IXIA Xcellon-Multis Load Modules
This chapter provides details about Xcellon-Multis family of load modules-specifications and features.
Xcellon-Multis is a new, next generation, high density, tri-speed, 100/40/50/10GE load module (i.e. NG 100GE) family of products. This load module family comprises the industry's highest density 10GE, 40GE, 50GE and 100GE higher speed Ethernet (HSE) test equipment, providing more flexible test coverage and 100GE, 50GE, 40GE, 10GE, 25GE speeds. Some Multis modules are capable of multi-rates within the same load module.
This is done using cable fan-out technology. Fan-out technology allows a higher speed port to fan-out to several ports of lower speed thus enabling you to have multiple speeds from a single port and higher port densities per chassis.
Xcellon-Multis QSFP load module family comprises the industry's highest- density 10GE, and 40GE higher speed Ethernet (HSE) test equipment, providing more flexible test coverage at 12x40GE ports per load module, with a dual-rate 40GE/10GE capability, all in a single-slot load module. Xcellon-Multis native QSFP28 and CFP4 interface technology comprises high-density 100GE load module. Xcellon-Multis QSFP28 enhanced multi-rate load module allows upto 16 ports of 25GE per blade and 4 ports of 25GE over a 100GE passive copper cable and Active Optical cable. This load module also supports 1x50GE and 2x25GE speeds. The CFP4 enhanced load module is an enhanced high density, native CFP4 4-port load module for 100GE operation.
Xcellon-Multis supports the following:
- 4 x 100GE CXP ports per slot - 2x Xcellon-Lava
- 12 x 40GE QSFP+ ports per slot - 3x Xcellon-Flex
- Upto 32 SFP+ ports per slot
- 40x100GE or 120x40GE ports per XG12 chassis
-
6x40GE QSFP native ports per slot
- 3x10GE and 8x10GE CXP and QSFP ports per slot
- 16x25GE QSFP28 ports per slot
-
8X25GE QSFP28 ports per slot
- 4x50GE QSPF28 ports per slot
-
4x100GE QSFP28 ports per slot.
-
4x100GE CFP4 ports per slot.
- Broad Layer 23 protocol coverage
- Multimode fiber support on some variants
Key Features
The key features of Xcellon-Multis load modules are as follows:
Highest density QSFP module
- Xcellon-Multis QSFP provides upto 12-ports of native QSFP 40GE interfaces in a single chassis slot.
- Up to 120 native QSFP 40GE interfaces are supported in XG12 rackmount chassis.
-
With 10GE Fan-out enabled, Xcellon-Multis QSFP supports up to 320-ports of 10GE in the XG12 rackmount chassis.
Highest density QSFP AVB module
- Xcellon-Multis AVB provides upto 6-ports of native QSFP 40GE interfaces in a single chassis slot
- It provides upto 60 native QSFP 40GE interfaces are supported in Ixia’s XGS12-SD rack mount chassis
- With 10GE fan-out enabled, Xcellon-Multis AVB can support up to 160-ports of 10GE in the XGS12-SD rack mount chassis
Highest density CXP module
Xcellon-Multis comprises three CXP-based load modules in a single chassis slot.
- 4x100GE only
- 12x40GE and upto 32 ports of 10GE , using fan-out technology
-
Multi-rate 4x100GE, 12x40GE, and 32x10GE using fan-out technology
Highest- density QSFP28 and CFP4 modules
- Both Xcellon-Multis QSFP28 and CFP4 provide up to 4-ports of native QSFP28 and CFP4 100GE interfaces respectively in a single chassis slot.
- Support mid-range-to-high-scale protocol testing for L2/3 routing/switching and data center test cases with the Ixia’s IxNetwork application.
-
Perform multi-vendor interoperability between different QSFP28 and CFP4 optical transceiver solutions, and cable media such as Active Optical Cables.
-
Conduct stress tests to ensure error-free network data transmission with long-term stability and high reliability.
-
Detect and de-bug data transmission errors using 100Gb/s line rate packet capture and decode tools.
-
Provide an excellent test platform for 100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-CR4, and 100GBASE-LR4 100GE ASIC designs, FPGAs and hardware switch fabrics at full line rate 100Gb/s.
-
Benchmark the data plane and protocol performance of ultra-high-density 100GE network equipment using industry-standard RFC benchmark tests in 100GE test beds with hundreds of 100GE ports in a single test.
Enhanced high-density QSFP28 and CFP4 4-port load modules
- Per native QSFP28 port, supports 4x25GE speed over 100GE passive copper cable media up to 3 meters in length, providing the ability to test the leading-edge data center switches that support 100GE and 4x25GE over four 25Gb/s SERDES lanes
- Supports 2x25GE speed on QSFP28. The 2x25GE mode is a subset of 4x25GE and has the same capabilities, except that only 2 ports of the port group are activated.
-
Supports 1x50GE speed per port (a total of 4 ports of 50GE across a single load module).
-
Native CFP4 enhanced high density, 4-port load module for 100GE operation.
- Both QSFP28 and CFP4 enhanced load modules have multi-vendor interoperability between different CFP4 and QSFP28 multimode (100GBASE-SR4), single mode (100GBASE-LR4) and 100GBASE-CR4 optical transceiver solutions, and cable media such as Active Optical Cables.
- Provides an excellent test platform for full line rate 100Gb/s to evaluate the new 100GE ASIC designs, FPGAs, and hardware switch fabrics that use the 4x25Gb/s electrical interface.
- High density – 4-ports of 100GE in a single slot with native QSFP28 physical interfaces supported by the 4x25GE/s electrical interface.
- Provides Reed-Solomon Forward Error Correction and Auto-Negotiation.
Layers 2-7 coverage
- Supports mid-range-to-high-scale protocol testing for L2-3 routing/switching and data center test cases.
- Provides L4-7 capability for all cards.
Same feature set across all speeds
- Provides data plane features for 100/40/10GE testing.
- Provides L23 protocol coverage for 100/40/10GE testing.
Cost Effective
Reduces total cost of ownership with more ports in a single chassis; 120x40GE, or upto 320 10GE ports with fan-out enabled technology.
Load Modules
The Xcellon-Multis family consists of the following models on a single slot card:
- XM100GE4CXP: CXP 100GE single rate module that has 4-ports of 100GE CXP, which is the highest density 100GE test module.
- XM100GE4CXP+FAN: CXP 100/40GE dual rate module that has 4-ports of 100GE CXP 12-ports of 40GE CXP (using fan-out technology) providing the highest density 40GE test module.
- XM40GE12QSFP+FAN: 12-ports of 40GE QSFP+ (using fan-out technology) providing the highest density 40GE test module.
- XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN: 12-ports of 40/10GE QSFP+ (using fan-out technology) providing the highest density 40GE test module with 10GE Fan-out capability.
- XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN: 6-ports of 40/10GE QSFP+ (using fan-out technology) providing the highest density 40GE test module with 10GE Fan-out capability.
-
XM100GE4QSFP28: 4-ports of 100GE native QSFP28 high density test module.
- XM100GE4CFP4: 4-ports of 100GE native CFP4 high density test module.
- XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN: 6-ports of native QSFP interfaces with 10G fan-out capabilities supporting AVB protocols.
-
XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH: 4-ports of 100GE native QSFP28 high density test module with RS-FEC and Auto Negotiation capabilities. 1x50GE speed per port (a total of 4 ports of 50GE across a single load module) is also supported.
- XM100GE4CFP4+ENH: 4-ports of 100GE native CFP4 high density test module with RS-FEC and Auto Negotiation capabilities.
Each of these load modules are described as follows:
XM100GE4CXP
Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4CXP is a 100-Gigabit Ethernet, single rate load module. It has 1-slot with 4-ports native CXP interfaces. It provides L2-7 support and is compatible with XM12 HP rackmount, XM2 desktop, XGS12-SD, and XG12 rackmount chassis.
You need to select one or more of the following per port:
- 948-0030 CXP 100GE pluggable
- Optical transceivers
- 942-0035 MTP-MTP 24-fiber multimode fiber cable, or point-to-point CXP Active Optical Cable (AOC)
The XM100GE4CXP load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4CXP
Note: Xcellon-Multis load modules have 64KB memory per resource group for stream data. As the value list, frame size and other stream properties become more complex, the maximum number of streams decrease.
XM100GE4CXP+FAN (+10G)
Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4CXP+FAN is a 100/40-Gigabit Ethernet, dual rate load module. It has 1-slot with 4-ports native CXP interfaces and up to 12-ports of 40GE via fan-out cables. The +10G variant supports up to 32 ports of 10GE. It provides L2-7 support and is compatible with XM12 HP rackmount, XM2 desktop, XGS12-SD, and XG12 rackmount chassis.
You can select one or more of the available media per port of the following:
- 948-0030 CXP 100GE pluggable, optical transceivers.
- 942-0035 MTP-MTP 24-fiber multimode fiber cable, or point-to-point CXP Active Optical Cable (AOC), or CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP Active Optical Cable (AOC) for 3x40GE fan-out, or MTP-to-MTP passive fiber for 3x40GE Fan-out. This cable may be used with 948-0028 QSFP 40GBASE-SR4 transceivers. The XM100GE4CXP+FAN load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4CXP+FAN

XM40GE12QSFP+FAN (+10G)
Xcellon-Multis XM40GE12QSFP+FAN is a 40-Gigabit Ethernet load module. It has 1-slot with 12-ports of 40GE via fan-out cables and provides L2-7 support. The +10G variant supports up to 32 ports of 10GE.
A quantity of 4 each, 3-meter CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP fan-out cables (942-0054) are available with this load module. This is compatible with XM12 HP rackmount, XM2 desktop, XGS12-SD, and XG12 rackmount chassis.
The XM40GE12QSFP+FAN load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM40GE12QSFP+FAN

XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN
Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN is a 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module. It has 1-slot with 12-ports of 40GE QSFP with L2-7 support. This load module has 10GE Fan-out capability. The load module is compatible with the XG12 rackmount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rackmount chassis (941-0009), XGS12-SD (940-0011), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0003).
One or more QSFP+ 40GBASE-SR4 optical transceivers (948-0028) and MT 12-fiber MMF cable, 3-meter length (942-0041) are available with this load module.
The XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN
XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN is a 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module. It has 1-slot with 6-ports of 40GE QSFP with L2-7 support. This load module has 10GE Fan-out capability and is compatible with the XG12 rackmount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rackmount chassis (941-0009), XGS12-SD (940-0011), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0003).
One or more QSFP+ 40GBASE-SR4 optical transceivers (948-0028) and MT 12-fiber MMF cable, 3-meter length (942-0041) are available with this load module.
The XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN load module is shown in the following figure:/
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
XM100GE4QSFP28
Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4QSFP28 is a 100-Gigabit Ethernet, single rate load module It has 1-slot with 4-ports with the native QSFP28 physical interfaces and provides L2-3 support. This load module is compatible with XGS12-SD Chassis (940-0011), XG12 rackmount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rackmount chassis (941-0009), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0023).
The XM100GE4QSFP28 load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4QSFP28
XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH
Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH is an enhanced high density 100-Gigabit Ethernet load module. It has 1-slot with 4-ports with the native QSFP28 physical interfaces, L2-7 support, enhanced for support of Forward Error Correction (RS-FEC) and Auto Negotiation. This load module is compatible with the XGS12-SD rack mount chassis (940-0011), XG12 rack mount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rack mount chassis (941-0024), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0023).
This is a multi-rate load module and supports testing of 100GE, 50GE, and 25GE speeds.
The XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH
4x25G options for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH
4x25G options for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH is available in two forms:
- Factory Installed
-
Field Upgrade
Note: The 4x25GE speed options do not support Ethernet Forward Error Correction and Auto Negotiation.
4x25GE factory installed
The 4x25GE FACTORY INSTALLED option for the Xcellon-Multis QSFP28 XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH 100GE load module enables 4x25GE capability on all four 100GE QSFP28 ports on the module. The 4x25GE capability is per 100GE port and is ONLY supported over a single 100GE point-to-point QSFP28 cable where each channel of the cable is rated for 25GE per channel operation. This is ONLY supported on the XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH (944-1117) load module.
Note: The factory installed option is required for new purchases of the 4x25GE capability for the Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH load module with native QSFP28 4x100GE physical interfaces.
4x25GE field upgrade
The 4x25GE FIELD UPGRADE option for the Xcellon-Multis QSFP28 XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH 100GE load module enables 4x25GE capability on all four 100GE QSFP28 ports on the module. The 4x25GE capability is per 100GE port and is ONLY supported over a single 100GE point-to-point QSFP28 cable where each channel of the cable is rated for 25GE per channel operation. This is ONLY supported on the XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH (944-1117) load module.
Note: The field upgrade option is required on field upgrade purchases of the 4x25GE capability for the Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH load module with native QSFP28 4x100GE physical interfaces.
2x25G option for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH
2x25G option is also available for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH. The 2x25GE mode is a subset of 4x25GE and has the same capabilities, except that only 2 ports of the port group are activated.
1x50G option for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH
1x50GE speed per port (a total of 4 ports of 50GE across a single load module) is available for XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH.
XM100GE4CFP4
Xcellon-Multis XM00GE4CFP4 is a 100-Gigabit Ethernet, single rate load module. It has 1-slot with 4-ports with the native CFP4 physical interfaces and provides L2-3 support. This load module is compatible with XGS12 Chassis (940-0011), XG12 rackmount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rackmount chassis (941-0009), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0023).
The XM100GE4CFP4 load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4CFP4
XM100GE4CFP4+ENH
Xcellon-Multis XM00GE4CFP4+ENH is an enhanced high density 100-Gigabit Ethernet load module. It has 1-slot with 4-ports with the native CFP4 physical interfaces and provides L2-7 support, enhanced for support of Forward Error Correction (RS-FEC) and Auto Negotiation. This load module is compatible with XGS12-SD rack mount chassis (940-0011), XG12 rack mount chassis (940-0005), XM12 HP rack mount chassis (941-0024), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0023).
The XM100GE4CFP4+ENH load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XM100GE4CFP4+ENH
XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN is a 40-Gigabit Ethernet load module. It has 1-slot with 6-ports of 40GE and 16-ports of 10GE via multimode fan-out cables, with full featured L2-7 control and data-plane support. This load module is compatible with the XGS12-SD rack-mount chassis (940-0011), and XM2 desktop chassis (941-0023). This load module supports AVB protocols.
One or more QSFP+ 40GBASE-SR4 optical transceivers (948-0031) and MT 12-fiber MMF cable, 3-meter length (942-0041) are available with the load module. Note: The 10GE Fan-out capability of this load module is provided by a software option, which is delivered using a software activation file.
The XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN load module is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Xcellon-Multis Module-XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
10GE fan-out options for XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
The 10G Fan-out options are provided in the same manner as that for Xcellon Multis QSFP family.
AVB Protocols
- Supports MSRP+MVRP and gPTP protocols
- Has 2.5 ns of timestamp resolution and provides highly accurate gPTP measurements
- Facilitates a range of QoS (loss/delay/jitter) testing to verify CBS implementation
- Supports both 1722 and non-1722 encapsulated traffic
-
Allows both AVB and Best-Effort traffic to be configured on the same port
Note: These protocols are supported on Xcellon Multis AVB Load Module family only.
Note:
- There are limitations on the number of Xcellon-Multis load modules that can be installed into the XG12, XM12 HP and XM2 chassis. These limitations apply even when Multis load modules are mixed with other Ixia load module types.
- For more information, see Chassis Capacity: Maximum Number of Cards and Ports per Chassis Model section in Xcellon-Multis Load Module Specifications table, and Xcellon-Multis 10GE Fan-out Load Module Specifications table.
Xcellon-Multis Fan-out capability through 10GE license
10G option can be upgraded in the following Xcellon-Multis load modules through license. By default, the ports are in 40GE mode for these load modules.
- XM100GE4CXP+FAN
- XM40GE12QSFP+FAN
- XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN
- XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
- XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
Part Numbers
Part Numbers for Xcellon-Multis Load Module and Supported Adapters are provided in the following table.
Model Number | Part Number | Description |
---|---|---|
XM100GE4CXP |
944-1100 |
|
XM100GE4CXP+FAN |
944-1101 |
|
XM40GE12QSFP+FAN |
944-1102 |
|
XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN |
944-1105 |
|
XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN |
944-1109 |
|
XM100GE4QSFP28 |
944-1116 |
|
XM100GE4CFP4 |
944-1110 |
|
XMAVB10/40GE6QSFP+FAN |
944-1132 |
|
XM100GE4QSFP28+ENH |
944-1117 |
|
905-1004 |
|
|
905-1005 |
|
|
XM100GE4CFP4+ENH |
944-1111 |
|
Specifications
The specifications of the Xcellon-Multis load module variants are provided in the following tables.
Specifications of 100GE, 40GE and 100/40GE Multis modules
The load module specifications are contained in the following table.
Specifications of Multis Modules with 10GE Fan-out capability
The load module specifications for the modules with 10GE Fan-out capability are contained in the following table.
Application Support
The Ixia application support for Xcellon-Multis load modules is provided in the following table:
Application | Support |
---|---|
IxNetwork |
Provides wire-rate traffic generation with service modeling that builds realistic, dynamically-controllable data-plane traffic. IxNetwork offers the industry's best test solution for functional and performance testing by using comprehensive emulation for routing, switching, MPLS, IP multicast, broadband, authentication, Carrier Ethernet, and data center Ethernet protocols. |
IxExplorer |
Layer 2-3 wire-speed traffic generation and analysis and Layer 1 BERT and IEEE 802.3ba HSE PCS Lanes testing. |
Tcl API |
Custom user script development for layer 1-7 testing. |
Mechanical Specifications
Front Panel
The Front panel of Xcellon-Multis load modules is shown in the following figure:
Figure: Front panel of Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4CXP
Figure: Front panel of Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN
Figure: Front panel of Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN
LED Panel
The LED panel specifications for Multis CXP module are provided in the following table.
Speed Mode | MODE LED | TX LED | RX LED |
---|---|---|---|
100G |
Off |
Link Up=Green Link Down=Red TX Active-Blinking Green |
RX Active (errors)=Blinking Red RX Active=Blinking Green |
40G |
Green |
Link Up (all ports)=Green Link Up (partial)=Yellow Link Down (all ports)=Red TX Active-Blinking Green |
RX Active (errors)(any)=Blinking Red RX Active (any)=Blinking Green |
10G |
Yellow |
Link Up (all ports)=Green Link Up (partial)=Yellow Link Down (all ports)=Red TX Active-Blinking Green |
RX Active (errors)(any)=Blinking Red RX Active (any)=Blinking Green |
25G | Blue |
Link Up (all ports)=Green Link Up (partial)=Yellow Link Down (all ports)=Red TX Active-Blinking Green |
RX Active (errors)(any)=Blinking Red RX Active (any)=Blinking Green |
Red | Faulty Card | Faulty Card |
For 10/40GE QSFP modules, there are 2 LEDs per port. They operate the same way in 40GE and 10 GE modes.So the number of LEDs are:
- 12x2 = 24 LEDs on front pannel for 12-port QSFP card
- 6x2 = 12 LEDs for 6-port QSFP card
LED 1: Bi-Color Tx Status LED | LED 2: Bi-Color Rx Status LED | ||
---|---|---|---|
Ports Inactive/No Power |
Off |
Ports Inactive/No Power |
Off |
Link Down |
Solid Red |
Rx Active with Errors |
Blinking Red |
Link Up |
Solid Green |
Rx Active |
Blinking Green |
Tx Active |
Blinking Green |
|
|
Partial Link up |
Solid Yellow |
Fan-out Capability
The 3x40GE fan-out is a new capability that provides up to 12 independent 40GE QSFP+ links or generic 40GE fiber links. There are up to three 40GE QSFP+ fiber-based links provided via a cable per 100GE CXP physical port, using all of the 4-ports of 100GE CXP on the Multis load module.
Fan-out Cable Options
The Xcellon-Multis cable options are described in the following sections.
100GE CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP+ AOC fiber fan-out cables
CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP Active Optical Cable (AOC) cables are used with Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4CXP+FAN 100/40GE (944-1101) and XM40GE12QSFP+FAN 40GE (944-1102) load modules.
100GE CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP+ AOC fiber fan-out cables have the following features:
- Active Optical Cable (AOC)
- Multi-mode fiber (MMF), 850nm
- 942-0053 - 1 meter
- 942-0054 - 3 meter
- 942-0055 - 5 meter
The 100GE CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP+ AOC fiber fan-out cable is shown in the following figure:
Figure: 100GE CXP-to-3x40GE QSFP+ AOC fiber fan-out cable

MT-MT 3x40GE passive fiber fan-out cables
The MT-MT 3x40GE passive fiber fan-out cables requires 1 each CXP 100GE pluggable optical transceiver (948-0030). This combination is compatible with Xcellon-Multis XM100GE4CXP+FAN 100/40GE (944-1101) and XM40GE12QSFP+FAN 40GE load modules.
The MT-MT 3x40GE passive fiber fan-out cables have the following features:
- Multi-mode frequency (MMF), 850nm
- F-F key-up compatible with CXP & QSFP optical transceivers
- 942-0060 - 3 meter
- 942-0061 - 5 meter
- Transceivers are sold separately
The MT-MT 3x40GE passive fiber fan-out cable is shown in the following figure:
Figure: MT-MT 3x40GE passive fiber fan-out cable

CXP point-to-point AOC Cable (no fan-out)
The CXP point-to-point AOC cable has the following features:
- Active Optical Cable (AOC)
- Multi-mode frequency (MMF), 850nm
- 942-0052 - 3 meter
The CXP point-to-point AOC cable is shown in the following figure:
Figure: CXP point-to-point AOC cable

MT-to-4x10GE LC fan-out, MMF
MT-to-4x10GE LC fan-out, MMF, 3-meter cable requires QSFP 40GBASE-SR4, pluggable, transceiver, 850nm, MMF (948-0031). The cables and transceiver are compatible with Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1105), and the Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1109).
MT-to-4x10GE LC fan-out, MMF, 5-meter cable requires QSFP 40GBASE-SR4, pluggable, transceiver, 850nm, MMF (948-0031). The cables and transceiver are compatible with Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1105), and the Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1109).
The MT-MT 4x10GE passive fiber fan-out cable is shown in the following figure:
Figure: MT-MT 4x10GE passive fiber fan-out cable
QSFP-to-4x10GE SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (DAC)
QSFP-to-4x10GE SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (DAC) is a passive copper, fan-out, cable that is 3-meter in length. This cable is compatible with the load modules Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1105) and Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1109).
The load modules must have the 10GE fan-out option enabled to use this cable. This requires 905-1000 XM10GE-FAN-OUT 10GE fan-out option for NEW purchases of Xcellon-Multis load modules, or the 905-1001 UPG-XM10GE-FAN-OUT 10GE fan-out option UPGRADE for existing Xcellon-Multis load modules.
The QSFP-to-4x10GE SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (DAC) cable is shown in the following figure:
Figure: QSFP-to-4x10GE SFP+ Direct Attach Cable (DAC) cable
QSFP-to-QSFP 40GE 40GBASE-CR4 Direct Attach Cable (DAC)
QSFP-to-QSFP 40GE 40GBASE-CR4 Direct Attach Cable (DAC) is a passive copper, point-to-point cable that is 3-meter in length. This cable is compatible with the load modules Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1105) and Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1109).
The QSFP-to-QSFP 40GE 40GBASE-CR4 Direct Attach Cable (DAC) is shown in the following figure:
Figure: QSFP-to-QSFP 40GE 40GBASE-CR4 Direct Attach Cable (DAC)
Features
The 100GE fan-out capability has the following features:
- Each 100GE port and transceiver combination has the ability to fan-out to three 40GE QSFP+ links using a fiber fan-out cable media type, or a pluggable transceiver used with a fiber-only fan-out cable.
- Each 100GE port, when in the 3x40GE fan-out configuration, supports one-user for all three 40GE links.
- Each 100GE port with a transceiver that uses a fan-out cable to produce 3x40GE links will equally divide and allocate the data and control plane resources of the 100GE port to each 40GE link.
- There are 32 transmit streams for each of 40GE link in a 3x40GE fan-out configuration and at least 64K Rx PGID capacity per link.
- There is one LED per 100GE CXP port that indicates that the port is in fan-out mode.
- PCS lanes and Link Fault Signaling port counter support supports link troubleshooting for the entire port.
The Xcellon-Multis load module with CXP-to-3x40GE fan-out fiber cables for a 100GE CXP port with a 100GE transceiver installed, is shown in the following figure.
Figure: Xcellon-Multis load module with CXP-to-3x40GE fan-out
Benefits
Due to the enormous growth in Internet users and devices, the total bandwidth requirements of a single switch or router has reached multiple terabits. Devices that scale up to hundreds of 40GE and 100GE ports, instead of dozens, are needed to match such huge bandwidth requirements.
Xcellon-Multis family of load modules allows Higher Speed Ethernet testing using cable fan-out technology. This allows higher ports speeds to fan-out to several ports (links) of another speed. It also has the following benefits:
- 100GE/40GE fan-out technology separates a phyiscal interface into multiple interfaces.
- The same features for 100GE and 40GE can be used from a single port or a group of ports.
- The same features for 100GE and 40GE all able to be used from a single port or a group of ports.
- Enables higher port densities per chassis - 2x the 100GE capacity and 3x the 40GE capacity.
- A simple fan-out cable allows you to have 3 ports of 40GE QSFP at a lower cost than a new, full load module.
- Multis provide an efficient way to have 100GE using the native physical port of CXP, and then have in the same port of the same card 3x40GE QSFP interfaces. A second card with 40GE QSFP naïve interface is not needed. This saves a slot in your chassis.
- The fan-out technology allows the user to have 100GE/40GE port all emanating from a single card. Compared to traditional Ixia cards, this saves power because you do not have to have two or three different cards in the chassis to perform 100GE/40GE tests.
- Every chassis in the lab produces less heat output to be cooled with less total number of load module installed in the chassis. Multis reduces the number of load modules in the chassis by being:
- High port density
- Providing Fan-out technology
Transceivers and Cables
The Xcellon-Multis family supports optical transceivers and fiber cables for each of the physical interfaces that are supported.
The following are the two types of 3x40GE fan-out cables:
- Active Optical cable (AOC): CXP to (3) QSFP+, fiber, active, fan-out cable.
- Fiber fan-out cable: MTP to (3) MTP QSFP+, fiber, passive, fan-out cable.
Active Optical Cable
The following tables list the specifications of the AOC cable.
CXP AOC part number | Cable length | Cards/Adapters to Interoperate with |
---|---|---|
ICD120GVP2420-05 |
5.0 m |
MK, 4x40GE, K2 |
1110251303 |
3.0 m |
MK, 4x40GE, K2 |
1110251305 |
5.0 m |
MK, 4x40GE, K2 |
1110251307 |
7.0 m |
MK, 4x40GE |
1110251310 |
10.0 m |
MK, 4x40GE |
CXP AOC part number | Cable length | Cards/Adapters to Interoperate with |
---|---|---|
FCBGD10CD1C03/ICD120GVP2410-03 |
5.0 m |
MK, K2 |
FCBGD10CD1C05/ICD120GVP2410-05 |
3.0 m |
MK |
FCBGD10CD1C10/ICD120GVP2410-10 |
5.0 m |
MK |
FCBGD10CD1C20/ICD120GVP2410-20 |
7.0 m |
MK |
Fibre Fan-out Cable
The following table lists the specifications of the fibre fan-out cable.
MTP Fan-out part number | Cable length | Cards/Adapters/Optics to Interoperate with |
---|---|---|
Custom |
1.0 m |
QSFP optic, MK, 4x40GE, Combo |
Custom |
3.0 m |
QSFP optic, MK, 4x40GE, Combo |
Custom |
5.0 m |
QSFP optic, MK, 4x40GE, Combo |
Custom |
10.0 m |
QSFP optic, MK, 4x40GE, Combo |
Cables used by Multis CXP, QSFP, and QSFP28
The following table lists the cables used by Multis CXP, QSFP, and QSFP28 load modules.
Part number | Media Type | Cable length | Cards on which supported |
---|---|---|---|
1-2231368-2 |
Q28-CR4 |
5.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
2231368-5 |
Q28-CR4 |
5.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
2231368-8 |
Q28-CR4 |
3.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
2231368-1 |
Q28-CR4 |
1.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
MFA1A00-E003 |
AOC QSFP28 |
3.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
MCP1600-C002 |
Passive Copper Cable |
2.0 m |
QSFP28 Enhanced |
IXIA 942-0064 |
MMF Fiber |
3.0 m |
Multis CXP |
MB-752024-135-071-343-010M-116 |
MMF Fiber |
10.0 m |
Multis CXP |
942-0054-01 |
MMF Fiber |
3.0 m |
Multis CXP, Multis QSFP |
942-0069-01 |
Copper |
3.0 m |
Multis QSFP |
Transceivers
QSFP Transceiver
QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-SR4 ia an optical, pluggable, MMF, 850nm transceiver is compatible with the load modules Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1105), and Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1109).
The QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-SR4 transceiver is shown in the following figure:
Figure: QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-SR4 transceiver
QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-LR4, optical, pluggable, SMF, 1310nm transceiver is compatible with the load modules Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE12QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP load module (944-1105), and Xcellon-Multis XM10/40GE6QSFP+FAN 40-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP (944-1109).
The QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-LR4 transceiver is shown in the following figure:
Figure: QSFP+ 40GE, 40GBASE-LR4 transceiver
CXP
CXP is useful in the clustering and high-speed computing areas. It is about one-fourth the size of a CFP transceiver providing higher density network interfaces. It is an excellent low cost 100GE system for Multimode fiber cables.
CXP is a copper connector system. It provides twelve 10 Gbps links suitable for 100 Gigabit Ethernet, three 40 Gigabit Ethernet channels, or twelve 10 Gigabit Ethernet channels or a single Infiniband 12× QDR link.CXP components are low cost, field proven and available in volume.
The following are the CXP formats:
- Pluggable transceiver
- Active Optical Cable
The following figure shows the CXP Active Copper, Optical (pluggable), Active Optical:
Figure: CXP Active Copper, Optical (pluggable), Active Optical
QSFP
The Quad (4-channel) Small Form-factor Pluggable (often abbreviated as QSFP or QSFP+) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for data communications applications. It interfaces a network device (switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a fiber optic cable.
The QSFP specification supports Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand and SONET/SDH standards with different data rate options. QSFP+ transceivers are designed to support Serial Attached SCSI, 40G Ethernet, 20G/40G Infiniband, and other communications standards. QSFP modules increase the port-density by 3x-4x compared to CFP modules.
The following figures show the QSFP+ Pluggable and Cable modules:
Figure: QSFP+ Pluggable module

Figure: QSFP+ Cable module
