The XENPAK Multisource Agreement (MSA), instigated by Agilent Technologies and Agere Systems, defines a fiber-optic transceiver module which conforms to the 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) standard as laid down by the IEEE 802.3ae. A standard for 10 GbE transceivers is essential to provide a focal point for the industry to allow development of 10 GbE products and thus enable 10 GbE technology adoption and proliferation. The MSA group received input from both transceiver and equipment manufacturers during the definition process. A transceiver is a device that has a transmitter and receiver which is combined into a one unit. ... A module is a self-contained component of a system, which has a well-defined interface to the other components; something is modular if it is constructed so as to facilitate easy assembly, flexible arrangement, and/or repair of the components. ... Ten-gigabit Ethernet is the most recent (as of 2002) and fastest of the Ethernet standards. ... The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE (pronounced as eye-triple-ee) is an international non-profit, professional organization incorporated in the State of New York, United States. ... Ten-gigabit Ethernet is the most recent (as of 2002) and fastest of the Ethernet standards. ...

The MSA was publicly announced on March 12th, 2001and the first revision of the document was publicly released on May 7th, 2001. The MSA is now open to any organization to join. The result is a mature, robust MSA which covers all physical media dependent (PMD) types defined by the IEEE for 802.3ae 10 GbE. Support from the industry for the MSA since the initial press release has been swift and strong. A number of companies are targeting shipment of product conforming to the MSA in 2001.

Proposed 10 GbE Platform Standard

• IEEE 802.3ae 10 GbE MSA
  • Four wide XAUI interface
  • Compliant for all IEEE 802.3ae mediums
    • 850 nm Serial
    • 1310 nm WWDM, 1310 nm Serial
    • 1550 nm Serial
  • Hot Pluggable
  • SC duplex fiber optic connector
  • Industry standard 70 pin electrical connector

New XENPAK 10 Gb Ethernet Standard

XENPAK Benefits

• Simplifies management of architecture shifts and integration
• Minimizes downtime during system upgrade or reconfiguration
• Minimize system operation costs
• Multiple vendors assure supply to meet market demand
• Thermal performance for high port densities at 10GbE
• Aggressive cost/port for LAN, ACCESS, METRO and CORE
• All port types interchangeable via front panel pluggability
• Enables "Pay-as-You-Populate" cost structure during installation

XENPAK.org