100G Fiber Optic Enterprise Router Available Now

High-performance 100G enterprise routers and pluggable optics are available from Cisco, Arista, and Ciena, supporting long-reach and high-capacity deployments for data centers, metro, and enterprise networks.

Cisco 100G Solutions

Cisco offers a range of 100G pluggable optics and routers suitable for enterprise and service provider networks. The QSFP-100G-ZR4-S transceiver supports 100G connectivity over single-mode fiber up to 80 km, ideal for linking distant enterprise sites, regional data centers, or wireless fronthaul networks, without requiring external amplifiers . Cisco's single-lambda 100G optics include 100G FR, DR, LR, and ER-Lite modules, covering distances from 500 m to 25 km, enabling flexible deployment in data centers, co-location facilities, and core networks . Cisco routers like the ASR 1000 series and ISR 4331 provide integrated 100G support with SD-WAN, security, and cloud connectivity .

Arista 100G Platforms

Arista Networks delivers high-density 100G routers and switches with the 7800R series offering up to 460 Tbps system throughput and support for 100G and 400G ports . These platforms are designed for cloud, data center, and campus networks, providing programmable EOS software, high reliability, and scalability for AI/ML workloads. Arista's modular architecture allows flexible port density and routing capacity, making it suitable for large-scale enterprise deployments.

Ciena 100G Coherent Transceivers

Ciena's 100ZR QSFP28 coherent transceivers enable 100 Gb/s transmission over long distances with dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), scaling up to 9.6 Tb/s on a single fiber pair . These pluggable modules are compatible with existing QSFP28 router ports, allowing enterprises to expand capacity without replacing infrastructure. Ciena's solutions also integrate quantum-safe encryption and support AI-driven network scaling, making them suitable for secure, high-performance enterprise networks.

Deployment Considerations

• Reach Requirements: Choose optics based on distance—short-reach (DR/FR) for intra-data center, long-reach (ZR/ER-Lite) for metro or inter-site links.
• Router Compatibility: Ensure the router supports QSFP28 or QSFP-DD ports for 100G optics.
• Scalability: Modular platforms like Arista 7800R or Cisco ASR series allow incremental upgrades to 400G or higher.
• Security & Management: Integrated encryption, SD-WAN, and cloud management simplify operations and protect enterprise traffic. These solutions are available now and can be deployed immediately to upgrade enterprise networks to 100G, supporting high-bandwidth applications, AI workloads, and long-distance connectivity.