Effective Solutions for 100G Cloud Data Center Connectivity

In recent years, data centers have entered the 100G era in response to the exponential growth of traffic and data. Besides, in order to more effectively provide cloud-based services such as AI, VR/AR, and 4K video, large-scale 100G data centers such as many cloud data centers have been constructed massively around the world. The 100G cloud data center, as an efficient new data center, puts forward higher requirements for its infrastructure. This article will take you through effective solutions for 100G cloud data center internal connectivity and interconnection.

100G Cloud Data Center Basis

Could data center is a new type of data center based on cloud computing, with loose coupling of computing, storage, and network resources, complete virtualization of various IT equipment, and a high degree of modularity, automation, and green energy saving.

Cloud data centers are generally owned and managed by cloud providers to offer high-performance computing, networking, and storage resources and services to many different organizations, which they can access over the network. Therefore, cloud data centers are usually very large in scale and have significant advantages in terms of resource allocation, operational efficiency, flexibility, and scalability.

100G Cloud Data Center Architecture

With the rise of 100G Ethernet, many cloud data centers are upgraded to 100G to improve data throughput by higher bandwidth and port density. For better data exchange and throughput capacity, 100G cloud data centers adopt a flat spine-leaf network architecture that includes Spine Core, Edge Core, and ToR. The connections between different layers of the 100G cloud data center vary in transmission rates and distances, as shown below.

Requirements in 100G Cloud Data Centers

To increase data processing capabilities, 100G cloud data centers place higher requirements on their infrastructure: high speed, high density, low power consumption, and high availability.

High Speed: Due to the explosive growth of data center traffic, high-speed equipment of 100G and beyond is required to address the massive data transmission needs.

High Density: Cloud data centers are often large and need to conserve rack space to reduce construction and expansion costs. Therefore, high-density devices, such as switches with more ports and compact transceivers, are needed to reduce the number of switches needed while increasing transmission capacity.

Low Power Consumption: Lower power consumption can effectively save energy and ensure proper operation due to better heat dissipation.

High Availability: 100G cloud data centers require equipment with high availability, such as future-proof pluggable modules to support future data center upgrades.

100G Cloud Data Center Solution

To facilitate cloud provider business growth, here are some effective solutions for 100G cloud data center internal connectivity and interconnection.

Connection between ToR Switches and Servers

In this case, the transmission distance is generally less than 5m and the data speed is 10G/40G. The suitable solution is 10G/40G DAC/AOC. DAC performs better at cost, power consumption, and heat dissipation, while AOC has the advantages of light weight, longer transmission distance, and easier installation and maintenance. For short-distance transmission in 100G cloud data centers, 10G/40G DACs are a more cost-effective solution.

Connection between Edge Core and ToR

In addition to 100G QSFP28 AOC supporting 100m transmission, 100G QSFP28 SR4 transceivers with MTP/MPO cables can also be used for this connectivity. Compared to 100G QSFP28 SR4, 100G AOC can provide lower cost and power consumption. However, in addition to supporting a longer transmission distance, the 100G QSFP28 SR4 has additional digital diagnostics functions, causing superior performance in receiver sensitivity.

Connection between Spine Core and Edge Core

For the connectivity between spine core switches and edge core switches, 100G QSFP28 transceivers are available in several types to address different transmission distance requirements. Besides, some QSFP28 transceivers are based on PAM4 technology that can minimize optical signal degradation while doubling the data rate, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution for 100G cloud data centers.

Connection between Core Router and Spine Core

This connection belongs to data center interconnect (DCI) with an ultra-long transmission distance. Recommended 100G DCI solutions are 100G coherent solution and 100G PAM4 DWDM solution. The coherent optics are ideal for long-haul distance transmission (80km-1000km). 100G PAM4 DWDM QSFP28 with open line systems is more economical and convenient in 80km DCI networks.

The Closing Thought

Multiple solutions are given in this article for different connectivity scenarios in 100G cloud data centers, all with their advantages and disadvantages. Cloud providers can choose among them based on their specific needs. Hopefully, the 100G cloud data center solutions can be helpful.