In the realm of optical networking, Corning consistently stands out as a vendor worth monitoring. Since 2020, the company has disclosed investing over $500 million in fiber and cable manufacturing, a move that has nearly doubled its capacity to cater to the US market. At OFC 2024, prominent networking players such as Cisco and Infinera showcased their long-haul and subsea transport capabilities at their booths, with both relying on Corning’s Vasade EX2500, its premium fiber solution for such applications.
Sharon Bois, the division VP of product line and marketing for Corning Optical Fiber and Cable, delved into the burgeoning demand for bandwidth and its impact on fiber and cable innovation.
Bois addressed the long-haul requirements of carriers and elaborated on the specific fiber and cable specifications needed both within and outside data centers. The discourse on data center optics at the event was propelled by the emerging demands of AI computing, which necessitate high density within computing clusters and increased distances between data centers.
She emphasized the importance of striking a balance between reach, throughput, and maintaining familiar operational workflows to ensure satisfaction among service providers while adapting to the swiftly evolving bandwidth demands.
Attributes such as pliability, reduced attenuation, and ultra-low loss are all essential, albeit in varying degrees depending on the specific application. Bois explored the ongoing innovations in service provider networks and data centers and the necessary trade-offs as network infrastructure continues to evolve.
