14 DAY TRIAL // There is something to say about using aged hardware: it keeps things familiar, even if it doesn't always allow for any improvements to be made. There are exceptions though, and Fujitsu just showed one.
Fujitsu Laboratories (Research and Development Center) Ltd. Has revealed a new high-speed optical data transfer technology.
It will enable the making of networks through which data is transmitted at a rate of 100 Gbps.
This isn't really shocking, of course. What is surprising is that Fujitsu managed that feat while using components made for networks of a measly 10 Gbps.
The technology uses a discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation system and digital signal processing.
A set of components and communication protocols that are meant for 10 Gbps are configured in a way that enhances optical transmission.
A power management algorithm can efficiently transmit the modulated data stream at very high speeds, even when diffused to multiple subcarriers.
Needless to say, this breakthrough can be very helpful to data centers that use old components and don't have the capital needed to upgrade. It doesn't hurt that the logistics of changing so much hardware can basically be dodged almost entirely.
Fujitsu expects the technology to be best applied to various business or enterprise-type web-based/cloud services. Such things are still in development, making it simpler to integrate the 100 Gbps networking architecture.
Regular networks would benefit as well. With Gigabit Ethernet becoming standard on all PCs (notebooks, desktops) and other products (tablets, game consoles, etc.), removing the 10 Gbps bottleneck would be a great boon.
Unfortunately, Fujitsu, or rather the report made through MyNavi (JP), did not provide any hard data about potential or done deals. Knowing how much IT players like attention, however, we wouldn't bet on this being the last time we see reports about this intriguing Fujitsu undertaking.
