Communications of the ACM
Intel Proposes New Standard to Light Up Data Transfers
Intel's proposed optical interconnect, MXC, could serve as a step towards standardizing optical technology.
Credit: PC World
Intel is proposing a new optical interconnect, MXC, as a next-generation optical connector, which could be a key step in standardizing optical technology and bringing it to servers faster.
Intel says the optical interconnect "can carry up to 1.6 terabits per second and is smaller than the connectors used today." Optical signals will be able to go more than 300 meters and provide swift transfer rates.
Intel started working on the technology with Corning Cable Systems two years ago, and the company wants to use light and lasers to shuffle data faster between servers.
For more than a decade, Intel has researched silicon photonics with the intention of pushing the technology into the data center. The challenge with optical interconnects will be to develop technology that is inexpensive and highly reliable, says Insight 64 analyst Nathan Brookwood. "Where this comes in handy is when you start deploying servers in mega data centers where you want to have thousands of servers," Brookwood says.
From IDG News Service
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