LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 1

NEWSLETTER> US

As 400 Gb/s switch options entered the market only recently — introduced by manufacturers in late 2018 and early 2019 — adoption has yet to take off. However, many expect 400 Gb/s to see real adoption in 2020, and data center market analyst Dell’Oro expects 400 Gb/s shipments to reach 15 million ports by 2023.

The draw? The new 400 Gb/s switches — based on 12.8 Tb/s chips — bring not only much faster speeds but greater network density. The ability for switches to enable high density breakout scenarios with 100 Gb/s ports translates into a lower total cost of ownership per port. The early adopters will be large cloud providers, who continue to gobble up more data center space. These data centers are moving to 100, 200, and 400 Gb/s uplinks now or in the near future.

continued on pg. 2

IN THIS ISSUE

2020 Vision: Looking Ahead to 200 and 400 Gb/s Networks

Take a Smart Approach to Smart Buildings

Join Us at the 2020 BICSI Winter Conference

News You Can Use

Tech Tips

Ask The Experts

LEVITON POLL

How are you terminating single-mode fiber cables today?

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19%Pre-Terminated

6%Field Polish

45%Fusion Splice Pigtails

16%Mechanical

14%Splice-On

From a November 2019 survey of 275 industry professionals.

For years, conversations about network “convergence” mainly involved the combination of voice and data work area applications onto one network. The local area network (LAN) consisted of work area cabling to support PCs on the desk, and IP phones were eventually added. More recently, wireless access points (WAPs) were added to support mobile devices such as laptops, cell phones and tablets.

Now, building systems such as HVAC, lighting, security systems and energy management systems are being incorporated into the LAN, a trend referred to as “intelligent” or “smart” buildings. The global smart building market is expected to show a compound annual growth rate of more than 34% between 2017 and 2024, according to the 2018 Global Smart Building Market from Zion Market Research.

continued on pg. 4

Vol. 11 | Jan/Feb 2020

15 MILLION ports by 2023

2020 VISION: Looking Ahead to 200 and 400 Gb/s NetworksBy Gary Bernstein, Senior Director of Product Management, Fiber and Data Center Solutions

Take a Smart Approach to

Smart Buildings By Kirk Krahn, Sr. Product Manager, Leviton Network Solutions

Your Source for Industry News & Insight

CrossTalk

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 2

2020 Vision: Looking ahead to 200 and 400 Gb/s Networks continued from pg. 1

NEW 400 GB/S TRANSCEIVER FORM FACTORS There are two major transceiver form factors for 400 Gb/s: QSFP-DD and OSFP. Various switch manufacturers are offering one or the other, and in some cases both. The QSFP-DD (Quad small form-factor pluggable, double density) transceivers can support up to 32 ports in a 1RU switch, and are backwards compatible to QSFP+ and QSFP28 options. The transceiver accepts LC, MPO, and CS connectors.

The OSFP (Octal Small Form-Factor Pluggable) transceivers can also support up to 32 ports in a 1RU switch and accept the same connector types, and can become backwards compatible with QSFP ports with the use of an adapter. They have been designed to handle future generations, such as 800 Gb/s.

The first 400 Gb/s switches on the market come from Arista, Cisco, and Juniper. Arista 7060 top-of-rack switches offer 32 ports of 400 Gb/s in 1RU, using either QSFP-DD or OSFP transceiver options. The Cisco 3432 top-of-rack switch also offers 32 ports of 400 Gb/s in 1RU, using QSFP-DD transceivers. In addition, its 3408 switch provides a 4RU 8-slot chassis option. The Juniper QFX5220-32D 1RU top-of-rack switch also offers 32 ports with QSFP-DD transceivers.

One variable yet to be resolved is the number of fiber strands used to deliver 400 Gb/s. Currently, switch manufacturers have plans for connectors with 2, 8, 16, 24, and even 32 fibers. Given how quickly the market is responding to higher speeds — and how measured standards bodies can be — some of the options introduced are proprietary or based on multisource agreements (MSAs). Between proprietary and standards-based offerings, there are now a range of options, but a few favorites are emerging.

With 200 Gb/s transceiver options, only two are available on the market today: 2x100-PSM4 single-mode and 2x100-SR4 multimode, as highlighted in green in Figure 1. These are proprietary options introduced by Cisco, and they both rely on 24-fiber MTP connectors. While transceiver options using two LC fibers or 8-fiber MTP connectors (1, 2, and 4) are defined in IEEE standards, they have not yet been introduced to the market.

The transceivers outlined in Figure 2 — rows 1, 2, and 5 — highlight the options likely to become the most common over the next several years. Both 400G-FR4 and 400G-SR4.2, originally introduced MSA between manufacturers, are

FIGURE 1 — 200G TRANSCEIVERS

200G Transceiver

1 2 3 4 5 6

1200G-FR4 200G-DR4 2X100-PSM4 200G-SR4 2X100-SR4 2x100G-CWDM4

STD IEEE IEEE Prop. IEEE Prop. Prop.

MFR None None Cisco None Cisco Cisco

Form Factor TBD TBD QSFP-DD TBD QSFP-DD QSFP-DD

Breakout Option No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fiber Type OS2 OS2 OS2 OM3 / OM4 /OM5

OM3 / OM4 /OM5 OS2

Distance (meters) 2,000 500 500 70 / 100 /

10070 / 100 /

100 2,000

# of fibers 2 8 24 8 24 4

Connector LC 12F MTP 24F MTP 12F MTP 24F MTP CS

FIGURE 2 — 400G TRANSCEIVERS

400G Transceiver

1 2 3 4 5 6

400G-FR4* 400G-DR4 400G-XDR4 (DR4+) 400G-SR8* 400G-SR4.2

(BD)* 400G-2FR4

STD IEEE/MSA IEEE Prop. IEEE IEEE/MSA Prop.

MFR Arista, Cisco, Juniper

Arista, Cisco, Juniper Arista, Juniper Arista Cisco Arista

Form Factor QSFP-DD, OSFP

QSFP-DD, OSFP

QSFP-DD, OSFP OSFP QSFP-DD OSFP

Breakout Option No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fiber Type OS2 OS2 OS2 OM3, OM4, OM5

OM3, OM4, OM5 OS2

Distance (meters) 2,000 500 2,000 70 / 100 /

10070 / 100 /

150 2,000

# of fibers 2 8 8 16 8 4

Connector LC 12F MTP 12F MTP 16F / 24F MTP 12F MTP CS

* For SR4.2, IEEE802.3cm estimated to be published in January 2020. For FR4, IEEE802.3cu estimated to be published in Q4-2020

Notes: Does not include long reach 10 Km options. “SR16” or “FR8” options not available on market. Other proprietary options are being developedcontinued on pg. 3

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 3

NEWS USEYOU CAN

INDUSTRY IN OCTOBER 2019, BICSI released a revised version of its standard for healthcare facilities. The ANSI/BICSI 004-2018, ICT Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions and Facilities has been expanded for wireless infrastructure, architectural aspects of facilities, network design, security, and more. Learn more.

COMPANY IN NOVEMBER 2019, Leviton acquired Viscor, Canada’s largest independent lighting manufacturer.

Viscor specializes in lighting for architectural, commercial, medical, institutional and industrial applications. Learn more at Viscor.com.

PRODUCT LEVITON NOW OFFERS SHUTTERED ADAPTERS on its HDX and e2XHD LC cassettes, as well as QuickPort LC adapters. The IP5x-rated shutters prevent dust and debris from entering the adapter, and provide connector ferrule protection during insertion in high density environments. Visit Leviton.com/fiber.

e2XHD QuickPort

HDX

YESTERDAY'S NEWS 1975 — 45 years ago, Bill Gates and Paul Allen established the company Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The name was initially “Micro-Soft” — short for microcomputer software. Microsoft moved its headquarters to Bellevue, Washington in 1979.

2020 Vision: Looking ahead to 200 and 400 Gb/s Networks continued from pg. 2

currently in development by IEEE. 400G-FR4 is being drafted under IEEE P802.3cu and is expected to be published in late 2020, while 400G-SR4.2 will be defined by IEEE P802.3cm, with a target publication date of January 2020. The 400G-SR4.2 transceiver specification created by the 400G BiDi MSA is called 400G-BD4.2. Other 400 Gb/s transceivers not mentioned on this list include interfaces under development that will reach beyond 10 kilometers.

It is important to note that the majority of 100, 200 and 400 Gb/s transceiver options are for single-mode networks, due to the bandwidth and distance capabilities. This trend is also partially a result of decreasing cost — as adoption by cloud companies with major purchasing power have reduced the cost of single-mode optics — and recent standards committee activities continuing to promote more single-mode options for higher speeds. As this trend continues, the market in general will find single-mode to be a more enticing option.

CHOOSING A FORWARD-LOOKING MIGRATION PATH With many transceiver options for 100, 200, and 400 Gb/s in both single-mode and multimode, it is important to plan for a cabling design that can handle multiple tech refreshes. Leviton’s single-mode and multimode cabling systems not only meet current bandwidth requirements, but also provide the flexibility needed to meet future network demands, including 100G, 400G, and beyond. These systems include high density patching, solutions for fast deployment, and customizable trunks and cable assemblies that give data center managers the exact solution they need, delivered fast.

You can see different cabling scenarios for 200 and 400 Gb/s in the Leviton white paper “Cabling Strategies for 400 Gigabit Networks.”

Also, 2020 BICSI Winter attendees can catch Gary Bernstein’s session “The Key to 400G: Technology, Infrastructure and

Design for Making 400 Gb/s Ethernet a Reality.”

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 4

Take a Smart Approach to Smart Buildings continued from pg. 1

There are various reasons for smart building initiatives, but primarily it is to allow for better management, improved visibility and increased efficiency of operation. Therefore, the IP network is being asked to support a much larger footprint of applications and becoming integral to the performance and management of business operations. This undertaking can bring challenges and complex choices that aren't always apparent at the onset.

These challenges include:

1. With additional devices added to the LAN, there’s a wider range of bandwidth and data-rate needs. In addition, devices have different power requirements. Lighting or wireless access points might require 60 watts or more, while simple badge readers or access control devices may only need 15 - 30 watts.

2. Devices are no longer all located at a desktop. They can be located throughout a building or campus, so a lot more pre-planning and analysis must be completed as part of the design.

3. Technology is evolving so quickly that many of today’s designs might not support the new solutions of tomorrow, and new technologies may expand the need for structured cabling into additional areas of the building well beyond what is envisioned today.

UNDERSTANDING REQUIREMENTSWhen Leviton advises customers on the types of cabling they need for connecting intelligent devices, we group applications into three areas that have their own distinct requirements:

High Bandwidth / High Power Typical applications requiring high bandwidth and high power include wireless access points and video conferencing systems. These applications will require upwards of 10 Gb/s of data and Power over Ethernet at 60 watts or higher. This makes Cat 6A cabling a must, with its ability to support 10GBASE-T. Also, Cat 6A cable and patch cords have larger conductors, which heat up less and perform better under power than small conductors.

Low Bandwidth / High Power Devices requiring less bandwidth but high power include lighting and security cameras with advanced features, such as heaters, tilt, and zoom functionality. There are a couple of options for this category. The most cost effective would be to use newer Cat 5e cables on the market that have 22-gauge conductors (as opposed to the typical 24-gauge offering for Cat 5e). These are most efficient at delivering power and still support 1 Gb/s data transmission. By selecting Cat 5e cable, it also allows for selection of more cost-effective Cat 5e connectivity.

A Cat 6 system could also be used, as typical Cat 6 cable has 23 AWG conductors to handle higher power, while supporting 1 Gb/s. It is not quite as efficient for power delivery as using a larger 22-gauge conductor, and the system of cabling and connectivity will likely cost more than a Cat 5e solution.

Low Bandwidth / Low Power Typical applications for this include building automation (e.g., thermostats) and security access controls. With low bandwidth and lower power requirements, a Cat 6 or Cat 5e system with 24-gauge or 23-gauge conductors are ideal.

It’s wise to anticipate what the second and third generation of technology will be needed for your building or facility. Perhaps the applications you use today only require low bandwidth and low power, but will that continue to be the case? While building technology, servers and endpoints are upgraded every three to five years on average, the cabling plant is typically only updated every 10 or more years. So it is quite possible that the cabling you select today will need to support three generations of technology.

FEBRUARY 9-13 | TAMPA, FLORIDA

Visit the Berk-Tek Leviton Technologies booth #737 and discover the latest infrastructure solutions for smart buildings, PoE, wireless, AV, and enterprise fiber networks.

ALSO, DON’T MISS THESE TECH SESSIONS AT THE SHOW:

The Key to 400G: Technology, Infrastructure, and Design for Making 400 Gb/s a Reality Gary Bernstein, RCDD, CDCD, Leviton Tuesday, February 11 | 2:45-3:45

Single-Mode Fiber: The Perfect Fit for the Evolving Enterprise Sean McCloud, RCDD, Leviton | Todd Harpel, RCDD, Berk-Tek Wednesday, February 12 | 10:30-11:30

Join Us at the 2020 BICSI Winter Conference

TRADITIONAL

FUTURE

LAN

SecurityCameras

Lighting

HVAC

Access Control

EnergyManagement

Digital Signage

PagingSystem

Intercom

InfantSecurity

ElevatorControl

NurseCall

Clocks

TimeClocks

IP PhonesWAPs

Work Area Data Cabling (PCs)

Read more about smart building design and planning in our white paper “Cabling System Planning and Design for Smart Buildings”

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 5

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© 2020 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? IDEAS?

We want to hear from you! Email: crosstalk@leviton.com

TECH TIPSManaging Heat for Equipment Longevity in a Connected Home

Smart home technology is all the rage these days, and homeowners and renters now expect their homes to be “smart” home enabled. As these networks require more active gear housed in a structured wiring enclosure, higher temperatures inside enclosures may become a concern, as it can reduce the lifespan of the equipment.

For its new Wireless Structured Media Centers, Leviton designed vented hinged doors that improve cooling for active gear. The doors feature Tri-Plane Heat Dissipation, an innovative venting pattern that promotes a better intake of cool air and outward flow of warm air, as shown in the thermal image testing below.

John Seger, the Principal Technical Specialist at Leviton Network Solutions, said that heat dissipation for the Wireless Structured Media Centers was thoroughly tested and designed into the products. “The enclosure models and hinged door components have been tested to maintain a temperature delta equal to or less than 15 degrees Celsius when the enclosure houses equipment consuming up to 100 watts of power,” Seger said. “The goal of this design is to ensure that equipment installed inside the enclosure is maintained at temperatures no higher than manufacturer specifications, which are typically 40 degrees Celsius.”

Learn more about the Wireless Structured Media Center at Leviton.com/wsmc.

Leviton Wireless Structured Media Center

THERMAL IMAGE TESTING

Q:

I have a Visual Fault Locator (VFL) to check my pigtail fibers. Should light leak through the fiber that’s inserted into the connector when I use the VFL?

A: The VFL source launches overfilled light that will surround the core of the bare fiber and extend into and through the cladding, flooding the inside of the connector body. This is normal and does not necessarily mean the fiber is damaged. The amount of light can vary by fiber and connector type. To visually check the quality of a termination, verify the intensity and quality of light exiting the opposite end of the cable under test. If the light is weak or non-existent, a damaged connector or fiber may exist.

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