96 Port Layer 1 Switch
MetaConnect 96 is a 96 port layer 1 switch specifically designed for latency sensitive applications such as trading, but can benefit any network without adding overhead. Via an optional FPGA upgrade, MetaConnect 96 can run MetaMux, MetaWatch or MetaFilter applications.
The Layer 1 switch forwards bitstream-level data between ports in 6 nanoseconds (+/- 1 ns) with full signal recovery and regeneration. Because it doesn't buffer or queue data, MetaConnect is fully deterministic with virtually undetectable jitter; and has zero impact on network performance, accelerating common switching applications.
MetaConnect's state of the art signal integrity circuitry means that it can use almost any SFP/SFP+ including long-range multi-mode (LRM), as well as passive and active direct-attach copper cables, which can deliver significant cost savings.
In parallel with best-in-class layer 1 switching, MetaConnect's packet-aware technology allows it to gather comprehensive packet statistics, provide signal quality monitoring and diagnostics (including signal quality eye diagrams). It can even sniff packets from the wire (tcpdump) without affecting the data path.
Since MetaConnect's latency and jitter are virtually undetectable, it can be used in a network as a remotely configurable patch panel for one to many market data broadcast, ad-hoc tapping, media conversion and link monitoring, with the same overhead as a metre of fibre and no degeneration of signal quality.
FPGA Upgradeable
MetaConnect 96 can be purchased with one of several optional FPGA upgrades.
- For packet capture with MetaWatch, upgrade with the Virtex 7 based Kookaburra module, capturing, timestamping and buffering up to 30 ports.
- For low latency multiplexing or filtering with MetaMux or MetaFilter, upgrade with the Arria 10 based Cassowary module.
- Developer kits for all Metamako FPGA modules are available at https://www.metamako.com/support.
Why use MetaConnect 96?
- Suitable for latency critical paths with 6 ns port to port latency (averaged across all 96 ports).
- Broadcast data from one source to up to 96 destinations with negligible latency and determinism impact.
- Wire a rack once and configure remotely to:
- Reduce data-centre visits and remote hands
- Physically bypass failed links or cut off misbehaving devices
- Tap and monitor ingress/egress traffic to/from any connected device:
- Non-destructively move tap points
- Tap copper connections
- Share a packet capture device.
- Automate a test rack/solution.
- MetaConnect's high performance signal recovery and regeneration makes it possible to use a range of lower-cost third-party SFP/SFP+ modules (refer to our FAQ), avoiding single-supplier expenses and risks.
- Convert between different media types running at the same data-rate.
- Act as a kill switch without adding latency.
- Upgrade with one of Metamako's FPGA based applications to enhance functionality:
- MetaMux provides low latency packet aggregation
- MetaWatch allows up to 30 connections to be tapped, aggregated and timestamped with 8GB of egress buffer
- MetaFilter allows low latency packet filtering based on ACL's
What's the Advantage?
- Has latency and determinism characteristics similar to 1 metre of fibre;
- Provides packet statistics and monitoring across all ports to help troubleshoot and manage your network;
- Timestamps packets;
- Signal integrity circuitry for reliability, performance and signal monitoring;
- More rack-units for your money - MetaConnect replaces a rack loaded with separate devices to simplify your network architecture and free up valuable rack space.
Features and Benefits
| 6 ns Latency | Provides a host of features and yet it is barely detectable in the network. |
|---|---|
| Layer 1 Switch | Acts as remotely configurable patch panel, kill-switch or bypass for failed links. “Wire once” to reduce visits to the data-centre. |
| Port Mirroring | Replaces taps to monitor or share feeds such as market-data with full regeneration and no additional overhead. |
| Media Conversion | Reduces costs by converting between different media types running at the same rate. e.g. convert from high cost fibre to lower cost copper. |
| Flexible SFP/SFP+ support | Allows the use of less expensive modules that are boosted by MetaConnect’s high performance signal recovery and regeneration. |
| Protocol Agnostic | Connects any bit-stream with regeneration to improve signal quality. |
| Expandable | Upgrade to have a Xilinx Virtex 7 FPGA or Altera Arria 10 FPGA on board. |
Specifications
core Features
- 96 SFP/SFP+ ports from 100M-11.3Gbps
- Bit-for-bit forwarding for any protocol
- Unlimited port-to-port mirroring with regeneration
- Multiple independent links through the device are supported at different
data-rates - High performance signal recovery, regeneration and conditioning (EDC on input,
CDR on input and output) - Layer 1+ packet statistics and precise timestamping
ultra low Latency
- 6 ns latency
- Same latency for 1-n port mirroring
- Virtually no jitter
- Completely non-blocking
Cable Compatibility
- Compatible with SR, LR, ZR and LRM SFP/SFP+ modules and
direct attach cables - Drive any MSA compliant SFP/SFP+ module
- Works with long list of third-party SFP/SFP+ modules
- 100M, 1GbE, 10GbE and others
Redundancy & Data Centre
- 2 rack unit (2RU)
- Dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies (DS460S)
- Dual redundant, hot-swappable fans
- Fan and power supply replacement kits are available
- Front-to-back or back-to-front air flow
Monitoring
- Packet statistics captured on every port (valid packets, invalid packets, link state)
- Eye diagram for monitoring and troubleshooting signal quality
- Front panel LEDs for port activity and status
- Ports can be “sniffed” via the management system
- Precise timestamping without additional latency (via port tapping - see use cases
for more details) or on egress port at approximately 300ns for non-latency critical paths - Fully managed SFP+ interface diagnostics including light levels, temperature and voltages
Management Platform
- Quad-core x86-64 CPU
- 8GB RAM, 64GB on-board SSD
- Industry standard command line interface (serial/SSH/telnet)
- Web-based GUI
- Linux based (shells, scripting, Python, RPMs etc.)
- Binary compatibility with other x86-64 based Linux systems
- Firmware restore and update via USB, serial and network
- Integration/orchestration via CLI, python, Netconf, JSON-RPC API
management Protocols
- HTTP/S, SSH, telnet
- Serial console
- PTP, NTP
- SNMP v1, v2, v3, Netconf
- DHCP
- JSON RPC (REST) API
- Local and remote syslog
- RADIUS and TACAS+ authentication
- Remote upgradeability
operating environment
- Temperature: 0°C to 40°C
- Humidity: 10% to 85%, non-condensing
- Maximum altitude: 2000m (6500 ft)
physical and electrical
- Dimensions (h x w x d): 87 x 448 x 379 mm (3.3 x 17.6 x 14.9 in)
- Weight: ~10 KG without mezzanine; 12kg with
- Maximum power: 388 W (with mezzanine)
- AC voltage range: 100-240V, AC frequency: 50/60Hz
- DC voltage range: 40-72V
Front View
Rear View
