watts; package and reach: not stated in the 2013 DataCenterKnowledge report. | Long-haul, regional and metropolitan transport |
What Juniper reported about packet transport
Juniper announced the PTX3000 Packet Transport Router, described in the report as having a 10.6-inch depth design and scaling to 24 Tbps. The company also described an integrated packet-transport physical interface card for the PTX family with two line-rate 100G ports. The article says Juniper presented the card as enabling interconnection across distances exceeding 2,000 km; it does not provide the conditions or measurement method behind that reach claim.
Rami Rahim, then executive vice president of Juniper’s Platform Systems Division, framed the announcement around service-provider operations: “To effectively deliver advanced services and remain competitive, service providers need a core network solution that will help streamline their business and reduce operational costs,” Rath quoted him as saying. That is a vendor executive’s rationale, not a measured cost or performance outcome.
Rank #2
- 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 to MPO Optical 100G Ethernet transceiver module, Multimode, 850nm, MPO/MTP connector, DDM, up to 70-Meter on OM3, up to 100-Meter on OM4.
- Wide Compatibility - Compatible for Cisco QSFP-100G-SR4-S and Other Open Switches.
- Easy to Use - Easy installation, plug and play, fully hot-pluggable. Widely used in fiber switches, routers, NIC, server or other fiber optic equipments with 100Gb QSFP28 ports.
- Superior DDM Function - DDM allows you to monitor the critical information concerning the status of the transmitted and received signals of the transceivers in real-time to find out some potential problems.
- 10Gtek is a manufacturer of transceivers, customized service is available.
What Kotura demonstrated in a QSFP package
Kotura demonstrated an optical engine in a QSFP package, describing the configuration as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) at 100 Gb/s in a 4×25 arrangement, with stated power of 3.5 watts. The report attributes to Kotura the claim that its approach used standard single-mode duplex fiber rather than requiring parallel fibers.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesKotura president and CEO Jean-Louis Malinge said the QSFP package could fit 40 transceivers across a switch’s front panel and provide “10 times more bandwidth than CFP solutions.” That comparison is his quoted vendor claim in the 2013 report; the article does not supply a test methodology or additional conditions for the comparison.
Rank #3
- The 100gbe QSFP28 module provides 100GBase-LR4 throughput up to 10km over a standard pair of single mode fiber (SMF) with duplex LC connectors.
- Data Rare: 100Gbps. Connector: Duplex LC. Transmitter Type: 4 x LAN WDM EML. Support 100G to 4x25G Breakout Application.
- Hot Pluggable QSFP28 MSA Compliant. With DDM Function to monitor real-time parameter and state on fiber links.
- Compliant with IEEE 802.3 100GBASE-LR4, SFF-8665 and SFF-8636 standards. Digital diagnostics functions are also available via the I2C interface, as specified by the QSFP28 MSA, to allow access to real-time operating parameters.
- Compatible with Arista SFP-100G-LR4/Brocade SFP-100G-LR4/Dell SFP-100G-LR4/Intel E810/Mellanox MMA1B00-C100D/Palo Alto Networks PAN-100G-QSFP28-LR4 and other fiber switches, routers, NIC, server or other fiber optic equipment with 100G QSFP28 ports.
What Applied Micro’s TPO215 was designed to do
Applied Micro, also identified as AMCC in the report, announced the TPO215 as a standalone OTN processor. It supported ten 10G channels, which the article described as a total capacity of 100G. Named applications included OTN cross-connect equipment and packet-optical transport systems.
George Jones, Applied Micro’s vice president and co-general manager of Connectivity Products, described the company’s broader aim as developing technologies for networking equipment used in telecommunications, data centers and cloud connectivity. The statement is a company executive’s comment, not an independent evaluation of the TPO215.
Rank #4
- HIGH-SPEED 100G TRANSMISSION - Supports up to 103.125Gbps data rate using 4 x 25.78Gbps lanes, providing high-bandwidth connectivity for data centers, enterprise networks, server interconnects and high-performance computing applications.
- CISCO COMPATIBLE QSFP28 MODULE - Designed for compatibility with Cisco 100G QSFP28 network equipment，andcompatibility with Dell, Ruijie, FS and other switch. Please verify your device model, port specification and required transceiver before purchase to ensure proper compatibility.
- 850NM MTP/MPO-12 MULTIMODE DESIGN - Features an 850nm VCSEL transmitter, PIN receiver and MTP/MPO-12 interface for multimode fiber connections. Supports 100GBASE-SR4 short-distance optical networking applications.
- 70M OM3 / 100M OM4 REACH - Provides a maximum transmission distance of up to 70m over OM3 and 100m over OM4 multimode fiber, making it suitable for high-density data center and short-range network deployments.
- DDM/DOM & RELIABLE OPERATION - Supports DDM/DOM for monitoring key optical parameters. Built-in TX and RX CDR helps maintain signal integrity, while the 0°C to 70°C commercial operating range supports standard data center environments.
What Broadcom’s BCM84128 added
Broadcom announced the BCM84128 transmitter PHY for long-haul, regional and metropolitan optical transport. The figures reported were an aggregate rate of 128 Gbps and a stated power draw of two watts. The report does not identify the package, reach, or operating conditions associated with those figures.
Lorenzo Longo, Broadcom vice president and general manager of Physical Layer Products, said the introduction would let Broadcom participate in a new market segment and “pave the way for 100G optical transport.” This was the executive’s description of the opportunity, not evidence of a product’s later market performance.
Best Value
- 100G QSFP+ LR4 network transceiver, date rate: 100G; Connector: LC; with DDM. DFB+PIN; Low Power Consumption ≤3.5W
- QSFP28 module use duplex fiber patch cables with LC connectors. Four-channel full-duplex, Hot Pluggable, support DOM and Host FEC.
- Widely applied in campus network, data center and enterprise core layer.
- Compatible with Cisco 100Gigabit ethernet, coding as Cisco QSFP-100G-LR4-S. Compatible with 200+ Vendors
- 90-day free return, 3-year warranty, lifetime technology support. We are a manufacturer of transceiver. If you are not sure about the compatibility of your device, please feel free to contact us.
How to interpret the numbers
- Rates and capacities are not interchangeable. The PTX3000’s reported 24 Tbps scale is a router capacity claim; the TPO215’s 100G refers to ten 10G OTN channels; Kotura’s 100 Gb/s describes a demonstrated optical-engine arrangement; and Broadcom’s figure is an aggregate PHY rate of 128 Gbps.
- Power is reported for only two announcements. Kotura’s demonstration was stated at 3.5 watts and Broadcom’s PHY at two watts. The report does not provide equivalent power figures for the Juniper or Applied Micro products.
- Reach belongs only to Juniper’s reported card claim. The stated distance was more than 2,000 km; the article provides no comparable reach figure for the other announcements.
- These are historical specifications and claims. The March 2013 article cannot establish later product revisions, support status, lifecycle, present-day availability or compatibility with current networks.
Source and scope
This roundup reflects John Rath’s report from OFC/NFOEC in Anaheim, published by DataCenterKnowledge on March 21, 2013. It documents announcements and a demonstration at that event; it is not a current buying guide or a comparative product test.
Quick Recap
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