What Is 100 Gigabit Ethernet? A Beginner’s Guide

Data has constantly empowered our society, and the networking world faces a huge demand for high-speed data transfer. In recent years, the emergence of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) has revolutionized the way data is transferred and information is processed. This blog begins with the definition of 100 GbE, explains its evolution, outlines its crucial components, and, more importantly, introduces its advantages, applications, and future to you.

Definition of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

100 Gigabit Ethernet, shortened to 100 GbE, is a high-speed networking standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Being part of the Ethernet family, on which most local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) are based, this protocol enables users to achieve data transfer rates of up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbps).

100 GbE utilizes the same rudimentary Ethernet protocols and principles as its predecessors (e.g., 10 GbE and 40 GbE); however, it surpasses them in terms of speed and capacity due to technological advancements. Owing to increased network bandwidth and fast data transfer speeds, 100 GbE is gaining widespread applications in data centers, the domain of internet infrastructure, and high-performance computing environments.

Evolution of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Network engineers became conscious of the drawbacks of previously developed Ethernet protocols in response to the need for larger bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds. They have made great efforts to work on updated versions of Ethernet standards. This section provides a brief overview of how 100 Gigabit Ethernet evolves.

10 GbE

In the early 2000s, 10 Gigabit Ethernet was introduced, marking a significant leap in network speeds. Later, it pioneered the essential standard adopted by WAN connections and high-performance data centers.

40 GbE

Due to the ever-growing demand for data processing, the computer industry has pushed for the introduction of 40 Gigabit Ethernet, aiming to provide more bandwidth. Faster speeds undoubtedly lead to a higher demand for upgrading applications, including streaming services and cloud computing.

100 GbE

100 Gigabit Ethernet, initially standardized by the IEEE in 2010, was made to handle the requirement for significantly faster data transfer rates. Since 2010, 100 GbE has become a crucial component of high-speed networking infrastructure. Below is a graph depicting the evolution of various standards.

If you want to delve deeper into the history of 100 GbE, you can continue to read the following.

The IEEE standards for 100 GbE comprise three essential components: the IEEE 802.3cu standard, the IEEE 802.3ck, and the IEEE 802.3ct. The former is an amendment to the Ethernet physical layer and management parameters that permit high-speed data transmission of 100 Gbps and 400 Gbps over single-mode fiber. The middle section primarily specifies the 100G, 200G, and 400G electrical interfaces, while the latter explains 100G operation over Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems.

10 GbE vs 25 GbE vs 40 GbE vs 100 GbE

As Ethernet technology gains momentum, a wide range of speeds can meet the increasingly large demands of various networking devices. The table below provides a clear description of the differences between 10 GbE, 25 GbE, 40 GbE, and 100 GbE.

Ethernet Types	10 GbE	25 GbE	40 GbE	100 GbE
Lane Speed	10 Gbps	25 Gbps	10 Gbps	25 Gbps
Compatibility	Highly compatible with old devices	Backward compatibility to 10 GbE	Compatible with 10 GbE and 25 GbE (using adapters)	Limited backward compatibility with 10 GbE, 25 GbE, and 40 GbE
Cost	Most cost-effective	Moderate price	Cloud centers and high-performance computing	Most Expensive
Applications	Small and medium-sized enterprise networks	Cloud centers, and high-performance computing	Large data centers and virtualization	Data centers, cloud computing, finance, and healthcare

Crucial Components of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

The key components of 100 Gigabit Ethernet systems are network interface cards, used to connect networks and computer devices. NICs also make it possible to transmit and receive vast amounts of data, transforming digital information from computer devices into signals traveling through networks.

To meet the needs of 100 Gigabit Ethernet systems, NICs must be capable of handling extremely high speeds of 100 Gbps without producing high latency, which is vital to real-time applications. In addition, NICs should have powerful offload capabilities and feature multi-protocol support to control and improve network traffic efficiently.

Ethernet Adapters

100 GbE also depends on Ethernet adapters to achieve its purpose of transmitting data. Ethernet adapters can link to computer devices and communication lines via network cards and backplanes. They enable high-speed data transfer of 100 Gbps and utilize sophisticated technologies to minimize latency, thereby maximizing productivity.

CFP4 and QSFP28 are commonly seen interfaces supported by Ethernet adapters because they are compatible with various networking architectures. Additionally, these adapters, designed to cater to specific applications, can seamlessly integrate within 100 Gigabit Ethernet networks and ensure optimal performance in line with the 100 GbE standard.

Cables and Transceivers

Cables and transceivers are the key elements that enable high-speed data transfer as engineers deploy 100 Gigabit Ethernet networks. The deployment of 100 Gigabit Ethernet networks relies on cabling solutions such as multi-mode and single-mode optical fibers due to their high bandwidth capacity. OPTCORE offers a wide selection of these cables, including 100G QSFP28 DAC Cable and 100G QSFP28 AOC.

Various transceivers, including 100G CFP4 and 100G QSFP28, can transform electrical signals into optical signals, ensuring reliable network connections over long distances. They also help reduce signal loss and guarantee efficient thermal management, achieving data transmission at 100 Gbps.

Advantages of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Five main advantages can help you better interpret what 100 Gigabit Ethernet is. Let’s look at them one by one with some patience.

Speed

The primary upside of 100 GbE is its incredibly high bandwidth. Featuring a speed of 100 Gbps, it possesses the capacity to process heavy data loads of various applications in modern society, including real-time analytics, massive data storage, and 4K video streaming.

Scalability

100 GbE can satisfy the growing data demands without major overhauls. As it is incredibly scalable, 100 GbE makes it much easier to expand network infrastructure as required.

Reduced Latency

Unlike their predecessors (e.g., 10 GbE and 40 GbE), 100 GbE networks can significantly reduce latency. Reduced latency is critical for real-time data transfer applications.

Energy Efficiency

It is amazing that 100 GbE networks boast high speeds while being exceptionally energy-efficient. By consuming less power per unit of data transmitted, 100 GbE networks can lower operating costs and are beneficial for environmental protection.

Backward Compatibility

100 GbE is compatible with existing infrastructure, and replacing transceivers or modules permits the reuse of existing cables. With the simplified deployment, a significant reduction in power and space requirements can be achieved.

Challenges and Solutions to Using 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Managing Low Latency Demands

Ensuring low latency in 100 Gigabit Ethernet is crucial for high-performance applications. It is essential to provide practical solutions for common problems that arise, such as network congestion and suboptimal routing. You can either focus on network traffic by utilizing quality-of-service (QoS) protocols or optimize network topologies to decrease hop counts. Additionally, it is advisable to upgrade your switches to high-performance models that support low-latency operations.

Handling High Data Rate Requirements

Due to the high data rate requirements of 100 GbE networks, issues may arise, including scalability limitations, bandwidth bottlenecks, and insufficient infrastructure. Three measures can help to solve these problems: using quality optical transceivers to ensure higher data rates, employing link aggregation methods to increase throughput, and maintaining the backbone infrastructure (e.g., switches and cabling).

Ensuring Networking Reliability and Performance

Four key points must be considered when enterprises seek to ensure network reliability and optimal performance. Firstly, they adopt redundancy protocols, such as the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) or Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), to improve fault tolerance and prevent network breakdown. Secondly, regularly upgrading software and maintaining firmware are practical solutions.

Thirdly, to prevent issues from becoming more serious, enterprises can purchase robust monitoring tools to track the network’s health and monitor performance parameters. Lastly, clear service level agreements (SLAs) with service providers should be reached when both sides specify their performance expectations.

Applications of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Data Centers

As the pillar of the data world architecture, data centers must store and handle large amounts of data. 100 GbE can ensure highly efficient collaboration between servers, storage, and networking devices. 100 GbE can guarantee faster data processing speeds, higher performance, and fewer network bottlenecks.

Cloud Computing

Recent years have witnessed the emergence and thriving of artificial intelligence. AWS and Google Cloud have proactively developed cloud computing services in this context. Because 100 GbE has a high speed of 100 Gbps, service providers can connect to their customers faster.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Large-scale HPC clusters require sharing big data and conducting scientific experiments, and ultra-fast networks enable them to process extensive data sets much more efficiently. 100 GbE thus plays a more vital role in HPC environments.

Finance and Healthcare

The financial sector, in particular, places a strong emphasis on measuring profit and loss, which is why 100 GbE is utilized for high-frequency trading and data analysis. In this way, traders can acquire the latest information promptly.

High-speed networking is also essential for hospitals to transfer medical imaging data, patient records, and remote consultations in real-time. 100 GbE makes telemedicine a reality, leaving the operation of medical services more efficient.

Media and Entertainment

With the help of 100 GbE, the media and entertainment industry can better focus on creating quality content and improving more considerate streaming services. On the other hand, users can have a pleasant experience because of the real-time delivery of high-definition videos.

Telecommunications

100 GbE is also vital for the backbone networks that transmit data between switching centers and internet gateways. Using 100 GbE can meet the ever-growing demands of mobile data and high-resolution video streaming.

Prospects of 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Technology Advances

100 Gigabit Ethernet technology has experienced rapid development over the past few years. The introduction of parallel optical transmission and Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM4) modulation techniques improves data transmission efficiency, allowing existing fiber optic infrastructure to support higher data rates.

Upgrade in Network Infrastructure

Modern society has seen the widespread adoption of cloud computing, IoT devices, and virtualization, which has tremendously increased data traffic and enhanced the demand for high-bandwidth and low-latency solutions, such as 100 GbE. Software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) provide organizations with greater flexibility in adjusting their systems, while optical transport networks (OTN) enhance efficiency and lower operational costs.

Promotion by Standards Organizations

Standards organizations such as IEEE and IETF have promoted the continuous development of 100 Gigabit Ethernet technology by establishing and revising related protocols. Adopting such standards can enable the collaboration between devices from various manufacturers and further encourage the advancement of 100 GbE.

Conclusion

In summary, the future of 100 Gigabit Ethernet looks very promising, as this protocol is increasingly playing a transformative role in reshaping the networking landscape. This article explores various aspects of 100 Gigabit Ethernet, including its definition, history, benefits, key components, applications, and future prospects. As our society evolves, 100 Gigabit Ethernet will offer significant advantages for businesses and consumers who require more efficient data communication.

References

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_Gigabit_Ethernet

Read More

• What is 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet? A Beginner Guide
• What is QSFP & QSFP28 Port? Everything You Need to Know
• 100GBASE-SR4 vs. 100GBASE-BiDi SR vs. 100GBASE-SR10: What is the difference?
• 100G Transceiver, DAC, or AOC: Which one to Choose?