Introduction: What is an Optical Network?
A 100G optical network is a network that operates on the 100 gigabit Ethernet standard. It is often used to connect data centers at the heart of today’s internet.
To understand what a 100G optical network is and how it works, we first need to understand its predecessors. The first networks comprised copper cables and had bandwidth speeds of 10 megabytes per second (Mbps). This was followed by networks made from coaxial cables that could transmit data at 50 Mbps. Then, in the 1990s, fiber optic networks came into use, capable of transmitting data at speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
The 100G optical network is the next evolution of the internet. It will allow faster data transmission, higher bandwidth, and more efficient bandwidth use. The increase in internet traffic and data centers drives the need for a 100G network. The internet traffic has increased from 1 exabyte per month in 2010 to 3 exabytes in 2016. And about 250 million people are using the internet daily.
How Does a Data Center Use an Optic Network vs. Copper Cable?
A data center can use both copper cable and fiber optic cable. In the past, copper cables were used because they were much cheaper than fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cables are more expensive because they are made of glass, but they have many benefits over copper cables.
Copper is an older technology with many limitations, such as slower speeds, less bandwidth, and the inability to use it for long distances. Fiber optic cable is a newer technology with many benefits over copper cable. It’s faster and has more bandwidth than copper cable. It also doesn’t have the same limitation as copper cable regarding distance because you can use fiber optic cables at much more extraordinary lengths than copper wire.
A copper cable comprises metal wires insulated by plastic or rubber and wrapped in insulation material, such as polyethylene or PVC. It is used for transmitting electrical signals from one place to another. Copper cables have higher bandwidths than optic networks and lower latency rates, but they can only be used for short distances before the signal degrades.
What are the Advantages and disadvantages of Using a Transparent Optical Network in a Data Centre?
The advantages of using a transparent optical network in a data center are numerous. The most obvious one is the speed that it provides. Optical networks can provide speeds up to 100 gigabits per second, whereas traditional copper networks can only provide speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. This means an organization can have more than ten times the bandwidth available to them with a transparent optical network.
Another advantage is that these networks are more secure than traditional copper networks, as unauthorized personnel cannot tap into and monitor them. They also have lower latency rates and the ability to use different wavelengths for different applications, which makes them perfect for high-speed data transfers and video streaming applications.
Conclusion
When it comes to data centers, there are a few key components that need to be considered. First and foremost, there is the server. The server is where all of the data processing and all the information lives. Optical modules are also necessary; choosing a suitable optical module can make the transmission link more stable and reduce optical transmission loss. A 100GBASE-SR4 optical module allows data centers to build 100Gbps Ethernet. QSFPTEK offers premium QSFP28 optical modules like 100GBASE-SR4 and 100GBASE-LR4; 10G and 40G optical modules are also available. Get 100GBASE-SR4 modules from QSFPTEK via [email protected].