Intel has introduced two optical transceivers that will double the performance of fibre channel storage systems. The transceivers support the 4 Gbit/s fibre channel specification, which is emerging as a solution to bottlenecks occurring in current 2 Gbit/s storage-area networks, but where 10 Gbit/s systems would not be required.
“Video- and graphics-rich applications, plus new requirements for increased document retention and security, are driving the need for faster storage networks,” says Bob Zona, marketing director of Intel’s Optical Products Division. “The new 4 Gbit/s transceivers are aimed at systems that can meet those needs, and at roughly the same price as 2 Gbit/s transceivers when purchased in volume.”
The two 4 Gbit/s optical transceivers are aimed at host bus adaptors (HBA), switches and redundant-array-of-independent-disks (RAID) modules that provide high-speed optical connections for the emerging generation of 4 Gbit/s fibre channel storage systems. Both products are compatible with 2- and 1-Gbit/s devices in the field today, thus providing an upgrade path. The new transceivers conform to multi-source agreements (MSA) – standards that define electrical, physical and other characteristics, providing storage equipment makers with compatible building blocks.
The TXN31015 optical transceiver is based on the compact Small Form Factor (SFF) MSA, and is targeted at HBAs and RAID applications in storage-area networks. The TXN31115 optical transceiver is based on the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) MSA and is designed for 4 Gbit/s fibre channel switches. Its hot-plug capability enables flexible installation during manufacturing and in the field. Both transceivers are designed to operate on the 850 nm multimode optical fibre found in a majority of enterprise networks.