Acacia Shares Strategies for Scale-Out and Scale-Across Architectures at ECOC 2026
Acacia is introducing a new 800ZR module with Media Access Control Security (MACsec) and full interoperability that enables hyperscalers and neocloud network operators to secure scale-across interconnects between AI data centers up to 1000 km apart. The 800ZR MACsec module expands on the industry’s broadest coherent pluggable portfolio which includes a mix of 800ZR/ZR+, 400ZR/ZR+, 400G ULH, and 100ZR supporting C + L band in multiple form factors including QSFP-DD, OSFP, CFP2, and QSFP28. Deployed by the five largest hyperscalers and many other network operators, Acacia is the market share leader in coherent technology, according to LightCounting.
Strategies for AI Scale-Out and Scale-Across Architectures
The ability to scale the network at the same pace as the compute is expected to be one of the most challenging issues for network operators – and a key topic at this year’s European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC). To be successful, network operators need to start thinking differently, and that starts with a re-prioritization of their execution, scale, quality, reliability, and time to market. By leveraging the latest in coherent and client optics for AI scale-across and scale-out networks, network operators can deliver the highly reliable, high-capacity, power-efficient connectivity that AI workloads require.
Scaling Across with MACsec
Acacia’s new 800ZR MACsec module is based on the IEEE 802.1AE MACsec standard for authenticating and encrypting packets between two MACsec-capable devices. It protects against data interception, data tampering, forgery and other security threats. With MACsec in the coherent pluggable module, network operators have an optimal solution for secure, low power and cost-efficient scale-across connectivity.
Previously, whenever link security was needed, network operators could either use MACsec encryption from the switch ASICs or Layer1 encryption from separate transponder equipment. However, sometimes MACsec is not available in the switch ASICs, and transponder equipment can add significant power consumption in AI data centers where energy is often a limitation for compute scaling. The coherent pluggable with MACsec also enables switches that are normally used for scale-out to be leveraged for scale-across applications.
800G coherent modules with MACsec provide link security for scale-across and DCI architectures.
Scaling Out with 1.6T IMDD (client optics) Powered by PAM4 DSPs and Optical Engines
Scale-out architectures require very high-speed optical interconnects like 1.6T client optics with low power and high-density to connect thousands of data center racks together across a data center hall or between different buildings to maintain speed over distances of hundreds of meters to kilometers. The 1.6T client optics will require a robust supply chain that can provide the high-volume, high-quality, and highly reliable components necessary to meet the growth, creating opportunities for Acacia’s Kibo PAM4 DSP and optical engines.
ECOC speaking sessions and demos highlight Acacia’s AI expertise:
- Acacia’s VP of Marketing, Tom Williams, kicks off the ECOC Market Focus theater schedule on Monday, September 21 at 10 am sharing “Strategies for Scale-Across and Scale-Out Networking.”
- Tom will also present “LPO, T/LRO, XPO, EIEIO….A Vendor Perspective on Architectural Evolution” on Sunday, September 20th at 16:30 in the A1 Auditorium 1.
- OIF (Booth #2126): Acacia is participating in OIF’s “Optical System — DCI /Scale-Across/ IP over DWDM Ecosystem” and “Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) —Revolutionizing Management” multi-vendor interoperability demonstrations. These demonstrations include a broad portfolio of Acacia coherent pluggables including 800G ZR/ZR+, 400G ULH, 400G ZR/ZR+, and 100G ZR QSFP28.
- Ethernet Alliance (Booth #2173): Acacia is supporting EA’s live multi-vendor interoperability demonstration with Acacia’s 800G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggables showing how interoperability is helping to turn innovation into real-world connectivity.
For more information or to schedule a meeting, contact us. We hope to see you in Spain!
