Abstract: A network element include one or more modules each supporting one or more pluggable modules; and a first manifold and a second manifold each configured to connect to a conduit associated with a coldplate, wherein one of the first manifold and the second manifold is an inlet manifold and the other is an outlet manifold for a cooling fluid that flows through the conduit to cool the one or more pluggable modules. The one or more pluggable modules can be each a pluggable optical module that is one of compliant to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD and have a housing that has dimensions similar to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD.

Abstract: A network element include one or more modules each supporting one or more pluggable modules; and a first manifold and a second manifold each configured to connect to a conduit associated with a coldplate, wherein one of the first manifold and the second manifold is an inlet manifold and the other is an outlet manifold for a cooling fluid that flows through the conduit to cool the one or more pluggable modules. The one or more pluggable modules can be each a pluggable optical module that is one of compliant to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD and have a housing that has dimensions similar to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD.

Abstract: A pluggable module for use in a networking system includes a body with an electrical interface configured to be inserted into networking equipment; a head connected to the body and including a handle; and a light pipe with an entry in or near the body, the light pipe configured to provide light from inside the body to the handle. The body can include a light source directed towards the entry. The light source can be a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Advantageously, this disclosure provides an ability to support status lights in a very small surface area on a pluggable module.

Abstract: A host module configured for insertion into a chassis of a network element includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB); a plurality of rails disposed on the PCB, for housing one or more universal sub slot modules on the host module, wherein the plurality of rails are for guiding a universal sub slot module during insertion and for stabilization thereof; and a faceplate disposed to the PCB and including one or more openings each for the one or more universal sub slot modules, wherein the PCB communicates to each of the one or more universal sub slot modules via a plurality of high-speed links that are at least 28 Gbps each. At least one of the one or more universal sub slot modules can be a coherent modem or a router.

Abstract: Systems and methods include receiving an Optical Transport Network (OTN) signal; segmenting the OTN signal into one or more flows of packets; and transmitting the one or more flows of packets spread over one or more Ethernet links. The one or more flows can be transmitted over a Leaf/Spine network, and the one or more flows can be elephant and/or mice flows.

Abstract: A universal sub slot module includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including circuitry for power, a data plane, and a control plane; a faceplate connected to one end of the PCB and connectors connected to another end of the PCB, wherein the connectors are configured to connect to corresponding connectors in a host module; and a form factor containing the PCB and configured to interface a sub slot in the host module configured to operate in a chassis-based or rack mounted unit network element. The host module can include a plurality of sub slots, each being a port having one of the universal sub slot module and a filler module. The data plane can be configured to implement one of Optical Transport Network (OTN), Beyond 100G, Flexible Optical (FlexO), Ethernet, and Flexible Ethernet (FlexE).

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a guided cable assist that blinks port LEDs on the faceplate cage of modules as an indication that assists the user in cabling a system optimally from start to finish. The systems and methods include receiving a signal responsive to a first end of a cable being coupled to a first port in a system; providing an indication, wherein the indication signifies where a second end of the cable is to be coupled; and responsive to the second end of the cable being coupled, performing a validation check of the cable connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods include cabling topology for expansion of network components such as servers, computing devices, routers, switches, and other components of the like. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a rack which may be coupled to a plurality of additional side racks. The racks include one or more shelves (systems), the shelves being connected via a plurality of cables each having the same length and any excess slack in the cables is managed via utilizing any of a plurality of hooks. The racks may include a plurality of systems stacked on top of each other which may be connected via the plurality of cables each having the same length and any excess slack in the cables again being managed via any of the plurality of hooks.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an optical switch system which provides a combination of µLED arrays, PDs, imaging fiber cables, and crosspoint switch on a single chip. The system includes one or more input ports with each inputport configured to connect to an inputfiber bundle. The system additionally includes one or more output ports with each output port configured to connect to an outputfiber cable, wherein each of the inputfiber bundle and the outputfiber cable include a plurality of fiber cores. An electrical crosspoint switch is connected to the one or more input ports and the one or more output ports, wherein the electrical crosspoint switch is configured to connect a given input port to a corresponding output port, including all signals in the input fiber cable to the corresponding output fiber cable.

Abstract: A modular hardware platform utilizes a combination of different types of units that are pluggable into cassette endpoints. The present disclosure enables the construction of an extremely large system, e.g., 500 Tb/s+, as well as small, standalone systems using the same hardware units. This provides flexibility to build different systems with different slot pitches. The hardware platform includes various numbers of stackable units that mate with a cost-effective, hybrid Printed Circuit Board (PCB)/Twinax backplane, that is orthogonally oriented relative to the stackable units. In an embodiment, the hardware platform supports a range of 14.4 Tb/s-800 Tb/s+ in one or more 19? racks, providing full features Layer 3 to Layer 0 support, i.e., protocol support for both a transit core router and full feature edge router including Layer 2/Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Dense Wave Division Multiplexed (DWDM) optics, and the like.

Abstract: A networking hardware system includes a housing; a board located in the housing and comprising a plurality of components; a liquid cooled heat exchanger; and one or more fans disposed near the liquid cooled heat exchanger and configured to provide cool airflow from the liquid cooled heat exchanger to any of the plurality of components. The housing can be substantially sealed from an external environment and includes no air intake thereon, removing a need for higher powered fans and for air filtering for dust. The housing can include a faceplate with no air intake thereon, providing increased density for ports on the faceplate.

Abstract: A network element (16) includes ingress optics (22) configured to receive a client signal; egress optics (30) configured to transmit packets over one or more Ethernet links (20) in a network (12); circuitry (26, 28) interconnecting the ingress optics (22) and the egress optics (30), wherein the circuitry is configured to segment an Optical Transport Network (OTN) signal from the client signal into one or more flows; and provide the one or more flows to the egress optics for transmission over the one or more of Ethernet links (20) to a second network element (18) that is configured to provide the one or more flows into the OTN signal.

Abstract: A module for a networking node is disclosed. The module includes a Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”); one or more circuits mounted to the PCB; and a faceplate that including a plurality of plates, angled relative to one another, such that the faceplate includes increased surface area relative to a substantially flat faceplate, wherein at least two plates of the plurality of plates include physical ports each having track lengths to a circuit of one or more circuits, wherein one or more of the physical ports support signals at a rate of at least 100 Gbps. Each plate of the plurality of plates can be flat. Any of the plurality of plates can include physical ports. The physical ports can be pluggable modules. Each type of the physical ports can be a same type on a given plate.

Abstract: A network element include one or more modules each supporting one or more pluggable modules; and a first manifold and a second manifold each configured to connect to a conduit associated with a coldplate, wherein one of the first manifold and the second manifold is an inlet manifold and the other is an outlet manifold for a cooling fluid that flows through the conduit to cool the one or more pluggable modules. The one or more pluggable modules can be each a pluggable optical module that is one of compliant to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD and have a housing that has dimensions similar to any of XFP, SFP, XENPAK, X2, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CFP8, QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, OSFP, and QSFP-DD.

Abstract: A pluggable module for use in a networking system includes a body with an electrical interface configured to be inserted into networking equipment; a head connected to the body and including a handle; and a light pipe with an entry in or near the body, the light pipe configured to provide light from inside the body to the handle. The body can include a light source directed towards the entry. The light source can be a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Advantageously, this disclosure provides an ability to support status lights in a very small surface area on a pluggable module.

Abstract: Network rack systems for physically supporting modules of a network element and cable management structures for maintaining network cables in an organized manner are provided. An auxiliary side cabinet, according to one implementation, includes a frame configured for physical attachment to a side portion of a main rack structure, where the main rack structure is configured to support a plurality of modules of a Network Element (NE). The auxiliary side cabinet further includes a front plane connected to a front portion of the frame. Also, the auxiliary side cabinet includes one or more connector panels supported on the front plane. Each of the one or more connector panels is configured to support a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are configured for communication with associated connectors of the modules of the NE via cables. Also, the plurality of connectors are configured as high pin count connectors.

Abstract: A module for a networking node is disclosed. The module includes a Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”), one or more circuits mounted to the PCB and a faceplate. The faceplate includes a middle plate, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The first side plate extends from the middle plate at an obtuse angle relative to the middle plate towards a first side and back of the module. The second side plate extends from the middle plate, opposite to the first side plate, at an obtuse angle relative to the middle plate towards a second side and the back of the module.

Abstract: Protection elements are provided for protecting optical networking systems during shipment. In one implementation, a system includes a card having one or more sockets, each socket having a connector device. The system also includes a pluggable module having an interface configured to connect with the connector device of a respective socket when the pluggable module is fully seated in the socket. A first protection element is configured to be held in place near a front edge of the socket. The first protection element is configured to allow the pluggable module to be arranged in a partially inserted position within the socket. Also, the first protection element is further configured to block the pluggable module from being fully seated in the socket to thereby prevent the interface of the pluggable module from contacting the connector device of the socket.

Abstract: A module for a networking node is disclosed. The module includes a Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”), one or more circuits mounted to the PCB and a faceplate. The faceplate includes a middle plate, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The first side plate extends from the middle plate at an obtuse angle relative to the middle plate towards a first side and back of the module. The second side plate extends from the middle plate, opposite to the first side plate, at an obtuse angle relative to the middle plate towards a second side and the back of the module.

Abstract: A modular hardware platform utilizes a combination of different types of units that are pluggable into cassette endpoints. The present disclosure enables the construction of an extremely large system, e.g., 500 Tb/s+, as well as small, standalone systems using the same hardware units. This provides flexibility to build different systems with different slot pitches. The hardware platform includes various numbers of stackable units that mate with a cost-effective, hybrid Printed Circuit Board (PCB)/Twinax backplane, that is orthogonally oriented relative to the stackable units. In an embodiment, the hardware platform supports a range of 14.4 Tb/s-800 Tb/s+ in one or more 19? racks, providing full features Layer 3 to Layer 0 support, i.e., protocol support for both a transit core router and full feature edge router including Layer 2/Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Dense Wave Division Multiplexed (DWDM) optics, and the like.