DCI

Cloud Providers, Data Centers, and Internet Exchanges have extreme requirements in terms of network capacity and redundancy. Terabits, rather than gigabits per second, translate into a need for multiple short range 100G+ connections, with a compatibility requirement for constantly evolving best of breed switches and routers. Cloud computing, Big Data, IoT, Social and Web2.0 continue to accelerate and drive an insatiable need for unlimited bandwidth. There is a clear need to increase the speed of the interconnect pipes within data centers over short reach data center optical connectivity and to deliver low cost, high-speed 50/100/200/400/800G interconnects supported by smaller form factor modules.

To keep costs down, the DCI optical networking equipment should be open, scalable, and optimized for simplicity, small footprint, low power consumption and lowest possible latency. Compact Modular DWDM optical platforms were initially designed for point-to-point data center interconnect (DCI), but have now evolved to “sled”-based architectures, where each type of sled can support multi-service (Fibre Channel, 10G, Ethernet), Ethernet-only (10 GbE/40 GbE/100 GbE), or pure photonic functions like amplifiers and ROADMs. Further, this category has now expanded to include optical transceivers designed in accordance with the OIF 400ZR IA, which are expected to have a significant impact on data center interconnect (DCI), data center intra-connect and metro access applications going forward.

Compact modular and pluggable optical platforms account for 30% of total North American optical hardware shipments in the first quarter of 2019, with an anticipated 28% CAGR worldwide between now and 2023, because they offer:

1. Modular pay-as-you-grow architecture
2. Mix-and-match modular flexibility
3. Lower operating costs
4. Openness and programmability
5. Simplified turn-up and lifecycle management

Distance

The farther data centers are located from one another, the longer it takes for data to travel between them. Latency is a measure of this delay and is critical for improving network performance. Selecting the shortest distance possible when mapping out the physical route for a connection will help to reduce latency, as will using the most appropriate fiber connectivity solution to meet the business need.

Capacity

While DCI connections allow different data centers to transfer data and workloads between one another, or within a campus or building, it’s important to remember that not every facility has or needs the same capabilities, and a best fit solution should be debated.

Security

Any time that data leaves the secure confines of a data center or colocation space, all personnel must take special care to ensure it is protected in transit. Data transmitted over a DCI connection needs to adhere to strict encryption protocols and be subject to detailed rules regarding how it can be accessed and utilized.

Options

Most DCI networks are too complex to be managed manually. Automation protocols and open APIs are essential to enabling data to move rapidly between workloads and across applications. By automating key systems, networks can minimize human error and increase speed significantly while also freeing up personnel to focus on more high-value tasks.

Cost

Building a new data center facility is an expensive undertaking, which is why more organizations are turning away from on-premises private data centers and moving toward third-party data center colocation solutions. With DCI networks, companies can effectively pool their existing resources to maximize the capabilities of the data centers at their disposal.