10 Gigabit Ethernet

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10 gigabit router
The 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GE or 10GbE or 10 GigE) standard was first published in
2002 as IEEE Std 802.3ae-2002. It defines a version of Ethernet with a nominal data rate of
10 Gbit/s, ten times as fast as gigabit Ethernet.
10 gigabit Ethernet defines only full duplex links which can be connected by switches. Half
duplex operation and CSMA/CD (carrier sense multiple access with collision detection) do
not exist in 10GbE.
The 10 gigabit Ethernet standard encompasses a number of different physical layer (PHY)
standards. It remains to be seen which of these PHYs will gain widespread commercial
acceptance. However a networking device may support different PHY types by means of
pluggable PHY modules and SFP+ is a popular module interface.[1]
At the time that the 10 gigabit Ethernet standard was developed, there was much interest in
10GbE as a WAN transport and this led to the introduction of the concept of the WAN PHY
for 10GbE. This operates at a slightly slower data-rate than the LAN PHY and adds some
extra encapsulation. The WAN PHY and LAN PHY are specified to share the same
Physical Medium Dependent sublayers so 10GBASE-LR and 10GBASE-LW can use the
same optics. LAN PHY greatly outsells the WAN PHY.
From 2007 when only 1 million ports were shipped, 10 gigabit Ethernet deployments rose
quickly to 124 million ports shipped in 2009.[2]

Contents
[hide]

1 Standards
2 Optical modules

3 Fiber

3.1 10GBASE-SR

3.2 10GBASE-LR

3.3 10GBASE-LRM

3.4 10GBASE-ER

3.5 10GBASE-ZR

3.6 10GBASE-LX4

4 Copper
o

4.1 10GBASE-CX4

4.2 SFP+ Direct Attach

4.3 Backplane

4.3.1 10GBASE-KX4

4.3.2 10GBASE-KR

4.4 10GBASE-T

4.4.1 Connectors

4.4.2 Cables

4.4.3 Electrical characteristics

5 WAN PHY (10GBASE-W)

6 10GbE NICs

7 See also

8 Notes and references

9 External links

[edit] Standards
Over the years the following IEEE 802.3 standards relating to 10GbE have been published:
802.3ae-2002 (fiber -SR, -LR, -ER and -LX4 PMDs), 802.3ak-2004 (-CX4 copper twin-ax
InfiniBand type cable), 802.3an-2006 (10GBASE-T copper twisted pair), 802.3ap-2007
(copper backplane -KR and -KX4 PMDs) and 802.3aq-2006 (fiber -LRM PMD with
enhanced equalization).
The 802.3ae-2002 and 802.3ak-2004 amendments were consolidated into the IEEE 802.32005 standard. IEEE 802.3-2005 and the other amendments have been consolidated into
IEEE Std 802.3-2008.

[edit] Optical modules

Optical modules are not specified in 802.3 but by multi-source agreements (MSAs). The
relevant MSAs for 10GbE are XENPAK, X2 (Cisco), XPAK, XFP and SFP+.[3] When
choosing a PHY module, a designer considers cost, reach, media type, power consumption,
and size (form factor).
XENPAK was the first MSA for 10GE and has the largest form factor. X2 and XPAK were
later competing standards with smaller form factors. X2 and XPAK have not been as
successful in the market as XENPAK. XFP came after X2 and XPAK and it is also smaller.
The newest module standard, SFP+ (see SFP transceiver), developed by the ANSI T11 fibre
channel group is smaller still and lower power than XFP. SFP+ is now the most popular
socket on 10GE systems.[4][5] SFP+ modules do only optical to electrical conversion, no
clock and data recovery, putting a higher burden on the host's channel equalization. SFP+
modules share a common physical form factor with legacy SFP modules, allowing higher
port density than XFP and the re-use of existing designs for 24 or 48 ports in a 19" rack
width blade.
Optical modules are connected to a host by either a XAUI, XFI or SFI interface. XENPAK,
X2, and XPAK modules use XAUI to connect to their hosts. XAUI (XGXS) uses a fourlane data channel and is specified in IEEE 802.3 Clause 48. XFP modules use a XFI
interface and SFP+ modules use an SFI interface. XFI and SFI use a single lane data
channel and the encoding specified in IEEE 802.3 Clause 49.
SFP+ modules can further be grouped into two types of host interfaces: linear or limiting.
Limiting modules are preferred except when using very old fiber infrastucture.[6]

[edit] Fiber

A Brocade Router with 10 gigabit Ethernet optical interfaces. The yellow cables are singlemode duplex fiber optic connections.
There are two classifications for optical fiber[7]: single-mode (SMF) and multi-mode
(MMF). In SMF light follows a single path through the fiber while in MMF it takes
multiple paths resulting in differential mode delay (DMD). SMF is used for long distance
communication and MMF is used for distances of less than 300 m. SMF has a narrower
core (8.3 m) which requires a more precise termination and connection method. MMF has
a wider core (50 or 62.5 m). The advantage of MMF is that it can be driven by lower cost
VCSEL lasers for short distances, and multimode connectors are cheaper and easier to
terminate reliably in the field. Its disadvantage is that due to DMD it can work only over
short distances.[8] To distinguish SMF from MMF cables, SMF cables are usually yellow,
while MMF cables are orange (OM1 & OM2) or aqua (OM3 & OM4) however it must be
noted that in fibre optics there is no agreed colour for any specific optical speed or
technology with the exception being angular physical connector (APC), it being an agreed
colour of green.[9][not in citation given]
New structured cabling installations use OM3 50 m MMF which has no center defect.
OM3 cable can carry 10GbE 300 m using low cost 10GBASE-SR optics or use 10GBASELX4 without a mode conditioning patch cord. See ISO 11801 and multi mode fibre.[citation
needed]

Older installations use FDDI grade 62.5 m MMF which has a center defect and is harder
for the 10GbE optical modules to drive[10]. For -LX4 a mode conditioning patch cord is
needed that adds extra cost to an installation.
There are also active optical cables. These have the optical electronics already connected
eliminating the connectors between the cable and the optical module. They plug into
standard optical module sockets. They are lower cost than other optical solutions because
the manufacturer can match the electronics to the required length and type of cable.

[edit] 10GBASE-SR
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10GBASE-SR ("short range") uses the IEEE 802.3 Clause 49 64B/66B Physical Coding
Sublayer (PCS) and 850 nm lasers. It delivers serialized data over multi-mode fiber at a line
rate of 10.3125 Gbit/s.
Over deployed multi-mode fiber cabling, it has a maximum range of between 26 metres (85
ft) and 82 metres (269 ft) depending on cable type. Over new 50 m 2000 MHzkm OM3
multi-mode fiber (MMF), it has a maximum range of 300 metres (980 ft).[11] The transmitter
can be implemented with a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) which is low
cost and low power. MMF has the advantage of having lower cost connectors than SMF
because of its wider core. OM3 is now the preferred choice for structured optical cabling
within buildings.
10GBASE-SR delivers the lowest cost, lowest power and smallest form factor optical
modules.

[edit] 10GBASE-LR
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10GBASE-LR ("long reach") uses the IEEE 802.3 Clause 49 64B/66B Physical Coding
Sublayer (PCS) and 1310 nm lasers. It delivers serialized data over single-mode fiber at a
line rate of 10.3125 Gbit/s.
10GBASE-LR has a specified reach of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), but 10GBASE-LR optical
modules can often manage distances of up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) with no data loss.
FabryProt lasers are commonly used in 10GBASE-LR optical modules. FabryProt
lasers are more expensive than VCSELs but their high power and longer wavelength allow
efficient coupling into the small core of single mode fiber over greater distances.

[edit] 10GBASE-LRM
10GBASE-LRM, (Long Reach Multimode) also known as 802.3aq[12] uses the IEEE 802.3
Clause 49 64B/66B Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and 1310 nm lasers. It delivers
serialized data over multi-mode fiber at a line rate of 10.3125 Gbit/s.
10GBASE-LRM supports distances up to 220 metres (720 ft) on FDDI-grade 62.5 m
multi-mode fibre originally installed in the early 1990s for FDDI and 100BaseFX networks
and 260 metres (850 ft) on OM3. 10GBASE-LRM reach is not quite as far as the older
10GBASE-LX4 standard. However it is hoped that 10GBASE-LRM modules will be lower
cost and lower power; and because 10GBASE-LRM uses the same PCS as XFI and SFI no
recoding of data is required with the XFP and SFP+ module MSAs.
10GBASE-LRM uses electronic dispersion control (EDC) for receive equalization [13].

[edit] 10GBASE-ER
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10GBASE-ER ("extended reach") uses the IEEE 802.3 Clause 49 64B/66B Physical
Coding Sublayer (PCS) and 1550 nm lasers. It delivers serialized data over single-mode
fiber at a line rate of 10.3125 Gbit/s.
10GBASE-ER has a reach of 40 kilometres (25 mi) [14].

[edit] 10GBASE-ZR
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Several manufacturers have introduced 80 km (50 mi) range ER pluggable interfaces under
the name 10GBASE-ZR. This 80 km PHY is not specified within the IEEE 802.3ae
standard and manufacturers have created their own specifications based upon the 80 km
PHY described in the OC-192/STM-64 SDH/SONET specifications.
The 802.3 standard will not be amended to cover the ZR PHY.

[edit] 10GBASE-LX4
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10GBASE-LX4 uses the IEEE 802.3 Clause 48 Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and
coarse WDM.
It supports ranges of between 240 metres (790 ft) and 300 metres (980 ft) over legacy
multi-mode cabling. This is achieved through the use of four separate laser sources
operating at 3.125 Gbit/s in the range of 1300 nm on unique wavelengths. 10GBASE-LX4
also supports 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) over SMF.
Until 2005 10GBASE-LX4 optical modules were cheaper than 10GBASE-LR optical
modules.
10GBASE-LX4 is used by people who want to support both MMF and SMF with a single
optical module. Because 10GBASE-LX4 uses four lasers it has a potential cost, size and
power disadvantage compared to 10GBASE-LRM.

When used with legacy MMF an expensive mode conditioning patch cord is needed. The
mode conditioning patch cord is a short length of SMF which connects to the MMF in such
a way to move the beam away from the central defect in the legacy MMF. This is not
needed with OM3.

[edit] Copper
10G Ethernet can also run over twin-ax cabling, twisted pair cabling, and backplanes.

[edit] 10GBASE-CX4
10GBASE-CX4 was the first 10G copper standard published by 802.3 (as 802.3ak2004). It uses the XAUI 4-lane PCS (Clause 48) and copper cabling similar to that used by
InfiniBand technology. It is specified to work up to a distance of 15 m (49 ft). Each lane
carries 3.125 G baud of signaling bandwidth.
10GBASE-CX4 offers the advantages of low power, low cost and low latency, but has a
bigger form factor than the newer single lane SFP+ standard and a much shorter reach than
fibre or 10GBASE-T.

[edit] SFP+ Direct Attach

Also known as 10GSFP+Cu or 10GBase-CR[citation needed], this uses a passive twin-ax cable
assembly and connects directly into an SFP+ housing. It has a range of 10 m and like
10GBASE-CX4, is low power, low cost and low latency with the added advantage of
having the small form factor of SFP+. SFP+ Direct Attach is expected to be the optimum
solution for reaches of 10 m.[15][not in citation given]

[edit] Backplane
Backplane Ethernet also known by its working group name 802.3ap is used in
backplane applications such as blade servers and routers/switches with upgradable line
cards. 802.3ap implementations are required to operate in an environment comprising up to
1 metre (39 in) of copper printed circuit board with two connectors. The standard defines
two port types for 10 Gbit/s (10GBASE-KX4 and 10GBASE-KR) and a 1 Gbit/s port type
(1000BASE-KX). It also defines an optional layer for FEC, a backplane autonegotiation
protocol and link training for 10GBASE-KR where the receiver can set a three tap transmit
equalizer. The autonegotiation protocol selects between 1000BASE-KX, 10GBASE-KX4,
10GBASE-KR or 40GBASE-KR4 operation. 40GBASE-KR4 is defined in 802.3ba. [16]
[edit] 10GBASE-KX4
This operates over four backplane lanes and uses the same physical layer coding (defined in
IEEE 802.3 Clause 48) as 10GBASE-CX4.
[edit] 10GBASE-KR

This operates over a single backplane lane and uses the same physical layer coding (defined
in IEEE 802.3 Clause 49) as 10GBASE-LR/ER/SR.

[edit] 10GBASE-T
10GBASE-T, or IEEE 802.3an-2006, is a standard released in 2006 to provide 10 Gbit/s
connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables, over distances up to
100 metres (330 ft).[17] 10GBASE-T cable infrastructure can also be used for 1000BASE-T
allowing a gradual upgrade from 1000BASE-T using autonegotiation to select which speed
to use. 10GBASE-T has higher latency and consumes more power than other 10 gigabit
Ethernet physical layers. As of 2010 10GBASE-T silicon is available from several
manufacturers [18][19][20][21] with claimed power dissipation of 3-4 W at 40nm, and with 28nm
in development, power will continue to decline.
[edit] Connectors
10GBASE-T uses the IEC 60603-7 8P8C (commonly known as RJ45) connectors already
widely used with Ethernet. Transmission characteristics are now specified to 500 MHz.
[edit] Cables
Category 6A or better balanced twisted pair cables specified in ISO 11801 amendment 2 or
ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 are needed to carry 10GBASE-T up to distances of 100 m. Category 6
cables can carry 10GBASE-T for shorter distances when qualified according to the
guidelines in ISO TR 24750 or TIA-155-A.
[edit] Electrical characteristics
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The 802.3an standard defines the wire-level modulation for 10GBASE-T as a TomlinsonHarashima precoded (THP) version of pulse-amplitude modulation with 16 discrete levels
(PAM-16), encoded in a two-dimensional checkerboard pattern known as DSQ128. Several
proposals were considered for wire-level modulation, including PAM with 12 discrete
levels (PAM-12), 10 levels (PAM-10), or 8 levels (PAM-8), both with and without
Tomlinson-Harashima Precoding (THP). PAM-5 is what is used in the older 1000BASE-T
gigabit Ethernet standard.

[edit] WAN PHY (10GBASE-W)

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10GBASE-SW, 10GBASE-LW, 10GBASE-EW, and 10GBASE-ZW are varieties that use

the WAN PHY, designed to interoperate with OC-192/STM-64 SDH/SONET equipment
using a light-weight SDH/SONET frame running at 9.953 Gbit/s. WAN PHY is used when
an enterprise user wishes to transport 10G Ethernet across telco SDH/SONET or previously
installed WDM systems without having to directly map the Ethernet frames into
SDH/SONET. The WAN PHY variants correspond at the physical layer to 10GBASE-SR,
10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-ER and 10GBASE-ZR respectively, and hence use the same
types of fiber and support the same distances. There is no WAN PHY standard
corresponding to 10GBASE-LX4 and 10GBASE-CX4 since the original SONET/SDH
standard requires a serial implementation. The WAN PHYs use 10GBASE-W as the PCS.

[edit] 10GbE NICs

10GbE network interface cards are available from several manufacturers. These plug into
ordinary computer servers using PCI express and connect to the LAN with a choice of PHY
modules