Intel debuted its new silicon photonics modules last week, saying the new technology will bring 100Gbps networking speeds to data centers. According to VentureBeat, “The technology is the result of years-long efforts to bring both electronics and optical components onto a single piece of silicon, which is lower cost and easier to make.” Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, Intel’s executive vice president Diane Bryant said, “electrons running over network cables won’t cut it [anymore]. Intel has been working on silicon photonics for over 16 years. We are the first to light up silicon.” So far, Microsoft has begun implementing Intel’s silicon photonics technology in its data centers. At present, pricing information for Intel’s silicon photonics modules is unknown. Intel is, however, providing quotes to interested parties.
So here we are seeing 10gbps over copper and with optics like SFP dying out or breathing funny as Wendell mentioned in the one video. Does that mean eventually everyone will have migrate BACK over to optical again, at those who migrated back over 10gbps copper?
I wonder if this would boost SDN and stuff like warehouse scale computing?