Ethernet test platform supports 100Gb/s PAM4 links
The company announced support for IEEE 802.3ck-based 100GbE four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) ethernet links in the SierraNet M648 Protocol Test Platform with the addition of a new 100GbE Layer-1 adapter. SierraNet M648 is designed for today’s high-speed storage and communications fabrics, and supports examination and modification of Ethernet and Fibre Channel links utilizing both PAM4 and legacy Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) technologies. By adding the new SierraNet 100GbE Layer-1 adapter, the SierraNet M648 can now capture and analyze 100GbE single lane auto-negotiation and link training.
The explosive growth of data driven technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), says the company, is creating tremendous demand for more network bandwidth and throughput. To satisfy this demand, network manufacturers are developing switches, host bus adapters (HBA’s), modules, and infrastructure based on the emerging IEEE 802.3 specification.
Interoperability is key to a seamless implementation and Layer-1 auto-negotiation and link training are critical to assuring connectivity. Auto-negotiation and link training over the Ethernet interface allows devices connecting to the network to exchange information about their capabilities and determine the optimal communications speed for the existing conditions.
“Faster signaling rates continue to increase susceptibility to errors in noisy environments. To reduce the error rate, systems negotiate transmission parameters that maximize signal quality at the receiver,” says Nick Kriczky, Vice President of Network Solutions at Teledyne LeCroy. “PAM4 Systems designers are demanding link-layer analysis capabilities to ensure the negotiation among components is effective. As the networking industry moves to 800Gb Ethernet, validating effective 100Gb link training and auto negotiation is the first step in the process. With the SierraNet 100GbE Layer-1 adapter, the SierraNet M648 can identify link-interoperability problems between major fabric components such as switches, network interface cards, servers, and Network Attached Storage (NAS).”
Both the SierraNet M648 test platform and the SierraNet 100GbE Layer-1 adapter are available now.
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