Microchip launches industry’s first Terabit Ethernet PHY to support highest density of 400 GbE and FlexE connectivity

As cloud service providers and telecom operators build their networks, they need routing and switching platforms to reduce costs and optimize bandwidth while increasing capacity, security and flexibility. Microchip Technology Inc., through its subsidiary Microsemi, today released the META-DX1 series of Ethernet PHY devices. This new family of products integrates Ethernet interfaces from 1 GbE to 400 GbE, FlexE, MACsec link encryption, and nanosecond-precision time stamping into a single chip with terabit capacity, and is the first to integrate routing and switching functions.

Currently, the industry is upgrading from 100 GbE to 400 GbE to support the traffic needs of ultra-large-scale data centers. According to the Global Cloud Index report released by Cisco, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of traffic between data centers will exceed 30%; in 2021, traffic will quadruple. META-DX1 quadruples line card capacity from 3.6 Tbps (terabits per second) to 14.4 Tbps with 36 400 GbE ports or 144 100 GbE ports, supporting the critical capabilities vendors require.

META-DX1's MACsec security engine ensures the security of data transmission in data centers or enterprises, while FlexE helps cloud and telecom service providers meet capacity requirements by optimally configuring links beyond current fixed-rate Ethernet. Businesses use low-cost, high-capacity optical fiber to reduce costs. META-DX1 series products integrate MACsec and FlexE in the same solution for the first time to meet the expansion needs of the next stage of data center interconnection (DCI). In addition, unlike other products, META-DX1's integrated cross-connect node has a flexible switch function and can support a single design or SKU of 100 GbE (QSFP28) and 400 GbE (QSFP-DD) optical devices, which is helpful for OEM manufacturers Transition from PAM-based 25 Gbps NRZ and 56 Gbps architectures. By delivering high-performance timestamping with nanosecond accuracy on every port, META-DX1 also ensures network expansion can meet the stringent timing requirements of 5G mobile base station deployments.

"The industry has long anticipated the challenges and limitations of traditional fixed-rate Ethernet MACs in scaling data center interconnect architectures and created FlexE as a solution," said Bob Wheeler, principal analyst at The Linley Group. "Microchip's META-DX1 product provides An all-in-one solution that implements FlexE on data center routers enables cloud service providers to maximize data center fiber capacity while simplifying network operations and management."

Babak Samimi, vice president of Microchip's Communications Division, said: "The META-DX1 series products are designed to provide various functions required in communications network construction through unified hardware and software, integrating enterprise and data center services with cloud and emerging 5G applications. Connectivity. By delivering high-density Ethernet ports, MACsec, FlexE and the nanosecond packet timing performance required for 5G, we create a new Ethernet connectivity platform for routers, switches and optical transmission equipment in telecom and cloud services .”