Challenges for Optically Enabled High-Radix Switches for Data Center Networks

Abstract

We discuss challenges for optically enabled high-radix switches in data centers. We highlight the clear advantages of using high-radix switches and explain why coupling such switches with midboard optics can be a winning solution. We further analyze the trends in pluggable transceivers and data center switches and indicate that if current scaling trends are set to continue, very different hardware, software, and architectures should be adopted to support future data centers networks.