Innovating the network edge with 100ZR QSFP28: The next frontier in coherent optics
- February 25, 2025
- 11:00 AM ET / 10:00 AM CT / 8:00 AM PT / 3:00 PM GMT
- 1 hour

Summary
As the consumption of network bandwidth relentlessly accelerates, and the focus on sustainability and network efficiency intensifies, operators look towards new solutions to mitigate age-old challenges and provide new methods to improve the TCO of their transport architectures. In the wake of the highly successful and disruptive 400ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable era, and just ahead of emerging 800ZR/ZR+ technology, 100GBASE-ZR (IEEE 802.3-2022) finally enters the coherent pluggable ecosystem as operators grapple with the limits of network capacity. 100ZR, in the ubiquitous QSFP28 form factor, not only provides operators with a new packet-optical convergence tool to migrate 1G/10G choke points, but also significantly extends 100G reach over DWDM and dark fiber architectures.
In this webinar, Juniper Networks, EXFO and Precision Optical Technologies are teaming up to showcase the new 100ZR QSFP28 pluggable coherent technology, exploring its foundational capabilities and diverse use cases in access, aggregation, and service edge networks. Participants will gain valuable insights on how to validate and deploy 100ZR QSFP28 coherent transceivers, both in the lab and in the field. We will explore the specific challenges involved in accurately characterizing transceiver performance and offer practical solutions to ensure their reliability and optimal functionality.
Key topics include:
- An overview of 100ZR QSFP28 coherent technology, its advantages and capabilities at the network edge
- Real-world use cases for 100ZR in enterprise, service provider and service edge networks, including the broad range of challenges and opportunities this new technology and form factor will address.
- Best Practices for testing 100ZR QSFP28 transceivers in the lab and across existing transport infrastructure.
- Don't miss the exciting details Inside Our 100ZR Demonstration: See this Technology in Action!
Speakers
- Anabel Alarcon, Product Manager, EXFO
- Pol Torres Compta, Principal Solutions Engineer, Precision Optical Technologies / Belden
- Amogh Dendukuri,Product Manager,Juniper Networks
Moderator
Sean Buckley, Editor-in-Chief, LIGHTWAVE