Data Center/Datacomm Programming at OFC/NFOEC

Plenary Session
Show Floor Programming
Workshop
Technical Program
Short Courses
Exhibition
Free Webinar
Videos

 

What is OFC/NFOEC?

The Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) lead the optical networking industry. There is no other venue that combines the knowledge of optical networking with data communications.

Plenary Session - Free to All Attendees

Milo Medin
Vice President, Access Services, Google

Presentation: Bandwidth, Optics and the age of Abundance

Greg Papadopoulos, Ph.D.
Venture Partner, New Enterprise Associates

Presentation: How to Design and Build Your Very Own Exascale Computer

Show Floor Programming- Free to All Atendees

Lighting Up the Data Center

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Moderator: Brad Booth, Director of Network Architecture, Office of the CTO, Dell Inc.

As bandwidth demand increases in data centers, there is a growing deployment of optical interconnects. The panel discusses when the decision to move to optics is being made, where the optical links are being deployed, what type of optics is being used, and why this trend is occurring. Panelists will represent end users and technology providers making this session relevant for both IT and optics professionals.

Cloud Computing as a Service

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Stuart Elby, Ph.D.; Vice President, Network Architecture and Technology & Chief Technologist, Verizon Digital Media Services, Verizon, USA

Cloud computing technologies enable network service providers the ability to offer IT-style services on top of basic network services. More importantly, cloud computing technologies enable software defined networking (SDN) which may revolutionize the manner which network services are delivered. This presentation will highlight cloud computing services. The application of these same technologies towards software defined networking will also be examined, including several use cases.

Market Watch: Panel IV: Advanced Integrated Photonics

Thursday, March 8, 2012
10:15am-12:15pm

Moderator: Ted Schmidt, Ph.D., Director, Optical Systems Technology, Juniper Networks, USA

Panel Description:
This panel will explore how integrated photonics can enable high density optical communications links spanning applications in supercomputing, data centers, inter-office, and core transport networks. Emphasis will be placed on the role of integrated photonics technologies in meeting the density (size and power) requirements of tomorrow’s networks.

Speakers:

Optical Integration for Data Center Networks

Mitchell Fields, Director, Advanced Technology Solutions Group, Fiber Optics Products, Avago Technologies, USA

Photonic integration of components for core transport networks has demonstrated clear advantages in cost/performance and hence has enjoyed broad adoption and deployment. However, there is minimal photonic integration found in the commercially available and broadly deployed optical components used in high-bandwidth short-reach networks such as data center networks, networks interconnecting high-performance computers, and the interconnect fabric of scalable multichassis routers/switches; the predominant enabling components are VCSEL-based parallel optics. This presentation explores the applications and metrics associated with components for data center networks as well as suggestions where “integration” can have benefits.

Photonic Integration in Long Haul Transport Networks

Antti Kankkunen, VP, Product Planning, Infinera Corporation, USA

The rapid growth of Internet is challenging core transport network architectures. It is increasingly difficult to control network cost, space requirements and power consumption while continuing to rapidly augment network capacity. It will be critical to cost effectively support bandwidths beyond 100Gbps in long-haul optical networks in the near term and it is clear that the most sensible path towards this end is via a multi-carrier approach for N x 100 Gb/s transmission. However implementing it using conventional discrete components leads to complex designs affecting operational reliability. Photonic integration resolves this simplifying operations while reducing cost, space and power. This presentation provides an update on commercially deployed long haul solutions based on photonic integration along with a discussion on future architectures.

Less is More: Enabling New Applications through Photonic Integration in InP and GaAs and Advanced Packaging Technologies

Yves LeMaitre, Chief Commercial Officer, Oclaro, USA

Network operators face the continuous challenge of having to increase bandwidth and network utilization while at the same time reducing costs, aligning expenses with revenue, and minimizing space and power usage. Addressing these challenges requires significant innovation at the module and component level. This talk will discuss how innovation in laser design and packaging is enabling a variety of new applications for 100G networks and what will be required moving forward.

Optical Integration – Enabling Next Generation Networks

Atul Srivastava, Chief Technology Officer, NEL America, USA

Lower cost per bit is a key requirement for the deployment of next generation 100G and higher data rate optical transport and CDC ROADM routing equipment. Hybrid PLC-LN modulator technology is attractive for the current 100G PM-QPSK transmission systems and for the future selectable modulation format systems ranging from QPSK to 64-QAM. Likewise, fully integrated receivers consisting of photodiode and TIA arrays and PLC-based dual polarization optical hybrid devices are expected to shrink significantly in size and reduce cost in the future. Moreover, integrated multi-port switches for the CDC ROADM with flexible add/drop capability and integrated optical amplifier arrays will be critical for the dynamic network deployment. This talk will focus on the novel integrated devices enabling the next generation optical networks. It will cover the hybrid components for 100G and higher data rate ROADM networks.

Workshop:

Optics in the Data Center: HowCan We Efficiently Move and Control Large Amounts of Data?

Monday, March 5, 2012
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Organizer: Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur, McGill Univ, Canada; Laurent Schares, IBM, USA

Description:
A new class of optical interconnects must be developed to meet demands of large-scale computing systems and highly-interconnected datacenters. In this workshop, leading experts will debate the key physical-layer and networking challenges of future datacenter optics. For example, will 10-Gb/s LAN-on-motherboard lead to deeper system integration of optics? Which is more cost- and power-efficient for datacenter interconnectivity, single-mode or multimode optics? Can relaxed transceiver specs lead to lower-cost datacenter optics? Beyond the physical layer, important questions remain about the network architecture, including the scalability of the control plane managing large amounts of traffic. Is there a need for optical architectures beyond point-to-point optical links, or for optical interconnects to remote memory? Can advanced circuits and traffic management lower the power consumption of the optical subsystem?

Technical Program

The increasing bandwidth demands of emerging computing platforms from hand-held embedded systems to data centers and cloud computing has started attracting significant research activities into enabling photonic technologies including interconnects and switching fabrics, as well as the design consideration of interconnection networking architectures. Traditional Datacom transceiver technology is too costly, bulky, and power hungry to support the future scale of deployment. A new class of optimized short-reach, low-power, and low-cost optical interconnects must therefore be developed to enable next-generation large-scale systems and address the Computercom interconnect challenge.

This category aims to capture these emerging non-Telecom areas from enabling optical interconnect technologies, switching and routing subsystems, to integrated interconnection networking architectures and new applications that address the unique challenges of Datacom and Computercom. Topics covered include components and architectures that will enable the deployment of massive optical networks for Exascale computers and highly interconnected data centers. The length scales include intra-system, intra-datacenter and inter-datacenter.

Optical Architectures for Data Centers

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Delivering Scale Out Data Center Networking with Optics -- Why and How
Vahdat, Google/UC San Diego
Abstract: We review the architecture of modern datacenter networks. After deriving networking requirements from first principles and application characteristics, we discuss the opportunities afforded by optics to deliver scale out data center networking.

Dynamically Reconfigurable Photonic Resources for Optically Connected Data Center Networks
H. Wang, Columbia University; IBM T.J. Watson Research Center
Abstract: A modular, traffic-adaptable data center network architecture leveraging unique reconfigurable optical functionalities is presented. Optical multicasting and subnet formation is demonstrated between four ports at up to 80 Gb/s per port.

Performance of AWGR-based Optical Interconnects with Contention Resolution based on All-Optical NACKs
R. Proietti, UC Davis
Abstract: This presentation analyzes a 10Gb/s 64x64 optical interconnect switch exploiting an all-optical NACK technique. Simulations show that this switch architecture supports high throughput and low-latency even at 0.85 load in contrast to the flattened-butterfly architecture.

Design Principles in the Open Compute Project
E. Frachtenberg, Facebook
Abstract: The Open Compute Project aims to capture the best principles in datacenter design and open them for third-party implementation and discussion. This paper summarizes them in the areas of electrical, thermal, building, and server design.

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Optically Interconnected Computing Systems and Architectures

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Optically-Connected Memory with Error Correction for Increased Reliability in Large-Scale Computing Systems
D. Brunina, Columbia University; Tyndall National Institute
Abstract: We demonstrate an optically-connected memory system with a novel advanced error-correction protocol for improved communication reliability in large-scale computing systems. An emulated microprocessor operates uninterrupted with several optically-connected memory nodes despite multiple memory data errors.

Optically Synchronized MIMO Interconnects for 3D HPC Memory Access Systems using Radio-over-Fiber Technology
S. Fan, Georgia Institute of Technology; Institute of Microelectronics Chinese Academy of Sciences; NEC Labs America
Abstract: A novel analog MIMO multiplexing scheme is proposed to realize a low-latency MIMO subsystem for a paradigm-shift 3D large-memory interconnect architecture. System complexity, latency, and throughput are greatly improved by radio-over-fiber synchronization.

Future Computing Architectures Enabled by Optical and Nanophotonic Interconnects
M. McLaren, HP
Abstract: Integrated CMOS nanophotonics will significantly impact the design of large scale computer systems. By enabling high bandwidth, high radix router components, more flexible, programmable and power efficient computer systems can be developed.

Optical Interconnect Opportunities in Supercomputers and High End Computing
A. Benner, IBM
Abstract: This tutorial will review how the architecture, design, and deployment of a variety of high-performance computing systems will be impacted by the current status of optical interconnect technologies now and in the future.

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100G Technology for Data Center Network

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Optical Networking for Data Centers Across Wide Area Networks
J. Berthold, Ciena

Feasibility of Unretimed 100 GbE Based on 4x25.78 GBd
A. Ghiasi, Broadcom Corporation; Finisar
Abstract: We have demonstrated the feasibility of unretimed 100 GbE based on 4x25.78 GBd signaling, using a 40 nm CMOS SerDes interfaced to a 100 mm host PCB channel that includes a z-pluggable connector connected to a 100Gbase-LR4 ROSA.

Double-sided-mount Card-edge-connected Optical Transceiver Module using Cost-effective FPC-OE Optical Engine
T. Yagisawa, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Abstract: We developed an 8-channel optical transceiver that achieves high density and low cost by adopting cost-effective FPC-OEs on both surfaces of a card-edge module. Clear eye-openings and error-free operation up to 14 Gb/s were obtained.

Large Scale Data Centers and the Evolution to 100G Ethernet
N. Ilyadis, Broadcom
Abstract: As the Cloud Computing model evolves over the next decade data centers will scale from tens of thousands of servers to 100’s of thousands of servers. Server performance will also scale with the adoption of high performance multicore processors that will drive the need for high speed networking to provide them the data for their applications. Currently 10G Ethernet is emerging as the interconnect that meets current needs. As servers move to 40G connections the need for 100G Ethernet will come to the forefront. This talk will explore the data center networking evolution and how 100G Ethernet can meet its future needs. It will also review current standards efforts and emerging technologies that may address the cost and performance that is required.

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Optical Interconnects for Data Centers

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Optically Cross-Braced Hypercube: a Reconfigurable Physical Layer for Interconnects and Server-Centric Datacenters
L. Kazovsky, Tsinghua University; Stanford University; UFES
Abstract: Our proposal is to gradually deploy 2x2 optical switches to hypercubes planes in order to decrease about 15% of transit traffic processing for bidirectional physical connections and over 20% forwarding traffic in unidirectional links.

Low Latency and Large Port Count Optical Packet Switch with Highly Distributed Control
J. Luo, COBRA Research Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology; Tianjin University
Abstract: We demonstrate for the first time 40 Gb/s operation of a modular large port count optical packet switch with highly distributed control. The switch shows 25ns latency and record low energy consumption of 76.5 pJ/bit.

Optically Interconnected Data Center Networks
L. Xu* NEC Labs
Abstract: Optical switching shows great promise for future intra data center network (DCN) interconnection applications. The network benefits of optical circuit switching for DCN applications are discussed, and recent work on optical switching-based DCN is reviewed.

Energy Efficiency and Scalability of Multi-plane optical Interconnection Networks for Computing Platforms and Data Centers
P. Castoldi, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Studi Universitari e Perfezionamento (SSSUP); MCGill University
Abstract: Multi-plane optical interconnection networks are proposed as scalable architectures with optimized energy-efficiency for large computing platforms. The space-time architecture is found to have scalable energy consumption greater than both the space-wavelength architecture and single-plane architecture.

112-Gb/s Transmission over 100m of Graded-Index Plastic Optical Fiber for Optical Data Center Applications
Y. Shao, NEC Laboratories America; University of Florida
Abstract: 100G transmission over GI-POF is demonstrated by using 112-Gb/s PolMux-QPSK modulation and digital coherent detection. The transmission distance over 100m and simplified coupling method is suitable for optical data-center applications.

Optical Interconnect Architecture for Servers using High Bandwidth Optical Mid-plane
J. Matsui, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.; Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
Abstract: We describe an interconnect architecture that utilizes high bandwidth optical mid-plane. Enabling technologies for high density optical mid-plane are discussed. We developed a prototype to determine the feasibility. The results showed proposed architecture is practical.

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Enabling Technologies for Computercom

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

A Polymeric Regenerative Optical Bus For Board-Level Optical Interconnections
N. Bamiedakis, University of Cambridge
Abstract: A scalable polymer waveguide-based regenerative optical bus architecture for use in board-level communications is presented. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, a 4-channel polymer bus formed on a FR4 substrate providing 10 Gb/s/channel data transmission is reported.

Cost-effective Transceiver Technologies for High-bandwidth Optical Interconnection in High-end Server Systems
T. Kazuhiro, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Abstract: We have developed cost-effective technologies for optical transceivers with over 10-Gb/s operations in high bandwidth interconnection. These include optical engines on flexible printed circuit and 25Gb/s operation with pre-emphasis overdrive of conventional VCSEL for 10Gb/s

Ultra Low Power 10- to 25-Gb/s CMOS-Driven VCSEL Links
J. Proesel, IBM Research
Abstract: Two optical links sharing a TX but using different RXs explore the speed/power/area tradeoff. Circuits are 90nm CMOS. Record full-link power efficiencies of 1.37pJ/bit at 15Gb/s and 3.6pJ/bit at 25Gb/s are achieved.

Low Loss Photonic Wire Bond Interconnects Enabling 5 TBit/s Data Transmission
N. Lindenmann, Karlsruhe Institut of Technology
Abstract: Photonic wire bonding enables flexible single-mode chip-to-chip interconnects with average losses of only 2.5 dB over a spectral range from 1270 nm to 1580 nm. Flawless transmission is demonstrated for a 5.25 Tbit/s data stream.

Integrated CMOS Comaptible Low Power 10Gbps Silicon Photonic Heater Modulator
W. Zortman, Sandia National Labs; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; University of New Mexico
Abstract: We quantify bit-error performance of a heater-modulator that uses CMOS compatible heater and modulator voltages, occupies 50μm2, is compatible with differential signaling and shows consistent extinction ratio under tuning while consuming only 7μW /GHz.

Optimization of Microring-based Optical Interconnection Configurations for the Reduction of Power Consumption and Insertion Loss
P. Yuen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Abstract: With the objectives of reducing power consumption and average insertion loss, optimal configurations for optical interconnection are determined, leveraging the asymmetric behaviors at cross/bar states of microring switching element. Besides, a novel heuristic is proposed.

Energy Efficient All-Optical Arbitration in Optical Network-on-Chip
S. Koohi, Sharif University of Technology; University of California, Davis
Abstract: We propose an all-optical arbitration architecture to resolve end-point contention in the optical networks-on-chip. The proposed architecture reduces on-chip optical power and energy losses by 37% and 21%, respectively, compared to Corona’s token-based control plane.

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Short Courses

Datacenter Networking 101

Sunday, March 4, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cedric Lam and Hong Liu; Google Inc., USA

Computercom Interconnects: Circuits and Equalization Methods for Short Reach Power-Efficient Optical and Electrical Links

Sunday, March 4, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Alexander Rylyakov, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, USA

Data Center Cabling: Transitioning from Copper to Fiber

Monday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lisa Huff; DataCenterStocks.com, USA, ²Discerning Analytics, LLC, USA

Cloud Computing and Dynamic Networks

Tuesday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
George Clapp, Telcordia Technologies, USA; Douglas Freimuth, IBM Research, USA

Exhibition

The exhibit floor features over 500 exhibitors covering various aspects of optical networking from systems to components. Some of the vendors relevant to data centers and data communications include:

ADVA Optical Networking
Alcatel-Lucent
Ciena Corporation
Cisco
Corning Incorporated
Ericsson Inc.,
Ethernet Alliance
EXFO
Finisar
Fujitsu Network Communications
Huawei Technologies
Infinera
JDSU
Juniper
Nokia Siemens Network<

Visit the web site for a full list of exhibitors.

Free Webinar

FREE ARCHIVED WEBINAR Data Center Cabling – Transitioning from Copper to Fiber

Transitioning from Copper to Fiber in the Data Center

Originally broadcast on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm EST

Are you tired of bulky copper cabling that fills your pathways and spaces and could block the airflow from your CRAC unit in your raised floor data center environment? Learn how to transition your networks from unwieldy copper Category Cabling to slim high-bandwidth fiber. Listen to this free one-hour Webinar that provides an overview of data center cabling options and a cost analysis of copper versus fiber in the data center.

Intended Audience:
This Webinar is valuable to engineers, technicians, networking professionals and managers interested in transitioning their networks and data centers from copper to fiber optics.

Speaker Biography:
Lisa A. Huff is Chief Technology Analyst for DataCenterStocks.com and principal analyst for Discerning Analytics, LLC. She is a Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) and degreed electrical engineer with more than 25 years experience in the electronics industry. Her recent works include several market research reports on optical interconnects, structured cabling, passive optical LAN and 40/100G markets. She contributes to two on-going blogs on DataCenterStocks.com and Optical Components and is a contributory writer for DataCenterStocks.com Data Center Network Operator service.

View at Your Convenience
This Webinar is available for viewing at any time and it is FREE.