800G Network Cabling Methods

The 800G network mainly refers to 800G Ethernet. It is the latest generation of high-speed data transmission technology based on the IEEE 802.3 standard, specifically designed to support scenarios such as data centers, cloud computing, and high-performance networks, achieving data transmission rates of up to 800 gigabits per second (Gbps).  

The 800G network (mainly using QSFP-DD800 or OSFP packaging) is currently at the forefront of technology, and its wiring method highly relies on single wave 100G or single wave 200G technology. Yingda has summarized and sorted out the following four main wiring schemes for your reference:

Solution 1. Multi mode short-range parallel cabling (800G SR8) – internal data center

800G OSFP SR8 transceiver is used for short distance connections between switches ranging from 50 meters to 100 meters.

• Module: 800G-OSFP-SR8
• Interface: MPO 16 APC (multimode)
• Cable: 16 Fiber MPO multi mode patch cord (OM4/OM5)
• Principle: Using 8 channels of 100G PAM4 signals
• Application: Commonly used for one to two (2x400G) or one to eight (8x100G) branch wiring.  (MPO 16 to MPO 12 Breakout Cable)

Solution 2. Single mode parallel cabling (800G DR8) – medium to short distance core solution

800G DR8 is currently the most mainstream solution for 800G, suitable for single-mode environments within 500 meters.

• Module: QSFP 800G DR8 or 800G OSFP DR8 (or DR8+2km)
• Interface: MPO 16 APC (OS2)
• Cable: 16 Fiber single mode MTP MPO patch cord (OS2) 
• Principle: 8-channel 100G PAM4 parallel transmission
• Advantage: 800G SR8 modules is with extremely strong compatibility. By using MTP breakout cable, it can perfectly connect 2 x 400G DR4 modules or 8 x 100G DR1 modules.

Solution 3. Single mode dual core cabling (800G 2xFR4/LR4) – saving fiber over long distances

800G 2XFR4/LR4 is suitable for backbone connections from 2 kilometers (FR4) to 10 kilometers (LR4). 

• Module: 800G OSFP 2xFR4 or 800G LR4.
• Interface: Duplex LC or Duplex CS interface.

Note: The CS interface is smaller than the LC interface, allowing for two sets of dual core interfaces (i.e. 2x400G) to be placed on one module.

• Cable: LC LC single mode duplex patch cord
• Principle: CWDM wavelength division multiplexing is used to combine signals into one (or two) pairs of optical fibers.
• Advantage: Greatly saves expensive long-distance single-mode fiber resources.

Solution 4. Direct attach cables and active optical cables (DAC/ACC/AOC) – extremely short distance

Above high speed cables are used for the same cabinet or adjacent cabinets (1-20 meters).

• Product: 800G OSFP DAC Cable (copper cable,<2m), 800G ACC (chip cable,<5m), 800G AOC cabling (<20m).
• Characteristic: At a speed of 800G, the transmission distance of pure copper cable (DAC) is extremely short. Therefore, ACC (Active Copper Cable) with signal amplification chip has become a popular choice for cabinet connections.

800G Wiring Solutions Comparison

Solution Type	Interface Type	Cable Type	Maximum Distance	Typical Application
SR8	MPO-16 (PC)	Multimode OM4	100m	Multi mode machine room switch interconnection
DR8	MPO-16 (APC)	Single mode OS2	500m	AI computing power cluster/branch cabling
2xFR4	Duplex LC / CS	Single mode OS2	2km	Long distance interconnection of core switches
ACC / DAC	Integrated plug	Copper cable	2m – 5m	Server access inside the cabinet

Key architectural trends:

In the 800G era, due to significant signal attenuation, MPO-16 has become the standard interface for parallel wiring. At the same time, in order to cope with high power consumption, LPO (linearly pluggable optical module) technology has also begun to appear in 800G wiring to reduce latency and power consumption.

If you planning to use 800G in the AI computing center, please choose QSSFP 800G DR8 transceivers with MTP fiber breakout cables.