The defining attribute for the Arista Universal transceiver is built into its product name. The Arista Universal transceiver works over a single pair of fibers, with LC connectors. The ability to communicate over both OM3/OM4 multimode (MM) and single-mode (SM) transmission media creates the possibility to have a single universal optic for both fiber types. This is accomplished by combining four 10G optical channels at different wavelengths (1270, 1290, 1310, and 1330 nm) inside the module to transmit and receive an aggregate 40G signal over a single pair of MM or SM fibers.
The UNIV transceiver is fully compliant to the QSFP+ MSA SFF-8436 which defines the specification for QSFP optics, and as a result can be plugged into any Arista QSFP+ based switch port. In addition, the optical interface is defined to the IEEE 40GBASE-LR4 standard. As a result the QSFP-UNIV can interoperate with both 40GBASE-LR4 and 40GBASE-LRL4 for distances up to 500 m.
Addressing customer concerns around the reduced distances with 40GBASE-SR4, the Arista Universal optic has been designed to allow for seamless migrations from existing 10 to 40GbE networking without requiring a redesign or expansion of the fiber network. It supports operation over a full 150 m of OM3 or OM4, in environments with trunks, patch panels, and patching frames, in other words existing data centers. In both existing and new installations that are being designed around single-mode fiber, easing future migration to 100GbE, the Universal optic can be used for up to 500 m and interconnected with both 40GBASE-LR4 and 40GBASE-LRL4 for a multivendor system or migration.
