Microchip introduces the industry's first terabit Ethernet PHY

     Microchip Technology, through its subsidiary Microsemi, has announced the META-DX1 family of Ethernet PHY devices. This new family integrates 1 GbE to 400 GbE Ethernet interfaces, FlexE, MACsec link encryption, and nanosecond precision timestamps in a single chip with terabit capacity, enabling the first convergence of routing and switching capabilities.

     Currently, the industry is upgrading from 100 GbE to 400 GbE to support the traffic needs of hyperscale data centers. According to Cisco's Global Cloud Index report, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of traffic between data centers will exceed 30%. By 2021, traffic will quadruple. The META-DX1 quadruples line card capacity from 3.6 Tbps(terabits per second) to 14.4 Tbps with 36 400 GbE ports or 144 100 GbE ports, supporting key functions required by vendors.

     META-DX1's MACsec security engine ensures the security of data center or enterprise data transmission, while FlexE helps cloud and telecom service providers use low-cost, high-capacity fiber while meeting capacity requirements by optimizing the configuration of links beyond current fixed-rate Ethernet. For the first time, the META-DX1 family integrates MACsec and FlexE in the same solution to meet the next phase of data center interconnect (DCI) expansion needs.

     In addition, unlike other products, the META-DX1 integrated crossover node has the ability to switch flexibly and can support a single design or SKUs of 100 GbE(QSFP28) and 400 GbE(QSFP-DD) optics. Helps Oems transition from PAM-based 25 Gbps NRZ and 56 Gbps architectures. By providing high-performance timestamps with nanosecond accuracy on each port, the META-DX1 also ensures that network scaling can meet the rigorous timing requirements of 5G mobile base station deployments.

     Bob Wheeler, principal analyst at Linley Group, said: "The industry has long anticipated the challenges and limitations of traditional fixed-rate Ethernet Macs in scaling data center connectivity architectures, and FlexE was created as a solution. "Microchip's META-DX1 product provides an all-in-one solution to implement FlexE on data center routers, enabling cloud service providers to maximize fiber capacity in data centers while simplifying network operations and management."

     Babak Samimi, vice president of Communications at Microchip, said: "The META-DX1 family of products is designed to unify hardware and software to provide the capabilities needed to build communications networks, connecting enterprise and data center services to the cloud and emerging 5G applications. By providing high-density Ethernet ports, MACsec, FlexE and the nanosecond packet timing performance required for 5G, we have created a new Ethernet connectivity platform for routers, switches and optical transport devices in telecommunications and cloud services."