CommScope’s OM4 Fiber Enables 100 Gigabit Ethernet
To Reach 430 Meters in World’s First Public Demonstration
–Exceeds Last Year’s Mark of 340 Meters–
LONDON, January 31, 2012 — CommScope, Inc., a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has once again exceeded industry standards by successfully enabling a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) data transmission over off-the-shelf multi-mode fiber optic cabling at a length of 430 meters.
In collaboration with Ixia and Reflex Photonics Inc., the demonstration took place at Cisco Live! in London using SYSTIMAX® InstaPATCH® 360 fiber cable assemblies using LazrSPEED® 550 OM4 fiber.
“This demonstration shows a future proof path from 10G through 40G and onto 100G with error-free operation,” said Peter Marsh, UK technical manager, CommScope. “It also demonstrates that our customers will not have to re-engineer their networks or deploy new cable when they eventually evolve to 100G. CommScope’s solutions are engineered to exceed industry standards, but this demonstration, exceeding last year’s mark by almost 100 meters, proves the value high-performance cabling infrastructure can bring.”
CommScope first publicly demonstrated this technological advancement during last year’s event, and both last year’s and today’s demonstration were the first to take place publicly, rather than in closed-door laboratory environments.
The 100 GE standard was ratified in 2010 by the IEEE 802.3ba committee for transmissions up to 150 meters of OM4 fiber cable. CommScope’s 430-meter link proves that the range could be effectively doubled through the combined use of high-performance connectivity solutions and advanced optoelectronics.
“Using CommScope’s innovative OM4 fiber cable with Ixia’s K2 100GE test solution has once again validated this technology and proven that it is ready for deployment in today’s data centers,” said Dave Schneider, senior manager of market development, Ixia.
Robert Coenen, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Reflex Photonics added, “Demonstrating the technology outside the laboratory proves that today’s 100GE network infrastructure and Reflex’s 100G CFP are ready for everyday use.”
CommScope offers a complete portfolio of network infrastructure solutions that enable enterprise customers, regardless of size, industry or IT budget, to take advantage of business and technology opportunities. CommScope’s SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® brands offer voice, data, video and converged connectivity solutions that support mission-critical, high-bandwidth and emerging applications to those that demand unrelenting reliability and quality for everyday needs. CommScope’s Wired For Wireless® solution provides new buildings and campuses with the wireless infrastructure necessary to eliminate weak or blocked signal areas from the outset and prepare them for better wireless coverage.
About CommScope
CommScope (www.commscope.com) has played a role in virtually all the world’s best communication networks. We create the infrastructure that connects people and technologies through every evolution. Our portfolio of end-to-end solutions includes critical infrastructure our customers need to build high-performing wired and wireless networks. As much as technology changes, our goal remains the same: to help our customers create, innovate, design, and build faster and better. We’ll never stop connecting and evolving networks for the business of life at home, at work, and on the go.
About Ixia
Ixia provides the industry’s most comprehensive converged IP services testing solution – from the wireless edge to the Internet core. Network equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises, and government agencies use Ixia’s industry-leading test and simulation platforms to design and validate a broad range of wired, Wi-Fi, and 3G/4G networking equipment and networks. Ixia’s solutions create real-world conditions by emulating a full range of high-scaling networking protocols and generating media-rich application traffic to validate performance, conformance and security of cloud, core, data center, wireless and multiplay networks. For more information, visit www.ixiacom.com.
About Reflex Photonics Inc.
Founded in 2002, Reflex Photonics is an advanced developer of extreme high-speed, parallel channel optical connectivity solutions for semiconductor packaging and data transfer applications. The company addresses the growing demand for high-speed interconnects in enterprise-class storage/server environments and telecom-class switches/routers, enabling equipment developers to design smaller, lower cost and lower powered systems that result in higher fidelity and faster connectivity.
News Media Contact:
Karen Devin, CommScope (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
+353 120 420 79
Joseph P. Depa III, CommScope
+1 828-431-9803 or publicrelations@commscope.com
Financial Contact:
Phil Armstrong, CommScope
+1 828-323-4848
