400G Ethernet
400G Ethernet is a high-speed Ethernet standard designed to support data rates of 400 gigabits per second (Gbps), making it a critical technology for modern data centers, cloud computing, and telecom networks. Standardized by the IEEE in 2017 as part of the 802.3bs standard, 400G Ethernet addresses the growing demand for bandwidth driven by applications like AI, machine learning, and video streaming. This standard achieves its high speeds by leveraging advanced modulation techniques like PAM4 and multiple physical lanes for parallel data transmission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet
One of the key features of 400G Ethernet is its use of multiple lanes, each transmitting data at 50Gbps or 100Gbps. For example, a common configuration uses 8 lanes, each at 50Gbps, to achieve the 400Gbps aggregate speed. To maintain network efficiency and network reliability at such high data rates, 400G Ethernet employs technologies like Forward Error Correction (FEC) to detect and correct transmission errors. This ensures data integrity, even in environments with high noise and signal degradation, such as long-distance optical networks.
The adoption of 400G Ethernet has been driven by its scalability and compatibility with existing network infrastructure. It supports a wide range of physical media, including copper cables, optical fibers, and network backplanes. As data traffic continues to grow exponentially, 400G Ethernet provides a pathway for networks to scale without compromising network performance or reliability. Major vendors like Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Arista have incorporated 400G Ethernet into their networking equipment, making it a cornerstone of next-generation communication systems.