Efficient and flexible use of bandwidth is the key to optimizingtraffic flow for any communication channel, and so for Ethernet. FlexE (Flex Ethernet) is a standard developed by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) that allows for efficient and flexible use of Ethernet bandwidth. It enables the aggregation of multiple different bandwidths, such as 100G, 50G, and 25G, into a single logical channel known as a FlexE channel. This allows for more efficient use of network resources and easier management of bandwidth.
FlexE allows the creation of customized bandwidth profiles to meet the specific needs of different applications. For example, a service provider may use FlexE to offer different bandwidth options to its customers, such as a 100G channel for a data center and a 50G channel for a financial services company.
Another vital application of FlexE is in the area of transport network segmentation. This divides a transport network into smaller, more manageable segments to improve network efficiency and scalability. FlexE allows for creating multiple virtual networks over a single physical infrastructure, making it possible to segment a transport network into different virtual networks for various applications or customers.
FlexE allows optimum use of Ethernet bandwidth by enabling the aggregation of different bandwidths, such as 100G, 50G, and 25G, into a single logical channel, a FlexE channel. This is accomplished using techniques called:
- Channel bonding: The bonding of multiple links combines multiple links into a single higher-speed link (for example, four 100G links into a 400G data pipe)
- Sub Rating: When the ideal bandwidth of a purchased link is lower than that of the physical interface. You can reduce Ethernet rates to match lower-rated links using Sub-Rating
- Channelization: Channelization enables network operators to efficiently map multiple services of different Ethernet ratings onto a common interface
- Hybrid: Above all three techniques can be used altogether
FlexE dissociates the client from the actual interface or server to perform the above capabilities and introduces a new Shim between the IEEE-definedMAC (Media Access Controller) and PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) layer. It addsa new TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) frame structure using existing ethernet building blocks such as 66B encoding and O code order set.
FlexE is often implemented in software on top of existing transport equipment, such as optical transport network (OTN) switches or packet-optical transport systems (POTS). It can also be implemented in hardware in the form of FlexE-enabled network interface cards (NICs) or FlexE-enabled routers and switches.
“With Great Flexibility to the user comes great complexity for Engineers.”
OIF FlexE features Channelization/Bonding/Sub-Rating/Hybrid comes with,
- Multiple BaseR PHYs(50G/100G/200G/400G)
- FlexE clients of 5G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 50G, 100G, 200G, and 400G speeds
- Variable number of Clients and Phys with 5G and 25G Granularity
- Calendar A/B and resizing of it
- Interleaving, synchronization, and skew management
It makes the design very complex and challenging for functional verification.
Cadence® Verification IP (VIP) for Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) provides a mature, competent compliance verification solution for the FlexE protocol stack incorporating bus functional model (BFM) and integrated protocol checkers and coverage. The VIP for FlexE is designed for easy integration in test benches at IP, system-on-chip (SoC), and system levels, helping reduce time to test, accelerate verification closure, and ensure end-product quality. The VIP for Ethernet FlexE is compatible with the industry-standard Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) and runs on all leading simulators. More details are available in the Ethernet Verification IP portfolio.