New MSA Targets 400G

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Five leading global companies intend to enter into a multi-source agreement (MSA) to create the CDFP (400 Gbps form-factor pluggable) industry consortium to define a transceiver module/plug mechanical form factor and a host-board electrical edge connector and cage.The new CDFP MSA is intended to specify and encourage the development and commercialization of a 400 Gbps hot pluggable module that integrates 16 transmit and 16 receive channels supporting passive and active copper cables, and active optical modules.“This highly integrated transceiver module is expected to enable network equipment manufacturers to implement 400 Gbps solutions with high port density and increased system data throughput,” states Scott Kipp, senior technologist, Brocade. “The MSA group intends to make specification details available to promote industry-wide adoption of compatible high density products.”Avago Technologies Pte.