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How Is 5G Pushing the 400G Ethernet Transformation?

Updated on Aug 27, 2022 by
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400G

With the rapid technological disruption and the wholesale shift to digitization, several organizations are now adopting 5G networks, thanks to the fast data transfer speeds and improved network reliability. The improved connectivity also means businesses can expand their service delivery and enhance user experiences, increasing market competitiveness and revenue generated.

Before we look at how a 5G network is driving the migration to 400G Ethernet, let's first understand what 5G networks and 400G networks are and how the two are related.

What is a 5G Network?

5G network is the latest wireless technology that delivers multi-Gbps peak data speeds and ultra low latency. This technology marks a massive shift in communication with the potential to greatly transform how data is received and transferred. The increased reliability and a more consistent user experience also enable new applications and use cases extending beyond network computing to include distributed computing.

The fact that tech is constantly evolving and that no one knows exactly what will happen next is the fascinating aspect of the 5G network and its use cases. And while the future of the 5G network is still being written, it's already creating a wealth of opportunities for growth & innovation across industries. Whatever the future holds, one is likely certain: 5G networks will provide far more than just a speedier internet connection. It has the potential to transform businesses and change how customers engage and interact with products and services.

What is 400G Ethernet?

400G Ethernet is the next generation of cloud infrastructure that offers a four-fold jump in max data-transfer speed from the standard maximum of 100G Ethernet. This technology addresses the tremendous bandwidth demands on network infrastructure providers, partly due to the massive adoption of digital transformation initiatives.

Additionally, exponential data traffic growth driven by cloud storage, AI, and Machine Learning use cases has seen 400G Ethernet become a key competitive advantage in the networking and communication world. Major data centers are also shifting to quicker, more scalable infrastructures to keep up with the ever-growing number of users, devices, and applications. Hence, high-capacity connection is becoming quite critical.

For more details about 400G Ethernet, you can check this post: What's the Current and Future Trend of 400G Ethernet?

How are 5G and 400G Ethernet Related?

By default, the 5G wireless technology offers greater speeds, reduced latencies, and increased data connection density. This makes it an attractive option for highly demanding applications such as industrial IoT, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, VR, and AR. And while the 5G standard is theoretically powerful, its real-world use cases are only as good as the network architecture this wireless technology relies on.

A reliable and scalable implementation of edge-computing paradigms is crucial for achieving low-latency connections between devices in data centers and cloud environments. This extends further to demand greater fiber densification at the edge and substantially higher data rates on the existing fiber networks. Luckily, 400G Ethernet fills these networking gaps, allowing carriers, multiple-system operators (MSOs), and data center operators to streamline their operations to meet most of the 5G demands.

5G Use Cases Accelerating the Migration to 400G Ethernet

As the demand for data-intensive services increases, organizations are beginning to see some business sense in investing in 5G and 400G technologies. Here are some of the major 5G applications driving the migration to the 400G network.

High-Speed Video Streaming

The rapid adoption of 5G technology is expected to take the over-the-top viewing experience to a whole new level as demand for buffer-free video streaming, and high-quality content grows. Because video consumes the majority of mobile internet capacity today, the improved connectivity will give new opportunities for digital streaming companies. Video-on-demand (VOD) enthusiasts will also bid farewell to video buffering, thanks to the 5G network's ultra-fast download speeds and super-low latency. Still, 400G Ethernet is required to ensure reliable power, efficiency, and density to support these applications.

Virtual Gaming

5G network promises a more captivating future for gamers. The network's speed enhances high-definition live streaming, and thanks to ultra-low latency, 5G gaming won't be limited to high-end devices with a lot of processing power. In other words, high-graphics games can be displayed and controlled by a mobile device; however, processing, retrieval, and storage can all be done in the cloud.

Use cases such as low-latency Virtual Reality (VR) apps, which rely on fast feedback and near-real-time response times to give a more realistic experience, also benefit greatly from a 5G network. And as this wireless network becomes the standard, the quantity and sophistication of these applications are expected to peak. That is where 400G data centers and capabilities will play a critical role.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Over the years, IoT has grown and become widely adopted across industries, from manufacturing and production to security and smart home deployments. Today, 5G and IoT are poised to allow applications that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. While this ultra-fast wireless technology promises low latency and high network capacity to overcome the most significant barriers to IoT proliferation, the network infrastructure these applications rely on is a key determining factor. Taking 5G and IoT to the next level means solving the massive bandwidth demands while delivering high-end flexibility that gives devices near real-time ability to sense and respond.

400G Network

Conclusion

With the development of a 5G network, enterprises can play the role of a 400G network to meet the growing demand for high bandwidth to maintain a stable high-performance connection. Today, operators and service providers that were among the first to deploy 400G Ethernet are already reaping big from their investments. Perhaps one of the most compelling features of 400G Ethernet isn't what it offers at the moment but rather its ability to accommodate further upgrades to 800G Ethernet and beyond.

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