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Press Release

SFP-DD MSA Releases Specification for High-Speed, High-Density Interface

 New SFP-DD pluggable form factor features additional 2 rows of electrical contacts  Doubles the lane density and data speed in next-generation networking equipment  Cage/connector system backward compatible to SFP electrical interfaces Gothenburg, Sweden – September 18, 2017 – The Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (SFP-DD) Multi Source Agreement (MSA) Group recently completed the initial hardware specification and drawings for the SFP-DD pluggable interface designed to enable high-speed, high-density networking equipment. Targeting support up to 3.5 W optical modules in an enterprise environment, the SFP-DD form factor addresses the technical challenges of achieving a double-density interface and ensuring mechanical interoperability for module components produced by different manufacturers. The SFP-DD electrical interface expands on the existing SFP pluggable form factor, a widely adopted interface used in data centers and other networking platforms. The SFP single lane interface operates up to 28 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps PAM-4. The new SFP-DD electrical interface is designed to support two lanes that operate up to 25 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps PAM-4 per lane, providing aggregate bandwidth of 56 Gbps or 112 Gbps. By doubling the lane density and data speed, the SFP-DD interface will help address demand for increased port density and scalability in next-generation applications, with a primary focus on the server side interconnect. An SFP-DD server port along with QSFP-DD switch ports provides an overall doubling of the port density in network applications. The SFP-DD hardware specification and drawings define key module, plug, and cage characteristics. SFP-DD modules and direct-attach cable plugs use a common mechanical outline. Modules and plugs provide a means to self-lock with the cage upon insertion. Network equipment based on the SFP-DD will support legacy SFP modules and cables, and new double density products, for optimal design flexibility. SFP-DD Key Features  A single

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Press Release

SFP-DD MSA to Define Specification for New Small Form-Factor Pluggable Interface

Fourteen industry leaders join forces to double lane density and data speed of SFP transceivers Berlin, Germany – July 12, 2017 – The SFP-DD Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) Group has announced intent to develop the specification for a high-speed, double-density small form-factor pluggable (SFP-DD) interface. Under the MSA, participating companies will address the technical challenges of achieving a double-density SFP interface and ensuring mechanical interoperability for module components produced by different manufacturers. New SFP-DD based networking equipment will support legacy SFP modules and cables, as well as new double density products. The SFP-DD MSA founding members include Alibaba, Broadcom, Brocade, Cisco, Dell EMC, Finisar, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei, Intel, Juniper Networks, Lumentum, Mellanox Technologies, Molex, and TE Connectivity. Members of the MSA will develop operating parameters, signal transmission speed goals, and protocols for the SFP-DD interface, which expands on the SFP pluggable form factor, a widely adopted electrical interface used in data centers and other networking platforms. Multi-vendor SFP modules and assemblies are available today in a range of data rate speeds and reaches to support data transmission applications including hubs, switches, routers and servers. The SFP interface’s single electrical lane operates up to 25 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps PAM4. The new SFP-DD electrical interfaces will be designed to support 2 lanes that operate up to 25 Gbps NRZ or 56 Gbps PAM4 per lane, providing solutions up to 50 Gbps or 112 Gbps PAM4 aggregate. By doubling the lane density and data speed of SFP transceivers, the SFP-DD specification will address increased port density and scalability in next-generation applications, with a primary focus on the server side interconnect. An SFP-DD server port along with QSFP-DD switch ports provides an overall doubling of the port density in network applications. Participation of industry leaders in the SFP-DD MSA will enable faster