Articles
Unclear on fiber optic breakouts? What you need to know
3 min read
Learn why fiber optic breakouts are useful and how to use them in your network.
How to Go Beyond Optics Standards and Reach 25km
2 min read
The secret behind the 100G ER-Lite's superior optical performance.
History of Pluggable Optics (Part 4 of 4): Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 4 Notes
1 min read
Join us for Episode 4 of the Cisco Optics Podcast, where we discuss the history of pluggable optics in a conversation with Ray Nering, an engineering product manager in the Cisco Optics product management group.
History of Pluggable Optics (Part 3 of 4): Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 3 Notes
1 min read
Join us for Episode 3 of the Cisco Optics Podcast, where we discuss the history of pluggable optics in a conversation with Ray Nering, an engineering product manager in the Cisco Optics product management group.
History of Pluggable Optics (Part 2 of 4): Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 2 Notes
1 min read
Join us for Episode 2 of the Cisco Optics Podcast, where we discuss the history of pluggable optics in a conversation with Ray Nering, an engineering product manager in the Cisco Optics product management group.
History of Pluggable Optics (Part 1 of 4): Cisco Optics Podcast Episode 1 Notes
1 min read
Introducing the Cisco Optics Podcast, part of the Cisco Podcast Network and available on all major podcast platforms. Join us for episode one, where we discuss the history of pluggable optics in a conversation with Ray Nering, an engineering product manager in the Cisco Optics product management group.
Good News for Those Who Need Optics Information Quickly
2 min read
COPI is a new online tool for optics information that accompanies the popular Cisco Optics compatibility and interoperability matrices.
It’s Quick And Easy With Cisco Optics Online Tools
2 min read
Confused about which pluggable optic is right for your application? These user-friendly Cisco Optics online tools make it easy to choose.
Did You Know About The Alternative To 40G BiDi: 40G CSR?
2 min read
The QSFP+ 40G CSR pluggable optic offers an alternative to 40G BiDi, especially when longer reach is needed.
What’s so great about LR compared to LR4 optics?
3 min read
Learn the difference between 100G LR and LR4 optics, and how pluggable form factors evolved between the introductions of the two.
Now You Can Future-Proof Your Data Center With 100G Optics
2 min read
Optimized for data center applications, the QSFP28 100G DR is the second product in Cisco's Single-Lambda 100G portfolio of pluggable optics.
Fiber Optics Part 3: Fiber Dispersion Will Change The Way You See Your Links
3 min read
Learn how fiber dispersion properties limit your link data rate and distance.
A New Capability Of Single-Lambda 100G Technology: 10km Reach
1 min read
There's a new addition to Cisco's Single-Lambda 100G series of QSFP28 optics that provides 10km reach. It's called 100G LR.
What You Need to Know About 800G Signaling For Pluggable Optics
2 min read
The re-branded Ethernet Technology Consortium has released a specification for 800G signaling. This goes hand in hand with the new QSFP-DD800 form factor MSA.
How to Support Future Traffic Growth: New 800G Optics MSA
2 min read
The new QSFP-DD800 form factor MSA lays the foundation for 800G Ethernet pluggable optics.
Now! Worry-Free NICs in Your Servers With Cisco Optics
2 min read
Cisco Optics are now qualified on Cisco UCS servers even when using 3rd party NICs such as those from Intel, Mellanox, and QLogic. This is a significant development for data center operators who are more and more reliant on cables and pluggable optics as SFP and QSFP technology progress, and cloud applications dominate.
Extended Reach 100G Optics – Which One Is Best For Me?
2 min read
Since the introduction of 100G pluggable optics several years ago, a great variety of reaches and form factors became available. Among the most confusing reaches are the Extended Reach variants. In this blog, we are going to explain what variants are available in the Cisco Optics portfolio, and the differences between them.
Here’s An Easier Way To Upgrade To 400G Optics
2 min read
Learn how the QSFP28 FR pluggable optic paves the way to 400G upgrades and how it impacts the network performance and deployment process in this next entry in the Single Lambda 100G blog series.
How To Make 100G Pluggable Optics In Massive Volume
2 min read
Here's how to ensure your 100G optics are forward compatible. It's all about simplifying designs and standards so that manufacturers can support volumes equivalent to today's 10G SFP+ pluggable optics. The key is to use single-lambda 100G.
Why Single-Lambda 100G Is Just What Networks Need in Pluggable Optics
2 min read
The Single-Lambda 100G optics standards will be instrumental in the development of the next generation of 100G pluggable optics.
QSFP-DD800 MSA Paves The Way For 800G Links In Data Centers
3 min read
A new 800G MSA is formed to support continued growth in traffic demand and the resulting need for higher link data rates in data centers. Once again, Cisco is there at the forefront.
A New Generation of 100G Pluggable Optics Starts With QSFP28 100G FR and PAM4
1 min read
Gain insight into Cisco's vision for 100G pluggable optics of the future.
1G Bidirectional Transceivers for Service Provider and IoT Applications
3 min read
Find out how to instantly double the utilization of your SP or IoT fiber infrastructure.
25 Gb For Campus Networks – Just Upgrade It!
1 min read
25Gb optics add negligible cost to a new campus network. There's no reason not to choose it over 10Gb.
Cisco’s 10/25G CSR Transceiver – Clearing Up A Common Misconception
1 min read
Answering the question: How am I supposed to use Cisco’s 10/25G CSR transceiver when it’s proprietary?
Don’t Mix Up Your FECs
2 min read
Clearing up the confusion about forward error correction and 25G short reach transceivers.
Peace of Mind with Cisco Optics (Part 2 of 3)
4 min read
In part 2 of this blog series, discover how Cisco maintains the industry's highest standards of transceiver quality and reliability.
New Tunable DWDM 10Gb Transceiver For Extended Reach On All SFP+ Ports
2 min read
All 10G SFP+ ports now have access to tunable DWDM transceivers, thanks to this new product.
Optics Around the World… of Solutions at Cisco Live 2019
2 min read
Join Cisco Optics at the SP Power Session, where we will discuss how Cisco is prepared to guide service providers through network transformation -- driven by architectural shifts, 5G, and automation.
Video: QSFP-DD Optics Thermal Demo and Why This Is Important For 400G Data Center Interconnects
1 min read
What's the connection between thermal dissipation and data center interconnect? Find out here!
Video: What’s So Special About Cisco Optics?
1 min read
Next time someone claims that all optics are the same, point them here.
Video: Cisco’s 40G QSFP+ CSR Transceiver Matches 10G SR Reach Over Duplex MMF Optical Links
1 min read
Paymon Mogharabi explains the benefits of Cisco's new 40G "CSR" extended reach transceiver.
Video: New 25G Transceivers Are Taking Off
1 min read
In this video interview, Craig Pasek explains the latest and greatest in 25G transceivers.
Announcing the Availability of the Dual-Rate 10/25G Long Reach Transceiver Module
1 min read
We're excited to release a new addition to our portfolio of dual-rate pluggable transceivers: The 10/25G LR (Long Reach) SFP28 transceiver module, also known as SFP-10/25G-LR-S.
Video: Cisco Silicon Photonics for Single-Wavelength 100G
1 min read
On-camera interview about Cisco's single-wavelength 100G PAM4 technology demo at OFC 2019.
25G Transceiver FAQ
3 min read
Craig Pasek answers frequently asked questions about 25G transceivers.
Cisco Demonstrates 20W+ Power Dissipation of QSFP-DD at OFC 2019
3 min read
See how this demo proves that the QSFP-DD transceiver form factor can connect distant data centers together with coherent optics.
Silicon Photonics Demonstration at OFC 2019
2 min read
See the new Cisco Optics silicon photonics technology showed at OFC 2019!
Cisco Optics Demos and Displays at OFC 2019
1 min read
Come visit Cisco Optics at OFC 2019 at booth #5829 for live demos and displays!
Peace of Mind with Cisco Optics (Part 1 of 3)
3 min read
Find out how Cisco gained its reputation for problem-free pluggable optics in this first of a three-part series.
25-Gigabit Pluggable Transceivers for Data Center Applications
4 min read
Cisco’s 25G pluggable transceivers accommodate multiple operational scenarios for data center operators.
Transforming Enterprise Applications with 25G Ethernet SMF
3 min read
Cisco’s new SFP-10/25G-LR-S transceiver enables easy upgrade in SMF enterprise networks.
100G Lambda MSA Group Adds New Members and Releases Updated Specifications for Next Generation Networks
4 min read
The 100G Lambda MSA group is driving the next generation of low cost 100G optics, and paving the way to 400G interconnects.
Meeting enterprise demands with dual rate 10/25G Ethernet
1 min read
Cisco’s new SFP-10/25G-CSR-S transceiver enables cost effective next generation enterprise networks.
New MSA Formed to Tackle 400GE Over Multi-Mode Fiber
2 min read
There’s a new standard in town, and it’s name is 400GE BiDi MSA.
100G Adoption In Data Centers With QSFP BiDi Transceiver
1 min read
Dual-rate 40/100G QSFP BiDi is a big hit at Cisco Live 2018 in Orlando!
Fiber Optics Part 2: Single-Mode Fiber vs. Multi-Mode-Fiber
3 min read
Everything you always wanted to know about fiber optic data communication but were afraid to ask. Part 2: SMF vs. MMF
The 100G Lambda MSA Specifies Cost-Effective 100GE and 400GE Optical Modules
3 min read
Learn about the new MSA that enables low cost standardized 100G and 400G transceivers.
PAM4 for 400G Optical Interfaces and Beyond (Part 1)
2 min read
This blog walks you through the basics of PAM4 modulation for current and next-generation optical transceivers.
Cisco Optics On Display and Demonstrated at OFC 2018
1 min read
See optical innovations at OFC, like dual-rate BiDi, extended reach 25G optics for MMF, and a cool demo of the QSFP-DD transceiver form factor.
40/100G BiDi Transceiver – Some Sequels Are Better Than The Original
2 min read
QSFP BiDi at either 40G or 100G offers easy migration paths for data center upgrades.
40/100G QSFP BiDi Transceiver’s Backward Compatibility With 40G BiDi
1 min read
Incremental upgrades to data centers made easier with backward compatibility with 40G BiDi.
Looks Like We’re Upgrading Again! Dual-Rate 40G/100G BiDi Transceiver
1 min read
First dual-rate 40G/100G ports. Now there’s a 40G/100G dual-rate pluggable optic!
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