Echola Systems cabling guide

800G Connection Guidelines

800G technology was originally deployed for short-range “east-west” data flows inside data centers, including GPU interconnects over distances of 100 meters or less. It has now expanded into long-haul, metro, and Data Center Interconnect (DCI) applications.

As 800G and emerging 1.6T network layers become more widely deployed, automated fiber-cut simulation is now a critical requirement for validating network resilience under realistic failure conditions.

What this guide covers

  • Available cabling options for connecting 800G systems to Echola Fiber-Cut Switches and VOAs.
  • Physical cable breakout requirements for common 800G optical architectures.
  • Exact Echola port counts required for bidirectional fiber-cut simulation.
Option 1

800G 2xLR4

Dual-Channel WDM

4 ports

This architecture acts as two independent 400G LR4 lines inside a single 800G shell. It multiplexes four wavelengths per channel over parallel paths and is designed to break out one 800G port into two separate 400G pathways.

Transceiver examples

  • Cisco/Arista-compatible 800GBASE-2LR4 OSFP/QSFP-DD using Dual Duplex LC.
  • Approved Networks 800G QSFP-DD 2xLR4 transceiver.

Corresponding cable

Dual Duplex LC Single-Mode Breakout/Patch Cable.

This is a physical fiber split. It plugs into the two physical dual ports on the transceiver and separates them into two standard single-mode Duplex LC lines on the Echola end.

Option 2

800G PLR8 / LR8

Parallel Optics

16 ports

This architecture uses parallel optics, driving eight distinct data lanes down eight separate physical pairs of single-mode fiber without internal wavelength multiplexing inside the transceiver.

Transceiver examples

  • FS.com QDD-PLR8-800G QSFP-DD module for up to 10 km over eight single-mode pairs.
  • NADDOD 800G OSFP PLR8 / DR8 with high-density MPO-16 connection blocks.

Corresponding cable

MPO-16 APC Female to 8x LC Duplex Single-Mode OS2 Harness/Breakout Cable.

The MPO-16/APC end plugs into the 800G PLR8 transceiver, then fans out into eight independent Duplex LC legs that match the standard LC ports on the Echola chassis.

Port Count Summary

800G Architecture Optical Format Cable / Breakout Type Echola Ports Required Use Case Notes
800G 2xLR4 Dual-channel WDM Dual Duplex LC single-mode breakout / patch cable 4 ports Two 400G LR4 legs; 2 ports per leg for Tx/Rx bidirectional testing.
800G PLR8 / LR8 Parallel optics MPO-16 APC Female to 8x LC Duplex Single-Mode OS2 harness 16 ports Eight Tx strands and eight Rx strands routed through the Echola switch.

Example 800G 2xLR4 Connection Setup

800G 2xLR4 connection setup using Echola fiber-cut switch ports

Example 2xLR4 800G setup showing Echola ports 1–4 used for the bidirectional breakout connection.

Selecting the Right Echola Switch

For 800G 2xLR4 links, a 10-port Echola model can support the required four-port connection. For 800G PLR8 / LR8 links, use a 20-port model such as the VFC2011-SM so the full 16-port parallel fabric can be routed through the switch.

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